Virgin Islands (BVI) has seen tourism grow steadily over the last four years.

Strong numbers from Europe and a growing tide from the US, are being lured, according to Tammy Peters, vice president for travel marketing, to an unspoilt Caribbean island.

Around 100,000 cruise passengers mix with close to 200,000 air visitors, she said.

"We have seen a steady increase in US visitors, fewer European visitors than in the past, but greater numbers from the UK, Italy and Germany.'' "There are no direct flights to BVI from the US -- people have to stop at San Juan or St. Thomas. And from the UK, British Airways flies to Antigua where people catch an onward flight to BVI.

"But it doesn't seem to put people off. People who come have no problem with it and we have a high repeat rate so people who come know it is worth the extra trouble getting there.'' Like Bermuda and Cayman, BVI offers an away-from-it-all experience and, again, that means none of the razzmatazz of the bigger Caribbean islands.

"BVI has always been popular as an uncommercialised destination, no casinos, no franchises, no large hotels -- and that is what a lot of people are looking for.

"You get what you pay for in the BVI. People work very hard to make sure you get quality to justify the price -- that is a particular priority.

"We do target upscale visitors, but that doesn't mean we don't have visitors from every income range, but the key target is the more affluent market.''