The U.S. Virgin Islands’ Commissioner of Tourism is thankful for all the support the tourism industry received in the last year and is optimistic about the year to come. Commissioner Joseph Boschulte highlighted in his year-end address one of the Territory’s most recent honors — being named Destination of the Year by Caribbean Journal, a leading digital travel news publication focusing on the region. 

The islands response to COVID-19 and the implementation of its travel portal as one of the key factors into why the USVI were chosen as Destination of the Year.

“Without a doubt, 2020 has been a turbulent year, and many of us have experienced anxiety and suffered loss. But it has also been a time when we have come together as never before to care for one another, to celebrate the values and people we cherish, to bear one another’s burdens, and to find solutions to overcome our challenges,” recalled the commissioner.

The U.S. Virgin Islands is currently in the “Safer-at-Home” phase of the Territory’s pandemic response, during which businesses are open, but residents and visitors are urged to engage in activities with health and safety as a top priority and to limit exposure to others, especially groups. 

Every traveler aged five or older who enters the U.S. Virgin Islands by air or sea, including anyone in-transit to another destination, is required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal (usvitravelportal.com) and submit a COVID-19 test result prior to travel.

We, at No Kids, Will Travel really hope that soon we will be able to travel again and take advantage of all that America’s Caribbean has to offer. I for one can’t wait to see my little sister who lives on Saint Thomas and we haven’t seen in over a year.

We know 2021 has gotten off to a rocky start and COVID-19 didn’t just disappear when the clock struck 12 but, we hope to be ready to responsibly travel again by this summer. *fingers crossed*