Marine and charter boat businesses who join the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association will now also benefit from being a member of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association. USVIHTA is pleased to announce its partnership with VIPCA which requires marine and charter boat allied member applicants to be a member of both organizations and be in good standing with VIPCA prior to joining USVIHTA.
“VIPCA is thrilled to have partnered with the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association. This joining of the two facets of tourism, land and sea, is long overdue for a territory consisting of both! It is exciting for everyone to see the marine industry flourish since IrMaria. The combination of USVIHTA and VIPCA membership provides the foundation for charter business’s advertising and advocacy needs with the stamp of compliance conformity,” said VIPCA Executive Director Oriel Blake.
The decision to enter specific marine applicants into a dual membership came after USVIHTA held a membership meeting in conjunction with the 2018-2019 Day Charter Conference where they were able to see the benefits of a solid partnership with VIPCA and the marine industry. Members who join both associations will also benefit from reduced dues for the dual membership. USVIHTA applicants who qualify for the dual membership will pay $200 as opposed to $250 (increasing to $299 on Jan. 1, 2019), and VIPCA dues will be $200 as opposed to $300. Applicants must be a member of VIPCA to join USVIHTA. Click here to download the marine membership form for USVIHTA.
“USVIHTA has always embraced our diverse tourism product which allows visitors to enjoy a variety of land and water activities. Our partnership with VIPCA will work to strengthen our marine product and help both organizations to provide more resources and benefits for our members,” said USVIHTA President Lisa Hamilton.
VIPCA is the territory’s only 501(c)(6) nonprofit marine association, whose purpose is to promote, protect and further the capabilities of charter yachts and the marine businesses that sustain them. To be a member with VIPCA, vessels must be compliant with specific legal requirements. VIPCA is working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard to further support this.
Joining VIPCA is also a great way to stay informed within the charter community, and to be part of the marine industry’s voice. VIPCA advertises its member’s business while furthering and boosting charters each season and supporting the USVI marine industry as a whole. There are currently over 100 vessel members benefitting from VIPCA’s non-profit services including advertising, access to discounted hull and P&I fleet yacht insurance, and discounts from various marine chandleries, vendors and marinas. A membership with VIPCA also announces that a vessel operates within compliance.
VIPCA’s industry partners supplying vessel member discounts include: American Yacht Harbour, Yacht Haven Grande, Crown Bay Marina, Puerto Del Rey Marina and Dry Dock plus 10 percent off fuel at Crown Bay and Yacht Haven Grande subject to berthing. Quantum Sails, Ocean Surfari, Budget Marine chandlery, National Marine chandlery, Offshore Marine chandlery, Parts and Power chandlery, Reefco Refrigeration, Tropicomm electrics, Albano Marine Survey, Sea Horse Water Taxi, Nautical Trips Consulting documentation services/surveys, Above and Below (Tow Boat US), Pure Imagination Farms, Sunrise Natural Provisioning, Mango Media and Erris Taxi Service.
Lisa Hamilton
USVIHTA President
340-774-6835
lisa@usvihta.com
www.usvihta.com
www.virgin-islands-hotels.com
