Sibilly Hodge Serves As USVI Acting Commissioner of Tourism
Monique Sibilly Hodge will serve as USVI Acting Commissioner of Tourism. Governor Charles W. Turnbull will soon name the candidate that he will submit to the Senate for final approval as the Commissioner of the Department of Tourism. Turnbull's previous nomination, Clement "Cain" Magras, was voted down by the V.I. Legislature, which must confirm all nominations for Cabinet- level positions such as the Commissioner of Tourism. Sibilly Hodge previously served as an Assistant Commissioner of Tourism.
USVI Hosts Conference to Launch Cultural Tourism Program for Slave Route Project
USVI Governor Charles W. Turnbull will host a conference to launch the Cultural Tourism Program on the "Slave Route" Project for the Caribbean on June 28-30, at the Tamarind Reef Hotel on St. Croix. Sponsored in conjunction with UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization, this three-day conference will focus on the development of a strategy to achieve the primary objective of the "Slave Route" Project, which is to identify, restore and promote sites and places of memory linked to the transatlantic slave trade. Representatives from the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Caribbean Hotel Association, the Museum Association of the Caribbean and distinguished ministers of tourism from Ghana and the Caribbean region are expected to attend. Participants will present a document on sites and places of memory in their respective countries, as well as proposals for their promotion of these locations as cultural tourism sites to regional, national and international audiences. For more information about the conference, call (340) 773-1404.
Conde Nast Traveler Names St. John Among 20 Most Beautiful Islands in the World
Conde Nast Traveler lists St. John among the world's 20 most beautiful islands in the July issue of this consumer travel magazine. The article entitled "Forever Beautiful" highlights the preservation efforts that have helped islands to maintain their beauty. The donation of land by Laurance Rockefeller for use as a national park is mentioned in the article, as well as Trunk Bay's "perfect crescent of white sand" in a description of beautiful beaches. Conde Nast Traveler has a circulation of approximately 700,000.
Department of Tourism Welcomes Petrus As Director of Marketing
Beverly Petrus recently joined the USVI Department of Tourism's staff as director of marketing. The duties of her new position include overseeing the territory's advertising and other marketing efforts. Petrus will be included in the Department's current advertising review process.
Buccaneer Introduces More Luxury Seaside Rooms and All-Inclusive Summer Package
St. Croix's Buccaneer resort opened eight additional "Doubloon" rooms earlier this year. Tucked away on a private corner of a sandy beach on St. Croix, these seaside rooms offer luxury accommodations and amenities to vacationers. The resort is offering a summer-long, seven-night/eight-day all-inclusive package to introduce these new Doubloons called "Buccaneer Treasures." The package includes accommodations at the Doubloons and the following amenities: welcome cocktails; breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; daily greens fees; roundtrip private airport transfers; and complimentary use of snorkel gear and kayaks. (This package is fully commissionable to travel agents at 10 percent.) The all-inclusive package is available now through December 19, at a rate of $3,386 per couple (plus 8 percent government tax). For reservations or more information, call (800) 255-3881 or (340) 773-2100.
St. Thomas Hotel Closes for Renovations
Bluebeard's Beach Club (formerly named the Limetree resort) closed last week in order to complete a $2.5 million renovation project. The resort will close for approximately six months to renovate and refurbish the lobby, the sales center and five of its seven buildings. The other two buildings were renovated last year. Each of the units will be redesigned and equipped with appliances. Balconies will also be added to each unit. The projected reopening date is late December 1999 or early January 2000. For more information, call (340) 774-1600.
Wesley Easley Wins Princess Cruise Award for Best Tour Guide
Popular St. John tour guide Wesley Easley was recently recognized as the "Best Tour Guide of the Season" by Princess Cruises. At a reception held aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship, Wesley was formally presented with a letter of commendation, a cash gift and an elegant luncheon and tour of the cruise ship for both him and his family. Wesley was selected based on overwhelmingly positive passenger feedback. He is well known for his interactive tours that incorporate his knowledge of local lore and island plants, as he leads his passengers in song in a musical rendition of "Who Drives the Bus." For more information about Wesley Easley's tours, call (340) 776-6282.
Bolongo Bay Offers Summer Savings for Villas
St. Thomas' Bolongo Bay Beach Club & Villas is offering a 40 percent saving for guests staying in the resort's villas. Effective now through September 30, 1999, rates for the "Summer Savings Special" range from $160 per night for an oceanfront studio villa to $250 per night for an oceanfront, two-bedroom villa. In addition to accommodations, these rates include: use of the Bayside Fitness Center; a free in-pool scuba diving lesson; and complimentary use of equipment for volleyball, basketball and tennis the St. Thomas Diving Club. (Tax and service charges are not included in the rate.) The resort's "Kids Stay & Eat Free" program for children ages 12 and under may also be used in conjunction with the "Summer Savings Special." For more information, call (800) 524-4746 or (340) 775-1800.
