USVIHTA Update | January 2022
Greetings Members,

Thank you for reading these and other important updates. Please remember to use the web link at the bottom to share with your teams.
2021 Was a Banner Year for the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is reporting impressive tourism success in 2021, a banner year for Caribbean tourism, beating the territory’s previous performances in 2020 and 2019. The U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Economic Research reports 738,040 air arrivals for the period January to November 2021, a 102.5 percent increase over the similar period in 2020 and close to 30 percent from 2019. USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte said he looked forward to receiving the final statistics for 2021, since December was a particularly impressive month for the territory, based on data gleaned from its Travel Screening Portal. Read more.

Read more local and regional news:
Free Water, Less Plastic – Bottle Fill Station Arrives at Magens Bay
The Virgin Islands Conservation Society, in a partnership with the Department of Planning & Natural Resources, is continuing its community seed-grants with the VI Clean Coasts program. Established in 2018, VI Clean Coasts is a certification program for USVI businesses and organizations to become more eco-friendly through environmental goals and projects, consulting and seed-grants. The original goal of the program was to eliminate single-use plastics in the Virgin Islands, but programs are custom tailored to environmental goals of each certified business. On Jan. 4, the Magens Bay Beach Bar, Café & Boutique was welcomed to the ranks of seed-grant recipients with the installation of their bottle fill station located between the concession counter and the boutique. The installation of this bottle fill station was donated by the team at Island Designs, LLC led by co-owner Dave Zimmerman. Click here to read the press release, and read our update from a few weeks ago to learn how your business can be part of this initiative!
Caneel Bay Redevelopment - Feedback Needed
The National Park Service (NPS) is releasing an initial set of concepts that could guide the redevelopment of Caneel Bay at Virgin Islands National Park. We are inviting you to join our virtual public meeting on the evening of Feb. 8, and to provide input on the draft alternatives during our 30 day public comment period ending Feb. 17. Links to access the document, join the virtual public meeting, and submit comments can all be found at the end of this invitation. The bottom of this invite lists the three ways to submit comments for review. Using the feedback the NPS received during the 2021 public meetings, we developed a preliminary range of alternatives that prioritize the protection of resources and expand public access to Caneel Bay. Civic engagement is an important part of the redevelopment process. We look forward to receiving the public's feedback on these draft alternatives as we work together to create the best possible future for Caneel Bay. Click here to read more and access the above mentioned links and comment submission guidelines. Additionally, a Feb. 3 meeting was just announced beginning at 10 a.m. Click here to access the Microsoft Teams meeting link or dial in for audio only - 202-640-1187, 958308351#, phone conference ID: 958 308 351#.
Annual My Brother's Workshop Fundraiser Set for Feb. 26
My Brother’s Workshop will host “Mystery in Paradise” set to the Theme of Clue by Hasbro on Feb. 26 from 7-10 p.m. AST. Events may look different these days, but MBW is excited for this virtual event and for all to join for a party in your pod to benefit MBW! This virtual event is FREE to attend. There will be silent and live auction items, prizes for best dressed, guessing whodunnit and more! All proceeds from the event go towards furthering the mission of MBW. Visit https://mybrothersworkshop.home.qtego.net/ for more information and to register. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for Mystery in Paradise, please click here to view the sponsorship levels and contact information. If you are interested in donating items for the silent auction, please fill out this form. Read more.
Bryan Williams' Tip: What Do Great Leaders Do?
Don't tell your team that they are important and then not treat them as such. Invest in their growth and rejuvenation. That lesson is especially true in this current climate when the world is short-staffed and everyone is doing more with less. Serve the leaders on your team so that they will be better equipped to serve their staff so that they will be better equipped to serve their customers.
Association Health Plans Available Now through Elan
The Hotel & Tourism Association continues to work to identify great opportunities for our members. We've recently signed an agreement with Elan Insurance Group to offer Association Health Plans. Click the photo to view the PDF version in your browser. The PDF lets members know about:
  1. This great NEW benefit
  2. Who is qualified to receive it
  3. How to get started

For more information, contact Omar Andres Haedo directly at omar.a.haedo@elan.insure.
Save the Date

Don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.
Lisa Hamilton 
USVIHTA President 
340-774-6835