USVI Becomes 25th Member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization After Rejoining Regional Body

  • Staff Consortium
  • January 17, 2023
comments
2 Comments

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI By. GETTY IMAGES

The US Virgin Islands is now the 25th member of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

The territory, which has been topping lists as the fastest-growing destination in the region following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, rejoined the CTO after a hiatus of some years.

CTO chair Keneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism in the Cayman Islands, said that the addition of the USVI “further strengthens the organization and enhances the spirit of collaboration and cohesion among our jurisdictions.”

Now, the USVI and the other member countries are better able to work together to “sustainably grow and develop Caribbean Tourism,” according to Mr. Bryan. 

V.I. Dept. of Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte said that the USVI’s renewed membership in CTO was an “honor”, calling the organization a “key economic driver in the Caribbean’s growth and sustainability.”

Mr. Boschulte focused on the idea of sustainability, saying that it was the priority of the USVI “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,” Mr. Boschulte continued, “and to ensure the preservation of our natural resources and ecosystems.”

The tourism commissioner says he expected the renewed membership in the CTO to “create mechanisms to ensure that growth continues for both the USVI and our Caribbean neighbors."

The expressed policy of the Bryan administration has been to strengthen economic ties between the USVI and other Caribbean countries, and the decision to rejoin the CTO is the latest action taken to bring that goal into fruition.

Get the latest news straight to your phone with the VI Consortium app.