U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Highlights Expanded Air Service, New Hospitality Developments and Cultural Celebrations

For Immediate Release 

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism Highlights Expanded Air  Service, New Hospitality Developments and Cultural Celebrations 

New nonstop flights, Club Med St. Croix and upcoming cultural celebrations highlight the Territory's  tourism developments heading into 2027 

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (November 5, 2026) – The U.S. Virgin Islands is heading into 2027 with  expanded air service and new hospitality investment. New nonstop flights to St. Thomas and St. Croix,  the upcoming Club Med resort on St. Croix and a calendar of cultural celebrations are among the latest  developments shaping tourism across the Territory, as the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism  works to expand access to the destination and strengthen its tourism offerings.  

“We're entering 2027 with several important developments already underway, following a year of progress  in expanding access to the Territory and attracting new tourism investment,” said Jennifer Matarangas King, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Our focus now is on encouraging longer stays  and more year-round travel. Cultural celebrations like the Crucian Christmas Festival are an important  part of that effort, giving visitors reasons to plan trips around our traditions and spend more time exploring  the Territory.” 

United Airlines' new nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and St. Croix's Henry  E. Rohlsen Airport is now operating on Saturdays, giving travelers from the New York metropolitan area a  direct connection to St. Croix. Breeze Airways is scheduled to launch nonstop flights from Tampa  International Airport to St. Thomas on December 16, operating Wednesdays and Saturdays. Contour  Airlines has also expanded regional service with nonstop flights connecting St. Maarten and St. Thomas  every Monday and Friday. 

On St. Croix, Club Med is moving forward with the redevelopment of the former Carambola Beach Resort  into Club Med St. Croix Exclusive Collection, marking the hospitality company's return to the United  States. Reservations for the resort open November 5, 2026, ahead of its scheduled November 13, 2027,  opening. The all-suite, all-inclusive property will welcome guests ages 12 and older and feature multiple  dining venues, a spa, swimming pools and recreational activities, including pickleball, yoga and water 

sports. In addition to vacation stays, Club Med St. Croix is being developed to accommodate meetings  and weddings, introducing new options for group travel on St. Croix. 

The Territory's winter calendar includes the 74th Crucian Christmas Festival, taking place on St. Croix  from December 5, 2026, through January 2, 2027. The celebration features cultural competitions, live  music, traditional food and pageantry, with Festival Village opening December 26. The festivities  conclude with the Children's Parade on January 1 and the Adults' Parade on January 2, two of the  festival's largest events. 

The Department also recently participated in three major industry conferences, meeting with airline  representatives, meeting planners and cruise industry leaders. At Routes World 2026 in Frankfurt,  Commissioner of Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman and  departmental representatives met with Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and  Allegiant Air to discuss potential new routes and increased flight frequencies. At IMEX America in Las  Vegas, the Department met with meeting planners, buyers and industry media to discuss the Territory's  meetings and incentives offerings, including The Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's  Reef and the upcoming Club Med St. Croix. During the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in San  Juan, Puerto Rico, the Department participated as an FCCA Presidential Partner and discussed  opportunities to connect cruise visitors with locally operated tourism experiences across St. Thomas, St.  John and St. Croix. 

The Department also met with Danish tour operators to discuss the launch of a targeted USVI marketing  campaign in Denmark and opportunities to reestablish air service to St. Croix. Building on those  discussions, the Department plans to host a stakeholder mission in February 2027 in conjunction with the  Herning Travel and Trade Show, Denmark's largest travel exhibition, to strengthen relationships with  travel industry partners and increase the Territory's visibility in the Danish market. 

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/. About the U.S. Virgin Islands 

About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in  the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the  capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands  features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture,  and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the  U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the  United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S.  citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us  on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook  (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).