U.S. Virgin Islands Continues to Outperform Region as Tourism Growth Accelerates
NEW YORK, NY — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Commissioner of Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King joined tourism leaders from across the Caribbean this week at Caribbean Week in New York, where the region celebrated another year of strong tourism growth while recognizing several outstanding Virgin Islands tourism pioneers for their contributions to Caribbean tourism.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s latest tourism performance report showed that the Caribbean welcomed an estimated 10 million stay-over visitors during the first quarter of 2026, representing a 3.9 percent increase over the same period last year. The report also highlighted the U.S. Virgin Islands as one of the region’s top-performing destinations, posting a remarkable 12.5 percent increase in stay-over arrivals, ranking among only seven Caribbean destinations to achieve double-digit growth. Additionally, the Territory recorded the strongest cruise growth in the Caribbean, with cruise arrivals increasing by 68 percent year-over-year.
“These numbers confirm what we have been saying for years—the U.S. Virgin Islands continues to be one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean,” Governor Bryan said.
During Caribbean Week, Governor Bryan and Commissioner Matarangas-King emphasized the need for Caribbean destinations to continue working together to grow the overall market rather than competing against one another.
The week also provided an opportunity to celebrate two distinguished Virgin Islanders whose contributions helped shape Caribbean tourism.
Former Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte was honored with the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing decades of leadership and dedication to the advancement of tourism in the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the region.
In addition, former Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty was inducted into the Caribbean Tourism Organization Hall of Fame, one of the organization’s highest honors. Her induction recognizes a career marked by innovation, professionalism, and transformative leadership that elevated the profile of the Virgin Islands on the world tourism stage.
“Both Joseph Boschulte and Beverly Nicholson-Doty have left an indelible mark on our tourism industry,” Governor Bryan said. “Their leadership helped position the Virgin Islands as a premier Caribbean destination, and these honors are richly deserved.”
Commissioner Matarangas-King added that the recognition of Virgin Islands tourism leaders during Caribbean Week reflects the Territory’s outsized influence within the regional tourism industry.
Governor Bryan concluded by noting that tourism remains the cornerstone of the Virgin Islands economy and will continue to serve as a platform for broader economic diversification efforts, including attracting investment and creating opportunities for Virgin Islanders.
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