The
U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) is heading into 2027 with expanded air service,
new hospitality developments and a calendar of cultural celebrations.
United Airlines is offering new nonstop service between
Newark Liberty International Airport and St. Croix's Henry E. Rohlsen Airport,
giving travelers from the New York metropolitan area a direct connection to St.
Croix on Saturdays. Breeze Airways is slated to launch nonstop flights from
Tampa International Airport to St. Thomas on December 16, 2026, operating
Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contour Airlines has expanded regional service with nonstop
flights connecting St. Maarten and St. Thomas every Monday and Friday.
Regarding hospitality expansion, Club Med on St. Croix has
planned redevelopment of the former Carambola Beach Resort into Club Med St.
Croix Exclusive Collection, marking the hospitality company's return to the U.S.
The all-suite, all-inclusive property will welcome guests ages 12 and older and
feature multiple dining venues, a spa, swimming pools and recreational
activities, including pickleball, yoga and water sports. In addition to
vacation stays, Club Med St. Croix is being developed to accommodate meetings
and weddings, introducing new options for group travel on St. Croix.
Reservations open November 5, 2026, ahead of its scheduled November 13, 2027
opening.
The USVI’s winter calendar includes the 74th Crucian
Christmas Festival in St. Croix from December 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027 with
cultural competitions, live music, traditional food and pageantry and Festival
Village opening December 26. Festivities conclude with the Children's Parade on
January 1 and the Adults' Parade on January 2, 2027.
The Department of Tourism participated in three major
industry conferences, meeting with airline representatives, meeting planners
and cruise industry leaders. At Routes World 2026 in Frankfurt, Commissioner of
Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman and
departmental representatives met with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American
Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Allegiant Air to discuss potential new routes
and increased flight frequencies.
At IMEX America in Las Vegas, the Department met with
meeting planners, buyers and industry media to discuss the USVI’s meetings and
incentives offerings, including The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa at
Frenchman's Reef and the upcoming Club Med St. Croix. During the FCCA Cruise
Conference & Trade Show in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Department
participated as an FCCA Presidential Partner discussing opportunities to
connect cruise visitors with locally operated tourism experiences across St.
Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
The Department discussed the launch of a targeted USVI
marketing campaign with Danish tour operators and opportunities to reestablish
air service to St. Croix and plans to host a stakeholder mission in February
2027 in conjunction with the Herning Travel and Trade Show, Denmark's largest
travel exhibition.
“We're entering 2027 with several important developments
already underway, following a year of progress in expanding access to the
Territory and attracting new tourism investment,” said Jennifer
Matarangas-King, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Our
focus now is on encouraging longer stays and more year-round travel. Cultural
celebrations like the Crucian Christmas Festival are an important part of that
effort, giving visitors reasons to plan trips around our traditions and spend
more time exploring the Territory.”
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