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USVI Tourism Gives Testimony on Continued Success, Plans for Future Growth

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism appeared in front of the Senate for the annual budget testimony hearing touting strong tourism results for Fiscal Year 2022.

During the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Hearing held on July 13, Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte provided the Senate with the highlights of the industry’s achievements along with a recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2023 that will allow the Department to continue to effectively grow the tourism business while promoting the USVI as the marquee destination in the Caribbean.

He discussed a broad overview of strategies to increase revenues and employment in key tourism sectors, including airlift, cruises and accommodations, while also expanding marine and international markets.

During the pandemic, the tourism industry was “a bright spot in the U.S. Virgin Islands economy,” Boschulte said. “Tourism accounts for 60 percent of our GDP (and) industry indicators suggest that tourism growth will continue in 2022 and 2023, buoyed by a revival of cruise travel.”

In a strong start to 2022, Boschulte reported, first-quarter visitor arrivals surged 153 percent compared to the same period in 2021. This year, 452,764 visitors arrived between January to March 2022. That follows up on a successful 2021 fiscal year during which there were increases of 96.7 percent in air visitor arrivals and 27.7 percent in hotel occupancy from the previous year. Boschulte attributed this to the Department of Tourism’s quick pivot in strategy after the cruise industry shut down in 2020.

At the time, the department amped up its aggressive campaign to increase both airlift and overnight stays. As a result, the USVI became the fastest-growing location for total airlift capacity in the Americas between 2019 and 2021. According to the Transportation Security Administration, airports in St. Croix and St. Thomas received 14 percent more passengers in February 2022 than in February 2019.

Airline success translated to the accommodations sector. Boschulte reported that STR lodging data showed that when compared to all Caribbean destinations for which data is available, the USVI had the highest hotel occupancy rate of 72.5 percent from June 2021 to May 2022. The territory also led the region with the highest average daily rate (ADR) of $637 and revenue per available room (RevPAR) of $461.61 during the same period.

While cruising was largely dormant for the calendar year 2021, the Department of Tourism continued to work with cruise industry executives to develop strategies to welcome the business back during 2022. “The territory is projected to see a sharp increase in calls in FY23 of over 450 calls and almost 1.4 million passengers, up from slightly under 250 (calls) and approximately 480 thousand passengers in FY22,” Boschulte reported.

Other key Fiscal Year 2022 developments included the growth in marine and sports tourism. Sports tourism efforts included international sailing events, college basketball tournaments, tennis tournaments, and participation in the Sports Illustrated 2022 swimsuit edition. The latter was a significant coup for USVI Tourism, increasing brand exposure through 21 billion media impressions across global media outlets.

As for the marine industry, its annual direct and indirect contribution to the USVI economy is forecast to approach $100 million in the coming year. During 2021, The Moorings, one of the world’s premier yacht charter companies, established operations on St. Thomas during the season.

These are among the key strategies the Department of Tourism developed during FY 2022 and will continue into FY 2023:

Airlift

Increase airlift from existing locations and adding new gateways domestically and internationally

Accommodations

Increase overnight stays through FY 2023

Grow room occupancy tax revenue via hotels and sharing economy accommodations

Cruise

Launch initiatives to win back and grow the share of the cruise business, including solidifying partnerships with the cruise lines and with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA).

Adding 70 percent more passengers coming to Crown Bay on St. Thomas and tripling the numbers for St. Croix in 2023

Marine

Strengthen partnerships with marine stakeholders

Expand and integrate marine experiences with land-based experiences

Artical by:The St.Thomas Source

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Sports

Drew leagues starts ,Kyrie Irvin Not Playing?

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley
Dave McMenaminESPN Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 42 points in a successful return to the Drew League while teaming up with DeMar DeRozan for a 104-102 win in L.A.’s famed pro-am basketball league Saturday.

Longtime Drew League commissioner Dino Smiley told ESPN he expected Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving to play in the game preceding James and DeRozan’s, but that did not occur.

“We still have a couple games left today and then six tomorrow, so we’ll see,” Smiley said late Saturday afternoon.

Smiley said Irving playing Saturday “sounded like it was going to be a sure bet, but I don’t know what happened.”

While  the Drew League’s Saturday slate was being played near Compton, California, some 55 miles away in Thousand Oaks, a participant at Los Angeles Lakersassistant coach Phil Handy’s girls’ basketball skills camp posted a video of Irving working with the campers to her Instagram account.

Handy coached Irving for five seasons when they were both a part of the Cleveland Cavaliersorganization.

The Drew League game Saturday marked the first public glimpse of the 37-year-old James playing basketball in more than three months. He missed seven of the Lakers’ final eight regular-season games in the spring because of a left ankle sprain and missed 26 games in all of 2021-22, which ended up being one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

“I’m 100 percent healthy,” James told ESPN during the first half of action.

