SCHEDULED TO AIR SEPTEMBER 26 ON CBS
U.S.V.I. — The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Tourism is pleased to announce an all-new, hour-long episode of the hit and Emmy Award-winning CBS series “The Amazing Race” focusing on St. Thomas will air nationally on Friday, September 26, at 8 p.m. The season premiere positions St. Thomas, and the USVI, as an easily accessible tropical escape full of adventure and culture. A preview can be viewed online through the show’s website, www.cbs.com/shows/amazing_race.
The Film Office of the USVI Department of Tourism worked closely with the show’s production team from World Race Productions on-location for 17 days during May to June 2014. The race was shot “live” over 24 hours. This included providing assistance in location permits, logistics, coordination with government agencies and overall guidance in addition to working with story researchers to profile USVI experiences. World Race Productions’ team spent more than $400,000 on the island, employed 90 local crew members, and profiled Virgin Islands culture in the episode. The show is estimated to reach nearly eight million potential travelers as it airs during primetime on CBS, generating an estimated total media value of more than $12 million.
“The impact of a CBS series like The Amazing Race filming in the USVI is far reaching, engaging millions of viewers in our unique USVI culture,” said Commissioner Nicholson-Doty. “The DOT thanks all those who assisted the production while in the Territory and we look forward to more opportunities like this one to showcase the diverse experiences found across the entire U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Watch for USVI locals and sites on air including:
SeaFlight seaplane and chief pilot Cleo Hodge
SS “Blackbeard’s Revenge”, featuring Virgin Islander Rick Holmberg as Blackbeard along with the ship’s crew
Charlotte Amalie Waterfront, Carval Rock, Lovango Cay, Hans Lollik, Magens Bay and Fort Christian
Virgin Islander Lorna Freeman greeting race finishers beside show host Phil Keoghan at the Fort Christian check-in point
St. Croix’s Guardian of Culture Mocko Jumbies
Carnival mas players dancing to 2014 Road March “Manner’s” by Spectrum Band featuring St. Thomas troupes including: Caribbean Ritual Dancers, Hugga Bunch, Infernos and Pardy Hardy
Additional Virgin Islanders including: taxi drivers, vendors and airline and airport personnel
The DOT will share online clips of the episode following the premiere on the USVI on Twitter (@USVITOURISM) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).
About the series:
“The Amazing Race,” a multi-Emmy Award-winning reality series, follows the journey of 11 teams competing against each other around the world for approximately 25 days. Each team is comprised of two people and they are tasked with various mental and physical challenges at every destination. The teams only learn of their next destination when these tasks are completed. Teams who fall behind are gradually eliminated as the competition continues. The first team to arrive at the final destination wins $1 million. http://www.cbs.com/shows/amazing_race/
