HOLLYWOOD, Florida — The U.S. Virgin Islands credits its ability to survive and thrive during the worldwide COVID-19 crisis to synergistic public-private partnerships.
From left: Wayne Biggs, CEO, U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA); USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte; USVIEDA Business Ambassador Yolanda Bryan; and investor Steve Boughner of Global Solutions VI LLC, at CHRIS in Florida.Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the USVI Department of Tourism, and Wayne Biggs, CEO of the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, led a delegation representing the Territory at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS), which was held last month in Hollywood, Florida.
During a panel discussion on public-private collaboration, Commissioner Boschulte recognized the importance of working together with other government entities such as the Department of Health, as well as business owners and employees alike, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, to ensure that protocols and policies are understood and enforceable.
“A big part of our success has been our relationship, led by our governor Albert Bryan Jr., with our private sector people,” the Commissioner stated. “As government, we can set protocols. However, it's not only the government's responsibility to enforce the protocols; it's the business owners, the hotel owners, the managers, the restaurant and bar managers’ job — to keep the entire economy humming.”
Commissioner Boschulte believes the U.S. Virgin Islands has been able to record notable successes such as record numbers of visitor arrivals because of the leadership’s decision early in the pandemic to “manage the virus and not run from the virus” and proactive moves to protect both lives and livelihoods, in an economy that is heavily dependent on its tourism sector.
Addressing conference-goers during a presentation on investment opportunities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, USVIEDA CEO Biggs highlighted the USVI’s enviable market access, hotel development incentive program and COVID-19 response.
USVIEDA CEO Wayne Biggs addressing conference delegates.
“We have access to key markets,” Biggs said. “If you look at us geographically on a map, we’re sort of in the middle of the Caribbean chain. There are 43.6 million consumers in the Caribbean basin, there are 433.6 million in South America and about 370.6 million consumers in North America.”
He went on to note, “[The VI Economic Development Authority is] a one-stop shop and we support development throughout the Territory … [and] we also offer support in real estate, logistics, supply chain, government regulations, human resources, legal and financial support, and incentives.”
CHRIS featured more than 20 informational sessions and 70 speakers (the large majority of which were C-suite individuals representing Caribbean hospitality and tourism brands and organizations). The Department of Tourism and Economic Development Authority supported the meeting and hosted a trade show booth at the event.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens
About the U.S. Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA)
The Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (USVIEDA) is a semi-autonomous governmental instrumentality. It promotes economic growth, job creation, and wealth generation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The USVIEDA assumes,integrates and unifies the functions of four entities: Economic Development Commission, Virgin Islands Economic Development Park Corporation, Economic Development Bank and the Enterprise Zone Commission. Learn more about the USVIEDA at www.usvieda.org or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Stay updated on Facebook/Instagram (@usvieda) and Twitter (@usvi_eda).
