The Caribbean Tourism Organization has just welcomed its 25th member destination: the United States Virgin Islands. 

The USVI has been one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations in the wider region amid the pandemic.

The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization has as its main objective the development of sustainable tourism in the wider Caribbean region.

 “I wholeheartedly welcome the United States Virgin Islands and Commissioner Boschulte to the Membership,” said Kenneth Bryan, the Cayman Islands’ Minister of Tourism and the Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “Having one of the fastest growing travel destinations in our fraternity further strengthens the Organization and enhances the spirit of collaboration and cohesion among our jurisdictions. The USVI has joined a community that is committed to working together to sustainably grow and develop Caribbean Tourism and we look forward to working with [USVI Tourism] Commissioner Boschulte in this regard.”

In a statement, the CTO said its relationship with the USVI “was not a new one,” and that it was confident the renewed partnership would result in several positive outcomes. 

“The Caribbean Tourism Organization s a key economic driver in the Caribbean’s growth and sustainability, and we are honored that the USVI is now a member,” Boschulte said. “Sustainability is always top of mind for us as we look to maintain the tranquil and unspoiled landscapes of St Thomas, St Croix and St John. Eco-friendly practices are vital for keeping our islands clean and pristine, and to ensure the preservation of our natural resources and ecosystems. We saw encouraging growth in tourism in the USVI in 2022. We look forward to working with the CTO in 2023 to create mechanisms to ensure that growth continues for both the USVI and our Caribbean neighbors.”