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Workforce Study: Is Going Independent the Secret to Getting More Out of Life?

MBO Partners

While the world has seemed in a never ending state of flux, life goals for US workers are surprisingly familiar, according to a new study from MBO Partners. The Life Goals study, released today shows that family time, leading a fulfilling life, and getting the most out of life are most important for traditional workers and independent workers. However, when it comes to meeting those goals, there are differences between independent and traditional workers. Independent workers outperform other workers in many categories but when it comes to being on track for retirement, almost half of workers report being successful compared to 41% of independent workers. “Our State of Independence has found that independents tend to be happier and healthier than their traditionally employed counterparts, but with this new look at Life Goals, it proves that going independent is better for one’s life overall,” said Miles Everson, CEO, MBO Partners. “The Great Realization is unequivocally here, and it’s time for enterprises to really get serious about considering independent professionals in their workforce strategic planning.” The past few years broadly reset many people’s life clocks, and, as a result, better work-life balance, the ability to pursue passions, and even health and wellness are taking center stage as top priorities. The Life Goals research shows that US workers’ top three stated life goals are: spending enough time with their family, leading a fulfilling life, and getting the most out of life. Independent workers report greater success at leading a fulfilling life, 61% versus 54% for traditional workers; leading a fulfilling life, 61% versus 54% for traditional workers and getting the most out of life, 57% compared to 52% of traditional workers. As companies grapple with quiet quitting, return to office and loud layoffs, the Life Goals study delivers insight into what matters to workers beyond benefits and compensation. The top 3 goals have an underlying foundation of time. Companies can support employees' life goals with work policies that give them time to spend with family, pursue passions and get the most out of life. This may mean modifying company culture around off-hours work and communication, adopting flexible schedules, or instituting digital nomad policies. To obtain a copy of the full Life Goals research brief, please visit http://bit.ly/3kMJ9E7 About MBO Partners® MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit mbopartners.com. Contact Details Words For Hire for MBO Partners Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 pr@mbopartners.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

January 31, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

Record Put/Call Ratio — What’s Going On?

