AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: Contour Airlines launches twice-weekly Trinidad-and-Tobago–Dominica service, adding another regional gateway for Caribbean travelers. USVI Travel & Logistics: USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands starting Oct. 1, citing longer transit realities and more surface transport for sub-pound Ground Advantage shipments. Local Aviation Relations: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed BVI efforts to expand direct flights, arguing it can help the shared tourism product rather than hurt USVI. New Routes for Island-Hoppers: Contour also begins twice-weekly St. Thomas–St. Maarten nonstop flights on Oct. 5, making it easier to combine the two gateways without extra routing. Sailing Calendar: The first annual USVI Sailing Week (April 8–11, 2027) brings together STIR, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and VIBE across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Cruise Families: Royal Caribbean will debut “The SpongeBob Musical” aboard Hero of the Seas in August 2027, with sailings from Miami that can include Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

USVI Travel & Tourism: USPS Service Update: USPS lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands, effective Oct. 1, with Ground Advantage now showing a 10-days-plus service expectation (and some areas potentially much longer) as the agency shifts more sub-pound shipments to surface transport. Air Access & Regional Cooperation: BVI–USVI Flights: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed the British Virgin Islands’ push for more direct flights, arguing it won’t hurt USVI tourism and could even help by freeing seats for travelers headed to the islands; he also floated a long-term plan to reinstall a dock at Cyril E. King Airport to connect BVI ferry travel directly to flights. Cruise & Family Fun: Royal Caribbean Entertainment: Royal Caribbean announced “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut at sea on the Hero of the Seas in August 2027, with itineraries that include Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and other Eastern Caribbean stops—another reason families may plan a USVI-inclusive cruise. Events: USVI Sailing Week: The first annual USVI Sailing Week (April 8–11, 2027) brings together STIR, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and VIBE across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, featuring racing, island-to-island rally sailing, yacht expo activities, and nightly parties.

USVI Mail Update: USPS has lengthened delivery expectations for packages to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands under Ground Advantage, with Oct. 1 changes now listing a 10-days-plus service expectation for affected noncontiguous areas. USVI Tourism & Events: The first annual USVI Sailing Week is set for April 8–11, 2027, bringing together the St. Thomas International Regatta, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Air Access (Regional): Contour Airlines launches a new St. Thomas–St. Maarten nonstop on Oct. 5, with twice-weekly flights that make it easier to island-hop between the two gateways. Caribbean Travel Demand: New data from Amadeus and CHTA shows family-sized groups and solo travelers are driving stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with arrivals tracked from April 2025 through March 2026. Family-Friendly Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean will debut “The SpongeBob Musical” at sea on Hero of the Seas starting August 2027, with sailings from Miami that can include Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

USVI Travel & Tourism: USVI Sailing Week: The first annual USVI Sailing Week (April 8–11, 2027) will combine the St. Thomas International Regatta, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, with IC24 racing off Charlotte Amalie and nightly parties. Air Access & Regional Cooperation: BVI–USVI Flights: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed BVI’s push for more direct air access, arguing it won’t hurt USVI tourism and could even help by freeing seats for USVI-bound travelers. Travel Planning Data: Who’s Visiting: New Caribbean travel data shows group size matters—family-sized groups and solo travelers are driving stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, while couples are boosting demand in places like Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, and Aruba. On-Island Visitor Experience: Royal Caribbean Entertainment: Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas will debut “The SpongeBob Musical” at sea in August 2027, with itineraries that can include Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and other Eastern Caribbean stops. Quick Legal/Policy Note (USVI-relevant): Noncitizen Voting Ruling: A Miami federal judge dismissed a noncitizen voting charge as unconstitutional, a decision tied to a case involving a Jamaican national who allegedly used a U.S. Virgin Islands birth certificate to vote in Florida.

