Caribbean News

U.S. Virgin Islands Rolls Out Welcome Mat to Italian Travelers

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2021

USVI Tourism Commissioner meets tour operators, media and global airline executives in Milan

#Milan, Italy – As the United States prepares to welcome European visitors once again this November, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is taking its marketing messages to Italy.

“Italy is one of a select group of international markets in which the Territory will strategically focus its marketing activities in the coming weeks and months,” said USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte, who added that the Department has also identified Canada and Scandinavia as key markets for the USVI.

While in Milan, the Commissioner and members of his team had one-on-one meetings with leading Italian tour operators and media partners, including consumer and travel trade writers and influencers.

Industry stakeholders traveled from cities such as Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Rimini, Treviso, Turin, Venice and Varese to engage with Tourism representatives; learnabout the Territory’s experience, challenges and successes in managing the COVID-19 pandemic; and receive updates on the status of the Territory’s accommodations, including the burgeoning sharing economy, villa and marine sectors.

The Commissioner reported that the Territory is committed to expanding its reach and relationship with Italian travelers. “The stakeholders we met truly honored us with their presence, interest and confidence in the USVI. We are one of the first long-haul destinations to invest in coming to Italy to engage with these professionals and remind them that a warm welcome awaits pandemic-weary Italian visitors,” said Commissioner Boschulte, who was impressed with the strength of the country’s health safety protocols and the incredible progress Italy has made – especially with vaccination efforts – after a very difficult start to the pandemic.

The Department of Tourism team also educated their Italian colleagues about the Territory’s Travel Screening Portal, which has been a critical tool in helping to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in the Territory.

“As restrictions for Europeans seeking to travel to America begin to ease, the U.S. Virgin Islands wants to ensure that we remain a top-of-mind destination in key markets where we already have strong brand recognition. Our efforts in

Milan and beyond are part of a comprehensive, concerted effort to attract more international visitors to our shores,” said the Territory’s tourism leader, who added that the U.S. Virgin Islands’ marketing messages also remind international travelers about the ease and comfort of traveling under the U.S. flag during the pandemic.

During World Routes 2021, an international conference that brings together decision makers from the global airline route development community, the USVI delegation held discussions with airline representatives to explore opportunities to grow international arrivals into the Territory.

“We experienced strong airlift performance this spring and summer, but we are not resting on our laurels. We must strengthen not only our domestic routes but must also seek opportunities for international carriers to bring guests to the U.S. Virgin Islands, especially the big island of St. Croix,” said Commissioner Boschulte.

At the conclusion of their business in Italy, Commissioner Boschulte and his team will travel to Denmark to meet with travel industry stakeholders and members of the U.S. diplomatic community in Copenhagen.

Photo Captions:

Header: From left: U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Alani Henneman-Todman and U.S. Virgin Islands Italy representative Olga Mazzoni with travel partners in Milan over the weekend.

1st insert: Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte and Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman-Todman with John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning, of Spirit Airlines.

2nd insert: Laura Jackson, Vice President of Air Service Development of Denver International Airport (center), met with Commissioner Boschulte and Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman-Todman at World Routes in Milan this week.

Caribbean News

FCCA launches Owen Arthur Scholarship

Published

5 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The FCCA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has launched an annual scholarship in honor of former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who played a significant role in advancing the cruise trade association’s vision.

The annual gift of US$25,000 will be awarded to a different Caribbean destination each year to support the work of either an educational institution or a nonprofit organization chosen by the destination.

Barbados will receive the inaugural Owen Arthur scholarship, and next year’s scholarship destination winner will be announced at the ‘Shining Stars FCCA Foundation Dinner’ during Seatrade Cruise Global 2025.

“I am honored that the Foundation can continue the legacy of The Right Honorable Professor Owen Seymour Arthur, who truly inspired my career and empowered so many throughout the Caribbean, as well as making it possible to have the current partnership between the cruise industry and the Caribbean,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “Hopefully this scholarship can live up to his memory by providing a platform for future generations in the region.”

Caribbean News

Barbados remembers SIDS process, celebrates the life of Ambassador Miles Stoby

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The historic UN Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island States (SIDS) brought global attention to the significant challenges faced by small islands, underscoring that their concerns were big issues for all.

On April 26, several key figures who contributed to the 1994 Barbados meeting gathered in Bridgetown to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The outcome of the 1994 meeting was the Barbados Program of Action, which delineated how the world community should address the unique vulnerabilities of islands, particularly in response to climate change.

Despite initial reluctance from powerful UN members to hold more than one SIDS conference, subsequent gatherings in Mauritius and Samoa and a fourth global conference scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda in May 2024 are a testament to some of the successes of the SIDS process.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the international community will convene to review the sustainable development progress of SIDS and propose a new decade of partnerships and solutions to accelerate their journey toward resilient prosperity.

The Barbados meeting last month provided a reflective journey for many, as attendees, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, paid tribute to the late Ambassador Miles Stoby of Guyana, the visionary behind the initiative and for whom Barbados was, fittingly, a second

Caption: Ambassador Lyutha al Mughairy (widow of Ambassador Miles Stoby) greets Garth Sandiford, son of late Barbados Prime Minister Erskine Sandiford. Looking on are Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and former UN Under-Secretary General Peter Hansen.

Caribbean News

CTO Sustainable Tourism meeting successful

Published

6 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Deandrea Hamilton

By: The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter

May 9, 2024 – The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC), held April 22-24 at Radisson Grenada Beach Resort was a resounding success.

The conference is the Caribbean’s foremost event for high-level networking and dialogue on sustainable tourism, providing a crucial platform for tourism policymakers, private sector stakeholders, thought leaders, and strategic partners to address the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.

The meeting highlighted the essential pillars necessary for creating a transformative and regenerative legacy under the theme “The 5 Ps for a Legacy of Caribbean Tourism Sustainability: People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose & Partnership”.

Thought-provoking addresses from Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, set the stage for discussions about the future of Caribbean tourism.

PM Mitchell stressed the need to include a broader array of stakeholders in the tourism conversation, while Stewart highlighted the importance of partnerships and unity within the sector. The conference was marked by authentic displays of Grenadian culture and dynamic panel sessions.

Caption: Adam Stewart of Sandals Resorts International delivered the keynote address.

The MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter