Dear Source:
First, I have to say thanks for being there — you are a wonderful link for transplanted V.I. natives and potential tourists!
Second, I took a look at the new Tourism website and was appalled! It is dull and uninviting. I will reserve final judgment until they declare it up and finished, but it is a very poor first effort. I found too little emphasis on culture and entertainment aspects for tourists — seems like there 's nothing to do.
And, I think they should force feed more photos without users having to click around and "beg" for them. If I were a casual web surfer, the site would have lost me quickly. But we'll see.
Just for fun, try to get the hotel rate sheet … very amusing. It is a scan of a multi-fold brochure that is too tiny to read without many enlargements and comes in halfway upside down. Come on! … And some of the photos they show are arranged by the wrong island!
If you want to see a quick and easy tourism site look at www.VisitStCroix.com. It is not nearly as "sophisticated" but includes lots of neat information, is very enticing and actually makes you want to visit. I am sure the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce can give Tourism some tips.
I'll check back to the Tourism site when it "grows up."
Norman Ussery
Williamsport, Pa.
