By Charlotte Atkins
Publisher
Seatrade Cruise Global, the world’s largest event for the international cruise community, returned to Miami Beach April 8-11, 2024.
As usual the U.S. Virgin Islands was strongly represented and promoted by tourism and government leaders. Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington headed up the Virgin Islands delegation along with Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and other local partner agencies.
Magens Bay Authority leaders were on hand at Seatrade and flank St. Thomas+St. John This Week Publisher Charlotte Atkins.
Among those in attendance were members of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company Limited, Magens Bay Authority, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employee Retirement System.
The USVI booth in the Miami Beach Convention Center showcased the Territory’s rich culture and its growing accessibility and enduring appeal.
“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” explains Boschulte.
Boschulte was on the Caribbean Spotlight panel moderated by FCCA CEO Michelle Paige, who showcased the commissioner being named the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year by Caribbean Journal. Paige shared from the Journal, “No Caribbean destination has seen more growth in the last three years than the U.S. Virgin Islands, which kicked off a full-fledged tourism renaissance just after the onset of the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. And so much of that growth can be directly tied to the expert stewardship of Boschulte, who helped craft an innovative, flexible response to the challenges of the pandemic and has continued to drive the USVI’s performance with a data-driven, creative approach to modern tourism.”
The annual Seatrade Cruise Global event is a vital one for promoting the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as sharing the latest information on cruise industry trends and innovations. USVI leaders have the opportunity to meet with cruise line representatives and industry innovators to discuss continued partnerships, expansion opportunities and industry updates.
Department of Tourism Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, left, and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington, center, were among USVI leaders at 2024 Seatrade Cruise Global.
As the world’s cruise industry continues to restabilize following the pandemic, St. Thomas and St. Croix experienced a 13 percent growth in 2023 over 2019, with West Indian Company Dock, Crown Bay Dock, and the E. Abramson Marine Facility welcoming more than 1.6 million passengers with 495 total calls for the year. With a 58 percent year-over-year passenger increase from 2022 to 2023, the USVI continues to grow and is projected to experience another 5 percent increase in cruise passenger arrivals in 2024.
Assistant Commissioner Henneman said Seatrade is a vital industry touchstone each year and noted the 2024 edition was “very strong this year” and that forecasts for the next year for the cruise industry are positive.
The USVI booth at Seatrade Cruise Global showcases Virgin Islands culture with festive flair.
“All reports show that the cruise industry will continue to grow and exceed their numbers in 2025, which includes the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are seeing growth on the cruise side and the air side. So, we can already see that 2025 is definitely projected to be better than 2024.”
Adds Boschulte, “I am proud to see the Caribbean’s appeal continue to captivate travelers. Our collaborative efforts with partners like FCCA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization underscore the unity of our region, ensuring unforgettable experiences for visitors while highlighting the unique strengths of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a safe, welcoming destination and a shared commitment to tourism, we embrace our role as an integral part of the Caribbean.”
USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte
To learn more about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit visitusvi.com. To learn more about Seatrade Cruise Global visit www.seatradecruiseevents.com