DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM INTRODUCES WINTER ESCAPE PROMOTION
~ Vacationers enjoy value-added travel and free gasoline ~

ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, January 15, 2008 — As gas prices continue to soar, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism wants to ease the impact on stressed-out travelers with its new Winter Escape promotion. Not only do visitors to America's Caribbean enjoy the ease and convenience of no passport requirements, but now they can enjoy a $200 gift card to spend while on vacation, as well as a $100 resort credit or a $100 discount on the room from participating hotels during their stay. And as an added value, the Department of Tourism will throw in $50 towards the purchase of gas when travelers return home.

"As a U.S. Territory, we appreciate the value of the dollar, and we want to give our visitors a chance to enjoy their vacation without worrying about increasing expenses at home," said Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "By filling their tank when they get home, we are hoping to help them hold on to the vacation bliss they experienced during their long-awaited U.S. Virgin Islands vacation and ease back into reality just a little bit slower."

The Winter Escape promotion is valid for bookings made February 3 - 16, 2008 for travel between February 19 and March 31, 2008. Participating hotels include Best Western Emerald Beach, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Holiday Inn Windward Passage, Frenchman's Reef Marriott, Pavilions and Pools, Point Pleasant Resort, Sapphire Beach Resort, Sapphire Village and the Sugar Bay Resort and Spa in St. Thomas, as well as The Buccaneer, Club St. Croix Beach Resort and Colony Cove Beach Resort in St. Croix.

The Winter Escape promotion applies to new bookings only. Reservations will be offered through all major tour operators that work with the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For more information contact:
Shone Jemmott/Brenda Urban-Pearson
M Booth & Associates
300 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(212) 481-7000
usviteam@mbooth.com