The US Virgin Islands Took Over Caribbean Week in New York With a New Nonstop Flight, Award-Winning Cocktails, and a Lifetime Achievement Honor

The US Virgin Islands arrived at Caribbean Week in New York with plenty to talk about: brand-new nonstop flights between Newark and St. Croix on United Airlines, record-breaking visitor arrivals and an expanding roster of marketing partnerships.

The territory was front and center throughout the annual showcase hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization earlier this month, with a delegation led by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King.

Governor Bryan opened the week with a keynote welcome address that emphasized the interconnectedness of the Caribbean’s people, cultures and economies, calling on attendees to recognize the collective strength of the region.

Commissioner Matarangas-King delivered the territory’s headline news during the “Around the Caribbean in 60 Minutes” session: the launch of new weekly nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and St. Croix aboard United Airlines, a significant boost for the territory’s largest island.

She also joined a Marketing Conference Ministerial Panel alongside tourism leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Turks and Caicos, St. Martin and the Cayman Islands, and introduced travel industry executive Susan Black.

“Caribbean Week provides a valuable opportunity to share ideas, collaborate with our regional counterparts, and collectively strengthen the sustainability and growth of our tourism products,” Matarangas-King said.

As the event’s Platinum Sponsor, the US Virgin Islands hosted the CTO Foundation Luncheon, where Governor Bryan spoke on investing in the next generation of tourism professionals.

The luncheon’s marquee moment belonged to former Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the CTO Foundation for his contributions to Caribbean tourism, introduced by Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne DeFreitas.

Virgin Islands partners and friends, including rapper and radio host Maino, radio host Swaggy Sie, iHeart radio’s Randi Hatchel and entrepreneur Jasmine Gerald, joined the delegation to celebrate its support of Caribbean travel and youth engagement.

The territory’s bench strength was on display all week, with Boschulte and fellow former Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty participating in events across the conference in their current professional capacities.

The week closed on a high note at the annual Rum & Rhythm fundraiser, where Kealoni “KJ” Richards of St. Croix teamed with Tamaya Butts of Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine, the only Virgin Islands-owned and Black-owned restaurant on New York City’s famed Restaurant Row, owned by St. Thomas native Jasmine Gerald.

The pair presented three signature cocktails inspired by the territory’s three main islands: the VI Velvet Kiss, featuring Captain Morgan; the Bush Tea Sour, crafted with Mutiny Island Vodka; and the Crucian Christmas, made with Cruzan Rum. The trio of drinks earned a third-place Judges’ Choice Award.

Virgin Islands pride carried beyond Manhattan, too: at the annual Oxtail Off competition in Brooklyn, Crucian descendant Brendan Francis earned runner-up honors, with a standout dish that rose above entries from across the Caribbean diaspora.