USA: Spirit Airlines Introduces Flights To Virgin Islands

Spirit Airlines announced the expansion of its flight network to the Virgin Islands with an all-new service from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX).

We are excited to offer even more flights to more of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with Spirit’s new service to St. Croix, said Mark Kopczak, Spirit Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning.

The nonstop service is scheduled to operate thrice-weekly, starting today, and it offers a second option for Spirit Guests to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, which complements the existing flight to St. Thomas.

Spirit Airlines currently operates over 500 daily services to 65 destinations across the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Kopczak added later that Spirit has been offering ultra-low fares to the territory for over 12 years, and this new service to St. Croix will allow more of our Guests to save money on airfare to spend making memories in paradise, he said.

We look forward to deepening our partnership with Spirit as the airline expands its service in the U.S. Virgin Islands with flights to St. Croix, says Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Spirit Airlines remains committed to its support and growth in the region, as it established through a statement.

Since Hurricane Maria, Aguadilla Airport (BQN) in Puerto Rico had limited power, scarce services, and no air-conditioning.

Spirit Airlines and Airways assisted people trying to leave BQN.

The Airways Aid in association with Operation Puerto Rico Care Lift raised over $120,000 and 50,000 pounds in supplies and donations that were distributed by special relief and scheduled flights.

St. Croix is the airline’s 13th destination in the Caribbean, and it follows previous service launches such as Cap-Haitien, its second destination in Haiti, as well as the restart of operations at the island of St. Maarten.

The carrier claims it manages one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the country, with 119 aircraft, featuring 31 Airbus A319-100, 53 Airbus A320-200, five Airbus A320neo, and 30 Airbus A321-200.


Tourism Observer

VIRGIN ISLANDS: 75% Decrease In Cruise Ship Passengers To St. Croix This Year

Steps are being taken to counter an almost 75 percent decrease in cruise ship passengers to St. Croix this year, the Virgin Islands Tourism commissioner told the Source this week.

The V.I. Bureau of Economic Research reported a 74 percent drop, from just under 69,000 to less than 18,000, in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2016.

St. Thomas also saw a decline of almost 11 percent from 604,572 to 540,154.

The number of cruise ships visits to the Frederiksted Pier decreased from 26 to nine, dragging down the total number of calls to the territory by 13 percent.

“We have lost market share and we are responsible to build market share for St. Croix and the entire territory,” Beverly Nicholson-Doty said. “There have been challenges and we haven’t moved at a fast enough pace.”

Nicholson-Doty did not clarify about the “relationship struggles,” but said that Royal Caribbean, which sails the vast majority, 95 to 96 percent, of the vessels to St. Croix “indicated a repositioning of ships,” possibly to the Western Caribbean.

She discounted speculation that a $5 per passenger fee implemented by the V.I. Port Authority in October 2016 affected the cruise lines decision, saying their schedule was in place 18 months before rates were implemented and that Royal Caribbean agreed to the fees in a negotiated contract.

The cruise lines schedule visits to the Virgin Islands with VIPA and the West Indian Company and don’t notify Tourism, according to Nicholson-Doty.

At the beginning of 2017, Gov. Kenneth Mapp directed the DOT commissioner to “rebuild relationships with the cruise lines” and Nicholson-Doty said she communicates with Royal Caribbean at least twice a month. She met with cruise officials in Miami and one executive recently visited St. Croix and St. Thomas, she added.

Marketing St. Croix is much different than getting visitors to St. Thomas.

Cruise ship passengers are used to Charlotte Amalie, the commissioner said, and 60 percent of the visitors don’t disembark, according to Nicholson-Doty.

St. Croix, on the other hand, has been recognized recently for its history, arts and culture, through events at the Whim Museum, Taste of St. Croix, the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience and restaurants featuring locally sourced products.

The diversity of food – from the decades-old and beloved Villa La Reine Chicken Shack, Villa Morales, which features Cuban dishes with a Puerto Rican touch, and newer venues such as balter, Zion Modern Kitchen and 40 Strand Street that combine the freshest produce and protein with culinary creativity.

Nicholson-Doty listed international and nationally recognized media outlets that have featured St. Croix restaurants and events since the first of the year.

US VIRGIN ISLANDS:Department Of Tourism Appoints Two New Directors

Beverly Nicholson-Doty, the U.S. Virgin Islands' (USVI) commissioner of tourism, recently announced the appointments of Canika John to the position of director of marketing for the USVI and Frances Williams-Augustin to the director of visitor experience for St. Croix.

"Canika John has been an integral member of the tourism team, taking on increased responsibility in sales and marketing as well as other areas," said Nicholson-Doty in a written release, "while Frances Williams-Augustin, a former American Airlines career veteran and manager, has invigorated our department with a level of creativity and energy that has helped to elevate our visitor experience efforts."

At the Department of Tourism, John started as a conference planner, but her duties quickly grew to include trade show marketing, promotion package development, tour operator partnerships, leisure sales, niche marketing and advertising.

Williams-Augustin worked for American Airlines for 23 years before leaving the post as lead station agent to become the Department of Tourism's marketing manager for St. Croix. In that role, Williams-Augustin infused the St. Croix office with a level of dynamism and proficiency that has inspired both her peers as well as tourism partners across the territory.