U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS EXPANDS ITS CANADIAN MARKET REACH ATTENDING THE TRAVEL MEDIA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SUDBURY, ONTARIO
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), June 27, 2023–The US Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Tourism made its debut in the Canadian market with a packed schedule of media marketplace appointments at the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) Annual Conference in Sudbury, Ontario from June 14-18.
TMAC is an organization dedicated to fostering relationships between Canadian-based travel media and international travel industry professionals in a safe, collaborative and inspirational environment.
“We are excited to continue broadening our Global marketing scope by attending the TMAC Annual Conference to share the updates and offerings from across the territory,” says Commissioner of USVI’s Department of Tourism, Joseph Boschulte. “Through market research we know that Canadian travelers are excited about discovering new places to go that align with their values of social responsibility, eco-tourism and purpose-driven adventures, all done in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We know that the USVI offers them the ideal vacation destination.”
The conference began with a two-day media marketplace on June 15 and 16, where representatives of the Department of Tourism met with writers and editors for some of the country’s top publications, including The Toronto Star, PostMedia, ZOOMER Magazine and BOLD Magazine. Topics of discussion included sustainability, new properties, a walkthrough of the three main islands, with a particular interest into the history and product offerings of St. Croix, including the new Vibe Like No Other travel promotion.
This year continues to be a highly successful year for the USVI Department of Tourism. The three-island Territory has reported the highest hotel occupancy rate in the Caribbean with 72.5% from June 2021 to May 2022 and revenues to match. Already the editors of Conde Nast Traveler put the USVI at the top of its Best Places to Go in 2023 citing the islands’ new hotels, resort openings, the national park, and Carnival festivals. Also, in 2022, Conde Nast Traveler ranked the USVI in its prestigious Readers’ Choice Awards as the Best Islands in the World.
The USVI will continue to reach the Canadian consumer with a variety of activations and partnerships in-market and press visits for Canadian media.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).
