Friday, April 13, 2007

Celebratory Package Commemorates the 90th Anniversary of the United States Virgin Islands

Complimentary fifth night at hotels on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, plus savings up to $500 on Experiential Activities, Tours, and Extras.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, April 11, 2007 – In tribute to the 90th anniversary as a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, in conjunction with the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, is offering a special 90th Anniversary Celebration Package to guests who visit the islands between May 1 and August 31. This special offer recognizes “Transfer Day,” the historic period in 1917 when St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas shifted from Danish rule to a United States territory.

If booked between April 15 and July 15, the 90th Anniversary Celebration Package features a complimentary fifth night based on a five-night minimum stay at participating hotels, plus savings up to $500 on a variety of included experiential activities, tours and extras.

“The 90th anniversary of Transfer Day presents the perfect opportunity to remind travelers that they do not need a passport to travel to our three magnificent islands,” says Beverly Nicholson Doty, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer guests a complimentary night of accommodations this spring and summer, along with many activities that commemorate the past, present and future of America’s Caribbean.”

Guests who book the package with a St. John or St. Thomas hotel will receive two tickets to Coral World, Atlantis Submarine, VI Ecotours, and the Paradise Point Tramway; an island tour for two with Tropic Tours; use of a GPS unit for two days provided by Calabash Technologies; $90 off a purchase of $500 or more at Diamonds International; $90 off a purchase of $500 or more at Cardow Jewelers; and $90 gaming dollars compliments of Southland Gaming.

Guests who book the package with a St. Croix hotel will enjoy a welcome bottle of Cruzan rum and a special gift; $100 match-play at Divi Carina Bay Casino, plus two of the following complimentary options: Buck Island excursion for two; a sunset sail for two; a rental car for three days; an island tour for two; golf with greens fees and cart for two at The Buccaneer or Carambola Beach Resort; a scuba two-tank dive or dive lesson with one-tank dive for one; or a 50-minute spa treatment.

Participating St. Croix hotels include The Buccaneer, Hotel Caravelle, Carambola Beach Resort, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove and Divi Carina Bay, while St. Thomas and St. John hotels include Frenchman’s Reef Marriott, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Best Western Emerald Beach, Best Western Carib Beach, Secret Harbour Resort, Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa, Point Pleasant, Sapphire Beach, Sapphire Village, Crystal Cove, Anchorage and The Westin St. John Resort & Villas.

Guests must book the 90th Anniversary Celebration Package between April 15 and July 15 and travel between May 1 and August 31. For more information about the 90th Anniversary Celebration Package, visit www.usvitourism.vi/ or for reservations, call 1-877-LIB-USVI.

For information about the United States Virgin Islands, call 800-372-USVI (8784) and visit www.usvitourism.vi/.

As a United States territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require proof of citizenship 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.