Options AI

Multiple headlines in the past few weeks highlighted record-high put/call ratios (PCRs), typically a bearish sentiment indicator. Investors may be growing increasingly bearish into 2023, but institutional traders know that other things could be going on too. The PCR is the number of put options traded divided by the number of call options traded for a given period of time. A PCR of 1 means the number of buyers of calls is the same as the number of buyers of puts. Over the past few weeks, the market has seen days with a PCR above 2.0 So What’s Going On? Not only are we in a bearish market with investors growing more cautious, but we are also seeing higher interest rates for the first time in years. Higher interest rates result in a more significant cost to carry long stock positions and price of options contracts (rho). Additionally, a down market has left large open interest in now deep-in-the-money (ITM) put options. This situation allows professional traders to target a specific type of arbitrage opportunity in which they target puts in high open interest contracts as part of a zero delta spread and then early exercise those puts. To explain, here’s an example of how this might work. Two traders target deep ITM, high open interest put strikes by crossing a 0 delta put spread (buying a 100 delta put while selling a 100 delta put as a net zero delta put spread) with each other (for the max value of that spread). The traders then early exercise the long puts on their spreads. Because assignments are given out randomly rather than directly to all those that are short that strike, each trader is only assigned one part of their spread. That leaves them with a short stock vs. a long 100 delta put. What Does This Mean for Me? From a market perspective, the volume associated with this professional arbitrage activity means that the PCR may be somewhat distorted as an indicator at the moment. More importantly, everyday investors should be aware of this activity, since the options they have sold may have a higher chance of being assigned. Here’s an example. You sold 10 contracts of a credit put spread in XYZ stock. The stock price falls below the short and long strike of the spread, implying that the spread may expire at maximum loss. However, prior to expiration, the 10 short put contracts are early assigned, where the original spread of -10 puts / +10 puts transforms into a +1,000 shares / long 10 puts position. The position still has defined risk but no immediate cause for alarm. However, now your account must have sufficient funds to own 1,000 shares of the underlying stock. If your account does not have sufficient funds to own the stock position, you will likely face a margin call that is due on the stock settlement date (2 business days after the assignment). In other words, your brokerage will request that you post sufficient funds. If you cover the margin call, you might carry the position. If you don’t, either you or your brokerage will want to immediately close the position. If you don’t meet the margin call by posting sufficient funds, you still have several options, including closing the position or exercising the long option. In a high-interest rate environment, another factor enters the frame. Even if you exercise the long put to flatten the stock position or if you sell the assigned stock, settlement of the exercise (or stock sale) is also 2 business days. Since you are reacting to an assignment that took place the previous day, you’ll face at least one business day where you will need to borrow funds to carry the long stock position. Worse, the settlement mismatch may occur over a weekend, meaning you must now borrow funds for 3 business days. And, even worse, a holiday would mean that you must unavoidably borrow funds for 4 days. In a low-interest-rate environment, borrowing money is obviously relatively cheap. You may not even notice the interest charge applied by the clearing broker, relative to the original known maximum loss of the trade. In a new high-interest rate environment, the consequences increase. If a 10-contract assignment translates into 1,000 shares of stock worth $300,000, and despite immediately closing the position, your settlement straddles a holiday weekend, you could end up with 4 days of interest at say, 8%. That’s over $250 in interest that would need to be factored in on top of the original maximum loss of the spread. Creating Strategies in an Ever Changing Market The new reality is, in this market of higher interest rates, early assignment on deep ITM options will happen more often. What can traders do to avoid the borrowing costs of early assignment? You can find strategies to avoid the borrowing costs of an early assignment. More active trade management often holds the key. Conduct regular scanning of winners and losers that have moved deeper ITM and might be prone to assignment. Take winners and losers off sooner by closing positions earlier. A good rule of thumb is to look for positions that are at or near 100 deltas on long and short strikes. Close those positions when they are at or near max loss or max gain before they have the chance to be early assigned. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Options AI Options AI support@optionsai.com Company Website https://www.optionsai.com/

January 30, 2023 02:16 PM Eastern Standard Time

The Hottest 2023 Travel Trends and Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

YourUpdateTV

Travel is on the rebound in 2023! Eighty percent of Americans report high degrees of excitement about travel this year, with 79% already having trips planned in the next several months, as reported in a recent study. Recently, Cruise and Travel Expert, and Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, Colleen McDaniel, partnered with Norwegian Cruise Line on a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss top travel trends and destinations for 2023. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/z3UQEcR_x50 With Companies like Norwegian Cruise Line reporting record demand going into 2023, it demonstrates travelers are ready to get away…and sail away. In fact, a recent AAA survey finds 52% of U.S. adults are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation than they were before 2020. That number is up from 45% one year ago. For those looking to maximize their vacation, cruising is a great option. It provides travelers with the opportunity to visit multiple destinations with only having to unpack once. You can discover Europe’s most charming port cities and wake up in a new country each day; and for those looking to reconnect with nature, a voyage through Alaska’s Inside Passage takes travelers up close to the natural beauty and wildlife of the destination. With cruising, it’s just as much about the journey as it is about the destination. From discovering new places, to enjoying new experiences, cruising provides the variety and immersive experiences travelers are looking for. In fact, Norwegian Cruise Line sails to nearly 400 destinations worldwide and is preparing to debut its next groundbreaking ship – Norwegian Viva – during the summer of 2023. As of January 24th, NCL is offering 50% off all cruises, plus free airfare for the second guest, free open bar, free specialty dining, free excursions, free WiFi, and more! Go to ncl.com to learn more about available itineraries and to start planning your long-awaited vacation at sea. About Colleen McDaniel Colleen McDaniel is Editor-in-Chief of Cruise Critic, the world’s largest online cruise resource. She considers cruising to be a true passion, having traveled the world by water – from Alaska, the Caribbean and Hawaii, to Europe’s rivers, Antarctica and Africa – on ships of all ships and sizes. She’s regularly quoted as a cruise expert in media outlets across the country, including outlets like The Associated Press, Good Morning America, CNN, FOX Business, CNBC, The New York Times, Travel + Leisure and Skift. Cruise Critic is the world’s largest cruise reviews and information site, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travelers -- from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 50M+ opinions, reviews & photos and hosts the world's largest online cruise community. Cruise Critic is a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 25, 2023 04:11 PM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Survey reveals the leading causes of weight gain — and it’s not just food or lack of exercise

