by Brian Major
Last updated: 1:30 PM ET, Tue December 22, 2015
PHOTO: Beverly Nicholson-Doty, U.S. Virgin Islands tourism commissioner. (Photo by Brian Major).
U.S. Virgin Islands tourism officials this week announced new flight service and vacation packages that will expand access to St. Croix. Beginning Dec. 23, Delta Air Lines will launch flights from Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to St. Croix' Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
The U.S. Virgin Islands' Department of Tourism (VIDOT) is also partnering with tour provider MLT Vacations to offer seven-night vacation packages featuring $250 air credits for Wednesday departures, "VI Nice" certificates in amounts ranging from $250 to $500 and resort credits ranging from $50 to $100.
"The new service complements our existing weekly Saturday flights, which have performed incredibly well," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, the U.S. Virgin islands' commissioner of tourism. "Our goal is to entice travelers to consider Wednesdays as an attractive option for their flights to and from St. Croix."
The program's VI Nice certificates are additionally designed to encourage on-island spending, Nicolson-Doty added. VIDOT is supporting the program with $75,000 in online digital and radio advertising.
Participating St. Croix hotels include The Buccaneer, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino, The Palms at Pelican Cove, and the Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa. Packages must be booked between Dec. 21, 2015 and Jan. 29, 2016 for travel from Jan. 6 through April 20, 2016.
The program supports Department of Tourism efforts to generate increased travel to St. Croix, frequently overshadowed as a travel destination by St. Thomas, one of the world's busiest cruise ship ports and a center of Virgin Islands historic and shopping attractions.
"St. Croix is a gem in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we are always working to position the island as a 'go-to' destination," said Kenneth Mapp, the U.S. Virgin Islands' governor. "Together with our partners and stakeholders, this administration is committed to implementing initiatives and strategies aimed at achieving success."
Nicolson-Doty said VIDOT will continue negotiations to secure additional U.S. airlift to St. Croix in 2016. "We are actively working to increase flights into St. Croix and strengthen capacity in St. Thomas," she said. "There's a lot of interest and expansion going on with airlines into the Caribbean as a whole. We plan to remain competitive in servicing our key markets and to maximize opportunities to welcome more travelers."
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