USVIHTA Update | February 2021
Greetings Members,

The boards of STT/STJ and STX met with USVI Department of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte for an update on lift into the territory as well as upcoming promotions. The department has done extensive work to dramatically increase lift to the island. Click here to view an updated airline schedule.
HTA Calls on Community to Commit to Reviving Tourism
The Hotel & Tourism Association sent an op-ed to the media this week calling on the community to commit to reviving the tourism industry. The piece has garnered considerable interest, being shared and prompting interviews. We hope this call to action will encourage community members to assist in reviving the industry and economy. Click here to read the op-ed.
Vaccination Sign-up Form - Responses Needed!
We have partnered with VITEMA and the Department of Health to assist with vaccination sign-up for our members. Please click here to complete the form. Be sure to include your business name, names of employees to be vaccinated and whether they have health insurance or not. You simply put either a Y for yes or a N for no in the insurance column. Email the form to lisa@usvihta.com as soon as possible. A majority of our members fall in the group 1c rollout. VITEMA and DOH are currently working on group 1b. It may be a few more weeks before 1c will begin, but the sooner we collect the names, the better prepared we will be when they are ready. Please note, if ANY of your staff is 65 years of age or older or is a veteran, they can receive the vaccine NOW. Visit covid19usvi.com/vaccines for details on how to enroll them.
USVI Division of Economic Research COVID-19 Business Impact Survey
The USVI Division of Economic Research, Office of Management and Budget has launched a territorial online survey that focuses on the impact COVID-19 has had on the territory’s businesses and organizations. Selected respondents are urged to answer all questions listed in the online survey as the information you provide is necessary for ongoing socioeconomic research related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The selected respondent’s profile will be kept confidential and responses to the survey will be disseminated publicly in a summarized format. For further information, please contact the Division of Economic Research, Office of Management & Budget at 340-774-0750. Please click here to begin the survey.
USVI Small Business Resources February
Click here to view VI Small Business Development Center resources for February.

More local news:
Marketplace 39 - More Accessible To You - Caribbean Travel Marketplace Goes Virtual in 2021
For the first time in nearly 40 years, Caribbean Travel Marketplace, the premier annual gathering where Caribbean hospitality and tourism professionals meet with regional colleagues and international buyers and sellers, will be staged virtually. The marketing event, now in its 39th edition, is traditionally held during January, but due to the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on travel and in-person events, the event will take place in an online environment from May 11-14. Read more.

More regional news:
Bryan Williams' Tip: Recognition
If I want to make you feel recognized, then I should know what makes YOU feel recognized. It may sound like common sense, but I can assure you that it's not common at all. Recognition is not about the giver; it is about the recipient. I encourage you to spend time with each of your employees (start with the hardest working ones) and ask:
  • What are their favorite hobbies/special interests?
  • What are their favorite snacks?
  • Do they like public or private recognition?
  • From whom do they like to receive recognition? (Don't assume they always want it from you)

In the end, recognition is about serving those we want to celebrate. And service is not about the giver, it is about the recipient. Takeaway: Invest the time to make your recognition meaningful, personal and memorable.
Save the Date
Click here to view upcoming events. And don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.
Lisa Hamilton 
USVIHTA President 
340-774-6835