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The U.S. Virgin Islands has risen among the top destinations for American travelers in the Covid-19 era, as people looking for places to go shun Europe and head south, where a number of Caribbean destinations have risen in popularity.
Insurance comparison site Squaremouth (via PRN Newswire) has created a chart showing the destinations that have risen prominently on the list. The data is based on all travel insurance policies purchased through Squaremouth.com between March 12 – October 19, 2020, for all future travel.
PRNewswire said Squaremouth's list of top destinations in the past was historically ruled by European countries. But those destinations have been hit hard by travel restrictions and closed borders, leading travelers to seek new options. Now, the Caribbean islands are proving to be exciting replacements.
In fact Caribbean destinations now make up half of the top 10 destinations for American travelers, according to Squaremouth's list. Also making the list, America itself.
Here's some more data, according to Squaremouth (via PRNewswire):
Never-Before-Seen Destinations Top the Charts
Turks and Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Aruba have never before been among the most popular destinations, according to Squaremouth.
The Bahamas and Costa Rica were the only Caribbean countries to ever make the top 10 list prior to COVID-19.
Turks and Caicos Surpasses The Bahamas in Popularity
Turks and Caicos is the fastest-growing international destination, making it the fifth most popular destination overall, up from 60th in 2019, Squaremouth data reveals.
While The Bahamas have been a popular destination for the past decade, during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was surpassed by Turks and Caicos.
V.I. Dept. of Tourism commissioner comments on shift
Joseph Boschulte, V.I. Dept. of Tourism commissioner, said the sharp increase in travel to the territory is a testament to the Covid-19 protocols implemented by the local government.
"It goes show what our tourism team and the territory has been doing overall to keep Covid-19 numbers down, which also means that our community is safe relative to many places around the world," Mr. Boschulte said. "It also shows that the American traveler still wants to travel and they're looking to go to places where they feel safe to travel to. And clearly the USVI represents that beacon for many people, and we believe it's the best place to come."
The commissioner also spoke about the increase in airlift to the territory and how it also speaks to the work the USVI has down in maintaining low coronavirus numbers — which makes travelers feel good about the USVI as their choice. He said that in December the territory will experience airlift capacity at pre-Hurricanes Irma and Maria levels, an amazing feat for a territory still recovering from the disastrous storms of 2017, and still deep into a pandemic.
Yet even with the positive news, Mr. Boschulte said public health remains a top priority for the government.
"We in the Dept. of Tourism along with the governor and the Dept. of Health, still have the public health of the community at the top of our list," he said. "And anytime we see that that becomes a risk, then decisions will be made to ensure that safety remains our top priority."
List Methodology: Data is based on all travel insurance policies purchased through Squaremouth.com between March 12 – October 19, 2020, for all future travel, according to PRNewswire. Statistics reflect year-over-year changes unless otherwise noted.
