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B M & T ••• September/October 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 41 NO PASSPORT, NO PROBLEM…USVI OFFERS PLANNERS TOP LEVEL HOSPITALITY IN A CARIBBEAN DESTINATION FOR U.S. CITIZENS WITHOUT PASSPORTS BY SOLOMON HERBERT JR . Comprised of St. Croix, St. John and St, Thomas, and located in the eastern Caribbean just 1,100 miles southeast of Miami, the U.S. Virgin Islands is one of the most naturally beautiful places in the world. The white sand beaches with clear blue waters consistently rank among the top in the world. The islands also boast one of the most favorable climates with an average temperature of 77 degrees F in the winter and 82 degrees F in the summer. Steady trade winds keep the islands comfortably cool year round. USVI's recovery from last year's storms has been very strong. Power has been restored, beaches and attractions have reopened, restaurants are serving up extraordinary dishes, and the islands' spirit is as warm and inviting as ever. Airlines and cruise lines have returned to the shores, and many hotels, bed and breakfasts and condominiums are avail- able to overnight visitors even as the rebuilding work continues. The USVI yachting industry is unrivaled, and there are wonderful villas to accommodate groups large and small. More hotels will open near the end of 2018, and it is con- fident that the USVI will have an even bet- ter tourism product. Location is everything. Planners look- ing for an unparalleled destination will find plenty of choices in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Whether planning for a group of CEOs or an incentive retreat with spous- es and children in tow, knowledgeable meeting managers and enthusiastic des- tination management companies (DMCs) are available to supply the latest technol- ogy and prepare creative itineraries. Diverse venues range from first-class lux- ury resorts to smaller, intimate hide- aways, to elegant off-site locations for hosting functions. Two of the USVI's popular meeting properties – the 151- room Carambola Beach Resort and the 478-room Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort are among those facilities currently closed for repairs and will reopen in 2019. If you're seeking a romantic island get- away that intensifies your feelings of love and captivates your adventurous spirit, the U.S. Virgin Islands is the ideal spot for your storybook wedding. Tying the knot in the U.S. Virgin Islands is as stress-free as it is breathtaking with the islands simple marriage laws. Once you arrive on the islands, you will coordinate with experi- enced wedding planners and specialists committed to every last detail of your wedding, reception and honeymoon so that you can fully bask in the beauty of your special day. Once business concludes, the beauti- ful islands offer a stunning array of enter- tainment and recreation options, including yacht races, championship golf courses, and a $1,600 duty-free allowance and dis- counts up to 40%. It's no surprise that the U.S. Virgin Islands is consistently recog- nized with the Successful Meetings' Pinnacle Award. Make your next meeting mean more in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Carnival in St. John combines the excitement of carnival with the spirit of emancipation. July 3, 1848, marks the date slaves were emancipated in the USVI. In honor of the USVI's emancipa- tion, the St. John Festival takes place in late June and traditionally culminates on July 4th. It's an exciting time of year, as Cruz Bay becomes hopping with life, and the ferries between St. Thomas and St. John are filled with Carnival revelers. Don't miss special events like the opening of the village, the food fair, the parade or the exciting 4th of July fireworks display. Destination meetings are made easy with nonstop service on most of the major carriers from a variety of U.S. gate- ways. Connecting flights are available to and from Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Miami and Atlanta via the San Juan hub. U.S. citizens don't need a passport to enjoy the islands, and favorable tax incen- tives and global shipping options make transactions simple. Just one of the many fine Beach's the USVI has to offer U S V I AREA GUIDES • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Sugar Beach Condo Hotel 99 Gallows Point Resort 60 Sapphire Beach Resort 37 Emerald Beach Resort 90 The Palms at Pelican Cove 38 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit USVI – (800) 372-8784 www.visitusvi.com