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.
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“We are on United States Soil,” U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner Affirms |
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is on a mission to educate travelers that the territory is an American overseas territory, and as such, travel to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas or Water Island is within the United States’ domestic jurisdiction. Though not part of the contiguous United States, travel to the USVI does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland.
“We, too, are American,” reminded Commissioner Joseph Boschulte as he and his team work around the clock to clarify misunderstanding of recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel requirements related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for all air passengers arriving in the United States. Read more.
More local news:
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USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton Joins as Panelist for Women in Tourism Caribbean Virtual Event |
Last week, USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton spoke at a virtual event for Women in Tourism Caribbean. As the COVID vaccine is distributed throughout the world, this discussion aimed to debunk the myths surrounding the vaccine and encouraged attendees to get to know the facts! Visit the Women in Tourism Caribbean Facebook page to view the webinar.
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St. John Brewers Launches ‘Love City’ Premium Hard Seltzer in February |
What does a well-established craft brewery in the Virgin Islands do during a global pandemic? Well, if you’re St. John Brewers, you go ahead and dive into the highly competitive hard seltzer market.
Launching in February, Love City Hard Seltzer delivers a “Tropical Kind of Tipsy” in four mouthwatering flavors: Watermelon Dragonfruit, Mango Mandarin, Hibiscus Pomegranate and Passion Fruit. The new product is scheduled to hit resorts, bars and restaurants across the Virgin Islands in the coming weeks, including the St. John Brewers Tap Room in Mongoose Junction, Cruz Bay. Mix 12-packs will be available in grocery and convenience stores throughout the islands.
St. John Brewers cofounders Kevin Chipman and Chirag Vyas have spent over fifteen years building the company’s reputation for great craft beers, friendly vibes, and a strong commitment to the island they call home. Their new hard seltzer line complements the brand’s broad portfolio of craft beers and sodas created and released in the Virgin Islands and mainland market over the years. Read more.
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Enjoy a Staycation at Company House Hotel on St. Croix |
Need a vacation, but don't have much time or want to save on your travel budget? Stay local with a Staycation at Company House Hotel on St. Croix! Email info@hotelcompanyhouse.com or call 340-773-0687 for more information or to make reservations. Click the flyer to the right to expand.
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CEKA Parking Garage Construction Starts March 2021 |
The Virgin Islands Port Authority will begin the construction of a new, multi-level Parking Transportation Center at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas in March 2021. The new parking garage will provide over 600 parking spaces and a designated area for all taxis and rental car agencies. During the construction period, there will be very limited parking space at the Cyril E. King Airport. Residents are encouraged to arrange being dropped off and picked up at the airport terminal when traveling. The Port Authority will provide more details about this project before it begins. For more information about the expansion of the Cyril E. King Airport, visit the Port Authority’s website at www.viport.com or call the Authority’s Public Information Office at 340-774-1629.
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$64,924 Raised from My Brother's Workshop Mystery in a Toga |
Thank you to those who attended the virtual Mystery in a Toga event hosted by My Brother's Workshop! The organization announced $64,924 was raised during the event and thanked the community for its support. Prize winners were also announced. Read more.
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Caribbean Economic Survival Tied to Balancing Health Safety and Responsible Tourism |
Despite having one of the world’s lowest rates of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, hospitalizations and deaths, the Caribbean’s economic survival is in serious jeopardy as tourism-dependent economies struggle with the consequences of the pandemic and travel restrictions being imposed and considered by its most popular countries of origin for travel.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) welcomed the new United States administration’s balanced international travel measures which call for returning travelers and those entering the United States to show proof of receiving a negative antigen or PCR test while not mandating quarantines but recommending self-isolation upon returning. The organization, whose membership includes 33 of the region’s national hotel and tourism associations, expressed its appreciation and concerns in a letter to President Joseph Biden and U.S. government officials last week in response to the Administration’s call for input on international travel protocols as part of an Executive Order on the matter.
The U.S. testing requirement does not apply to the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico which are within the U.S. containment area. Read more.
More regional news:
Tourism partners in Chile at TurismoCuatro Magazine Chile look forward to forming a relationship with the USVI and sharing information for their readers in upcoming issues. Check out their latest issue from Feb. 2021 here. |
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Bryan Williams' Tip: I Have Your Back |
Imagine that each of your team members wrote this to you: I need to know that you trust and believe in me. A mission statement or memo won't do. I need you to tell me and mean it. Empower me to come up with a solution to a pressing issue. Ask me for suggestions, then ask me to help implement them. Challenge me to go beyond merely meeting expectations. Encourage me to recognize my colleagues regularly. Remind me that I have the potential to climb higher. Chances are that I may never tell you to challenge me, but I need you to. Chances are that I may never tell you to recognize me for a job well done, but I need you to. I want to work like I own it; but I also need you to treat me like I own it. I will consistently give my best when I know that you will accept nothing less. Your expectations are tied to my performance, and my performance is tied to your expectations. They need each other. No one can MAKE me work like I own it. That desire has to come from within, because being exceptional is a deeply personal decision. So let 2021 be the year where you will insist that I bring my whole heart to work. I have your back, and you have mine. It's 2021. Let's do this! |
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Lisa Hamilton
USVIHTA President
340-774-6835
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