By the Caribbean Journal staff
The United States Virgin Islands’ tourism industry is “open for business,” incoming Tourism Commissioner Joe Boschulte said this week.
Boschulte, who awaits confirmation as the USVI’s new tourism chief, was speaking during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Jamaica.
The Bolongo Bay in St Thomas.
He said between 60 and 65 percent of accommodations across the territory were now open and accepting guests, while other properties were rebuilding and repairing.
The lobby at The Fred hotel in Frederiksted.
That includes about 1,500 rooms available in St Thomas, about 150 rooms on St John and about 600 units on St Croix.
St Thomas in particular has seen a strong hotel industry rebound, with the return of properties like the iconic Bolongo Bay and Secret Harbour, among others.
The new Braata restaurant in St Croix.
Another 600 villa units and 200 charter yachts are now available in St Thomas and St John, with about 300 villa units now operating in St Croix.
On the airlift front, capacity to St Croix is already ahead of pre-hurricane levels, while seats to St Thomas are at about 80 percent.
— CJ