Tourism

USVI Entrepreneur Sam Raphael's Jungle Bay Named Caribbean’s Leading Retreat Resort; New Ventures on Horizon

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, under the leadership of owner USVI-based businessman Sam Raphael, has been named the Caribbean’s Leading Retreat Resort at the 2025 World Travel Awards Caribbean & North America Ceremony, held over the weekend in Saint Lucia. In an interview with the V.I. Consortium on Sunday, Raphael reflected on the achievement, the resort’s evolution, and his vision for Dominica’s tourism future. Raphael, who was born in Dominica and migrated to St. Croix with his parents in 1967, described the recognition as a milestone earned through perseverance and teamwork. “When you work hard at something and then you're recognized for it, that’s quite significant for us,” he said. The award, he added, will help Jungle Bay and Dominica strengthen their reputation as leaders in wellness and retreat tourism. He credited his dedicated team, many of whom have been with him for over two decades, for contributing to the resort’s success. “I have a team that many of them have been with me f...