USVI Tops First Quarter Tourism Rankings in Caribbean; Department Eyes Budget Boost Amid Praise and Criticism From Lawmakers

On Tuesday, it was the Department of Tourism’s turn before the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations and Finance.

Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte supported his department’s request for a 13% bump in their annual allocation with testimony that highlighted outstanding growth in the sector. The just over $30 million being requested will fund the department’s operations with money from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund. As Mr. Boschulte outlined the department’s fiscal year 2024 budget plans; he highlighted a continued forceful marketing approach to ensure the U.S. Virgin Islands remains a top-tier tourism destination.

“We have to continue to stay aggressive,” he noted, testifying that despite stiff competition from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands was number one for the first quarter of 2023. A roaring return of the cruise ship sector has been stronger than anticipated, Boschulte said, with vessels arriving into port an average of 92% full.

Boschulte credited the 30% increase in hotel room tax collections in 2022 to high occupancy rates, strong average daily rates, and a flourishing sharing economy, including Airbnb. A combination of these factors resulted in record revenues of $45 million in the tourism advertising revolving fund in 2022, up from $31 million in the previous year.