Archive for 2017

Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp said he will not allow the people of the Virgin Islands to be saddled with the expense of hurricane debris removal when the federal government is willing to cover the costs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will pay for all debris removal and disposal until March 20, 2018. The Virgin Islands…

On the heels of her visit to New York and Atlanta in November, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty is reporting a planned increase in air service to the territory following a meeting with Spirit Airlines in South Florida this week. Nicholson-Doty, who was in Miami to meet with airline and cruise partners,…

Governor Mapp Meets with FEMA Administrator on St. Croix Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp told Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator William “Brock” Long Dec. 5 that the territory requires more assistance in repairing homes and helping renters. Many Virgin Islanders live in rental units or family-owned apartments, rendering the occupants ineligible for some forms of assistance…

Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 16-17: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Pistarckle Theater. Two matinee performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day. Click here for ticket information and to learn about shows for the remainder of the season. Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2018: 2018 Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.…

At Marketplace 2018, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association will be shaking things up, adding a vibrant new look, more buyers and exciting new activities that will strengthen the connectivity between all industry stakeholders. The association will also be addressing issues of rebuilding and recovery. “In rolling out a reenergized Caribbean Travel Marketplace, we look…

USVIHTA representatives met with the USVI Department of Tourism in November to discuss updates and progress. Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty discussed the department’s budget moving forward. At the time, more than 70 percent of hotels/rooms are not operational, and several are housing relief workers who are not paying room taxes. The budget for 2018…

Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2018: 2018 Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Puerto Rico Convention Center. Click here for more information. March 22, 2018: Round the Rocks Regatta March 23-25, 2018: St. Thomas International Regatta. For more information, visit stthomasinternationalregatta.com.

The success of the USVI Charter Yacht Show proved St. Thomas is back on the map and open for business in terms of marine tourism in the wake of two major hurricanes in September. Sixty-six charter yacht brokers from the Caribbean, U.S. and Europe visited the three-dozen luxurious 40- to 93-foot sailing and power yachts…

FEMA Approves Permanent Housing Construction for U.S. Virgin Islands Since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the U.S. Virgin Islands in September, more than $11.2 million in federal and territorial recovery grants has been disbursed to eligible homeowners and renters for temporary housing assistance and other needs. With more than half of the estimated number of…

Governor Mapp Reports Productive Week in Washington U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth E. Mapp had a productive week meeting with lawmakers and senior government leaders in the nation’s capital prior to the Thanksgiving break. Addressing reporters at Government House on St. Croix, Mapp reported on meetings of the Virgin Islands delegation with U.S. Vice President…