A team from the VI Department of Tourism visited Orlando this month to generate awareness and increase travel to the territory.
Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty said that Orlando, which is one of the department’s priority target cities, is the No. 1 market for connecting flights over Miami.
During the visit, which took place the first week of September, the commissioner met with about 20 journalists and people with influence in the travel market at a media mixer hosted by the department and in one-on-one appointments.
The journalists represented media outlets from Orlando Magazine to ISLANDS.com. They received the latest news and updates about activities in the territory, including Dine VI, which will be held on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from Oct. 27 to Nov. 12; Centennial celebrations in 2017; and the new Winter NICE promotion, which promotes travel to the territory from January to March.
Nicholson-Doty also was interviewed by WOKB 1680AM’s "Talk it Up Radio" – a show targeting the Caribbean diaspora in central Florida.
While in Orlando, representatives from the Department of Tourism hosted meeting planners and travel agents during a lunch presentation to share developments related to the meetings industry in the territory. Attendees received an overview about offerings that appeal to groups, including the department’s "Procrastination Pays" promotion, which incentivizes planners to book meetings and events in the USVI.
A highlight of the visit was connecting with Virgin Islanders during an evening reception. Orlando has a strong Virgin Islands community and the event provided an opportunity for them to meet with Department of Tourism representatives, gather information about participating in the Tourism Ambassadors program, and learn about upcoming events and offerings, including the "Family Reunion" promotion, which encourages Virgin Islanders living outside the territory to return home to reunite with their loved ones.
Tourism representatives also connected with world-renowned local recording artists, R. City, who are currently touring with Maroon 5. Tourism has partnered with R. City to promote the U.S. Virgin Islands on this multicity tour.
