The U.S. Virgin Islands opens the fall/winter season with a bang as a featured destination in several leading consumer travel publications.
Extensive coverage is given to the USVI in current issues of Caribbean Travel & Life, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Travel Holiday through advertisements and articles with emphasis on the unique qualities of each island.
Caribbean Travel & Life, features a full-page advertisement and a two-page editorial spread of Trunk Bay, St. John, highlighting the small island's designation as a National Park Service treasure abounding with activities for the "environmentally" and "not so environmentally" conscious.
Also in this issue of Caribbean Travel & Life, a seven-page article features the Virgin Islands villa experience, highlighting the now nationally famous Sand Dollar Villa on St. Thomas where U.S. President Bill Clinton, his family and comedian Sinbad, have stayed.
Featured in Food & Wine is St. Croix resident and health care provider, Debra Ann Christopher, who describes the fusion of the many different cultures that make up the very unique Virgin Islands cultural experience referred to as a "kallaloo" (not to be confused with the "kallaloo" we love to eat). As a culture bearer, Christopher is concerned with the preservation of cultural activities that have made the V.I.'s history rich and long lasting.
Most recently (September 1999), Travel Holiday magazine focused on the USVI's gem, St. John, in a six-page expanse of vivid color and text. The spread contained photos that capture several aspects of island life on St. John, from the historic sites and churches, Reef Bay Trails, and beach scenes, to the spirit of young St. Johnians and the local watering holes.
Travel & Leisure's October issue features a Special Advertising Section which details the very essence of the territory's charm. The profiles of each island provide readers with an outlook on each island's fascinating history and vastly diverse personalities.
Tourism's acting Commissioner Michael A. Bornn said, "We are absolutely elated that our interim advertising campaign was able to penetrate the onset of the fall and winter season. Additionally, Tourism's ongoing work with numerous travel journalists has greatly enhanced our marketing efforts. Like other destinations who are competing for fall and winter business, we have positioned ourselves to generate increased numbers of reservations and possibly even more inquiries for the season."
Marketing Director Beverly Petrus added, "The marketing division has worked hard to maintain a presence in the marketplace for the USVI in the absence of an advertising agency. With assistance from long-time tourism partners and a committed effort by the department, we have successfully marketed the destination and look forward to augmenting our marketing efforts once the new agency is on board."