Able

Rising global overweight and obesity rates are typically attributed to overconsumption and a lack of movement. However, new research highlights the far more complex combination of lifestyle choices and challenges that cause weight gain. In a survey 1 of over 100,000 users of Able, a health coaching app that tailors personal programs to each individual to help them achieve their goals, users most commonly attributed their weight gain to stress (24.5%), family life (12.5%), medication (11.7%) and work (10.9%). Likewise, 57.7% of overweight people get just five to seven hours of sleep each night, with poor sleep quality a major risk factor for obesity. Data shows that diet does play a role, but more so due to what people consume, rather than how much. Some 79.3% of respondents stated that they eat three or fewer meals daily. However, 26.8% most commonly consume sweet foods throughout the day. Likewise, 19.2% regularly eat fried food, 16.6% consume caffeine and 9.3% drink alcohol, all of which have been linked to weight gain. The survey also found that many users signing up to Able had debilitating health conditions that can impact the ability to lose weight. Some 12% of females and 2% of males reported suffering from depression and anxiety. Likewise, 6% of women and 1% of men had insomnia, while 4% of women and 1% of men reported being asthmatic. In addition, 6% of women reported hormonal issues. “The human body is intricate and reaching our optimal weight is never so straightforward as moving more and eating less,” Roman Taranov, CEO and founder of Able said. “As this data shows, it's often not for lack of trying, but to achieve results you really must consider each person’s body, mind and situation. With an action plan that targets the specific factors that impact an individual, no reasonable weight loss goal is unachievable.” Hoping to improve their health (23.9%), feel good (21.5%) and live longer (16.7%), almost a third of users had tried gym exercise. Similarly, 24.4% had tried a restrictive diet and a further 21.2% attempted a fitness-focused diet. However, losing weight requires addressing the various factors that impact our body, from diet to rest to medication, while staying motivated and working around our busy schedules. The survey data was collected from more than 100,000 people who submitted responses to the intake questionnaire for Able's weight loss program. Overall, 57% were aged over 50 and 20% under 30. Women made up 81% of respondents. 1 Research findings based on a survey questionnaire to members of the Able community that was completed between December 2022 and January 2023. 102,361 adults aged between 18 and 48 based around the world responded to the survey. About Able Able is a digitally native health and wellness platform that provides access to high-quality, comprehensive weight care from start to finish, at the cost of an affordable monthly subscription. Founded in 2021, Able’s weight loss program works because it treats the whole person, addressing every factor that impacts weight. Able clients achieve lasting results by making better food and movement choices, with the support and accountability of a personal health coach within the app who guides them in adapting their lifestyle and habits. Contact Details Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://ableapp.com/

January 25, 2023 08:00 AM Pacific Standard Time

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Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections

