Buck Island has one of the most beautiful beaches you will find in the Caribbean.

ST. CROIX AWARDED TOP HONORS BY TRAVELOCITY

~ Buck Island Reef National Monument picked as #1 green destination ~

ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, January 11, 2008 � Buck Island Reef National Monument has been recognized as the top green destination by Travelocity’s online community, IgoUgo on its list of the top ten eco-friendly destinations worldwide.  The honor, which was announced in December, is based on recommendations made by IgoUgo editors after review of recommendations from their 350,000 members.

“The U.S. Virgin Islands is a leader in sustainable tourism,” says Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. “Winning this award underscores our efforts to protect and preserve our natural resources, enabling generations of visitors to enjoy our islands’ natural beauty without compromising our environment.”

Buck Island Reef National Monument is one of only two underwater national monuments in America and the only one occurring naturally.  It features 704 acres of protected reef system and is home to tropical fish, coral reefs and exotic flora and fauna.

IgoUgo was launched in 2000 for travelers and offers a candid look at travel information, reviews, advice and inspiring stories. They provide a variety of reviews for everything from restaurants and hotels to attractions and day trips for locations worldwide. The award-winning site became a part of Travelocity in 2006 and covers more that 5,500 destinations around the world. For more information about IgoUgo, visit igougo.com.

For information about the United States Virgin Islands, visit usvitourism.vi. When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel�including on-line check-in�making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever.  As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.