22 May NiteCap Journal: How did the US Virgin Islands become King of the Caribbean?

Tragedy has a way of unearthing one’s potential.

I know that may sound like some life coach mumbo jumbo, but it’s actually true. The universe rewards resilience and celebrates those who dare to stand tall in the fields of desperation where greatness is harvested.

Grit is sexy.

In the Virgin Islands we have plenty of it, so much so that our community is the only one in modern American history to survive two hurricanes in less than two weeks – the worst ever recorded – and laugh about it over a game of dominoes. If Irma and Maria couldn’t stop us who can?

It’s why you most likely never heard of the Tomian Denmark Vesey, who planned the first slave revolt in America or why Tim Duncan rarely gets the fanfare after a hall of fame career. Now, Aliyah Boston has become the face of women’s basketball.

Being legendary and unassuming is the VI way.

In 2020 – a mere two years after Irmaria hit – COVID came.

Lawd not again.

When the world was forced to shut down the Caribbean was especially hard hit, because the region’s revenue revolves primarily around tourism. Since the US Virgin Islands was one of the only places who didn’t shut its borders, visitors hit record-breaking numbers.

The USVI saw just under 740,000 air arrivals for the first 11 months in 2021, a 102.5 percent increase over the same period — and a 30 percent jump over the same period in 2019. Recent data compiled at the CHRIS conference last week show that the USVI was the top Caribbean destination in July 2021.

I myself was worried and many folks protested this reality, but our current leadership crafted an ingenious and sophisticated travel portal to safeguard from mass infection.

We held our breath.

The USVI weathered yet another unprecedented tragedy, even while some in the community are still living in homes damaged from Irmaria.

Simply put, the USVI tourism team led by Commissioner Joseph “Joe” Boschulte rose to the occasion. Not one to waste words, he acted strategically and helped to reinvent our Carnival experience to one that may soon rival that of Trinidad’s. Yes, that’s ambitious, but the Commish is making good on his promise to promote the USVI in spaces not yet seen.

This weekend, the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood turned into such a space as Sports Illustrated hosted their swimsuit magazine launch party with USVI Tourism as one of the hosts and sponsors. Ciara and Russell Wilson were among the specially invited guests. Scenes from the upcoming magazine were photographed and filmed in the US Virgin Islands.

Guests enjoyed free massages in the USVI cabana as the Sports Illustrated models gushed over our culture and beauty. Cover girl Camille Kostek, whose aunt and grandmother live in St. Croix, called the recent shoot one of her most memorable.

“I just love talking about the Virgin Islands. It’s a really special place for me,” Camille told me.

Amid the palm trees, tequila and endless beauty our current soca star Adam O got the party turned up VI style.

“Let me hear you scream if you love the Virgin Islands!” he shouted.

All the girls screamed.

Being a USVI ambassador has its perks.

In Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders 2.0, Governor Albert Bryan boast, “The Caribbean is hot!”

We’ve always been scorching and the Caribbean’s best kept secret since the dawn of the New World from back when Charlotte Amalie was the Western Hemisphere’s most important port and St. Croix its breadbasket and even further back when St. John orchestrated the first slave revolt in 1733.

Now, we’re deciding to let you know just how royal we are with our upcoming #ReconnetWithParadise campaign, because surviving tragedy makes you take less for granted, forcing you to understand the fickleness of your own reality and share the beauty derived.

We welcome your feedback to our NiteCap Journal series so feel free to leave a comment below and read our previous entries.