Travel Tech

The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the voice of the travel technology industry and consistent advocate for public policy that supports a competitive and transparent marketplace, filed comments today in response to the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on “ Enhancing Transparency of Airline Ancillary Service Fees ” (DOT-OST-2022-0109). “Travel Tech has long supported the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to ensure consumers have access to critical ancillary fee information. We did so in 2014 and are doing so again in 2023,” stated Laura Chadwick, President & CEO of the Travel Technology Association. “For too long, consumers have lacked the consistent ability to know the true cost of different flight options.” In its comments, Travel Tech addresses how ancillary fee information should be provided to ticket agents. In its proposed rule, the DOT seeks to omit global distribution systems from receiving mandatory ancillary fee data from airlines. “Travel Tech strongly recommends that ancillary fee data be shared with all channels that distribute fare and schedule information,” Chadwick continued. “It is the most simple and direct way to solve the issue of ancillary fee transparency for consumers.” Travel Tech also filed a petition today requesting a hearing on DOT’s proposed requirement to display the critical ancillary fee information on the first page of online search results. Travel Tech addresses this matter in its comments. “Our members are the leading innovators in creating consumer-friendly online travel information sites. We are deeply concerned about the DOT’s first-page search results requirements included in the proposed regulation. These rules, if adopted as written, will clutter and confuse the online air travel shopping experience for consumers. This is especially true for travel comparison sites that display multiple airlines’ schedules and fares,” said Chadwick. “In our comments and hearing petition, we argue that the Department should not displace ticket agents’ well-established expertise with a government-regulated website design mandate. Ticket agents should have the flexibility to design appropriate displays of ancillary fees and develop innovative new methods for consumers as well,” Chadwick continued. ### About Travel Tech The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) is the voice of the travel technology industry, advocating for public policy that promotes transparency and competition in the marketplace to encourage innovation and preserve consumer choice. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including global distribution systems, online travel agencies and metasearch companies, travel management companies, and short-term rental platforms. To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Dan Rene of kglobal at 202-329-8357 or daniel.rene@kglobal.com. Contact Details Travel Technology Association Dan Rene +1 202-329-8357 daniel.rene@kglobal.com Company Website https://www.traveltech.org.

January 24, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

News Release

79% Of Americans Drink 2+ Cups Of Coffee Per Day, Survey Finds

Finance News

America runs on coffee with the average US adult consuming more than one cup per day, a number which is increasing with more people working from home. After crunching numbers sourced from Statista, the data analysts at Safe Betting Sites have found that 79 percent of coffee drinkers in the US are drinking two or more cups per day when they are at home on a weekday. Meanwhile, 62 percent of coffee drinkers are consuming a to-go coffee at least once per week with 20 percent drinking a to-go coffee every day. Drip coffee remains America’s preferred way to enjoy a cup of joe with 36 percent of respondents saying it was their favorite. More than half of US adults (51 percent) also agreed with the statement that “coffee is a pure pleasure to me”. 79% Of American Coffee Drinkers Are Consuming 2+ Cups Of Coffee Per Day Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans have been working from home, and for some, that means drinking more coffee. According to a recent survey by Statista, 79 percent of American coffee drinkers are consuming at least two cups per day when at home on a weekday. Only 21 percent of respondents said that they drank just one cup of coffee or fewer when at home. The survey, which was sourced from Statista, analyzed the habits of 831 daily coffee drinkers in the US aged 18-74. By comparison, 31 percent of respondents drank 4-6 cups of coffee per day while 20 percent consumed 3 cups and 27 percent consumed 2 cups of coffee per day. 62% Of Coffee Drinkers Buy A To-Go Coffee At Least 1x Per Week Coffee lovers aren’t just drinking coffee when they are at home either. In fact, 44 percent of Americans are drinking a to-go coffee more than once per week. That compares to 21 percent that said they drank one to-go coffee per week and 38 percent that said they drank a to-go coffee less often or even never. Overall, 20 percent of coffee drinkers said that they drank at least one to-go coffee every day. Drip Coffee (36%) Is America’s Favorite Way To Drink Coffee The survey also asked Americans to rate their favorite way to brew their coffee. Good old-fashioned drip coffee remains America’s preferred way to drink coffee with 36 percent of respondents saying it was their favorite. Cappuccino (11 percent), Iced Coffee (10 percent), and Instant Coffee (nine percent) were among the next on the list of America’s favorite way to drink coffee. Drip Coffee — 36% Cappuccino — 11% Iced Coffee — 10% Instant Coffee — 9% 74% Of Americans Drink Coffee Every Day Of course, this isn’t the first time that Statista polled Americans on their coffee drinking habits. The findings confirm another Statista study from the summer. Back in June 2022, Statista asked 1,592 Americans how often they drank coffee. A whopping 73.9 percent of respondents answered “every day” compared to 17.5 percent that responded “most days”. Meanwhile, only 8.5 percent of respondents were occasional coffee drinkers who responded “sometimes”. Coffee Is 2nd-Most Popular Drink After Bottled Water Coffee is still America’s drink of choice, according to a Statista poll that surveyed over 7,500 US adults from October 2021 to September 2022. In fact, only bottled water is consumed by more Americans as their drink of choice (63 percent). Trailing coffee, soft drinks (56 percent), juice (50 percent) and tea (48 percent) were also among the most common beverages consumed by US adults. When it comes to alcohol, beer (25 percent) edged out wine (24 percent) for the most popular alcoholic beverage in the US. Here are the full results from the poll below. Bottled Water — 63% Coffee — 57% Soft Drinks — 56% Juice — 50% Tea — 48% Energy Drinks — 27% Beer — 25% Wine — 24% For full survey data, visit: https://www.safebettingsites.com/2023/01/19/79-of-americans-drink-2-cups-of-coffee-per-day-survey-finds/ Contact Details Finance News Alex Brown alex@financenews.com

