U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM READY THE WINTER 2023 SEASON FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL VIPCA YACHT CHARTER EVENT
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – November 17, 2023 — The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism is thrilled to announce the remarkable success of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) event, held at Yacht Haven Grande from November 11th to 14th, 2023.
The event commenced in true Virgin Islands fashion, with a vibrant Carnival Parade that encapsulated the region’s rich culture and spirit. The procession was led by Cultural Dancers, Moko Jumbies, and majorettes, dancing along with a steel pan band that walked through the marina, setting the tone for the entire event.
The show served as a vital platform for showcasing a diverse array of boats and crews, providing brokers with an invaluable opportunity to match them with their clients. Notably, the trends for 2024 are leaning towards larger vessels, an extensive array of water sports, and an intriguing development – an increase in yacht crews that include dogs as part of their crew, a feature that has resonated exceptionally well with guests.
With a full capacity of over 70 yachts, ranging in size from 42 feet to over 105 feet, encompassing both power and sail, multihulls, and monohulls, the event at Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas, presented attendees with a breathtaking display of charter options.
Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, expressed his enthusiasm about the event’s success, stating, “VIPCA’s Yacht Charter Event at Yacht Haven Grande exemplified the incredible charter opportunities available in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The remarkable turnout of national and international brokers underscores the growing interest in our destination. We eagerly anticipate welcoming more visitors to our stunning islands during the Winter 2023 season and beyond.”
The U.S. Virgin Islands’ charter yacht industry has shown remarkable resilience despite hurricanes and a global pandemic. It has become a robust economic force, generating $88 million annually, and has established the U.S. territory as a top global destination for boutique-style, customized crewed yacht charter vacations in the Caribbean.
The VIPCA event culminated with an award ceremony, featuring remarks by Assistant Commissioner of Tourism Alani Henneman, who recognized excellence in the charter industry and celebrated the conclusion of yet another triumphant gathering.
The 2024 USVI Charter Yacht Show will take place in St. Thomas, from November 8-11. For more information and boat and broker registration details, please visit www.usviyachtshow.org. You can also access this year’s event photos by clicking HERE.
For additional information about the U.S. Virgin Islands and its offerings, 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).