weekend packages - Brief Article

Black Enterprise, May, 2000

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands (the three beautiful islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas) are the perfect place for a warm-weather vacation and for conducting business. Our year-round warm temperatures, beautiful turquoise waters and white-sand beaches are a natural attraction for Stateside travelers seeking an American paradise not far from home.

Vacationers will particularly enjoy the ease that comes with visiting a U.S. territory. While visitors from the U.S. mainland must carry proof of citizenship, passports, currency exchanges or inoculations are not required to visit these American islands. Major airlines offer nonstop air service into the territory from several U.S. cities including, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston and Miami.

Entrepreneurs looking to "mix small business with pleasure" should consider the benefits offered through the USVI's Industrial Development Commission (IDC). IDC is an investment development agency for the territory, which provides incentives and tax advantages to entrepreneurs who are willing to invest their monies in USVI by basing their business on the islands, thus creating a business climate that generates more jobs for local residents. Qualifying businesses receive substantial reductions and/or exemptions from taxes imposed on businesses by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Each island has a different personality and is well worth visiting. St. Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is rich in history and culture, and offers numerous sporting activities throughout the year. St. John has the added benefit of being two-thirds National Park, making it a truly idyllic experience for nature lovers and the environmentally conscious traveler. St. Thomas, with its numerous resorts and beachside hotels, is always filled with exciting nightlife, watersports, attractions and continuous activity to entertain visitors. So, no matter what the objective--adventure, history, culture, romance, recreation or pure relaxation--the U.S. Virgin Islands has something for everyone.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, call the Visitor's Center at (800) 372-USVI or email your leisure travel requests to tourism@usvi.org. For more information about the Industrial Development Commission, call (340) 773-6499.

Walt Disney World Resort

There's Millennium Fun in the Summer Sun at Walt Disney World[TM] Resort

Summer vacation guests to Walt Disney World[TM] Resort in Florida will be treated to a daily celebration fit for a momentous turn of the calendar. It's the Walt Disney World[TM] Millennium Celebration, featuring grand Disney spectacles, show-stopping entertainment, groundbreaking technologies and sights, sounds and tastes from around the globe now through Jan. 1,2001.

In Disney style, a spectacular lineup of daily entertainment dazzles Epcot guests of all ages. "Tapestry of Nations" is a new spectacle featuring larger-than-life figures ablaze in vibrant colors. Soaring nearly 20 feet, these enormous figures (120 in all) dramatically prance, dance and interact with Epcot guests to the sounds of an original musical score and to the beat of 15 gigantic percussion units in twice-daily performances.

For Disney's Millennium Celebration, Epcot also is introducing "IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth," a nighttime spectacular filled with the fiery glow of torches, a high-energy soundtrack, sky-piercing lasers and thunderous fireworks. Dreams of hope for a better tomorrow are cast as the music soars, lasers shoot skyward, fireworks light the night and flames leap across the surface of the lagoon.

For its most popular attractions, Walt Disney World[TM] Resort has introduced FASTPASS, a free and exclusive service enabling Disney guests to avoid standing in line in favor of an appointed return time designated for them. FASTPASS is offered at more than a dozen Disney attractions in all four parks.

For reservations, including special vacation packages designed specifically for the millennium celebration, guests should visit a local travel agent or call 1-407-W-DISNEY. Or visit the Website www.disneyworld.com, part of GO Network. It's newly enhanced for easier navigation, better search capabilities and vacation-planning assistance, including buying theme park tickets and vacation packages online.