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USVI: STT tops Expedia's Fastest Growing Summer Destinations List

St Thomas has seen a 45 percent increase in search interest compared to last year, propelled by improved flight connections from the mainland United States. Photo: Getty Images
VI CONSORTIUM

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, St Thomas, USVI- A new report from Expedia has revealed St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) as the fastest-growing travel destination for the upcoming summer.

The island has seen a 45 percent increase in search interest compared to last year, propelled by improved flight connections from the mainland United States. St Thomas offers travelers a Caribbean paradise accessible without a passport, making it an appealing choice for U.S. tourists.

"To be recognized on Expedia’s Summer Outlook top ten destinations is a great," stated Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. "However, Being number one is awesome. Our team celebrates this accomplishment and look forward to continuing to work to bring more visitors to the territory."

Following closely behind in popularity are San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Cleveland, Ohio, both recognized for their unique blends of cultural attractions and vibrant city life. San Juan has enjoyed a 35 percent increase in travel interest, with its beautiful beaches and rich history. Similarly, Cleveland has been acknowledged for its cool city vibe and plethora of activities, leading to a significant boost in tourism interest.

The report also highlights other key destinations experiencing substantial growth in traveler interest. Indianapolis, Indiana, known for its dynamic downtown and family-friendly attractions, reported a 35% surge in searches. Las Vegas, Nevada, continues to attract visitors not just for its casinos and nightlife but also for its burgeoning family-oriented and entertainment offerings, with searches up 20% from last year.

Napa County, California, and Honolulu, Hawaii, are also among the top destinations, celebrated for their scenic beauty and tourist-friendly amenities. Napa is renowned for its vineyards and has been likened to Tuscany for its rolling hills, while Honolulu is favored for its optimal mix of urban convenience and natural beauty.

Lesser-known but rapidly gaining attention are Mackinac Island, Michigan, and Kauai, Hawaii. Both destinations offer a more tranquil and nature-centric experience compared to their more frequented counterparts. Mackinac Island is cherished for its idyllic summer getaway appeal, and Kauai, the Garden Island, provides a lush, peaceful retreat for those looking to escape the busier tourist spots in Hawaii.

This diverse list of destinations reflects a wide range of interests among U.S. travelers, from city explorations and cultural deep-dives to quiet, picturesque escapes.

9 Responses to “USVI: STT tops Expedia's Fastest Growing Summer Destinations List”

  • lol (23/04/2024, 20:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They sluxing our food and theirs at the same time. Slux Down outsmarted Slow One long time ago.
  • vi (23/04/2024, 22:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We in the usvi have a way better set up than nvi. Bvi could have but the government takes on airlines are high so the airline tickets are very expensive
  • ccc (24/04/2024, 05:22) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    With bvi high numbers as announced by the premier you mean the usvi is still ahead of us?
  • rock city (24/04/2024, 05:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Despite this good news it’s still critical for
    members of the public who may have any information on crime in the usvi to please come forward and provide that information to police
  • Thanks to the VIP (24/04/2024, 09:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The USVI is now eating all of our food
  • ausar (24/04/2024, 10:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the BVI was smart, in these types of things, coordinations could have made so long ago, with airlines and taxi operations, on StThomas, and St Croix, so that persons coming here, could have realized arrival times in an easier manner..

    Instead, many persons arrived at ferry points on St Thomas too late and were forced to depend on Dohm, or other private ferry operations to get them here after hours..

    .Or at times, overnighted on St Thomas if excited ferry services were too expensive!

    We knew our short comings, and instead of our leadership acting on them, we dropped the ball!

    Yes, we now have airline services leaving at PR, to better facilitate arrival times here, but its a tad bit late!

    It is we, who caused others to eat up our cheese,for lack of knowledge, vision, and careful, tactful, planning initiatives!
  • Lord (24/04/2024, 10:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does it still count as a visit to the USVI, If persons are in transit to the BVI?
  • smh (24/04/2024, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The USVI is a beautiful destination with lots to offer and so is the BVI. What is the constant competition about? They are not "sluxing" any food that belongs to BVI and the comments saying that are foolish. USVI caters more to mass tourism than the BVI and has the infrastructure to support more tourists. I am actually hoping that the BVI never caters to the amount of tourists the USVI caters to, so if its a competition based purely on numbers, I would be happy for BVI to lose. It is also true that some of their numbers may be ppl in transit to BVI who have to overnight but it would be the USVI's "food" if the BVI does not have options to get ppl here after hours. Anyway, I am happy that the USVI is being recognized, their economy is largely dependent on tourism and from all appearances they are doing well, so well done. What BVI needs to do, in my non-professional opinion, is to stop foolish comparisons and find and properly support its niche in the sector.
  • @SMH (25/04/2024, 09:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with the sentiment that mass tourism should not be the focus, yet 80% of visitors to the Territory come on cruise ships and spend little here. The present administration is presently considering supplying crusie ships with power, which will require building a substation powered solar panels. Budget prob $ 15-20 million. Tells all you need to know which kind of tourist they want The idea that the BVI could supply a ferry service to match late arrivals and early departures in St. Thomas to facilitate arrivals/departures for those who charter boats and rent villas and who spend considerably more that cruise ship visitors has never gained traction. Ask yourself why.


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