Travel media invited to visit USVI at Travel Media Showcase
All travel journalists are encouraged to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands' booth at Travel Media Showcase at the Atlantic City Convention Center on June 11-14. Please look for the USVI booth, No. 311. A representative will be glad to speak with you about upcoming press trips and story ideas.
New brochures and road signs guide travelers on St. Croix's Heritage Trail
For visitors wanting to go on a historical and cultural adventure, the newly created St. Croix Heritage Trail is the perfect excursion. Recently named one of 50 nationwide Millennium Legacy Trails, the 72-mile driving tour presents many of the island's well-known and hidden treasures. A colorful, fact-filled brochure, including maps, guides travelers between the trail's historical sites and attractions. Recently erected brown and white road signs with a sugar mill symbol point the way to historic sites. Visitors can explore the island on a self-guided driving tour which features fascinating historic attractions, cultural landmarks, scenic overlooks and restored points of interest. Throughout the trail are also opportunities to learn about the island's oral traditions, music, food and agricultural history. Please note: Call the St. Croix Landmarks Society at (340) 772-0598 for additional information or to request a brochure.
St. Thomas's Bolongo Bay offers 'Travel Agent Appreciation Rates'
Travel agents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Virgin Islands and Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas on St. Thomas by taking advantage of the resort's "Travel Agent Appreciation Rates." Valid for bookings and travel now through Dec. 20, the rates are $75 for the European Plan, $99 for the Continental Plan and $250 for the all-inclusive program. All rates are per room, per night and do not include tax and service charges (except for the all-inclusive option). Agents may bring a guest to share the room. More details about these rates are available by calling (340) 775-1800 or (800) 524-4746. Visit the resort on the Internet at www.bolongo.com.
St. Thomas to host its 28th annual USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament
The 28th annual staging of the USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament, one of the most competitive saltwater fishing events in the world, will be held off the waters of St. Thomas on Aug. 11-16. The event consists of three competitions — an angler tournament, a crew tournament and a boat tournament, operated simultaneously. Each competition offers prize money, and the angler who catches the tournament's first 1,000-pound Atlantic Blue Marlin wins a million dollars. Proceeds benefit the Virgin Islands Council Boy Scouts of America. For more details, call (888) 2FISHVI (234-7484) or (340) 775-9500. Visit the tournament web site at www.usvi.net/bsa.
St. Croix Environmental Association purchases key habitat with anonymously donated funds
An anonymous benefactor with a love of birds has made it possible for the St. Croix Environmental Association to purchase 60 acres of land at Southgate on the island's east end. The newly named Southgate Pond Nature Preserve was acquired with a donation of $822,697. The move means a prime nesting habitat for birds and endangered sea turtles will be protected forever from commercial development. The property encompasses the eastern third of the salt pond east to Chenay Bay Beach Resort and the land between Green Cay Beach and East End Road. Along with the key sea turtle nesting beach, a dominant feature of the property is the salt pond, which is owned by the V.I. government. Southgate pond is one of the most important ponds in the USVI for local and migrating birds. Some 96 species have been recorded at the site, including 26 that are considered threatened or endangered in the Virgin Islands.
The Westin Resort St. John offers 'Sizzling Summer Sale' and 'Summer Jammers Camp'
Vacationers wanting to stay in one of the territory's most upscale and luxurious properties at unprecedented savings should take advantage of the "Sizzling Summer Sale" promotion being offered by the Westin Resort St. John. Available for travel now through Oct. 31, rates for the "Sizzling Summer Sale" start at $99 per room/per night (double occupancy). This rate represents 67 percent off the regular summer rate of $299 per night. To make the vacation experience even more fun for children, the resort is continuing its "Summer Jammers Camp." From mid-June through mid-August, children will enjoy arts and crafts activities, treasure hunts, seaside hiking adventures, exciting field trips and visits from local artisans and island "celebrities."
Families staying at the resort will also appreciate the "Kids Eat Free" special. Now through Dec. 22, kids 12 years of age and under eat free at the resort when accompanied by an adult. As always, children 18 years of age and younger stay free of charge when staying in their parents' room, and families have the option of getting a second room for children at a 50-percent-off savings. More information about these offers is available by calling the Westin Resort St. John at (340) 693-8000, (800) WESTIN-1, or visiting the Web site at www.westin.com.
St. Thomas's Grand Hotel will receive facelift and new name
The historic Grand Hotel building on St. Thomas will receive a $2 million facelift that will transform the property into a premier tourist destination, retail shopping and business area. The renovated mixed-use building complex will be re-named the Grand Galleria and is expected to open in November. Two new features of the planned Grand Galleria are a glass skylight atrium and an indoor walkway. The Grand Hotel renovation is the second phase of the entire $4 million Grand Hotel block project. Opened in 1840, the historic, three-story building housed the first overseas visitors to the island for almost 60 years. For more information, contact Lockhart Properties at (340) 776-1900.
USVI hotels announce personnel changes
Marriott International has appointed Jayne Hillner general manager of Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resorts on St. Thomas. Hillner is the first woman in the company to hold a general manager position in the Caribbean and Latin American region. Marriott International also recently appointed David Yamada general manager at the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort on St. Thomas. Yamada will oversee all aspects of operation at the resort. Both appointments are effective immediately.
