The US Virgin Islands Wants to Pay You $300 to Visit in 2017

Truth be told, one doesn’t really need much enticement to plan a trip to the US Virgin Islands. With its year-round perfect temperatures, iconic white sand beaches, passport-less travel policy for U.S. citizens and rum cocktails that go down like glasses of water (consider yourself warned), it’s a popular tourist destination year-round.

Now, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas becoming American territories, the islands are offering one more reason to book a trip in 2017 — $300 to spend once you get there.

As part of the USVI Centennial Commemoration, people who book a three-day trip through USVI.com using the promotional code “CP1” will receive $300 in spending credits to use during your travels. There is, of course, a catch: the idea here is to get visitors to experience more than the beach chairs at your hotel. The credits must be used to actually explore the island, which could mean visiting an art museum, taking a food tour, spending the afternoon in a botanical garden, booking an eco-adventure or exploring the area via kayak.

Unfortunately you can't just use this $300 anywhere on the island. Instead, there will be designated places willing to accept the spending credits in lieu of cash. You'll also need to stay at one of the participating hotels, though that should be less of a burden since there are a few dozen on the list. As an added bonus, travelers visiting in March will receive a commemorative "centennial" souvenir.

A 3-night minimum stay is required and you’ll also need to book your trip by October 1, 2017 for travel between January 2 and December 31, 2017, which leaves most of the year wide open. Sounds like the perfect way to decompress after a stressful holiday season... or before next year's is upon us.

H/T: Thrillist