January 23, 2023 05:40 PM Eastern Standard Time

Minuteman Press Franchise in Denver Acquires 31-Year Business A Great American Print Shop

Minuteman Press International Inc

Abel Corral, owner of Minuteman Press in Denver located at 4725 Paris Street, Suite 200, has acquired independent printing business A Great American Print Shop from retiring owner Frank Hibberd. A Great American Print Shop operated in Denver for 31 years. When Frank received a mailer from Minuteman Press, he reached out to Regional VP Jack Panzer. Jack says, “Frank wanted to retire and I told him about our unique ability to help independent print shops sell their business. I connected him with Abel, who had expressed interest growing and expanding his business through an acquisition. I am glad they were able to work out a deal, and I wish Frank all the best in retirement.” On the acquisition, Abel Corral says, “The acquisition came about on the heels of our three year anniversary; this is also our second acquisition in two years. I was looking for a way to grow my business and so I let it be known to Jack Panzer that I’d be interested in acquiring another print shop.” Abel continues, “A Great American Print Shop was strategically located within an area that I already reach and market to and so this acquisition just seemed like a good fit. I really liked that this was an established business with growth potential that I feel my team could capitalize on. The potential upside, close proximity, and perfect timing all came into play.” He adds, “The acquisition included an established client base, paper inventory, some equipment including cutters, and access to Frank during the transition. I expect this acquisition to help increase revenue by 20-25%. Also, this acquisition benefits AGAP’s customers in three key ways: First, we have received all of the previous artwork for AGAP clients to ensure a seamless transition as we serve their print, design, and mailing needs. Second, we will be able to offer promotional products and apparel to AGAP clients, which were not previously available. Third, we will be providing value-added local customer service and client support. Our Minuteman Press location is near Peoria & Interstate 70: 4725 Paris St. #200, Denver, CO 80239, inside the Pinecreek Office Center. We are also offering free delivery to AGAP customers.” Abel concludes, “I’m very grateful that my Regional VP Jack Panzer helped me by presenting this opportunity and helping me through the process. I expect this could be a game-changer for our business.” Abel Corral’s Minuteman Press franchise in Denver is located at 4725 Paris Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80239. For more information, call or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/co/denver20/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and see Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

January 23, 2023 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Financial Literacy for High $chool $tudents

