US Virgin Islands Reports Damage From Hurricane Irma #HurricaneIrma

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS (September 8, 2017) – The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has advised that full assessment on the impact of Hurricane Irma is underway and while St. Croix is getting back to business, visitors are being encouraged not to visit the district of St. Thomas and St. John.

In a message to travel partners, Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty expressed thanks for the prayers and support the U.S. Virgin Islands has received following the Category 5 hurricane, the eye of which passed north of the Territory on Wednesday.

“The island of St. Croix did not receive the full brunt of the storm, and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix receives its first commercial flight (JetBlue Airways from San Juan) today,” the Commissioner advised.

She reported that communications are still limited, there is significant damage to infrastructure in St. Thomas and St. John, and the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas will not be open for commercial traffic before the next weather system passes the area this weekend.

The storm has resulted in four casualties to date on the island of St. Thomas. “We are deeply saddened that lives have been lost and extend our condolences to the families.”

“To ensure everyone’s safety, we are requesting the postponement of all scheduled visits to St. Thomas and St. John,” the Commissioner implored, advising that there is significant work ahead to help residents of the district.

The following updates have been shared by individual properties throughout the Territory:

St. Croix

The Buccaneer: Open for business. Facilities are in good shape, but there may be some limitation of services over the next few days.

St. John

Caneel Bay: Complete power outage at the resort.

Westin St. John Resort Villas: All associates, owners and guests are safe. The resort and the surrounding areas experienced some damage and overall impact is being assessed.

St. Thomas

Bluebeard’s Castle Resort: Everyone who was onsite is safe. The property has sustained major damage, which is currently being assessed.

Point Pleasant Resort: Everyone at the resort is safe, but without power and cell phone service. The team is currently assessing damage, and will share new information when available.

Secret Harbour Beach Resort: All guests and staff are safe. There is no major structural damage to the buildings. The generator is still working.

Sugar Bay Resort & Spa: Sustained significant property damage. Guests and staff are safe and well. Hotel will close through December 31, 2017.

Windward Passage: Will close for six months.

“The Department of Tourism’s team members are doing our best to communicate with accommodation providers and tourism partners for a full assessment of properties,” the Commissioner advised.

U.S. Virgin Islands, Airbnb Sign First Tax Agreement In The Caribbean #USVITourism

From left: Attorney Tamarah Parson-Smalls, BIR Director Marvin Pickering, Governor Kenneth Mapp, Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty, and Shawn Sullivan and Carlos Muñoz of Airbnb at  press conference on St. Thomas..

  

The Government of the United States Virgin Islands and Airbnb have confirmed the first tax agreement in the Caribbean, which will allow the platform to collect the Territory's 12.5 percent Hotel Room Occupancy Tax on behalf of hosts and remit the funds to the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The agreement will also create a framework to help promote tourism to the U.S. Virgin Islands, highlighting the cultural and historical heritage of this world-class destination.

Airbnb has been investing in partnerships in the region to support a thriving community of homeowners who are renting their spaces and creating new flows of local economic benefits.

Agreements have been signed with several countries and with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) to create policy frameworks for this growing hospitality trend of home sharing. Today's announcement spearheads the company's efforts in the Caribbean to collect and remit lodging taxes on behalf of hosts, allowing hosts to comply and give back to their communities.

The Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kenneth E. Mapp, supported the agreement and noted that locals will increase their participation in the economic benefits of tourism. "This is good for our Government because it streamlines the collection process and enables more of our residents to participate in the visitor industry. Our hospitality sector will also greatly benefit from the promotional reach of this multibillion-dollar organization," Mapp said.

The agreement with Airbnb is a component of the Mapp-Potter Administration's Five Year Plan to fully restore economic stability to the V.I. Government through economic growth, increased revenue collection and better resource management. It will help improve and diversify the tourism industry and create unique experiences for and by the locals of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas and their visitors.

