U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Thanks American Airlines for Partnership |
After a remarkable tourism performance over the past 12 months, the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is getting back to basics and strengthening its relationship with its airline partners. During a visit to American Airlines’ newly minted headquarters in Dallas last week, U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. thanked the carrier for its strong commitment to the territory during the COVID pandemic, which helped the destination register robust arrivals throughout the year. Airports in both St. Thomas and St. Croix were hubs of activity as the airlines honored the governor’s clear approach to managing the pandemic by keeping the territory’s airports open and protecting lives and livelihoods through smart public health safety protocols. Over the summer, American served St. Thomas with daily flights from New York and Philadelphia, twice daily flights from Dallas, and thrice daily service from Charlotte and Miami. On St. Croix, Charlotte flights arrived daily, while Miami service operated twice a day. Read more.
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Help Grow STR's Caribbean Hotel Performance Sample! |
Calling on all hotels in the Caribbean! Help grow the region’s performance sample and gain a competitive advantage by benchmarking your performance against the competition! STR’s current Caribbean sample is 269 hotels, accounting for 68,000 rooms. This sample, which is less than 30%, represents the 1,951 hotels and 250,000 rooms in the Caribbean. This low sample is a weak voice for the region and less ability for hotels to make data-driven decisions. Participation is complimentary - start today! Read more about STR here.
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Strong Winter Rebound for Caribbean Tourism, Predicts CHTA President |
With strong health protocols in place and the increase in air service to several destinations across the region, Nicola Madden-Greig, the president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), foresees that the region’s bedrock tourism sector should flourish this winter. Her optimism about the outlook is despite an especially difficult 2020 season as stakeholders battled with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The worst of it has been contained,” Madden-Greig declared, attributing Caribbean success in containing the virus to sound health safety protocols under the guidance of local ministries and departments of health, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and other regional and international organizations. The tourism executive’s optimism is backed by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which recently reported that the Caribbean is recovering faster than any other region in the world with tourism’s contribution to GDP expected to rise more than 47 percent this year. Read more.
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Crewed Yacht Charter Season Launches at U.S. Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Show, Territory’s Extensive Cruising Grounds a Re-Discovered Gem |
A robust charter yacht season is officially underway in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That’s the take-home message from the USVI Charter Yacht Show, held November 7 to 10, at IGY Marina’s Yacht Haven Grande St Thomas, and hosted by the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) as a fully vaccinated event with COVID-19 protocols in place. Over 100 brokers from the Caribbean, U.S., and Europe attended in person, with an additional 40 virtually, a figure that combines to underscore the Show’s must-do nature for this global charter yacht sales force. Nearly 40 yachts were open for show, a number down from past years yet due to the industry’s success in that many yachts were already out on charter. Solid ongoing sponsor support from local and U.S.-based businesses and the Government of the Virgin Islands provides the firm foundation for the continued growth and success of the charter yacht industry and its economic contribution to the U.S. territory as part of the vibrant marine tourism sector. Read more.
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Seachange Launches Collaboration with Photographer Sarah Swan with All Proceeds to Benefit C.O.R.E Foundation |
Introducing a new collaboration by Seachange and native St. John photographer Sarah Swan. This series of four framed prints will sell starting Nov. 15, with all of the proceeds to benefit C.O.R.E Foundation. Swan is an avid surfer and diver, and a frequent volunteer with C.O.R.E. The Caribbean Oceanic Restoration and Education Foundation is a nonprofit, tax exempt charitable organization that inspires communities to be better stewards of the
environment through marine awareness education and hands-on coastal programs. The prints are ready to hang in solid wood frames and UV anti-glare acrylic for $350 each. They can be ordered online at www.seachangevi.com and picked up at the shop in Crosswinds on St. Thomas, or shipped directly to any address in the continental U.S. Read more.
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Tropical Treasure Hunt Captain's Quarters is Now Open |
Tropical Treasure Hunt is thrilled to announce the opening of its Captain's Quarters storefront, conveniently located in Havensight between VI Coffee Roasters and Pizza Amore (look for the big sign). Temporary hours for the location are currently based on cruise ship schedules, but Tropical Treasure Hunt still offers its immersive treasure hunts seven days a week with advance notice! The store will allow future clients to purchase their treasure hunt, purchase Tropical Treasure Hunt swag and various treasures, or just enjoy the immersive space which will make you feel like you are inside the captain's quarters of a real ship. Click here to read an article published in the Virgin Islands Daily News about the grand opening of the new storefront. Click here to view another article published in the Patch. And don't forget, Tropical Treasure Hunt caters to locals as well! Schedule a hunt with friends or book a hunt as a team-building exercise for your employees, or just come on by the new storefront and check out our merchandise, including new rash guards!
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The Countdown to #GivingTuesday is On - Donate to My Brother's Workshop and Double Your Impact! |
#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. This year #GivingTuesday falls on Nov, 30. #GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. Click here to donate to My Brother's Workshop and double your impact! And don't forget to RSVP for MBW's Grand Opening and Giving Tuesday Reception at Paradise Point on Nov. 30. Click here to view the flyer.
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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:
- This great NEW benefit
- Who is qualified to receive it
- How to get started
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Lisa Hamilton
USVIHTA President
340-774-6835
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