St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, September 5, 2023 – The U.S. Virgin Islands is proud to announce that it will be the host location of the 2023 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS), taking place November 12-14. Set against the stunning backdrop of the new Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas, the conference is set to bring together over 300 regional and international attendees together.
CHICOS has earned its reputation as the leading hospitality conference for the Caribbean region, attracting a diverse range of participants from governmental representatives and opinion leaders to developers, bankers, tourism officials, and hotel brand executives. The conference serves as a platform for attendees to network, share insights, and discuss emerging trends that can shape investment decisions in the Caribbean’s vibrant hospitality sector.
This year’s conference boasts panels featuring leaders from the major international hotel brands, the leading industry stakeholders, and investment firms with reach throughout the Caribbean region.
Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, expressed his enthusiasm for hosting CHICOS in the U.S. Virgin Islands, stating, “We are honored to welcome CHICOS to our amazing islands. This conference presents an exceptional opportunity for prominent stakeholders to explore the untapped potential and abundant investment opportunities within the thriving Caribbean hospitality industry. We look forward to showcasing the U.S. Virgin Islands as a premier destination and engaging in fruitful discussions that will shape the future of tourism in our region.”
The U.S. Virgin Islands offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a supportive business environment, making it an attractive destination for hoteliers, developers, and investors. With its resilient tourism sector, positive visitor arrival numbers, and successful marketing partnerships, the U.S. Virgin Islands is primed to showcase its potential for sustainable growth and development.
Parris Jordan, Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit, is excited to bring the highly anticipated 12th edition of CHICOS to the U.S. Virgin Islands for the first time. “We have been witnessing the rise of the U.S.V.I., which has seen significant increases in terms of hotel performance, as well as air arrivals and cruise passenger visitation over the last few years. Now conference attendees can see the opportunities these islands have to offer first-hand.”
The Territory has experienced exponential growth in tourism over the past few years, attracting travelers seeking an escape during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the current fiscal year, positive visitor arrival numbers have already been recorded, with a significant increase of 15% in visitor arrivals from the US during the winter of 2022/2023. The USVI’s sharing economy accommodations shattered previous records, achieving a remarkable 10.4% increase in revenue. Additionally, the Territory boasts a hotel occupancy rate of 75.2%, surpassing the regional average by 2%.
The newly opened Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef in St. Thomas adds to the allure of the upcoming conference. Following a remarkable $425 million resort rebuild, the property embodies the renowned class, sophistication, and exceptional service associated with the Westin brand, infused with a distinctive USVI flair.
For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands and its offerings, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.
To explore the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit, please visit https://chicos.hvsconferences.com/
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
