A scenic look at nearby islands from St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Tourism off to a strong start
After a record-setting year in 2024, tourism in the U.S. Virgin Islands is showing impressive growth again in 2025. Halfway through the year, the islands have already seen strong numbers in air travel, cruise visits, and hotel bookings. Officials believe this proves that the destination remains a favorite for travelers worldwide.
New flights and travel options
Air travel to the islands continues to expand. A new daily flight now runs between Dallas and St. Thomas. More good news is coming in December, with increased winter flights from both Chicago and Boston. One new route will also connect Chicago directly to St. Croix. Even though the total number of air travelers may be slightly below last year, the islands remain busy and well-connected.
Cruise visits on the rise
Cruise traffic is up across the board. St. Thomas and St. John expect to welcome more than 1.48 million cruise passengers from 414 ship visits, which is 4% more than last year. St. Croix is also seeing growth, with over 208,000 expected visitors from 86 ship calls.
Hotel performance stays strong
Hotels in the Virgin Islands are doing better than ever. Occupancy rates are up 4.3% compared to 2024. Hotel tax collections have increased by 6.7%, showing that more tourists are spending time and money on the islands. The islands now rank third in the Caribbean for average daily hotel rates and revenue per room—both over 30% higher than the regional average.
Marketing efforts paying off
The Department of Tourism credits part of this success to smart marketing partnerships. Collaborations with well-known sports teams, such as the Chicago Cubs, have helped bring more attention to the islands. These efforts continue to keep the Virgin Islands in the spotlight.
Festivals bring in more visitors
Local events remain a major draw for tourists. The Crucian Christmas Festival and the St. Thomas Carnival brought in over $5.6 million in media value and attracted many new visitors. The St. John Celebration, which is just around the corner, is expected to keep the momentum going.
Leadership praises community effort
Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte expressed pride in the teamwork that made these results possible. “These strong numbers reflect the hard work of our tourism department and local partners,” he said. “We continue to focus on sustainable growth and sharing our culture.”
Looking ahead
With continued travel growth and more flights scheduled, the islands are ready to welcome even more visitors through the rest of the year.