He finished with 42 points on 18-for-36 shooting (2-for-13 from 3), 16 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. DeRozan, a Drew League staple who invited James to play on his and fellow Southern California native Casper Ware’s team, scored 30 points on 9-for-23 shooting with 14 rebounds.

James and DeRozan’s team, called the MMV Cheaters, trailed team Black Pearl Elite by as many as seven points in the fourth quarter before storming back.

DeRozan’s feed to James for a two-handed, rim-bending dunk with 1:22 remaining put MMV up by six and seemingly in control. But BPE followed with a 3-pointer and a layup created by stealing an inbounds pass, and James was suddenly in jeopardy of losing his first game back at the Drew League in more than a decade.

Following a timeout, MMV inbounded the ball to James, who was fouled with 4.5 seconds left, sending him to the free throw line with his team up 103-102.

He made the first. And then things got interesting.

“I walked up to LeBron up the end, and I told him, ‘Hey, I need one [miss],'” Mike Nwabuzor of BPE, who plays professionally overseas, said afterward. “And he actually smoked the free throw. So that was probably the best moment. But the whole game was fun. Great competition. It’s just great to share the court with him.”

James missed the second free throw, but Ethan Alvano of BPE put up a potential game-winning 3 at the buzzer that fell short, and James raised his fist in victory.

“I thought we really could have pulled it off,” said Alvano, who recently signed a two-year contract to play in South Korea. “We had some mistakes down the stretch. But, man, that’s a lifelong dream to play against, with, whatever with LeBron James. Someone that I grew up watching, someone I grew up idolizing. So it was an honor, it was a blessing to share the court with him.”

It was James’ first appearance at the Drew League — which was founded in 1973 and has seen a pilgrimage of NBA players descend on the Charles Drew Junior High School gymnasium during the summers for decades — since the NBA lockout in 2011.

“When that first happened it was a surprise because Baron [Davis] brought him in to play, and I think he was coming just to watch, and then he got excited seeing the crowd and the game and then he wanted a jersey,” Smiley said. “So, that’s how that one took place.”

Davis was one of about a dozen former or current NBA players on hand to watch Saturday, a group that also included Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors; Montrezl Harrell of the Charlotte Hornets; and Kendrick Nunnand Talen Horton-Tucker of the Lakers.

Irving’s absence erased much of the intrigue for the day surrounding James and his former teammate.

Irving recently picked up his $36.5 million player option for the 2022-23 season with the Brooklyn Nets, and James is in the final year of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, although he will be eligible to sign an extension with L.A. starting next month.

Los Angeles has engaged Brooklyn in trade talks in recent weeks to attempt to acquire Irving in a deal that would send Russell Westbrookto the Nets, sources told ESPN. Thus far, those talks have not progressed toward an agreement.

Instead, the focus was on the court, with James — four years into his Lakers tenure — ingratiating himself with the L.A. basketball scene.

“For him to be here and come to the middle of the ‘hood where regular people are every day that look up to him, he’s a superstar so for him to come here and grace these people with his presence, I think it’s super dope,” Alvano said. “I’m glad he did it and it’s great for the community.”

Added Smiley: “It was just an epic, epic afternoon of basketball.”

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SUMMER SIZZLE BVI

by Simba Sage
written by Simba Sage

July 20, 2022 to July 25, 2022

SUMMER SIZZLE BVI

Summer Sizzle BVI is a highly anticipated event, attracting fashion and travel influencers, designers, models, press, celebrities, entertainers, leisure tourists and water sports enthusiasts. With this beautiful tropical venue serving as a backdrop, they all come eager to experience this spectacular event.

EVENTS SCHEDULE 

The Global Glamour Runway Show is the highlight of the experience, showcasing world renowned fashion designers, as well as emerging talent

Summer Sizzle BVI will include a health and wellness retreat hosted by Equanimity Nation, a health and wellness organization to help rejuvenate and reset as we emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic.

Equanimity Nation will provide adaptable wellness tools, mental health workshop and healing practices to address anxiety and life’s daily stressors.

Summer Sizzle BVI was established in 2007 by Executive Producer, Terry Donovan, as a fashion and lifestyle experience intended to promote BVI and attract visitors during the slower off-peak season. Inspired in part by New York Fashion Week, his vision has evolved into a fashion filled intimate setting with an international flair that attracts fashion industry professionals and leisure travelers from around the world each year.

