USVI to host annual Caribbean Tourism Conference next fall

The United States Virgin Islands will host the 26th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-26), October 13-19, at the Marriott Frenchman´s Reef Resort on St. Thomas. Influential travel industry leaders, journalists and hundreds of travel agents will attend this meeting, which brings together the Caribbean´s leading tourism officials to discuss relevant issues that affect the travel industry, Commissioner of Tourism Pamela C. Richards announce.

"I am excited about the opportunity to host this year´s conference," Richards said. "This is a critical time in the history of the travel and tourism industry, and our decisions will be crucial to determining how the Caribbean will fare in the global marketplace." Richards also serves as First Vice Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Although this is the first time that the U.S. Virgin Islands is hosting this conference, it is befitting that both St. Thomas and Marriott Frenchman´s Reef Resort host this year´s conference because of their historical significance to the CTO. In the late 1970s, both played a significant role in meetings that led to the creation of the existing CTO, which resulted from the merger of two former tourism organizations. As host of CTC-26, the USVI will again become a landmark in the history of the organization.

Accessible from all major Caribbean islands, as well as major U.S. cities, the U.S. Virgin Islands is the perfect Caribbean destination for this important tourism event. Several major airlines offer direct flights to St. Thomas. Island hopping from St. Thomas to St. Croix and St. John is a short ferry ride or seaplane flight away. Other Caribbean-based commuter airlines offer inter-island transportation in the region.

Marriott Frenchman´s Reef Resort, which boasts more than 36,900 square-feet of meeting space and upscale oceanview rooms, will serve as the host hotel. Overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor and Morning Star Beach, the resort features 408 air-conditioned rooms, five restaurants, spa and fitness services, a freshwater pool, watersports, tennis courts, several retail shops and easy access to the Caribbean´s best duty-free shopping. Local tour operators, restaurants and hotels also will have the opportunity to showcase their best offerings to visitors participating in CTC-26.