Airbnb has about 2,000 active listings across the U.S. Virgin Islands and a typical Airbnb host earns US$7,700 a year. "Airbnb represents a supplemental income, which helps families pay their bills and improve their quality of life. As local hosts bring more tourism to the region, visitors get to know the country from an organic and more authentic point of view, spending in local businesses and services, as well as encouraging others to visit the islands as a result of their positive experience," said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb's Public Policy Manager for the Caribbean and Central America.

Local authorities also pointed to the importance of the growth and diversification of tourism to the island and the improvement of tax collection for both hosts and government.

"This agreement brings to the table a well-resourced partner to help with our efforts to attract people to our islands," observed Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

Marvin Pickering, Director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue, said the additional revenue would be beneficial for the treasury. "This voluntary collection agreement for the hotel room tax provides the bureau with an additional resource to ensure that the tax is collected and remitted in a timely manner. We look forward to pursuing this additional avenue of increasing the tax revenue from Airbnb hosts as they participate in our Territory's tax regime by fulfilling their filing and payment obligations."

About Airbnb:

Founded in 2008, Airbnb's mission is to create a world where people can belong when they travel by being connected to local cultures and having unique travel experiences. Its community marketplace provides access to millions of unique accommodations from apartments and villas to castles and treehouses in more than 65,000 cities and 191 countries.

With Experiences, Airbnb offers unprecedented access to local communities and interests, while Places lets people discover the hidden gems of a city as recommended by the people that live there. Airbnb is people powered and the easiest way to earn a little extra income from extra space in a home or from sharing passions, interests and cities.

www.airbnb.com 

About the United States Virgin Islands:

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Twitter (@USVITourism) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

U.S. Virgin Islands Offering Travelers $400 And Fourth Night Free With Centennial Plus #USVITourism

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has launched "Centennial PLUS", an enhanced summer and fall travel promotion to coincide with the destination's 100th anniversary as a U.S. territory.

 

The new, expanded package, which can be booked through participating tour operators, offers $400 in VI Spending Credits as well as the fourth night free for a minimum four-night stay. The credits can be easily redeemed across the Territory at restaurants, retail stores, attractions and activities.

 

"Centennial PLUS", which builds on the success of the popular $300 consumer incentive, must be booked through participating tour operator partners through June 1, 2017 for travel between June 1 and October 31, 2017.

 

"Given the success of our Centennial promotion, we wanted to sweeten our offer so travelers can get an authentic taste of our islands during this historic year in our Territory," Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty noted, explaining that the package also provides an added incentive for visitors to travel during the traditionally slower seasons.

 

The promotion, which began as a small consumer-based initiative and then expanded to tour operators, has generated strong international coverage for the destination, which commemorated its Centennial on March 31.

 

The Territory-wide commemoration features events and activities, ranging from parades, concerts and lectures to cultural exhibits and food festivals throughout 2017.

 

To receive the $400 in spending credits and the fourth night free, a minimum four-night stay at participating hotels is required.

 

Participating tour operators include American Airlines Vacations, Apple Vacations, CheapCaribbean.com, Costco Travel, Delta Vacations (MLT), Expedia Inc., Flight Center Travel Group (Libgo), JetBlue Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, Travel Impressions and Tourico Holidays.

 

St. Croix hotel partners include Arawak Bay: The Inn at Salt River, Caravelle Hotel & Casino, Club Comanche Hotel St. Croix, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, Holger Danske Hotel, Hotel on the Cay, Mount Victory Camp, Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, The Buccaneer Hotel, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Sand Castle on the Beach and Sugar Beach Condo Resort.

 

On St. John, participating hotels include Coconut Coast Villas, Concordia Eco-Resort, Gallows Point Resort, The Westin St. John Resort Villas, and Vacation VI/SirenUSA.

 

Participating hotels on St. Thomas include Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Emerald Beach Resort, Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort, Galleon House, Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, Windward Passage Hotel and Virgin Islands Campgrounds.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Twitter (@USVITourism) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). 

When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

U.S. Virgin Islands Offering Exceptional Savings For Summer And Fall 2016 Travel Including A 4th Free Night And $350 In Spending Credit

The United States Virgin Islands is offering a free night's stay along with spending credits for travel to St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from June to October this year. 

