Archive for June 2018

Though the USVI did not send a full team this year, we were honored to collaborate with other island nations severely impacted by the September 2017 hurricanes to compete under the banner of Team Caribbean Strong. The team, comprised of culinary talent from Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,…

Aug 13-17: 25th Annual Destination Symposium Sept. 7-9: Caribbean Wedding Industry Awards at the Montego Bay Convention Center in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Click here for details. Nov. 8-9: Bryan Williams Leadership Academy at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis, MD. Click here for early bird registration through today! Nov. 13: Day Charter Conference & Cocktails to…

Barbados Hotelier Takes Over as New CHTA President On June 22, Barbados hotelier Patricia Affonso-Dass took up office as the new president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. Karolin Troubetzkoy, the regional trade association’s outgoing president, handed over the gavel to Affonso-Dass in an emotional transition at CHTA’s Annual General Meeting during which she…

St. John Brewers is excited to announce the opening of their brand new bar, restaurant and brewery, the Tap Room, at Mongoose Junction. The reopening comes after a three-year-long renovation process following a devastating fire, further delayed due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The new Tap Room, located on the second floor of Mongoose Junction…

With the June 20 launch of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association’s online job bank, employers and candidates have a new hub for listing and searching available jobs. Employers can log on today to begin advertising available positions and searching for qualified candidates while job candidates can browse opportunities, see companies seeking employees and upload…

On the heels of the launch of new service between Fort Lauderdale and St. Croix, Spirit Airlines has announced even more flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands from the sunshine state. The Department of Tourism announced that Spirit Airlines will inaugurate service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas…

June 22-24: The Caribbean Hospitality and Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) at the Hyatt Regency Miami in Miami, Florida. Visit www.chtachief.com for more information. June 22-26: The Taste of the Caribbean at the Hyatt Regency Miami in Miami, Florida. Visit www.chtataste.com for more information. Sept. 7-9: Caribbean Wedding Industry Awards at the Montego Bay Convention Center…

Two top chefs from the U.S. Virgin Islands will showcase the territory’s culinary expertise at this weekend’s popular “City Men Cook” Father’s Day event in Dallas. Chefs Ralph Motta from St. Croix and Julius Jackson from St. Thomas will join the City Men Cook invitees on June 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at…

An international expert in hospitality excellence was impressed by the commitment of U.S. Virgin Islanders at “the frontline” of tourism to elevating customer service throughout the territory. After conducting three days of training last month for more than 200 tourism industry professionals, Melanie Colpitts, director of Aquila’s Center for Cruise Excellence, said the enthusiasm and…

High consumer demand for a Caribbean travel experience and increased tourism investments in hotels and airport improvements bode well for the future of the Caribbean’s tourism sector, which is exceeding 2018 expectations despite the fact that some hotels in six of the Caribbean’s 32 major destinations are still in rebuilding mode following last year’s hurricanes.…