Commissioner Joseph Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Tourism delivered a keynote presentation at the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association Annual Meeting on May 16.
To begin the presentation, Boschulte shared that Expedia.com recently ranked St. Thomas as the number one trending domestic summer destination, a testament to the department’s cross-collaborative efforts with its local partners.
In addition, the commissioner shared industry updates, including cruise and airlift numbers that are trending to surpass pre- and post-COVID records, specifically noting March’s 26% year-over-year increase in airlift arrivals.
The audience, consisting of members representing various businesses within the hospitality industry throughout the territory, previewed marketing initiatives, new brand updates and promotional videos used internationally to showcase and attract visitors to the destination.
“As partners in tourism, we are always delighted to partake in the Hotel and Tourism Association’s annual meeting to share exciting updates regarding the territory’s progress and the department’s ongoing efforts to continue pushing the USVI as a preeminent Caribbean destination,” said Boschulte.
The single-day event, hosted at the Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas, served as a platform for the association members to review the annual report and discuss forward-looking initiatives. Highlights from the meeting included dialogue on progress for the territory in the hospitality space adding to Boschulte’s presentation with discussions about technological growth, artificial intelligence, workforce training, guest experiences and destination authenticity.
“The USVI Hotel and Tourism Association is proud to have a strong collaborative public/private partnership with Commissioner of Tourism Boschulte and his team since the beginning of the Bryan administration,” said Lisa Hamilton, USVI Hotel and Tourism Association president.
“Since taking the helm at the Department of Tourism, Commissioner Boschulte has spearheaded several projects and initiatives promoting the U.S. Virgin Islands regionally and globally. The association’s relationship with the Department of Tourism is essential in moving our Virgin Islands brand and businesses forward,” said Hamilton.
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.
