USVI Shines at Miami’s Caribbean Weekend

A.J. Pike

Miami FL - The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by newly-appointed Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, recently took part in the annual Caribbean Weekend in Miami, which is hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Throughout the event-filled weekend, Commissioner Matarangas-King joined tourism leaders from across the region for a series of high-level meetings, including briefings from Jamaican and Haitian representatives on their ongoing recovery efforts following the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa. 

“As residents of this region, we know all too well the devastation that a hurricane can bring. Yet what sets the people of the Caribbean apart is our resilience - resilience to withstand, resilience to rebuild, and resilience to stand together,” said Commissioner Matarangas-King.

Demonstrating the Territory’s solidarity and commitment to regional unity, Commissioner Matarangas-King delivered the invocation at the Caribbean Holiday Party and Fundraiser. The evening celebrated the rich cultures of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, featuring performances by Kevin Lyttle and Spragga Benz. 

Caribbean Weekend also included committee meetings, industry discussions, and participation in the Iconic Summit aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, as well as the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) Leadership Awards.

This year’s event was held at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel. The series of meetings and conferences, along with a fundraising dinner, unites regional tourism leaders, ministers, media, and partners for strategic discussions on resilience, recovery, and fostering unity through cultural events and fundraising. The prestigious gathering raised funds for the CTO Foundation to support Jamaica and Haiti and focused on collective action for a sustainable Caribbean tourism future.