The US Virgin Islands is “dedicated” to the growth of the cruise industry in the Caribbean, according to USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. 

Boschulte is in Miami this week for the Seatrade conference, the world’s premier gathering of cruise industry executives and destinations. 

“SeaTrade is an invaluable conference that I look forward to attending every year,” Boschulte said. “It allows industry leaders and professionals to get together and not only drive awareness to their individual goals, but to find opportunities for collaboration and partnership for the greater good of the tourism industry. The pandemic may have set us back but I’m optimistic of the future of cruising in the USVI.”

The USVI recently announced a partnership with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, one that will focus on increasing the destination’s overall economic impact from cruise tourism. 

That includes increasing cruise calls, adding new experiences with products, more employment and purchasing opportunities and the conversion of cruise guests into overnight visitors, among other objectives. 

“I am extremely grateful to the Florida- Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) for our partnership”, Boschulte said. “This collaboration aligns with the objectives we have been focused on as a destination since the Pandemic. The focus on converting cruisers to overnight guests allows us to truly market the amazing experiences a visitor can expect across the islands from dusk to dawn and creating a market for repeat visitation. Our cruising ports are the gateway, and through our partnership with FCCA and our work at the Department of Tourism, the floodgates will open to ongoing visitation.”

In a statement, the USVI said was positioned to exceed its previous cruise tourism expenditure highs and be the “destination of choice for overnight cruising passengers beginning summer 2022 and beyond.”