Op-Ed: Passport-Free, Culture-Rich: How the USVI Bridges America and the Caribbean

As global travel continues its robust rebound, the Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment. In 2024, the region welcomed over 34 million visitors, a 14% increase over the previous year, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), for its part, experienced a record-breaking 2.6 million visitor arrivals in the post hurricane era, fueled in part by increased connectivity and the rising demand for culturally rich, easily accessible destinations. But the USVI is more than just a popular port of call. We are uniquely positioned, American by law, Caribbean by heart, to serve as a diplomatic and economic bridge between the mainland United States and our regional neighbors. In an era of increasing global competition for travelers, this dual identity is a strategic asset. There is a growing urgency to build more resilient, cooperative Caribbean travel frameworks. From hurricane preparedness to sustainable tourism practices, the challenges we face are regional ...