For Immediate Release
Source: United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Contact: Alani Henneman-Todman
ahenneman@usvitourism.vi
Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056
bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com
While in Chengdu, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty caught up with leading travel agents and tour operators who expressed a strong interest in promoting and selling the United States Virgin Islands.
AUDIO OF COMMISSIONER NICHOLSON-DOTY: http://bit.ly/2eIGHdf
USVI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM UPBEAT AFTER CHINA VISIT
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (November 8, 2016) – Efforts to attract travelers from China to the United States Virgin Islands were explored during Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty’s recent visit to Chengdu and Beijing.
The Commissioner was there to explore opportunities to draw Chinese tourists to the Territory following an earlier business mission in June led by Governor Kenneth E. Mapp.
In Chengdu, Nicholson-Doty attended World Routes 2016, the 22nd installment of the world route development forum which brings together leading airlines, airports and tourism authorities to develop route strategies.
The Commissioner also took part in numerous “speed dating” meetings with airline executives, talking with representatives from Southwest Airlines and existing USVI partners American Airlines, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways. Nicholson-Doty said air carriers voiced confidence in the USVI.
Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty with John Hartman, Management Officer and Acting Consul General (center), and Fan Li, Senior Commercial Specialist with the U.S. Consulate General in Chengdu.
A promising outcome is the ability to leverage codeshare and interline agreements between U.S. and Chinese carriers to provide Chinese visitors with a seamless travel experience to the islands.
Nicholson-Doty also addressed tourism leaders and the media on two panels at World Routes, one on the importance of innovations in destination marketing, and the other on women in aviation and tourism.
In addition to her conference appearances, the Commissioner, with the expert assistance of U.S. consular and trade officials, met with Chinese travel agents and tour operators to examine ways and means of capitalizing on the increasing Chinese demand for international travel.
In meetings facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Nicholson-Doty met a succession of travel companies who were interested in the immediate development of travel itineraries to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“This visit was part of our comprehensive marketing strategy, which helps to ensure that the Territory remains a top-of-mind choice for global travelers to the Caribbean,” said Nicholson-Doty.
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
