"Tourism plays a pivotal role in the lives of our community," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism. "This annual event promotes wider understanding of travel and tourism as an industry that contributes immensely to our economic and social well being."

A series of events have been planned around the territory beginning with the launch of a public service announcement campaign on radio stations and in newspapers throughout the territory. The announcements which carry the slogan "Tourism is me...Tourism: It's all of US." convey the message that all Virgin Islanders are connected to the business of tourism. The announcements will continue throughout the year.

On May 9th Tourism Week kicks off on St. Thomas where DOT staff will participate in the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association's (USVI HTA) Career Fair to showcase the variety of jobs available in the tourism industry. Additionally, St. John and St. Thomas will play host to a number of other activities. All week long, tourism-related trivia will be featured on WSTA Radio's "Morning Show with Addie Ottley" (1340-AM). On May 13th tourism industry professionals will visit local schools to speak to hundreds of students on the importance of tourism to the local economy and the tourism job market. DOT employees and students will "Greet a Tourist" on May 14th in downtown Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay to welcome visitors, provide information and hand out Tourism Week souvenirs. On May 16th a group of junior high school students on St. Thomas and St. John will learn about tourism careers, tour hotels, attractions and other businesses. At each site they will have the chance to speak to tourism professionals and get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. Activities will conclude with a "Tourism Awareness Fair" at Tutu Park Mall. A DOT booth will display videos, ads, newsletters and other USVI tourism materials.

On St. Croix, the DOT will host the "Historical Walk & Talk", a historical walking tour of Frederiksted on May 10th and Christiansted on May 17th. The tours will be led by Wayne James. Radio listeners can tune into a tourism trivia contest throughout the week on WJKC Isle 95 (95.1-FM). Students on St. Croix can learn more about tourism careers at a Career Fair to be held at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus in the Great Hall on May 14th. Organized by the DOT in conjunction with the USVI HTA, the career fair will give students the opportunity to meet with tourism professionals, business owners, restaurateurs, and government officials to learn about entrepreneurship and different careers in the tourism industry. Among the exhibitors are members of the USVI HTA, St. Croix Chamber of Commerce and the Virgin Islands Department of Labor. DOT staff will also be on hand to introduce the destinations' new marketing materials, including the new promotional DVD to students. Tourism Week activities will also jumpstart the weekend when the DOT hosts Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted on May 16th with giveaways, including a trip to St. Thomas.

Stateside, National Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote travel through customized events in communities throughout the U.S. National Tourism Week was established in 1983 by a joint resolution of Congress. In 1984, President Regan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week.