Call us

(305) 501 0037

For More information, visit Summer Sizzle BVI

Home

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Department of Human Services’ SNAP Office Announces Saturday Hours for P-EBT Recipients

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Department of Human Services’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), advises the public of upcoming Saturday office hours to accommodate households slated to receive this round of Pandemic-EBT. These office hours are reserved for existing P-EBT households who received previous P-EBT issuances, but may have misplaced or discarded their cards.
The SNAP Issuance Offices will be open on the following dates and times for P-EBT clients only:
• Saturday, July 10, 2021: 9 am – 2 pm
St. Thomas
Knud Hansen Complex
Main Lobby Area
1303 Hospital Ground, Building A
St. Croix:
41 B Mars Hill
DHS Division of Family Assistance Issuance Office 1st Floor
As a reminder, first-time (newly eligible) P-EBT recipients will be issued a card in the mail the week of July 5 – 10, 2021.
For questions or concerns, please contact the SNAP P-EBT hotline at (340) 772-7120 or e- mail pebt@dhs.vi.gov with P-EBT in the subject line.

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Community

Governor Bryan Welcomes First Cruise Ship to USVI in 15 Months

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. (center) and V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe welcome Capt. Kate McCue of the Celebrity Edge cruise ship.

Governor Also Announces Nomination of LEPC Director Ray Martinez

To Replace Trevor Velinor as V.I. Police Commissioner

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During the weekly Government House briefing, which took place on St. Thomas on Tuesday, July 6, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced the arrival of the first cruise ship to visit the Territory since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the cruise industry in the United States.

The Celebrity Edge docked at the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Terminal on St. Thomas at 11 a.m. Tuesday, and additional cruise ship calls are expected throughout the summer to both St. Thomas and St. Croix.

The ship had 1,500 passengers and 700 crew members and had a 97 percent vaccination rate.

“While this is welcome news to our vendors, taxi drivers and local small businesses who depend on the tourist traffic, our success depends on how well we each adhere to our COVID policies and the health guidelines that are put before us and how many of us are vaccinated against the virus,” Governor Bryan said.

Although the Vendors Plaza was not open for Tuesday’s cruise ship call, DLCA Commissioner Richard Evangelista said he is working with the Virgin Islands Department of Health to create a COVID-safe environment for the next cruise ship arrival.

Police Commissioner nominee
Governor Bryan also announced his nomination of Law Enforcement Planning Commission (LEPC) Director Ray Martinez to replace Commissioner Trevor Velinor, who is retiring on July 13 to spend time with his family after a long and successful law enforcement career, including decades working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Commissioner Velinor for his service at the helm of the VIPD and for his leadership in our efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets and apprehend violent criminal offenders,” Governor Bryan said. “I understood the importance of building a stronger relationship with our federal law enforcement partners and the need to introduce the ATF culture and resources as we continue to fight gun violence. Commissioner Velinor brought that to our Virgin Islands Police Department and while he says he’s retiring; law enforcement is in his blood, so I won’t be surprised if we see him in some other capacity in the near future.”

Commissioner Nominee Martinez also has a long and distinguished career with the V.I. Police Department and was appointed to the LEPC by Governor Bryan when the Bryan-Roach Administration took office.

Mr. Martinez, a 12-year employee of the Virgin Islands Police Department, served as that department’s Director of Internal Affairs and Labor Relations Manager and as Director of Intelligence, during which time he developed the Criminal Intelligence Unit and its policies and procedures.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in International and Comparative Criminal Justice from Kaplan University and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from the University of Cincinnati. He also is a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s Criminal Investigation Training Program.

The incoming commissioner will have the benefit of a closed-circuit surveillance network that currently is being deployed to help the VIPD combat crime.

“This includes Shot Spotter and strategically placed cameras. The first set of cameras are now operable, and we are working towards fully installing and energizing a total of 280 in this first phase,” the Governor said.

Income Tax refunds
Governor Bryan also announced that the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Department of Finance are mailing a second batch of income tax refund checks totaling $10 million, which follows the disbursement of $15 million in tax refunds mailed out last week.

These two distributions address most refunds for tax year 2018 and for those who have recently filed their 2016 and 2017 income taxes.

To date, the Bryan-Roach Administration will have issued approximately $156.4 million of income tax refunds since Governor Albert Bryan Jr. took office in January 2019:
•           $29.2 in the Fiscal Year 2019 months the Bryan-Roach Administration was in office
•           $68.7 million in FY 2020
•           $56.4 million in FY 2021

Limetree Bay
Governor Bryan also addressed concerns some members of the community have expressed about the Limetree Bay refinery and the oil released by the refinery in May.

“The refinery has been cleaning affected rooftops, cisterns and properties for those impacted. In some instances, they have agreed to provide compensation to the property owner in lieu of the actual cleaning,” the Governor said. “In all instances, they require the property owner to sign a Release and Settlement Agreement. This agreement should release the refinery of further claims of Bodily Injury and or Property Damage arising from the incident on May 12th.”

Governor Bryan said the agreement and the terms in it were negotiated between the Limetree refinery and the law firms involved in a civil action against the refinery related to this matter. The agreements should not extend a blanket release for any incidents prior to or in the future.