The USVI Department of Tourism announced its 2016 Summer-Fall Promotion, which includes a fourth night free and $350 in spending credit. Travelers must book by July 16, 2016, and all travel must be completed between June 5 and October 15, 2016.

Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty thanked all travel partners for supporting the promotion, which will be backed by a cooperative marketing program of $150,000 with key tour operators and $350,000 in television and digital advertising.

  

"The United States Virgin Islands is nice all year round, but we are especially nice in the summer with lots of festivals, events and activities for travelers looking for a fabulous vacation value," said Nicholson-Doty. The Department of Tourism expects the promotion to drive more than $1.5 million in visitor expenditures through mid-October.

  

Participating hotels and resorts include:

St. Croix

The Buccaneer Hotel; Club Comanche Hotel St. Croix; Club St. Croix Beach Resort and Tennis Club; Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino; Holger Danske Hotel; Hotel Caravelle; Hotel on the Cay; Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort & Spa; Sand Castle on the Beach; Tamarind Reef Resort, Spa & Marina; and The Palms at Pelican Cove.

St. John

Caribbean Villas; Concordia Eco-Resort; Gallows Point Resort; Island Getaways; SIRENUSA Residences; and The Westin St. John Resort & Villas. 

St. Thomas

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort; Emerald Beach Resort; Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Resort; Galleon House Bed and Breakfast; Lindbergh Bay Hotel and Villas; Mafolie Hotel; Pavilions & Pools Villa Hotel; Sapphire Beach Condominium Resort; Sugar Bay Resort & Spa; The Green Iguana Hotel; and Windward Passage Hotel.

Participating tour operators and wholesalers include: American Airlines Vacations; Apple Vacations; Bookit.com; CheapCaribbean.com; Costco Travel; Expedia; Flight Center USA; MLT Vacations; and Travel Impressions.

For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Twitter (@USVITourism) and become a fan on Facebook  (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).

When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.  

Seaborne And JetBlue To Become Codeshare Partners Across The Caribbean

Seaborne Airlines and JetBlue Airways, the largest carrier in San Juan, have finalized terms to begin a codeshare marketing relationship, expanding upon the carriers' successful interline agreement in place since 2013. The codeshare will help facilitate improved connectivity between two of the top airlines in the Caribbean, subject to receipt of all regulatory approvals.

"We are excited to expand our partnership with JetBlue. Providing improved connectivity in our common hub of San Juan will add tremendous value to Caribbean residents, visitors, and businesses," said President and CEO of Seaborne Airlines Gary Foss. "We are honored that JetBlue, known for outstanding customer service, would recognize the same that Seaborne employees are providing throughout the Caribbean", Foss said.

Seaborne, the largest regional operator, and JetBlue, the number one carrier by flights and seats at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, offer a combined 50 daily flights that connect 22 destinations. Seaborne will expand the JetBlue network to multiple new destinations, including Anguilla, Dominica, Guadalupe, Martinique, Nevis, St. Kitts, and Tortola. In addition, the Seaborne Airlines network will also provide JetBlue customers' access to an expanded presence throughout the United States Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.

"Our codeshare agreement with Seaborne makes traveling to the Caribbean easier than ever, and that's the way a beach vacation or family visit should feel," said Scott Laurence, senior vice president airline planning, JetBlue. "Between JetBlue's leading position as San Juan's largest and most customer friendly airline, and Seaborne's extended local reach, this is a win-win partnership for customers and tourism."

"The Puerto Rico Tourism Company welcomes this new partnership that supports and strengthens our efforts to increase air access to the Island. This new codeshare marketing relationship between Jet Blue and Seaborne facilitates the entrance of more visitors and positively impacts the economic development in the Island", said Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Along with JetBlue, Seaborne operates as a codeshare partner of American Airlines and Air Europa of Spain. Seaborne offers interline connecting agreements with Delta Airlines and United Airlines as well. In aggregate, Seaborne and the carrier's partners offer non-stop service to 32 destinations in the Americas and Europe from San Juan. Seaborne's expanding network out of San Juan has helped solidify San Juan's position as the Caribbean's largest hub.