USVI Acting Tourism Commissioner Magras Meets With Continental Airlines and TWA
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, JUNE 8, 1999 U.S. Virgin Islands Acting Commissioner of Tourism Clement "Cain" Magras recently met with Continental Airlines and TWA officials to discuss prospective plans to increase airlift service to the territory.
Representatives from Continental Airlines visited the U.S. Virgin Islands several weeks ago and met with Acting Commissioner Magras and president of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel and Tourism Association Richard Doumeng. Negotiations are underway to initiate a daily flight out of the New York area, which would increase the airlift service out of the territory's largest and most productive gateway.
"The meeting was very productive and encouraging," Commissioner Magras said. "Negotiations will continue in an attempt to lure Continental Airlines back to the U.S. Virgin Islands."
Last Thursday, Commissioner Magras met with representatives of TWA and Apple Vacations in St. Louis, Mo. Several opportunities were discussed including the emergence of a flight out of New York's LaGuardia Airport. TWA officials also expressed an interest in making St. Croix a mini-hub to take advantage of the refueling opportunities on the island. With TWA's interest in expanding its service into the Caribbean region, Commissioner Magras believes St. Croix would be an ideal location if the new airport runway expansion can be completed in a timely manner.
"Currently, larger jets cannot take off from the existing runway at St. Croix's Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with maximum passenger capacity and a full fuel tank," Commissioner Magras said. "The expansion of the runway is the most significant project underway to boost St. Croix's economy."
For more information about St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, call the U.S. Virgin Islands Visitor's Center at (800) 372-USVI.
V.I. Challenge Sponsors Contest to "Win A Virgin Island"
Enter the Online Skills Contest for Chance to Own Island's Title
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, JUNE 8, 1999 The Virgin Islands Challenge, a nonprofit foundation and the home sailing syndicate to Peter Holmberg, is sponsoring a Web-based (www.amcup.vi) creative skills contest to give away the title to one of the many smaller islets of the U.S. Virgin Islands. By making a $10 donation to the Virgin Islands Challenge, contest entrants may submit a creative new name for the beautiful island of Fish Cay (the current name), located off the east end of St. Thomas, for the chance to actually own it. A winner will be selected each month and will then advance to the final competition for the title of ownership to the island. Prizes will be awarded monthly to each of the finalists leading up to the announcement of the grand prize and runner-up winners on January 30, 2000.
The rules of the "Win a Virgin Island" contest are simple. Contestants can complete the electronic entry form on the foundation's Web site at: www.amcup.vi. For each charitable donation of $10, contestants will be allowed to submit one entry consisting of a creative new name for Fish Cay and a one-sentence explanation of the inspiration for the name selection. Donations should be made payable to the V.I. Challenge via credit card. The deadline for each monthly submission is the fifteenth of every month, now through January 15, 2000. Contestants must be at least 18 years old to participate, but there are no limitations on the number of entries a contestant may submit. All proceeds from this contest will benefit the V.I. Marine Program and activities of the V.I. Challenge.
A panel of judges will select a winner each month. Each of these monthly winners will receive a vacation package for two to the USVI and qualify as finalists for the grand prize. The vacation package includes: four-day/three- night accommodations at one of the participating hotels; round trip airfare; and meals at select local restaurants. Participating hotels and resorts include: on St. Croix: Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Danish Manor Hotel, Inn at Pelican Heights, King Christian Hotel and Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort; and on St. Thomas: Bluebeard's Beach Club, Elysian Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Windward Passage, Point Pleasant Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
The monthly winners will advance to the grand prize competition for the chance to win ownership of Fish Cay. These finalists must write a short essay (up to 250 words) due on January 26, 2000, on the following topics: "Why I would like to own my own private Caribbean Island, and what inspired the name I entered in the contest?" The grand prize winner and the first runner-up will be announced on January 30, 2000.
The grand prize winner will receive the ownership title to Fish Cay. This individual will assume responsibility for all real estate and property taxes for the island and any other taxes incurred in their local jurisdictions. Fish Cay is located off the Pillsbury Sound in Christmas Cove, an anchorage treasured by yachtsmen worldwide. The island is situated between St. Thomas and St. John and set in the backdrop of Great St. James Island. The island is easily accessible, less than a ten-minute sailboat ride from Cowpet Bay and the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Fish Cay, which rises 21-feet above sea level, features an idyllic white-sand beach, surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters brimming with corals, sponges and rainbow-colored fish.
The first runner-up will receive an exclusive five-night package to Auckland, New Zealand, for the America's Cup competition. The package includes: roundtrip coach class airfare from any U.S. continental gateway city to Los Angeles via American Airlines; roundtrip Pacific class airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland on Air New Zealand; roundtrip airport transfers in a private vehicle while in Auckland; five nights of hotel accommodations, including breakfast daily; a day of experiencing the excitement of the America's Cup racing inside the American Express New Zealand Cup Village; private "boat party" hospitality, which includes an on-the-water racing cruise, lunch and refreshments; an exclusive America's Cup souvenir merchandise pack; a visit to Auckland's Sky Tower for birds-eye views of Auckland, including the America's Cup race course; and the 12.5 percent New Zealand goods and services tax. Events South Pacific also offers several add- on packages to the runner-up for a fee.
The Virgin Islands Challenge is also running a concurrent land-based raffle to give Virgin Island residents and visitors the opportunity to participate in the contest. Tickets may be purchased at select locations on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.
For more information about the "Win a Virgin Island" contest, call the Virgin Islands Challenge contest information line at (340) 776-4800. For more information about St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, call the U.S. Virgin Islands Visitor's Center at (800) 372-USVI.
