Here's the latest update on Virgin Islands goings-on, dated May 6, from Martin Public Relations to the national press and travel agents.
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS UPDATE
May 6, 1999
St. Croix Is Developing Heritage Trail System
Plans are under way for the development of a heritage trail system on St. Croix. The first proposed trail will highlight the island's rich history, cultural heritage and natural areas from Frederiksted on the island's west end to Point Udall, the easternmost point in the Western Hemisphere of the U.S.
Visitors will be able to explore the island by following a trail map which cites fascinating historic attractions and overlooks and also learn about the island's oral traditions, music and agricultural history.
The project is supported by the efforts of the St. Croix Landmarks Society, the USVI Department of Tourism and the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce. St. Croix's heritage trail is expected to open in November and will tentatively be called "The Crucian Trail." For more information, call (340) 713-8563.
St. Thomas Welcomes Inaugural Flight from Caledonian Airways
St. Thomas will welcome Caledonian Airways' inaugural flight to Cyril E. King Airport today. Tour operators and members of the European trade press will be aboard the flight, along with representatives from the USVI Tourism Office in London.
USVI Gov. Charles Turnbull, acting
Commissioner of Tourism Clement "Cain" Magras and Executive Director of the V.I. Port Authority Gordon Finch will give remarks at a reception and a press conference immediately following the plane's arrival.
The new flight service will operate every two weeks during May and June, weekly during July and August, biweekly in September and weekly from October and beyond.
Caledonian's sister tour operation, Style Holidays, is setting up a program that will initially include St. Thomas hotels and could
potentially expand to include St. Croix and St. John next year.
For more information, call (340) 774-8784.
St. John to Host New Coral Bay Sundays
The St. John Action Committee recently announced the creation of a new local event called Coral Bay Sundays.
On the second Sunday of each month beginning on May 16, St. John will welcome residents and visitors to have brunch in Coral Bay and pick up a Treasure Map from local artisans for a listing of area yard sales throughout Coral Bay. All sales will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. St. John Surplus will host a monthly yard sale on Kings Hill Road.
This new event will be similar to St. John
Saturdays held on the last Saturday of each month in Cruz Bay. For more information, call (340) 776-6179.
Chicago Tourism Office Has New Toll-Free Number
To manage the increased business coming out of Chicago including charter flights and the new United Airlines flights, the USVI regional tourism office in Chicago has installed a new toll-free number. Travel agents and other interested parties can contact the Chicago tourism office directly
by calling (888) 656-8784. The local telephone number remains (312) 670-8784.
St. Thomas Has a New Walking Tour
Charlotte Amalie Walks offers a new historic walking tour of St. Thomas' downtown. Popular sites will include: Fort Christian, Government House, Blackbeard's Castle, 99 Steps, Hotel 1829, the Synagogue of Beracha
Vershalom, Camille Pissarro's birthplace and the Seven Arches Museum.
Tours begin at 9 a.m. in front of the Liberty Bell in Emancipation Garden and last for approximately 2 hours. The cost of a tour in English is $25 per person. Tours are also available in Spanish, Japanese and German upon request for $35 per person.
These historic walking tours are available by
reservations only and for a minimum of 2 people. For more information, call (340) 777-8708.
St. Croix Resort Offers Special Rates for First-time Guests
Tamarind Reef Hotel on St. Croix is offering a special discount for guests staying at the resort for the first time. New guests at the 46-room oceanfront property can enjoy spacious accommodations, complimentary
non-motorized watersports, a poolside bar and a full service marina for only $69 per night for double occupancy — a savings of more than 50 percent.
These special first-time guest rates are effective beginning June 1 through Dec. 1, 1999. The hotel is also offering special
summer rates ranging from $145 to $160 per night for double occupancy, effective now through Nov. 20, 1999.
For more information, call (800)619-0014 or (340) 773-4455.
Performers for Sinbad's Soul Music Festival Announced
Performers for the fifth annual Kmart Presents Sinbad's Soul Music Festival have been announced for the Memorial Day weekend event. The six-day music festival to be held May 26-31 on St. Thomas will feature live musical performances by the Stylistics, Chaka Khan, Morris Day and the Time, Roy Ayers, Debarge featuring El Debarge, Will Downing, Kenny Lattimore, Jon B., the SOS Band, Smokey Robinson and other special guests.
For more information, call (800) 266-SOUL from the U.S. mainland or (340) 774-9187 in the USVI.
May is Tourism Month in the U.S. Virgin Islands
The USVI Department of Tourism is observing National Tourism Week, May 2-8. Throughout the week the St. Croix tourism office has a full week of activities planned for school-age children to learn how to be "Ambassadors for Tourism."
In recognition of the importance of the tourism industry to the territory, the entire month of May has been designated locally as "Tourism Month in the U.S. Virgin Islands."
Six high school seniors enrolled in the Hospitality Training School on St. Thomas will take part in the "Hospitality Employee for a Day" program, which give students first-hand experience in the hospitality industry.
Students will shadow employees at one of four participating hotels: Bluebeard's Beach Club and Villas; The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; Marriott Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort; and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
For more information about Tourism Week/Month activities, call the USVI Department of Tourism on St. Thomas at (340) 774-8784 or the St. Croix tourism office at (340) 773-0495.
