Caribbean deals mark shaky season

ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The Caribbean islands are finding the 2009 tourist season to be a hit-or-miss endeavor, the editor of a regional tourism magazine said.

Gay Myers, editor at Travel Weekly called the tourist trade "a crap shoot" this year with business down "for just about every island," USA Today reported Friday.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism said visitors to the St. Thomas had declined 12 percent from January through September. But, seat availability on non-stop from the United States to the islands is up 12.4 percent December to March compared to 2008, the Official Airline Guide indicates.

The addition of the Oasis of the Seas to Caribbean ports should also add visitors this year, the newspaper said.

With businesses jittery, however, there are deals to be found. In a recent promotion sponsored in part by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, a three-night stay at the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort on St. Thomas, including airfare from Washington cost $337.68.

The deal included $50 in credit for restaurants or tourist activities on the island.

"Once they're here, they spend money," said Paul Doumeng, general manager at the Bolongo Bay.