St. Thomas Real Estate Trends

Want to be a mermaid? Captain of your own ship?

That's what our tourism campaign is promoting. Hopefully it's working - with so little funds to pay everyday bills - will this improve our tourist economy?

As reported in the Virgin Islands Daily News:

The Virgin Islands is rolling out a summertime promotion to entice families living throughout the Caribbean to spend their summer here.

The Family Fun promotion, which started in May and runs through October, offers airfare rebates, hotel deals - especially for families with children younger than 12 - and attraction and activity coupons.

"The summer months are typically a slower time for the Virgin Islands," said Tourism Department spokeswoman Allegra Kean Moorehead. "It is nice to be able to have various promotions available in the marketplace to keep the islands busy."

The package includes a $50 per person airfare rebate, $50 in attractions and activity coupons, and a third night free at several hotels - where children under 12 also stay for free. Trips must include at least a three-night stay, and trips must be booked by Sept. 30. Travel needs to be completed by Oct. 30. Tourism has done similar Caribbean-targeted promotions in the past.

This promotion, Moorehead said, is gathering a lot of attention because of the airfare rebate.

"It's really attractive," she said. "Right off the bat, they're getting money off of their package. And as soon as they check into their hotel, they're getting $50 back."

The Tourism Department has focused much of its efforts in Puerto Rico. Moorehead said that a rate card featuring the package has been printed for the Tourism Department's representative in Puerto Rico and is being distributed to travel agents. Advertising for the package also has been featured in publications in Puerto Rico.

Word about the promotion is also being spread to other Caribbean islands. Information has been distributed at every Caribbean trade show that Virgin Islands representatives have attended, Moorehead said. Additionally, Caribbean-based travel agents who have gone through the online "Virgin Islands Specialist" program have been provided with information. The "Virgin Islands Specialist" program is an initiative that allows travel agents worldwide to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the territory's tourism opportunities, Moorehead said.

St. Croix hotels participating in the promotion include Club St. Croix, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Resort, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel, Sand Castle on the Beach, The Buccaneer and The Palms at Pelican Cove. On St. Thomas, visitors staying at Best Western Emerald Beach, Bolongo Bay Beach Club, Point Pleasant Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, Windward Passage Hotel and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa can benefit from the promotion. St. John accommodations participating in the promotion include Concordia Eco-Tents, Maho Bay Camps and Westin St. John Resort & Villas.