USVI Tourism & Air Access: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed the British Virgin Islands’ push for stronger air access, arguing it won’t hurt USVI tourism and could even help by freeing seats for travelers whose final stop is the islands. He also floated a long-term plan to reinstall a dock at Cyril E. King Airport to connect BVI ferry passengers directly to flights. Sailing & Boating: The first annual USVI Sailing Week (April 8–11, 2027) brings together St. Thomas International Regatta, Three Sheets Regatta & Rally, and the Virgin Islands Boating Expo across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, with racing, yacht expo events, and nightly parties. Travel Deals & Loyalty: Avis Preferred explains how US residents (including USVI) can join at 25+ and potentially earn elite status faster—plus tips on points earning and redemption. Caribbean Flights: Contour Airlines launches new nonstop St. Thomas–St. Maarten service Oct. 5 (twice weekly), adding an easier way to island-hop between two major regional gateways. Family Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean announced “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut at sea on Hero of the Seas, sailing from Miami in August 2027 with stops including Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Car Rental Rewards: Avis Preferred is a free loyalty program that can speed up pickup and help you earn points toward rentals; U.S. territory residents (including the U.S. Virgin Islands) must be 25+ to join, and elite status can be earned faster if you already hold airline elite status or a premium travel rewards card. Budget Caribbean Planning: A new guide lays out how to build a Caribbean trip for about $1,500 per person, including airfare, lodging, food, activities, and transportation, with tips for different travel styles. USVI Air Access & BVI Tensions: U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed the British Virgin Islands’ push for stronger air access, arguing it can benefit both destinations and pointing to a longer-term plan to reconnect BVI ferry travel directly to Cyril E. King Airport. New Nonstop Options for Island-Hoppers: Contour Airlines launches twice-weekly nonstop flights between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, making it easier to combine both islands without routing through another Caribbean hub. Family Travel Demand Signals: New data from Amadeus/CHTA shows group size shapes where people go—families are driving stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, while couples boost demand for places like Sint Maarten, St. Lucia, and Aruba. Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean says “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut at sea on Hero of the Seas when the ship sails from Miami in August 2027, with every sailing visiting Perfect Day CocoCay and stops including Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.

Budget Travel: A new guide says you can plan a Caribbean getaway with airfare, meals, lodging, activities, and transportation for about $1,500 per person, with tips for different styles like island-hopping or all-inclusive-style stays. USVI Air Access & Tourism: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed the British Virgin Islands’ push for stronger air access, arguing it helps both territories’ tourism and even points to a long-term plan to reinstall a dock at Cyril E. King Airport to connect BVI ferry travel. New Flight Options for Island-Hoppers: Contour Airlines launches twice-weekly nonstop service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, making it easier to pair the two gateways without routing through elsewhere. Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas (Aug. 2027) will debut “The SpongeBob Musical,” with itineraries from Miami that include stops like Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Caribbean Travel Demand by Group Type: New data suggests couples are driving demand in Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, and Aruba, while family-sized groups show stronger interest in the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Air Access & Tourism Diplomacy: U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has been the “number-one supporter” of the British Virgin Islands getting more direct flights, arguing it won’t hurt USVI tourism and could even free seats for travelers headed to St. Thomas and beyond. New Routes for Island-Hoppers: Contour Airlines launches a twice-weekly St. Thomas–St. Maarten nonstop starting Oct. 5, making it easier to pair the two Caribbean gateways without routing through a third stop. More Caribbean Family Fun at Sea: Royal Caribbean announced “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut onboard Hero of the Seas when the Icon-class ship sails from Miami in August 2027, with every sailing visiting Perfect Day CocoCay and calls including Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Travel Market Insight: New data from Amadeus/CHTA suggests U.S. Virgin Islands demand is being boosted by family-sized groups, while couples are driving interest in Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, and Aruba. Public Health Drill Takeaway: CDC reports unannounced avian flu preparedness drills found staff asked about sick animals in under 10% of screenings—relevant for any travelers worried about how quickly symptoms get flagged. Legal News With Local Links: A Miami federal judge dismissed a noncitizen voting case as unconstitutional, a ruling that could affect how election-related enforcement plays out nationwide.

Cruise & Family Fun: Royal Caribbean says “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut as the first-ever at-sea production on the new Icon-class ship Hero of the Seas, sailing from Miami in August 2027 on 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries that include Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas). Air Access & Island-Hopping: Contour Airlines launches nonstop St. Thomas–St. Maarten service Oct. 5, twice weekly (Mondays/Fridays), giving Virgin Islands travelers a new way to connect without routing elsewhere. USVI Tourism Calendar: The 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival is set for Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027 in St. Croix, with Festival Village, live music, pageantry, J’ouvert, and fireworks. Regional Travel Demand: New data from Amadeus/CHTA finds group travel patterns vary by island, with family-sized groups showing stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local Aviation Policy: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed BVI efforts to strengthen air access, arguing it can benefit both territories’ tourism and outlining a long-term plan to reinstall a dock at Cyril E. King Airport.

Federal Court Ruling: A Miami federal judge dismissed a noncitizen voting case, saying Congress can’t set voter qualifications and that states handle eligibility—dealing a blow to the Trump administration’s election-fraud push (the decision applies to the charged defendant, Chelsea Cox). USVI–BVI Air Access Ties: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. says his administration has backed the British Virgin Islands’ push for more direct flights, arguing it can help both territories’ tourism and even floated a long-term plan to reintroduce a dock at Cyril E. King Airport for BVI ferry connections. New Flights for Island-Hoppers: Contour Airlines launches twice-weekly nonstop service between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, making it easier to combine the two gateways without extra routing. Cruise Entertainment: Royal Caribbean announced “The SpongeBob Musical” will debut at sea on its Icon-class ship Hero of the Seas, sailing from Miami in August 2027. Caribbean Travel Demand by Group Size: New travel data shows couples lead Caribbean arrivals, while family-sized groups are driving stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Crucian Christmas Festival Dates: St. Croix’s 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 2, with Festival Village, parades, J’ouvert, and fireworks.