Residents who are presented with a release to sign that appears to hold the refinery harmless beyond May 12 should contact St. Croix Administrator Sammuel Sanes at 340-773-1404.

“We have assurances from Limetree that this is not their intention. The refinery has vowed to continue their efforts to address community concerns even as their operations are currently idled,” Governor Bryan said.

Vax-to-Win lottery
Governor Bryan also reminded residents that they still have time to be entered into the Vax-to-Win lottery, and the first of 10 drawings in each district takes place on Friday, July 9.

“We fell just 5,295 doses short of our goal of having 50,000 Virgin Islanders with at least one dose of the vaccine by July 1,” Governor Bryan said. “Thank you to the 44,705 who went and took their best shot against this virus. I ask that you please encourage those around you to do so as well. Just as a reminder, there is still time to go out and get your vaccine to be eligible for our Vax-to-Win drawing and School-based Special drawing.”

Rules, prizes and other information about the lottery can be found at vaxtowinusvi.com<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvaxtowinusvi.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0161730e2bce48c6c7d808d940c25151%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637612025746339041%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=GLdkNtWTYJFsgUOdq8mem2I1qI3QIRt2Xn7nvLfx85Q%3D&reserved=0>, and the drawing is open only to Virgin Islands residents.

There will be a drawing in each district for 10 consecutive weeks, with a prize of $50,000 for anyone who has received a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a $100,000 prize for individuals whose name is drawn and is fully vaccinated with both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

There is no need to register for the drawings. Once vaccinated, residents are automatically registered for the drawing, and any winners younger than 18 will have their prize held in escrow in accordance with the rules of the Virgin Islands Lottery until their 18th birthday.

Residents who are eligible to enter the special drawing on August 9 that is open only to school-based professionals also can enter at vaxtowinusvi.com<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvaxtowinusvi.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0161730e2bce48c6c7d808d940c25151%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637612025746349031%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=pkcpLYFTGYgVv6OGgahsExNuyUEEvMrNbb85OiN3dIo%3D&reserved=0> by filling out the form found there. School-based personnel are eligible to win one of three prizes in each district: $25,000 for 1st place; $10,000 for 2nd place; or $5,000 for 3rd place.

Registration for the special school-based drawing also can be done by calling 340-777-VACS (8227) or by visiting either of the Public Community Vaccination Centers on St. Thomas and St. Croix or the Administrator’s Office on St. John.

Digital Vaccination Records
During Tuesday’s briefing, Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion announced that the Department of Health’s Digital Vaccination Records system is now operational for people who received the vaccine in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“The Digital Vaccination Record will make it easy for individuals to securely share their vaccination status while maintaining their privacy with a growing network of local organizations,” Commissioner Encarnacion said. “We’re linking it not just to travel but to businesses throughout the Territory, as well, or having activities as we look to safely reopening businesses and resume public events.”

Vaccinations administered

•           44,705 first doses (56.3% of eligible population)

•           36,956 persons fully vaccinated (46.6% of eligible population)

Anyone 12 and up is eligible to receive the vaccine. Please make sure to have a parent or guardian accompany any minor wishing to get vaccinated and must bring an ID for both the minor and the parent or guardian.

Anyone who thinks they may have contracted COVID-19 can call the Epidemiology hotline at 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519. For more information, visit covid19usvi.com.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccines, call the VITEMA hotline Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 340-777-VACS (8227).
Pop-Up testing sites
This week, pop-up testing sites will be at the following locations:

•           The V.I. Port Authority Gravel Yard on St. John on Wednesday, July 7, from 1 to 4 p.m.

•           Charles Harwood Complex on St. Croix on Thursday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to noon.

•           Fort Christian Parking Lot on St. Thomas on Thursday, July 8, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Residents can pre-register for testing online at www.covid19usvi.com/testing<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.covid19usvi.com%2Ftesting&data=04%7C01%7C%7C0161730e2bce48c6c7d808d940c25151%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637612025746349031%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=Uf0NF35j7%2Fqq1lEI3mEvSnuXZeDqOLAaNaoEIDTuyxQ%3D&reserved=0> and free vaccines are available at the pop-up testing sites.

COVID-19 cases as of July 3

•           2.94% positivity rate

•           Currently tracking 71 active cases (34 STX; 36 STT; 1 STJ).

•           130,945 individuals tested to date.

•           127,029 of those tests were negative.

•           3,916 tests came back positive.

•           3,815 have recovered.

•           32 fatalities.

•           Two COVID-19 patients are hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Medical Center on St. Croix.

•           Two COVID-19 patients are at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

The Bryan-Roach Administration is committed to transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov<file:///C:/Users/gerry.yandel/Desktop/!Templates%20and%20lists/!GH%20Templates/transparency.vi.gov>

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