�Our participation in this international travel showcase was important for the U.S. Virgin Islands� continued international marketing efforts,� Commissioner Richards said. �The positive responses we received from participants will bring a heightened interest in and awareness of the USVI in the international traveling community.�

Other representatives of the USVI who attended Pow Wow included: Ludvig Harrigan, Manager, Los Angeles regional office of the USVI Department of Tourism; Olga Mazzoni, Italy office of the USVI Department of Tourism; Beverly Nicholson, President, Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association; Wein Demitros General Manager, Holiday Inn Windward Passage Hotel; and Bray McNamara, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort.

The TIA International Pow Wow is the travel industry�s premier international marketplace. More than 1,500 international delegates from 71 countries and nearly 400 members of the international and domestic press were in attendance at this year�s show. Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Sibilly-Hodge stated that the USVI had a good turnout at the trade show booth and met with delegates representing companies in countries such as Denmark, Germany, England and Italy.

The keynote speaker for Pow Wow was Glenn Tilton, Chairman, President and CEO of United Airlines. Tilton urged attendees to support the industry�s recovery by making travel as convenient and comfortable as possible. Touching on security concerns involved in international travel, Tilton stated, �One critical fact none of us should ever lose sight of: our customers, having experienced the joy of travel, do not want to be denied the opportunity to travel.� Another highlight of Pow Wow was the announcement that overall spending by domestic and international travelers is expected to increase by six percent this year.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, call 800-372-USVI (8784), visit www.usvitourism.vi or contact the nearest USVI Department of Tourism regional office in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, D.C. or Toronto.

United States Virgin Islands Department Of Tourism
Member Of The Caribbean Tourism Organization

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