Looks like the money is on the way so book now. The government is willing to subsidize your summer vacation, so if you have been on the fence as wether to come or not here are the details.USVI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM LAUNCHES SUMMER OFFER
~ DOT Invests over $1.3 Million to Promote Package, and Destination, Nationally ~
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 19, 2009 - The Department of Tourism has unveiled a new offer to jump start summer and fall bookings for the Territory. The Sizzlin' Sampler, launched earlier this week, has been designed to resonate with potential visitors in the current economic environment and provide support to industry partners through co-branded marketing and incentives to drive on-island spend.
This summer, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism invites travelers to experience everything that St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas have to offer - from sea trekking to golf - while stretching their dollars with the Sizzlin' Sampler offer. The package includes a complimentary fourth night, $300 air credit, $50 worth of certificates for attractions and a $50 dining certificate. In addition, the DOT has taken steps to encourage retail spending by offering a coupon booklet valued over $500 to those who book the offer.
"Despite the current economic environment, we're finding a desire to travel among potential visitors, provided they can take advantage of a high value offer," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "By extending this offer early in the season, we will maximize our opportunity to capture summer and fall business, while continuing our ongoing commitment to our industry partners."
The Sizzlin' Sampler is valid for bookings made from March 15 to October 15, 2009 (or until the $1.6 Million financial commitment has been expended) for travel between April 15 and October 31, 2009 and is based on a four-night minimum stay. The package is already creating quite a "sizzle," as almost 300 packages (approximately 1400 room nights) were sold in the first 96 hours, representing more than $400,000 in revenue for the USVI during first four days after the package was launched.
The Department of Tourism is taking a multi-faceted approach to address the current economic environment by promoting the Sizzlin' Sampler nationally via print and broadcast outlets and retail partnerships. A national radio campaign valued at $500,000 and a $50,000 newspaper insert campaign will debut in April, along with a $750,000 national TV advertising campaign to commence in June. All advertising to support the offer will feature a call-to-action to book through one of the Territory's major airline partners.
In addition, a partnership with the CW Daily Buzz, a popular national morning show, will result in a 3-minute broadcast segment filmed on St. Thomas that will support the Sizzlin' Sampler offer and showcase the destination. The segment will air on 157 stations across the country including key markets such as New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa/Orlando.
Hotels participating in the Sizzlin' Sampler include: The Westin St. John; The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort, Frederiksted Hotel, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Holger Danske Hotel, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel and Sand Castle on the Beach on St. Croix; Anchorage Beach Resort, Best Western Carib Beach, Best Western Emerald Beach; Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Crystal Cove, Marriott Frenchman's Reef, Pavilions and Pools, Point Pleasant Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach Resort, Sapphire Village, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, Windward Passage Hotel and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa on St. Thomas.
The Sizzlin' Sampler applies to new bookings only. Reservations for this promotion can be made through a number of tour operators, including Apple Vacations, BookIt.com, Certified Vacations Group, CheapCaribbean, Classic Vacations, Costco Travel, Enjoy Vacations, Expedia Inc., Island Resort Tours, Libgo Travel, The Mark Travel Corporation, MLT Vacations, Orbitz Worldwide, Pleasant Holidays, Total Vacations, Travel Impressions, Travelocity, US Airways Vacations and Vacation Express.
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. 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.
"Despite the current economic environment, we're finding a desire to travel among potential visitors, provided they can take advantage of a high value offer," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "By extending this offer early in the season, we will maximize our opportunity to capture summer and fall business, while continuing our ongoing commitment to our industry partners."
The Sizzlin' Sampler is valid for bookings made from March 15 to October 15, 2009 (or until the $1.6 Million financial commitment has been expended) for travel between April 15 and October 31, 2009 and is based on a four-night minimum stay. The package is already creating quite a "sizzle," as almost 300 packages (approximately 1400 room nights) were sold in the first 96 hours, representing more than $400,000 in revenue for the USVI during first four days after the package was launched.
The Department of Tourism is taking a multi-faceted approach to address the current economic environment by promoting the Sizzlin' Sampler nationally via print and broadcast outlets and retail partnerships. A national radio campaign valued at $500,000 and a $50,000 newspaper insert campaign will debut in April, along with a $750,000 national TV advertising campaign to commence in June. All advertising to support the offer will feature a call-to-action to book through one of the Territory's major airline partners.
In addition, a partnership with the CW Daily Buzz, a popular national morning show, will result in a 3-minute broadcast segment filmed on St. Thomas that will support the Sizzlin' Sampler offer and showcase the destination. The segment will air on 157 stations across the country including key markets such as New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa/Orlando.
Hotels participating in the Sizzlin' Sampler include: The Westin St. John; The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort, Frederiksted Hotel, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Holger Danske Hotel, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel and Sand Castle on the Beach on St. Croix; Anchorage Beach Resort, Best Western Carib Beach, Best Western Emerald Beach; Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Crystal Cove, Marriott Frenchman's Reef, Pavilions and Pools, Point Pleasant Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach Resort, Sapphire Village, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, Windward Passage Hotel and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa on St. Thomas.
The Sizzlin' Sampler applies to new bookings only. Reservations for this promotion can be made through a number of tour operators, including Apple Vacations, BookIt.com, Certified Vacations Group, CheapCaribbean, Classic Vacations, Costco Travel, Enjoy Vacations, Expedia Inc., Island Resort Tours, Libgo Travel, The Mark Travel Corporation, MLT Vacations, Orbitz Worldwide, Pleasant Holidays, Total Vacations, Travel Impressions, Travelocity, US Airways Vacations and Vacation Express.
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. 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.
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