The Board of Directors and members of the Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association would like to acknowledge the outstanding job done by the Department of Tourism for the "Welcome Party" at the airport for the arrival of the Danish Charter Flight.
We were so proud of the huge smiles and enthusiasm shown by the Department's Greeters. Not only did they greet the passengers and hand out goodie bags as they exited customs; they assisted with their luggage and escorted them to the hospitality booth operated by Tourism for free rum drinks provided by Crucian Rum. The CRRA would like to urge all Crucians to please join at least one welcoming party at the airport in the next five months. They arrive every other Friday at 5:00 p.m. (the next flight is April 16th) so please be at gate 11 by 5:30 p.m. as our guests exit customs.
If you, your civic group or organization would come out at least once in the next 10 visits it would be phenomenal. This is also an excellent opportunity for the different school groups to get involved in St. Croix Tourism. Groups can call the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce at 773-1435 to arrange which Friday they will come to the airport to participate. Individual persons just come on out!
On any other island in the Caribbean these charter flight passengers would be just another group of tourists but here on St. Croix we are making them feel special and important because they are! This is wonderful publicity for St. Croix in Europe and could help in promoting the arrival of other European charters.
The cooperation of Port Authority, U.S. Customs and Immigration also did a great job in processing our newest guests and their luggage. Port Authority, U.S. Customs & Immigration allowed Danish speaking St. Croix residents to act as interpreters which was a very big help and went a long way in making a positive first impression. If you speak Danish please contact Dansk Vestindien 773-2995, as more help is always needed.
Again, thank you to the Department of Tourism for such a successful start and for Tourism Commissioner Pamela Richard's coordination of the partnership of the private and public sectors.
Julia Renfro, President of the Christiansted Restaurant & Retail Association
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