Martin Public Relations has curtailed its out-of-pocket expenditures because the V.I. government's unpaid bills total about $1 million.
Amy Atkinson, senior account supervisor at Martin, called the situation "quite abnormal," according to Thursday's Independent.
One result: The firm has not printed many of the promotional items it has produced for the V.I. government.
It has printed and sent out its regular newsletter to travel agents and travel professionals because it "is so critical to the promotion of the territory," Atkinson said.
Martin's contract with the V.I. government directs the Richmond, Va.-based firm to host travel writers and print and distribute written materials ranging from rate sheets to press releases to the newsletter. In November Martin P.R. hosted about a dozen travel writers and photographers to the territory.
The $1 million bill was uncovered by the transition team's economic committee.
The team said the Tourism Department is not only in debt, but it is also in disarray and seriously demoralized. A member of the team attributed the poor morale in the department to problems between staff and management.
Tourism Commissioner Wylie Whisonant said critics don't understand what it takes to run the department.
Earlier this week Martin PR announced that the V.I. tourism scene has appeared in publications as diverse as "Conde Nast Traveler" and "The Smithsonian," and has reached 140 million readers.
Martin's primary efforts have been directed at informing travel professionals and travelers that the U.S. Virgin Islands suffered no appreciable damage from Hurricane Georges in September.
