USVIHTA members gathered at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas on June 11 for the Annual General Meeting and board of directors elections. Adhering to safety guidelines, 56 members met to hear association news and updates while being treated to a delicious breakfast courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and meeting sponsor Oriental. Guest speaker Gov. Albert Bryan addressed the group, updating members on USVI government goals and initiatives, discussing the importance of a united Caribbean voice and encouraging member to lend their voices and expertise to all conversations about tourism, hospitality and Virgin Islands economic growth. Members also heard from USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton and Board of Directors Chairman Terri Brown as they touted the association's advocacy and pandemic leadership accomplishments despite the setbacks and challenges of the past few years. Click here for additional photos.

During the fourth USVI Community Business Forum held virtually on Wednesday, Royal Caribbean Group executives announced solid plans to safely return to the U.S. Virgin Islands beginning on July 6 of this year and projected some 213,000 guests will visit by the end of 2021, generating millions in revenues for the territory’s small businesses. The fourth forum was co-sponsored by the Office of the Governor and the Royal Caribbean Group. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., who opened the forum, said the USVI government had been working with the cruise line for several months in anticipation of their return to the territory. Read more.

The Caribbean Conundrum: United by Tourists, Divided by Covid (This article was published by the New York Times and shared by a subscriber.)

Sargassum forecast over next two months points to increased incidence. Members are advised to monitor the flow of sargassum to assist with their planning and mitigation efforts. Below is a list of helpful resources to assist you.

- Sargassum’s Impact on Caribbean Hotel Performance – April 2020 Article from CHTA Strategic Partner, STR

- Monthly Monitoring Reports: May 2021 Report from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab, made possible by NASA and USF.

- Near Real-Time Monitoring of Sargassum Intensity and Movement shows most recent available satellite surveillance of sargassum plume through the Atlantic basin, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. This can help you plan mitigation and clean-up. Please log into the Members Only Portal found in CHTA's Publications to view the Sargassum Watch System (SaWS)

- CHTA Sargassum Resource Guide, Management Brief, and Support Infographic – developed between 2015 and 2018, the background information and guidance has relevance today. To view these resources and publications, please log into the CHTA’s Members Only portal and look for Resources/Publications.

Members are invited to share information and best practices with CHTA for possible inclusion on our Knowledge Center and sharing with members. We invite you to visit the Belize Tourism Board’s Sargassum Resource.

If you need assistance with your access to the Members Only, please contact us at membership@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.

For the past several months, a team of scientists, engineers, researchers and stormwater related experts have been surveying and collecting data as part of a USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) project to assess eight high priority watersheds of concern. On St. Thomas, the specific watersheds include the Bolongo, Charlotte Amalie and the Airport watersheds. On St. Croix, these include the Salt River Bay, Hovensa, Bethlehem, Diamond and Long Point Bay watersheds. The watersheds of focus encompass areas with critical infrastructure including the airport and major roadways; commercial, government and residential investments; and agricultural activity. Read more.

The University of the Virgin Islands’ 2021 13D Business Launch Competition was recently held virtually and is the culmination of a series of four independently run entrepreneurial programs at UVI. Viya, for the past nine years, has provided $50,000 in prize money for the winners. The competition, sponsored by 13D Research and Viya, is designed to eliminate the obstacle of financing for UVI student entrepreneurs who have developed potentially profitable businesses, but could benefit from access to start-up capital. Read more.

We cordially invite you to join us on the 1st Annual STT Cross-Island Challenge Ride to be held on July 3. The STT Cross-Island Challenge Ride is a bike challenge for serious bikers and family bikers alike. First of its kind to be held on St. Thomas, we will have a 20-mile “Tip of the Spear” bike ride for adults starting at 6 a.m. But the fun doesn’t stop there! At 8:30 a.m., our serious bike riders will meet our family riders/runners/walkers for a Family 5K parade down the promenade from Port of Sale to Crown Bay where we will meet up with Ella for refreshments, games and more! Registration is available online at www.cyclevi.org where you and the family can register to ride or donate to support Ella’s Hope! Over 300,000 little girls and women are affected by Rett syndrome worldwide. Ella Gaspard, a Virgin Islander was diagnosed with this devastating condition. And, this year, #WeRideForElla! Click here for more information as well as the sponsorship package. Click here to view the event flyer.

A fleet of 8- to 15-year-old sailors from Antigua, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S.A, and U.S. Virgin Islands will race 8-foot long single-sail Optimist dinghies in the TOTE Clinic, Monday through Wednesday, the TOTE Team Race on Thursday, and the International Optimist Regatta (IOR), Friday through Sunday. This trio of events is one of the longest-running annual little boat regattas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. What makes it unique is the combination of instruction, team and fleet racing all in one week, which includes beginners and advanced sailors alike. Plus, like other regattas held at the St. Thomas Yacht Club earlier this year, protocols are in place for a COVID-safe event. Read more.

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