(a) The Department, through the Commissioner, is empowered and has the duty to:(1) promote the United States Virgin Islands as a premier tourist destination in all viable tourist markets through the world;(2) collect data, monitor and evaluate the world-wide tourist industry and develop strategies that will make the Territory competitive and desirable as a tourist destination;(3) communicate and cooperate with all local tourist or tourist-related businesses to determine their needs and how best to promote the industry;(4) develop a high-quality, cost-effective public relations and marketing program;(5) gather and distribute statistical information about Virgin Islands tourism, commerce, and industrial development;(6) promote the development of environmentally sound industry of all kinds throughout the Virgin Islands;(7) regularly survey Virgin Islands' businesses to determine their economic condition and recommend ways and means to assist business and industry to restore and/or maintain a healthy economy;(8) coordinate with the other Commissioners, agencies, and organizations to include and promote Virgin Islands culture as part of the tourism experience;(9) promote understanding of the importance of tourism to the Virgin Islands economy;(10) develop strategies for the diversification of the Virgin Islands economy;(11) promote the hiring of Virgin Islanders in all business and industry throughout the Territory;(12) identify and promote the unique features of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John in tourism advertising;(13) develop long term strategies for the successful development of the Virgin Islands' economy;(14) prepare an annual budget for all department operations for timely submission to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;(15) prescribe rules and regulations, consistent with law, for the administration of the Department and the execution of its powers and duties.
(1) promote the United States Virgin Islands as a premier tourist destination in all viable tourist markets through the world;
(2) collect data, monitor and evaluate the world-wide tourist industry and develop strategies that will make the Territory competitive and desirable as a tourist destination;
(3) communicate and cooperate with all local tourist or tourist-related businesses to determine their needs and how best to promote the industry;
(4) develop a high-quality, cost-effective public relations and marketing program;
(5) gather and distribute statistical information about Virgin Islands tourism, commerce, and industrial development;
(6) promote the development of environmentally sound industry of all kinds throughout the Virgin Islands;
(7) regularly survey Virgin Islands' businesses to determine their economic condition and recommend ways and means to assist business and industry to restore and/or maintain a healthy economy;
(8) coordinate with the other Commissioners, agencies, and organizations to include and promote Virgin Islands culture as part of the tourism experience;
(9) promote understanding of the importance of tourism to the Virgin Islands economy;
(10) develop strategies for the diversification of the Virgin Islands economy;
(11) promote the hiring of Virgin Islanders in all business and industry throughout the Territory;
(12) identify and promote the unique features of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John in tourism advertising;
(13) develop long term strategies for the successful development of the Virgin Islands' economy;
(14) prepare an annual budget for all department operations for timely submission to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
(15) prescribe rules and regulations, consistent with law, for the administration of the Department and the execution of its powers and duties.