Feb. 3, 2006 – The V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association is partnering with Spirit Airlines and the Westin Resort St. John for its latest sweepstakes offering – "Girlfriend's Sweepstakes."
The prize brings the winner and four of her companions to St. John for a three-night stay at a Westin Resort pool villa. Each of the five girlfriends gets free ferry fare, massages, manicures, pedicures, a night out on St. John, dinner out on St. Thomas, a cooking class at the villa, limousine service on arrival and departure, a $1,000 shopping spree gift certificate, and a weekend bag.
The total package is worth $10,000.
"It's a good way to drive business," said Luana Wheatley, the hotel association's marketing director.
Association President Beverly Nicholson said in a news release that girlfriend getaways are a growing market. Men have taken golf vacations for years, she said, but women are now in the market for vacations with their girlfriends.
"This is a great way to show that fantasy vacations are possible in our beautiful destination," Nicholson said, adding that many of the association's hotel members now offer girlfriend getaway packages.
Wheatley said that Spirit Airlines, which began flying to St. Thomas in December, is proving to be a good partner. The winners will have to catch their flights at a mainland airport used by Spirit.
The sweepstakes began Jan. 30, and entries are due by April 15. The trip must be taken between June 1 and Dec. 15.
The entire experience will be videotaped and featured on the hotel association's Web site.
Wheatley said she distributed sweepstakes information at a recent V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association event at New York's Grand Central Terminal and at a bridal show. Information about the sweepstakes was also sent to all major publications to develop interest in the event, she said.
Alas, the sweepstakes isn't open to Virgin Islands residents because part of the prize is the Spirit Airlines airfare.
To learn more about the sweepstakes, visit the V.I. Hotel and Tourism Association's Web site at www.virgin-islands-hotels.com.