Anyone riding around St. Thomas should soon be noticing some new signs along roadways that are aimed at sending visitors and residents alike positive messages about making tourism work. Some feature the image of an iguana; others picture a hibiscus blossom.
The lizard messages are aimed at tourists: "Welcome to America's Paradise," "Drive on the left," "Don't litter; keep our islands clean," and "Thank you for visiting; please come and see us again."
The floral signs are reassurances to visitors as well as gentle reminders to residents that tourism is the island's bread and butter, and that service has nothing to do with servitude. Among their messages: "We believe in service with a smile," "Our smile is as warm as the sun," "Let us know what we can do," "Working together to make a difference," "Welcome from our family," and "It's our pleasure to assist you."
St. Thomas has the jewelry retail business Diamonds International to thank for the signage project, put together in partnership with the Tourism Department and the Public Works Department, which is currently installing them.
The signs were produced by Linda Wright of De Signs, Diamonds International marketing manager Patti Hoffman said in a Tourism Department release issued Thursday.
Hoffman also said Public Works employees Tanya Benjamin and Alridge Thomas "drove around the entire island with me to map out where each sign would be installed."
She credited Tourism acting commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge and marketing assistant Caroline Polydore-Simon with providing "help and insight" in developing the project and said her business "looks forward to working closely with the department again in the future."
Sibilly-Hodge said Tourism and the retailer intend to expand the program to St. John and St. Croix "within the next few weeks."
According to Hoffman, the project is an example of "ways in which the private sector can work with the government to beautify and improve not only our tourism product, but our day-to- day lives."
Sibilly-Hodge expressed thanks to Diamonds International and termed the initiative "indicative of the great things that can be accomplished when people work together for a common goal." She also said Tourism has "many initiatives that require assistance" and added that whatever contributions businesses and community groups can make "toward improving the quality of life in the territory will go a long way."
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