Below are links to the new edition of Visit, which will be stocked in hotels by the last week of the month. Please feel free to share on your websites and social media. Thank you.

A press release was issued this week from Government House regarding bills signed into law by Gov. Bryan. The USVIHTA Advocacy Committee is pleased that our efforts to advocate on behalf of Bill 34-0070, which "expand[s] the definition of a hotelkeeper or innkeeper for purposes of persons required to remit hotel room taxes," were successful. We testified at the committee level in 2021 (click here to read testimony), and provided feedback directly to senators during the Rules Committee and Committee of the Whole hearings where it was passed with our suggested revisions. We also provided feedback to the governor for his consideration on passing the bill. Some of the feedback we provided allowed the association to expand on the benefits to our members, the economy, the Department of Tourism, and the territory in general. Our involvement from the beginning of this process through the bill begin signed into law was well received and appreciated, and we were honored to advocate on behalf of our members and the industry. Click here to read the GVI press release. Click here to read the governor's transmittal letter for the bill with additional information.

Regional news:

We are excited to host the first Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans project to take place on St. Thomas, and the second in the USVI. In spring 2022, our team of international, regional and local artists will gather on St. Thomas for a period of ten days to create a series of locally relevant public artworks to help spur environmental activism, while beautifying the island’s streetscapes. We are excited at the prospect of partnering with EDC Companies, and other local organizations, to join forces to expand the SeaWalls project across the territory. Sponsorships from local EDC companies are tax-deductible, and can be made through the Virgin Islands Conservation Society. We have pre-designed sponsorship packages; however, we are open to working collaboratively and creating tailor-made partnership/sponsorship agreements. We are in need of financial contributions as well as in-kind donations of lodging, meals, ground transportation, supplies and equipment. Please contact us directly to learn more about opportunities for in-kind donations, or if you have questions about sponsorships. Click here to read more about Sea Walls an sponsorship opportunities. For inquiries, please contact Marisa Lopez (Sea Walls St. Thomas Project Director) at marisa@pangeaseed.org or 415-987-7275.

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.

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