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Cuba's Opening Could Have "Significant Impact" On Virgin Islands, Tourism Commissioner Says

The Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty has lauded the Dec. 17 move by President Barack Obama to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba, which will see the communist Caribbean island becoming a new destination for travel and commerce, saying that it raises awareness to the Caribbean as a destination. However, Nicholson-Doty is mindful of the impact the historic move could have on the Virgin Islands. "The opening of Cuba to travelers from the United States may also create increased competition for visitors to the Caribbean," she said. "Though the rest of the world has long had access to visit Cuba, this change could have a significant impact on the U.S. Virgin Islands, where we draw nearly 90 percent of our visitors from the U.S." Department of Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty Nicholson-Doty, who will resign her position of Commissioner of Tourism by January 5, a part of the standard procedure required with an incoming  administrat...