The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism delegation, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica, for the 42nd Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
The annual marketplace serves as one of the premier industry events for tourism suppliers to meet with wholesalers from around the world who are interested in Caribbean travel products. As part of the marketplace, Commissioner Boschulte participated in a press conference attended by more than 30 international journalists, where he shared updates on the territory, including hotels, airlift, cruise, awards and more.
“Every year, we look forward to attending the Caribbean Travel Marketplace as it is one of our most preeminent opportunities to showcase the U.S. Virgin Islands updates to suppliers, media and our regional counterparts,” said Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
In addition to the marketplace meetings, department members attended the 3rd annual Caribbean Travel Forum hosted by CHTA. The forum featured presentations highlighting the Forward Keys Caribbean Trends Report and panels providing industry updates. Lisa Hamilton of the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association represented the territory as a panelist to discuss “Regional Sustainability and Resiliency.”
This year, the USVI continues to grow exponentially and is a regional leader in tourism’s resurgence. It was cited in the 2024 Forward Keys Report as the top-performing business destination and retained an 18% increase in overseas tourist arrivals versus 2023.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands tourism products continue to elevate, which is a testament to the hard work of many individuals who together showcase the best of the territory,” said the commissioner. “From the Department of Tourism staff to hotel, restaurant, boutiques, shops and attraction staff, taxi drivers and everyone who shares a welcoming smile with visitors, the collaborative efforts do not go unnoticed and have reflectively shown in the constant increases in visitation numbers.”
The USVI Department of Tourism continues to push innovative marketing and strategic initiatives to showcase the territory to the world with new partnerships, events and conference/show attendance.
Continuing this celebratory spirit, the Department of Tourism, alongside the Division of Festivals, looks forward to welcoming visitors and the diaspora to the island of St. John for the 70th Annual St. John Celebration.
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit https://www.visitusvi.com/
