Travelling to the U.S. Virgin Islands?

For Immediate Release

Source: United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism

Contact: Alani Henneman-Todman + 1 340 642-9789
ahenneman@usvitourism.vi

Keisha Nelson + 1 201 861-2056
keisha@marketplaceexcellence.com

Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty (fourth from left) with members of her team and meeting planners in Beverly Hills, California.

LOS ANGELES WELCOMES U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (December 7, 2016) – The United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism made a strong foray into the Los Angeles, California market last week.

Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty stated that the U.S. Virgin Islands has been encouraged by the number of visitors from the California market in recent years, and the Department was hoping to grow this market.

“Last year we welcomed more than 31,000 stay-over visitors from California and we will focus on increasing these numbers by pursuing a more active presence on the West Coast,” the Commissioner noted.

Commissioner Nicholson-Doty reported strong interest from the group market after hosting a luncheon with meeting planners in Beverly Hills, an event which served as a precursor to January’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) familiarization visit to the Territory.

At a standing-room only event for 25 members of the media, also hosted by the Department of Tourism, journalists in attendance received timely news and updates about the Territory, including the upcoming Centennial in 2017.

The destination, along with St. Croix’ Buccaneer Hotel, was featured at the Ebony Power 100 Gala held at The Beverly Hilton last Thursday evening. The event celebrated 100 of the world’s most inspiring African-Americans during an exciting, star-studded evening, and honored those who lead, inspire and demonstrate through their individual talents, the very best in Black America.

“We have to work very hard to earn the loyalty of every single visitor who travels to the U.S. Virgin Islands,” the Commissioner explained, asserting that efforts to further penetrate the California market will continue in earnest. “Our goal in 2017 is to increase visibility in our top markets as well as to make inroads into emerging markets, as we woo travelers with a strong interest in visiting our islands.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1 – Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty (fourth from left) with members of her team and meeting planners in Beverly Hills, California.
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2 – Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty (left) with Linda Johnson Rice, Chairman Emeritus of Ebony Media, at the Ebony Power 100 Gala.
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3 – U.S. Virgin Islands public relations representative Keisha Nelson (left) congratulates American model and actress Kathleen Marie “Kathy” Ireland on winning a trip to The Buccaneer Hotel on St. Croix at the Ebony Power 100 Gala. The model also won two Virgin Islands-branded watches from Cardow Jewelers.
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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.

ENDS