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/IxBeWS6oSRI Would it surprise you to know that high school students, like most Americans overall, display a strikingly low level of financial knowledge. 75% of students graduate unprepared to do basic financial tasks like manage a budget, build credit, and save for their future. Financial mistakes during early adulthood could have meaningful consequences post-graduation. A lack of financial literacy is linked to less confidence, higher debt and less savings, on average. Across classrooms, there’s a growing need for financial education and that is where Intuit and Suh Family Foundation come in. Intuit and the Suh Family Foundation are partnering to bring financial literacy education to high school students in some of the nation’s largest school districts in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Oakland. This ensures teachers, staff and local partnering nonprofits can continue to leverage financial education in future years. The program follows a successful pilot serving students in the Portland Public Schools through a partnership with Self Enhancement, Inc., where Intuit and the Suh Family Foundation provided workshops and training to staff to deliver personal finance education to students. Through the program expansion, Intuit is equiping teachers with a financial literacy curriculum and skills-building resources, providing students across the country with a stronger financial foundation. Across classrooms, there’s a growing need to teach personal finance skills. Greater financial literacy tends to translate into higher financial well-being – yet 28% of adults say they’ve never participated in a financial education program. 1 Those with a stronger understanding of personal finance topics are more likely to spend less than their income, have emergency funds set aside, and take steps to plan for their long-term financial future. 2 Intuit is pairing its expertise on essential personal finance topics, including taxes, savings, and budgeting with expertise from the Suh Family Foundation in wealth building, credit management and investing. “Intuit believes every student should have the opportunity to prosper, regardless of zip code. Our partnership with the Suh Family Foundation helps us scale our personal finance programming across Intuit’s Prosperity Hub School Districts,” said David Zasada, VP Corporate Responsibility at Intuit. “We aim to instill confidence for teachers who are tasked with teaching core finance topics and help build confidence for students as they take this financial education into the real world upon graduation.” Intuit and the Suh Family Foundation are bringing hands-on workshops, resources, and ongoing support to select schools within Intuit’s Prosperity Hub School District Program, including Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Inglewood Unified School District and Compton Unified School District in the LA area, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Dallas Independent School District (DISD) in Dallas, Texas. For teachers living outside of school districts where live workshops will be available, Intuit has made its financial literacy curriculum publicly available at no cost at: www.intuit.com/financialbasics About Intuit Intuit is the global financial technology platform that powers prosperity for the people and communities we serve. With more than 100 million customers worldwide using TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to prosper. We never stop working to find new, innovative ways to make that possible. Please visit us for the latest information about Intuit, our products and services, and find us on social. About The Suh Family Foundation Founded by Ndamukong and Katya Suh, the Suh Family Foundation works hand-in-hand with communities to supply resources across three pillars that were pivotal to the Suh’s own success: education, health and wellness, and empowerment. The Foundation is a family-run and operated non-profit organization. For more information on the Foundation and opportunities to get involved, please visit https://www.ndamukongsuh.com/philanthropy. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 23, 2023 10:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

Video

Longing for Pristine Beaches and Turquoise Waters?

