The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has big plans to strengthen its position as a leading Caribbean destination for marine tourism. Joseph Boschulte, USVI Commissioner of Tourism, says the department’s focus on welcoming mariners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has returned strong dividends for the destination.

Despite numerous pandemic-related challenges, Boschulte says the USVI is sharpening its focus on the marine and charter yacht industry and hope to “take full advantage of our natural resources and assets to deliver world-class experiences for visitors arriving on our shores.”

He says the American territory had already begun to strengthen its marine tourism offerings when the pandemic provided additional opportunities to tap into the charter yacht industry. In 2019, the direct contribution to the US Virgin Islands economy made by charter and sport-fishing vessels was estimated at approximately $45 million and Boschulte expects 2020-21 numbers to show significant growth due to the large number of visiting vessels.

An important development this past winter season was the introduction of The Moorings, a premier global yacht charter company, to the charter operations base on St. Thomas.

The USVI has an across-the-board commitment to the industry with several agencies coordinating to offer a concierge experience for the marine industry, whether for leisure, business or competitions. And the Department of Tourism supports such events as fishing tournaments, the Virgin Islands Charter Yacht Show, and the annual St. Thomas International Regatta, as well as having a robust media hospitality program, which attracts national media to experience and cover the destination’s marine offerings and events.

“Because of the diligent adherence to public health protocols, including our Travel Screening Portal, we have been successful in delivering marine events in the Territory over the past year,” says Boschulte.

The Department of Tourism also developed and maintains a designated webpage that showcases the Territory’s marine value proposition and the department is collaborating with the Office of the Governor to create a St. Croix-specific marine program, with its own dedicated marketing platform.