USVIHTA Update | April 2022

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.

What’s Going on Wednesday April 20


Government Update April 19

USVIHTA Annual General Meeting Set for May 4 - RSVP Today

The USVIHTA Annual General Meeting is scheduled for May 4 at 10 a.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas where members will hear association and industry updates while enjoying a continental breakfast. Gov. Albert Bryan will join us as guest speaker. During the meeting, members will also vote on the Board of Directors. Please click here to view the 2022 Election Slate. Click here to read nomination bylaws.


Thank you to the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas for co-sponsoring this event. If your business is interested in sponsoring future USVIHTA events, please contact Lisa Hamilton at lisa@usvihta.com.


Please begin to plan for transportation or carpooling as parking will be limited. Send RSVPs to Lisa Hamilton at lisa@usvihta.com. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you there!

DLCA to Enforce Sunscreen Law

On April 22, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) Enforcement Division will kick-off a territorial island sweep called “Operation Illegal Sunscreen” to educate before we regulate businesses on Act No. 8185 signed into law by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. on July 20, 2019. Act No. 8185 bans the retail sale or offer for sale and the distribution and importation for retail purposes of topical sunscreen products containing oxybenzone, octocrylene and octinoxate. “Unfortunately, there is still a proliferation of this illegal product throughout the USVI that enters either via the retail market or by our visitors” stated Commissioner Evangelista. “DLCA finds it necessary to educate first to as many persons as possible by as many mediums as possible about the prohibition of sunscreen containing the banned products.” Any person or entity found to have violated this law, may receive a $1,000 citation for the first offense and a $2,000 one for each subsequent offense by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Businesses or persons with questions and/or concerns regarding Act No. 8185 may contact the Office of the Commissioner at 340-713-3522 or 340-725-5129 via mobile. Consumers may also email us at consumerawareness@dlca.vi.gov. Follow us on Facebook @dlcausvi. Read more.


More local and regional news:

Curfew Pass Application

"Made in the USVI" Pop Up Shop to Re-Open April 25 During V.I. Carnival Festivities on St. Thomas

Messages of Passion, Purpose Headline VIEDA’s Women’s Business Workshop

VIWMA Announces St. John Earth Day Festivities

Coral Bay, St. John "STUFF DEPOT" April 23

Caribbean, Latin American Innovators Offer Web3 Investment Opportunity to Benefit the Amazon

FEMA Bulletin Week of April 19

MPE Caribbean Newsletter April 18

Bikinis on Honeymoon Beach Wins Top Honor in Caribbean Journal's 2022 Best of Award

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For most travelers, it’s the number one destination-within-a-destination: the beach bar. As travel trends ebb and flow, it’s a constant, somehow managing to survive as the manifestation of our most romantic Caribbean travel fantasies. Because there’s just something about a cocktail at the edge of the sand. And these beach bars are the epitome of the art form, from shacks in the middle of the ocean to buzzy beach lounges to classic beach bars. With this list, we’ve tried to mix it up, featuring some true Caribbean institutions and a number of newer beach bars that should definitely be on your travel radar. That includes another welcome new trend: the “gourmet” beach bar, where high- level cuisine marries with toes-in-the-sand cocktail culture, something that’s increasingly popular across the region. Here are our favorite beach bars in the Caribbean in 2022.


#1: Bikinis on the Beach, St John, USVI It’s the hottest beach bar in the Caribbean since the pandemic, a full-fledged destination beach bar set on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand and turquoise in St John. From the terrific cocktails to a great selection of cabanas, it’s quickly become an iconic, bucket-list stop in the region.


*Article originally published in Caribbean Journal and shared by members. USVIHTA does not claim ownership of article content.

Bryan Williams' Tip: The Strong Leader

Count yourself as blessed if you have ever been led by a strong leader. You may or may not have liked that person at that time. Inevitably, you will look back and see how much you’ve grown as a direct result of that person’s leadership.


On the contrary, one of the worst things in the world is an apathetic leader. One with no conviction. One who consistently accepts mediocrity, then blames the team for their lack of drive. Strong leaders are not afraid to stand up for their convictions, and the company’s values.


Strong leaders accept the daily responsibility of ensuring that all team members are ready for their shifts. They know each team member well and they notice when an exceptional employee is not being "exceptional."


Strong leaders call out indifference. As convenient as it may be to ignore apathy on the team, they confront it and remind everyone of their justifiably high standards. The standards are high because they genuinely believe in each person on the team. Their stance is clear - "You are on my team because I believe in you, and I know that you can be phenomenal."


To all the strong leaders reading this, please don’t ever stop marching forward. Always be encouraging. Don’t compromise. Never stop learning. And expect everyone on your team to succeed.

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:

  1. This great NEW benefit
  2. Who is qualified to receive it
  3. How to get started


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

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Save the Date


Don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.