By the Caribbean Journal staff

From the popular “Ag” Festival to Crucian Christmas, the USVI is one of the Caribbean’s hubs for great events.

And now the territory’s Department of Tourism has launched a new division to enhance these assets.

The USVI has launched a new Division of Festivals, naming Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Elizabeth Hansen Watley as its new acting director.

“As an established music and cultural ambassador of the Virgin Islands, we believe Assistant Commissioner Hansen Watley is well placed to help launch and execute efforts to establish our islands as a world-class destination for cultural celebrations,” said USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.

The Department of Tourism has already launched a recruitment drive to fill positions in the new division, including a permanent director of festivals and a director of the Cultural Heritage Institute.

The new Division will “plan and implement several activities, ranging from organizing events to rolling out an aggressive marketing campaign,” according to a statement.

The USVI celebrates three major events: the Crucian Christmas Festival, the VI Carnival in St Thomas and the St John Festival.

Each event features beauty pageants, music concerts, sporting events and food fairs.

— CJ