St. Thomas got a welcome publicity boost Sunday as the New York Times featured the Virgin Islands and St. Thomas in two separate articles in its travel section.
In a piece titled "What's doing in St. Thomas," the Times, with a Sunday circulation of 1.7 million and registered Internet readers numbering 10.3 million, wrote, "St. Thomas is feeling good these days, perked up by millions invested in hotel and museum restorations and a steady flow of cruise ship visitors spending their money on the island, one of the Caribbean's most popular shopping spots."
But shopping was not the only activity featured in the piece. Beaches, restaurants, sightseeing and even events were detailed, including the Virgin Islands International Film and Video Festival that opened Sunday night at the Reichhold Center for the Arts.
Other upcoming events mentioned were the musical "Mahalia," also coming to the Reichhold this month, Open Laser Regatta in February and St. Thomas Carnival in April, complete with its theme, "Jump Up and Sway, It's Carnival Y2K."
Featured under sightseeing were the Fort Christian museum, the Synagogue, Coral World and what the Times called a "most exquisite" restoration at Haagensen House.
The article included photos of Coral World and the interior of Haagensen House.
Under the heading of "Where to Stay," the Times highlighted the Inn at Blackbeard's Castle, saying the small inn had been "newly restored to its classic West Indian elegance."
In a second article, complete with a photo of St. Thomas' Christmas Cove, the Times chronicled the experience of a passenger on the Nantucket Clipper, a small cruise ship that travels throughout the Virgin Islands. The writer, who spent her first night before embarking on the cruise at the Island Beachcomber, remarked that the hotel had a "gorgeous little beach."
The article also spoke in glowing terms of St. John's Trunk Bay.