YourUpdateTV

Recently, the Commissioner for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Joseph Boschult conducted a satellite media tour to share tips on how to best experience the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you are longing for pristine beaches and turquoise waters, the U.S Virgin Islands offers some of the best beaches and resorts found anywhere in the world. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/V2al2NCSyZQ New year, new outlook, new travel plans! About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. Major U.S airlines offer direct daily flights from the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico to the islands. The islands are perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Resilience in Tourism During Covid and the Great Comeback With three to four ships visiting per day, the USVI is one of the largest cruising destinations in the Caribbean. Before the pandemic, cruising injected over $300 million into the local economy and accounted for about 70% of the tourism business. Unlike other islands in the Caribbean, the airports in the USVI never closed. In addition, implemented an online travel screening portal and worked closely with all of their local partners, including restaurants, hotels, excursion companies, and other tourism-related businesses. The USVI is gearing up for a very successful 2023. USVI had the highest increase of visitors in the Caribbean from 2019 vs 2022. Best Places to Travel to in 2023 The editors of Conde Nast Traveler put the USVI at the top of its Best Places to Go in 2023 citing the islands’ new hotels, resort openings, the national park, and Carnival festivals. The editors at Travel + Leisure ranked USVI as one of its 50 best 2023 destinations in its “For Beach Vibes” section. Yahoo! Life listed the USVI as one of the top ten tropical islands to get to in under three hours from the U.S. Readers of Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine voted USVI as the Best Caribbean Cruise Destination for 2023. Frommer's also gave the island territory top billing in its annual Best Places to Go in 2023 list. New Brand Campaign: Naturally in Rhythm, what that Means for the USVI The campaign is designed to supports the hotel recovery and to inspire visitors to fall naturally in rhythm with the diverse culture, natural wonders, and beautiful hotels and resorts of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. The new campaign also reminds visitors that they can come again to escape the stresses of city lifestyles and to invite newcomers to imagine tasting our unique cuisine, laying on our powdery beaches, swimming in our pristine waters, and exploring our historic cobblestone streets and protected national parks. It speaks to travelers seeking an authentic Caribbean experience comprising food, heritage, culture, and nature without having to leave U.S. soil. Among other aspects of the campaign is the revamped USVI tourism website, which contains a more comprehensive trip- planning section that highlights restaurants, shops, services,and other businesses that cater to tourists in the destination. In addition to dynamic content, the site uses new imagery that keeps it authentic and enthralling at the same time. Food- Sharing and Culture Local signature USVI dishes include Johnny Cakes, deep-fried bread made from cornmeal; pate, a ground beef, chicken, or salted cod wrapped in dough and deep-fried; peas and rice, kidney beans with brown rice; or fungi, the Caribbean version of polenta. Locally made fish soup is served for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Another popular dish is callaloo soup, which is made with daheen plant leaves, okra, local herbs, and sometimes meats or seafood. Wash it all down with a local Cruzan Rum signature cocktail. The USVI is rich with historic and cultural influences include Danish, French, Spanish and African - Danish the most prevalent. Carnivals are celebrated in the USVI in December/January on St. Croix, June/July on St. John, and April/May on St. Thomas. For more information visit: visitusvi.com BIO: JOSEPH BOSCHULTE Joseph Boschulte is the Commissioner for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. Commissioner Boschulte brings over 30 years of experience in business, finance, and government to the tourism department. The Commissioner has held high-level positions in transportation, utilities, telecommunications, finance, government development and investment banking with a proven track record of improving organizational performance and growth. Boschulte formerly served as President and CEO of The West Indian Company Limited (WICO), Chief Financial Officer of both the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, the Government of the Virgin Islands Employees’ Retirement System, and chaired the VI Public Services Commission. Additionally, Boschulte serves as the former Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), Executive Director for UVI’s Reichhold Center for the Arts, Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance with Wachovia Securities in Atlanta, and Vice President of Banc of America Securities in Charlotte and New York City. Currently, Boschulte serves as the Chairman for the Board of Directors of The West Indian Company Limited (WICO) and sits on the board for the Virgin Islands Port Authority. He is also a member of the US Travel Association. Commissioner Boschulte earned his MBA from Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. A family man first, Commissioner Boschulte is a husband to his wife Aisha, and proud parents of children Jaeden and Janae. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

January 19, 2023 03:20 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Consumer

Workforce Study: Is Going Independent the Secret to Getting More Out of Life?

Record Put/Call Ratio — What’s Going On?

The Hottest 2023 Travel Trends and Destinations to Add to Your Bucket List

Survey reveals the leading causes of weight gain — and it’s not just food or lack of exercise

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections

79% Of Americans Drink 2+ Cups Of Coffee Per Day, Survey Finds

Minuteman Press Franchise in Denver Acquires 31-Year Business A Great American Print Shop

Financial Literacy for High $chool $tudents

Longing for Pristine Beaches and Turquoise Waters?

Travel Technology Association Files Comments with DoT Supporting Transparency & Consumer Protections