U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS TO HERALD TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK
May 04, 2020
Trunk Bay in St. John: Photo Credit US Virgin Islands Dept of Tourism
The United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is joining the travel community on the U.S. mainland to herald National Travel and Tourism Week from May 3-9, 2020.
The world”s travel and tourism industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with closed borders, delayed travel plans and thousands of hospitality workers laid off or furloughed.
The theme of this year”s National Travel and Tourism Week is the Spirit of Travel, encouraging those in the industry to keep the faith, stay resilient and let the spirit of travel prevail during times of uncertainty.
Bolongo Bay Beach in St. Thomas: Photo Credit Chris Smith
Tourism is the largest industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands, contributing an estimated 60 percent to the Territory”s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
For National Travel and Tourism Week, the Department of Tourism will launch a series of virtual initiatives to encourage the community to engage in its bread-and-butter industry.
The public is urged to wear red on Tuesday, May 5, to represent support of the Department”s commitment to this critical sector. Community members also are encouraged to share photos highlighting the Territory”s spirit, beauty and resilience via social media.
On Wednesday, May 6, the tourism department will host a Virtual Career Fair for local high school students. During Zoom presentations and sessions, many of the Territory”s tourism partners and stakeholders will share their knowledge and experiences with young Virgin Islanders who may be contemplating a tourism career.
“During National Travel and Tourism Week, we lock arms with the community, as well as our colleagues across the mainland, to showcase the importance of this industry to everyone,” said Joseph Boschulte, USVI Commissioner of Tourism.
“Even as we navigate through rough waters during and after the pandemic, we invite our entire community, including the next generation of Virgin Islanders, to discover all that travel and tourism has to offer,” he added.
For more information about participating in the Department of Tourism”s National Travel and Tourism Week activities, contact Luana Wheatley at (340) 244-2404 or lawheatley@usvitourism.vi.
To learn more about National Travel and Tourism Week, visit ustravel.org/NTTW.
For current industry information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com and www.usviupdate.com.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel – including on-line check-in – making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.
