Resort Meetings CARIBBEAN ISLAND RESORTS AND DESTINATIONS HUSTLE TO SHORE UP MEETINGS BUSINESS | By Maggie Rauch | W hen flight capacity to the U.S. Virgin Islands was threatened by pullouts that would have led to a 30 percent reduction in airlift this winter, the territory’s tourism authority kicked into high gear to staunch the bleeding. After hiring a consultant, establishing a joint public/private committee, and pleading its case one airline at a time, the USVI was able to salvage some key routes and keep its airlift stable this winter and beyond. For this coming March, flights into St. Thomas will be up 8 percent compared to last year. Flights into St. Croix will be up 14 percent. “This was a major concern for us. Airlift is obviously the critical medium to get to the territory,” says Beverly Nicholson-Doty, commissioner of the USVI’s Department of Tourism. Flights have been cut across the Caribbean, with some destinations suffering more than others. It’s just one of many challenges that the islands are facing in attracting all types of travel, including meetings. Regulations requiring Americans to carry passports still present some 44 I SM I January 2009 I SuccessfulMeetings.com
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - January 2009