Programs & Events
Summer Employment Program
The USVIHTA Summer Employment Program celebrated another successful year 35 students completing the program. The six week program allows students to work in several areas of the tourism industry, including hospitality, retail, activities, and attractions. Students were employed with several USVIHTA members who offered to host the students and teach them valuable skills required to be a part of the territory's most important industries. Students who participate learn about careers offered in the community and their role in supporting the local economy.
My Brother's Workshop
The association and our members continue to support the work done by My Brother's Workshop. The organization proved invaluable to our community after Hurricane Irma left thousands of residents without the ability to prepare food and giving out supplies for free to the residents of St. Thomas.
Boys & Girls of the Virgin Islands
Throughout 2017, USVIHTA continued its partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Virgin Islands, and our members contributed tremendously. The tutoring program is an ongoing initiative important to the association and its members. Through this program, members and their employees work with children on projects and homework, helping develop the territory's future leaders. This rewarding program helps children excel academically, improves their social skills, and teaches them the value of commitment and responsibility.
Scholarship Program
USVIHTA via the association's Education and Training Fund awarded $12,500 in scholarships to five students during an awards ceremony on July 11, 2017. Students included Michael Dinh, Akim Jno-Pierre, Sarah Sookraj, Khaleel smith and Tywreh Nelson. Students are awarded the $2,500 to put towards his or her education for their dedication to hospitality as well as their academic and extra-curricular achievements.
Hospitality Degree Program
The association is pleased to continue our work with the University of the Virgin Islands Hospitality Degree Program. We encourage members to take an active role as well, educating youth about hospitality and identifying exceptional candidates for the program. There are currently 19 freshmen, 27 sophomores, 7 juniors, and 22 seniors enrolled in the program on both campuses.
Education and Training Committee
The Education and Training Committee maintains its commitment to the community as it serves members and their employees as well as youth in the territory through reliable training methods geared towards the organization in need. Some if the more notable activities the committee had a hand in 2017 include the UVI Hospitality Degree Program, Summer Employment Program, the Culinary Team, and the Lorette Resch Scholarship.
Training Seminars
The association continues to support training for members in a variety of areas, namely with the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and its Legendary Service Training, and Customer Service and Supervisor Training with the USVI Department of Tourism. Additionally, the association provides training resources and opportunities through its partnerships with OSHA and the UVICELL Center via our monthly newsletter.
Culinary Team
The culinary team is made up of chefs from all 3 islands that come together every year to participate in the Taste of the Caribbean Competition which showcases Caribbean cuisine through demonstration and competitions for the top culinary Caribbean honors.
Destination Symposium
Premier marketing event that showcases the Virgin Islands and reinforces our relationships with our travel partners.
Tommy Star Awards
The annual Tommy Star Awards recognize hospitality employees for excellence and dedication. This is a major black tie event and that gives the HTA and it's members a chance to highlight and showcase the work of their staffs throughout the tourism industry.
USVI HTA EDUCATION & TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP/LOAN PROGRAM
The Education & Training Fund was established more than 20 years ago by the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association. (HTA)
More details are included in the two documents (PDF format) below:
Blue Flag Educational Events
Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc.
You can download an informational document and an application form for the Virgin Islands Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc. by right clicking on the links (200 DPI tiff files suitable for printing):
Tommy Starfish
Tommy Starfish is the mascot of the U.S.V.I. HTA. Tommy arrived "on island" on the Seaplane in November of 2002, and as the public face of the HTA fills many different duties for the HTA.
The annual Tommy Star Awards recognize hospitality employees for excellence and dedication. This is a major black tie event and that gives the HTA and it's members a chance to highlight and showcase the work of their staffs throughout the tourism industry.
There is also the Tommy Goes to School Newsletter (PDF), which is distributed in schools throughout the territory with the goal of disseminating relevant information about the tourism industry to the children of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and interest them in tourism careers. (Discontinued after the Storms)
And he appears on the color-coded road signs that help tourists find their way from the airport to major points of interest around the island and back. Keep and eye out for Tommy while you are here!
Strategic Partners
