USVIHTA Update | May 2021
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.
Summer Employment Program Seeks Positions for Students - Deadline May 28
The USVI Hotel & Tourism Association’s Education & Training Committee is in its eighteenth year of the Summer Employment Program in collaboration with the USVI Department of Labor (DOL) and participating senators of the 34th Legislature of the Virgin Islands. The objective of the six-week program is to provide a meaningful learning experience for Virgin Islands high school and college students while stimulating interest in careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.

We are seeking your assistance in providing placement for students participating in this year’s program. Please indicate on the attached form your commitment to accepting students and in which department. A program timeline is also attached for your review. Please complete this form in its entirety and return to lisa@usvihta.com by May 28.
 
If you require any additional information regarding the program, please feel free to contact the USVIHTA office at 340-774-6835. As always, thank you for your support. Read the full letter here.
First Virtual Caribbean Travel Marketplace a Success
The first virtual iteration of Caribbean Travel Marketplace was a resounding success, organizers have reported.

“This virtual format allowed us to introduce the Caribbean to new buyers and travel advisors from over 20 markets that haven’t been able to attend in the past,” said Vanessa Ledesma, acting CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), which hosts the annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace. 

More than 6,000 meetings were held over three days, giving buyers from 20 countries the chance to connect with suppliers representing more than 150 Caribbean hotels and tourism-related businesses. CTM 39, held from May 11 to 14, was especially meaningful for Caribbean hospitality professionals who have been diligently working on enhancing their products from a health safety perspective. Read more.

More regional news:
Point Pleasant Resort Wins 2021 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Being the Top 10 Percent of Hotels Worldwide
Point Pleasant Resort announced on May 14 it has been recognized as a 2021 Travelers’ Choice award winner for being in the top 10 percent of hotels worldwide. This achievement celebrates businesses that consistently deliver fantastic experiences to travelers around the globe, having earned great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, Point Pleasant Resort stood out by continuously delighting travelers.
USVI’s Team Thompson Wins 2nd St. Thomas Yacht Club Invitational Regatta
Sailing their own race, minimizing distractions and clean sailing with no penalties or protests are the three strategies employed by the first, second and third place teams in the 2nd Annual St. Thomas Yacht Club Invitational. The USVI’s Cy Thompson’s team finished first, followed in second by the USA’s Dave Franzel and crew, with the USVI’s Mike Finley and fellow sailors in third. The three-day event run out of the Club’s St. Thomas Sailing Center saw a total of eight teams from the USVI, USA and Sweden complete 16 races on round-the-buoy and round-the-island courses in the U.S. Virgin Islands perfect sailing conditions of warm sun and 10 to 15 knots of breeze. Read more.
VIDOL Update on Unemployment Insurance
Labor Commissioner Gary Molloy reminds the public to tune into the weekly 3 p.m. Facebook Live, Unemployment Insurance Update that occurs directly after the governor’s Monday press briefing. As of May 10, notices have been sent to respective claimants to inform on program developments to help provide benefits to those still in need. As of May 14, VIDOL released an additional 2.7 million in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments associated with the Continuing Assistance Act (CAA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Claimants who are eligible for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program will automatically qualify; claimants do not have to re-apply. FPUC is a temporary emergency increase in unemployment benefits. Read more.

More local news:
Bryan Williams' Tip: Leaders are Lifters
The best leaders are lifters. Plain and simple. They know how to lift the hearts, hopes, esteem and performance of their teams. If you are my leader, then my life should be better somehow. There should be something amplified about me in a positive way as a result of being on your team. You should challenge me and encourage me. You should insist that I do my absolute best, always.

With you, I will learn that there are additional levels of excellence for me to achieve. I will learn that excellence is not a destination, but an ongoing journey. I will learn to appreciate where I am, but imagine where I can be.

As a leader, please know that you have the unique opportunity to shape both the professional and personal path of those on your team - and even those around you. Take your leadership responsibility seriously. In many ways, you are a steward; entrusted with those under your guidance.
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