Archive for October 2017
USVIHTA Holds First Board Meeting after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Meets with Department of Tourism
The 2017-2018 winter tourism season in the U.S. Virgin Islands presents many opportunities for medium and small hotels, timeshares, and the marine and cruise ship industries, said USVI Hotel and Tourism Association President Lisa Hamilton. She noted that the territory is currently in a recovery economy, likely until Dec. 2017, as most properties are hosting…
Read MoreSmall Business Administration Updates
SBA Approves Over $1 Million Disaster Loans in Virgin Islands; Customer Service Representatives Available to Assist Survivors The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that over $1 million in low-interest disaster loans have been approved for businesses and residents of the Virgin Islands affected by Hurricane Irma. “Currently, 14 disaster loans have been approved in the…
Read MoreAnswers to Frequently asked Questions from Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria Survivors in the V.I.
Q: Where can I get true, reliable information about FEMA’s disaster aid programs? A: Straight answers and plain facts are available from the disaster assistance program experts on FEMA’s Help Line. Call 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) to learn about the programs and to register for disaster assistance. You can speak with multilingual experts from 7 a.m.…
Read MoreFEMA Update: Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available to U.S. Virgin Island Hurricane Survivors
U.S. Virgin Islanders who lost their jobs due to Hurricanes Irma or Maria may now apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help get them back on their feet. The DUA program is designed to provide unemployment benefits and re-employment services to individuals who are unemployed as a result of…
Read MoreVITEMA Update: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning Advisory
Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands are warned against the negative effects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. Residents are strongly warned against the practice of using generators indoors or in enclosed or partially enclosed porches, and garages. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas which interferes…
Read MoreStudents Head Back to School, Sense of Normalcy Returning to the USVI; Royal Caribbean Cruise Executives Meet with Officials on St. Thomas
“Getting school open was a big step in the direction towards some sense of normalcy,” U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp told reporters Oct. 10 at Government House on St. Croix. While all schools were not ready to open, more than 270 teachers and close to 2,000 students turned up for classes in the…
Read MoreGovernor Mapp Asks Congress for $5.5 Billion
The cost to rebuild the U.S. Virgin Islands’ infrastructure after last month’s devastating Category 5 hurricanes is estimated at $5.5 billion dollars, Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp said Oct. 12. In a letter forwarded to congressional leaders, the governor outlined the costs associated with restoring the territory’s power system, rebuilding schools and hospitals, repairing government facilities…
Read MoreDOT Update: U.S. Virgin Islands Getting Back to Business Following September Storms
The U.S. Virgin Islands is getting back to the business of welcoming visitors to its shores following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which struck the territory last month. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty reported that the airports on St. Croix and St. Thomas are now open to commercial flights, and one of the flagship hotels on…
Read Moretesting post
with image
Read MoreWhat the rule on ticket change fees when a passenger
What the rule on ticket change fees when a passenger has to change flight plans because of a medical emergency? My in laws and we were planning a little vacation. My father in law had a cancer relapse and had to change his flight plans. Consequently, we wanted to change our plans, but Delta would…
Read More