ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands – With the U.S. Virgin Islands in the midst of its high season, the Department of Tourism is proactively planning ahead for the off season by promoting summer travel with special packages, advertising programs, sales blitzes and trade shows to a key market with easy access to the Territory – the Caribbean.
“We see great potential to develop more business, especially in the summertime, from the Caribbean region, in particular Puerto Rico,” said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “Not only do we share many cultural ties with our neighboring islands, but our off season rates and value-added promotions have great appeal to families and Caribbean residents who prefer summer travel.”
To impact summer travel, the Department of Tourism conducted marketing activities as early as January in Puerto Rico where the department teamed up with V.I. hoteliers on a sales blitz to travel agencies throughout the San Juan area. While in San Juan, the DOT also hosted a travel agent reception to launch a special promotion designed specifically for residents of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The promotion offers the fourth night free, a $50 dining certificate, a $50 activities certificate, and a $50 shopping certificate for Caribbean residents who stay four or more nights. For visitors staying five nights or more, the promotion extends a $50 per person air credit. The promotion may be booked through September 30, 2010 for travel between May 1, 2010 and October 31, 2010. To further support this offer, the DOT plans to advertise the promotion in trade publications and daily newspapers throughout Puerto Rico.
This month the DOT continues its focus on the Caribbean region by participating in a series of trade shows in Puerto Rico. On March 12, the DOT will attend the Puerto Rico Travel Trade Show, an annual event sponsored by two of the leading travel trade organizations in Puerto Rico. The show will give USVI representatives the opportunity to familiarize travel agents and tour operators with the new Puerto Rico promotion and provide general destination information.
The following week, from March 19-21, the USVI will be showcased once again at the Puerto Rico International Boat Show, an event which features an extensive array of nautical exhibits, including boats, sailing equipment, seminars and more.
The DOT will be joined at its booth by local marine industry representatives to provide information on the USVI, including marina facilities, charter yachts, and services available to boaters.
On March 27-28, brides-to-be from Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean will learn about weddings and honeymoons in the USVI at the Caribbean Bridal Expo & Marketplace, one of the largest bridal expos in the region.
Other regional events the DOT will attend in the coming months are the American Airlines Earth Day Exhibition, a month-long display in the San Juan airport promoting conservation of the environment and eco-friendly travel; and Rediscover the Caribbean, a two-day consumer travel show in Barbados.
