The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has cemented its place as a premier Caribbean destination by achieving a historic milestone in tourism. According to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, the territory recorded unprecedented visitor numbers in 2024, underscoring the growing allure of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John for global travellers.
A Record-Setting Year for Arrivals
Closing out the year with remarkable achievements, December 28, 2024, became a historic day with 4,606 passenger arrivals, shattering the previous single-day record set in March. Additionally, a new weekly arrival record of over 24,000 passengers marked a 5.92% increase, reflecting the destination’s sustained momentum.
“As a destination, we continue to explore, elevate, and improve, further supporting our ongoing goal to build upon our commitment as a premier Caribbean destination,” stated Commissioner Joseph Boschulte of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
In 2024, 932,265 passengers arrived by air at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix. This represented a 16.5% increase compared to 2023 and an impressive leap of over 100,000 passengers beyond the previous record set during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery period.
Cruise Tourism Soars
The territory also experienced a significant surge in cruise tourism, welcoming 1,770,922 passengers in 2024—a 9.8% increase compared to the previous year. Maiden voyages from renowned cruise ships such as Scarlet Lady, Icon of the Seas, Disney Treasure, and Explora fueled the boost.
The cruise tourism boom demonstrates the success of strategic collaborations between the Department of Tourism and industry stakeholders, further establishing the USVI as a coveted port of call for global travellers.
Accolades That Highlight Excellence
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ success in 2024 was not limited to record-breaking visitor numbers. The territory garnered several prestigious industry awards, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier destination:
- Porthole Cruise and Travel Magazine: Best Caribbean Cruise Destination 2024
- Caribbean Culinary Destination of the Year: St. Croix
- Caribbean Yachting Destination of the Year
- USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards: Honeymoon Beach, St. John, ranked among the Top 10 Best Beaches
- The World’s 50 Best Beaches: Trunk Bay, St. John, crowned the Best Beach in the World 2024
- Expedia 2024 Summer Outlook: St. Thomas ranked as the Number 1 Domestic Trending Summer Destination
- HSMAI Adrian Awards: Bronze Award for Experiential Marketing—Caribbean Way of Sports & Lifestyle Tourism Campaign
Strategic Partnerships and Airline Growth
The surge in visitors can also be attributed to the strategic expansion of airline routes to the territory. Carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, and United Airlines, played a pivotal role in improving island accessibility.
This increase in connectivity ensured travellers could seamlessly reach the USVI from major hubs across the United States and beyond, further bolstering its appeal.
Looking Ahead: Ambitious Goals for 2025
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, under Commissioner Boschulte’s leadership, is committed to sustaining and amplifying this momentum in 2025. By leveraging creative marketing strategies, including advertising, social media campaigns, public relations, and global partnerships, the territory aims to remain at the forefront of travellers’ minds.
“We will continue to push the boundaries of our marketing creativity to ensure the U.S. Virgin Islands stays top-of-mind for both new and returning travelers,” Boschulte affirmed.
As the USVI steps confidently into the new year, its unique combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality will continue to captivate visitors.
For more information about visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands, explore their official website at VisitUSVI.com.
Written by: Michelle Warner
