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U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS UPDATE


Current Press Release for February 13, 1997
Call 1-800-372-USVI for more information.



U.S. Virgin Islands Update
February 13, 1997

USVI Hotels Will Not Penalize Travelers Affected if Airline Strikes

ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I., FEBRUARY 13, 1997 - The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and hoteliers on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas are preparing for a possible strike by American Airlines’ pilots. Island hoteliers announced today that, in the event that American Airlines’ pilots go on strike, U.S. Virgin Islands hotels will waive or credit all customary deposits or penalties for “no shows” as a result of an American Airlines strike.

While there is still hope that the threatened strike will not occur, the general points of the provisional plan announced by the U.S. Virgin Islands hoteliers are as follows:
• Commencing with the first day of the strike and ending upon final settlement of the strike negotiations, island hotels with 51 rooms or more will grant full refunds to their incoming guests who are unable to use their American Airlines tickets.

• Hotels with room capacities of less than 50 will credit their strike-affected guests for future stays provided that contact is made with the property on or before scheduled arrival date.

• Strike-affected guests will need to contact their reserved accommodations one day prior to their intended arrival date, while the possible strike is in effect in order to receive a refund or credit.

• Individual properties’ policies may differ slightly from this general description. Travelers are advised to contact their intended accommodations, particularly if on the island of St. Croix, for specific details.

Tourism Commissioner Wylie Whisonant has maintained contact with the U.S. Virgin Islands’ many hotel industry leaders and government officials to discuss the potential American Airlines’ strike and its possible effects on the local economy which relies heavily on tourism.

The hoteliers are protecting their guests in this manner to prevent potential visitors from needlessly canceling hotel reservations in the U.S.V.I. for fear of losing their deposits. “If American Airlines does not experience a strike, vacationers will still be able to keep their initial vacation plans,” said Whisonant. “If the airline pilots do strike, travelers will not experience a financial loss as a result of having to cancel hotel reservations.”

American Airlines is the major carrier into the U.S. Virgin Islands and the loss of American’s flights will have a negative effect on the islands’ tourism industry. However, other major carriers such as Delta Airlines and USAir also have daily direct flights into this American territory. Tourism officials have committed to exploring alternative travel options if needed. Some of these options include charter flights into the islands during a strike period, or increasing the number of other airlines’ flights into the U.S.V.I

. If you have questions about the U.S. Virgin Islands hotel policies, you may call the St. Thomas/St. John Hotel association at (809) 774-6835, or the St. Croix Hotel and Tourism Association at (800) 524-2026. For specific inquiries about individual properties, please call the hotels directly.


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