Dramatic increase in new airlift to the destination

The US Virgin Islands is now regarded as the fastest growing travel destination in the Caribbean.

This is based on the fact that, in the last two years, the destination has seen unprecedented levels of tourism growth, which began during the pandemic, when expert tourism management and a flexible travel health policy helped drive a new wave of visitors to the US Virgin Islands. 

The US Virgin Islands has been at the forefront of the region’s recovery. The tourism growth has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in new airlift to the destination, both on major carriers like American Airlines and Delta and fast-expanding low-cost carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, among others. 

This growth is spread out across St Thomas, St Croix and St John, which has seen remarkable levels of demand, particularly for its villa market. Caribbean Journal reports that the US Virgin Islands has seen a 44 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2019, a growth rate no other destination has managed to match. 

Blazing growth being experienced

US Virgin Island’s Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte reports that the destination’s blazing growth comes, as it’s prepared for a major injection of room stock this winter with the highly-anticipated opening of two Marriott resorts: The Seaborn, part of the Autograph Collection, and the new Westin St Thomas,.

Both of these resort properties are set at the iconic Frenchman’s Reef property, the product of a US$425-million project. The US Virgin Islands is also set to welcome a slate of events this fall, including the VIPCA Charter Yacht Show November 12-15 and the International Yacht Brokers Association.

In addition, there will be the IGY Marina Caribbean Charter Yacht Show December 8-11, the Paradise Jam Basketball Tournaments in November and the St Crox’s beloved Crucian Christmas Festival. These positive developments come, as the US Virgin Islands has also seen a major renaissance for its cruise industry, which was hit hardest by the pandemic. 

Increasingly, the destination is seeing new interest as a sailing and yachting destination, another trend that began during Covid and has seen tremendous growth, both from notable charter companies like The Moorings, which now has a base at Yacht Haven Grande in St Thomas, to boutique firms like And Beyond. 

“We are continuing to build upon our existing relationships and to create new ones to attract more visitors to the US Virgin Islands,” declared Boschulte, who was speaking during the recent Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Marketplace conference in Puerto Rico.

“Our goals are to grow the cruising business, amplify our airlift, and increase overnight stays, so it is essential that we attend, network, partner, and learn from our industry peers,” the US Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner said, adding, “the Caribbean tourism industry has led the world in recovering from the pandemic”.