Air Service Boost: Contour Airlines launches new nonstop flights between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, with twice-weekly service (Mondays/Fridays), giving travelers a simpler way to island-hop without routing through another Caribbean hub. More Connectivity: Breeze Airways adds six new nonstop routes between Oct. 1–4, including new links to Vero Beach and its first flights to San José, Costa Rica—part of the airline’s point-to-point expansion strategy. Local Infrastructure: The V.I. Water and Power Authority approved projects including 120 new decorative streetlights in Christiansted, St. Croix, plus green composite poles in the National Park on St. John, as hurricane recovery work continues. Tourism & Events: St. Croix’s 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival is set for Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027, with Festival Village, parades, J’ouvert, and fireworks. Sailing Spotlight: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, bringing international competitors and serving as a Pan American Games qualifier.

Air Service Boost: Breeze Airways is adding six nonstop routes between Oct. 1–4, including new links to Vero Beach and a new international push with flights to San José, Costa Rica—good news for travelers planning USVI getaways with more point-to-point options. Island-Hopping Upgrade: Contour Airlines launches twice-weekly nonstop flights between St. Thomas and St. Maarten starting Oct. 5, making it easier to combine the two major Caribbean gateways without extra connections. Local Infrastructure: WAPA approved projects to restore hurricane-damaged infrastructure, including 120 decorative streetlights in Christiansted on St. Croix and green composite poles in the National Park on St. John. Tourism & Culture: St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival is back for 2026–27, running Dec. 26 through Jan. 2 with Festival Village, parades, J’ouvert, and fireworks. Shopping Spotlight: Charlotte Amalie ranked No. 25 in a 2026 Top 30 Shopping Destinations list for the Americas & Caribbean, highlighting Main Street, Havensight Mall, and Crown Bay. Sailing Calendar: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, bringing international racing to the island.

USVI Tourism & Events: St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Festival is back, running Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027, with Festival Village, eight nights of music, pageantry, J’ouvert, parades, and fireworks. Local Infrastructure: WAPA approved Christiansted streetlight upgrades—120 decorative lights tied into the grid—plus green composite poles for the National Park on St. John, as hurricane recovery work continues. Cruise & Sailing: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, a Pan American Games qualifier, bringing international sailors and local racing events. Inter-Island Travel Policy: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called BVI charter yacht fees “silly,” saying the dispute has hurt the USVI yacht industry and urging lower charges to boost travel between islands. Shopping Spotlight: Charlotte Amalie ranked No. 25 in a Top 30 Americas & Caribbean shopping list, highlighting Main Street, Havensight Mall, Crown Bay, and duty-free plus local crafts. Caribbean Travel Demand: New data shows group size shapes where people go—family-sized travelers are driving interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, among other islands. Equine Aftercare: Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare marks 10 years, with founder Kelley Stobie highlighting ongoing Caribbean equine welfare concerns and a Nov. 7 Puerto Rico fundraiser.

USVI Travel & Tourism: St. Croix is set to host the 2026 ISCA (International Sunfish Class Assn.) World Championship Nov. 4–14, with sailors from across the Caribbean, Europe, North America and more—plus 15 local competitors—at Christiansted’s Fort area, with Hotel on the Cay as host venue. Local Infrastructure: WAPA approved projects to rebuild hurricane-damaged infrastructure, including 120 decorative streetlights in Christiansted (about $1.16M total) and green composite poles in the National Park on St. John, with design questions raised about light pollution. Cruise/Island Travel: A USVI–BVI dispute over Sir Francis Drake Channel charter fees is escalating, with reports that federal departments may step in as the BVI raised charges sharply for non-registered vessels. Shopping Spotlight: Charlotte Amalie ranked No. 25 in the Americas & Caribbean Top 30 Shopping Destinations for 2026, highlighting Main Street, Havensight Mall, Crown Bay and duty-free plus local crafts. Festival Dates: The 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival returns Dec. 26–Jan. 2 with Festival Village, parades, J’ouvert, eight nights of music and fireworks. Travel Planning Data: New Caribbean travel data shows group size matters—families are driving stronger interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, alongside Cayman Islands and Curaçao.

Cruise Update: Royal Caribbean has floated out its fourth Icon-class ship, Hero of the Seas, at Meyer Turku in Finland, with a planned August 2027 debut and a 7-night Eastern/Western Caribbean run from PortMiami. St. Croix Festival: The 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival is set for Dec. 26, 2026–Jan. 2, 2027, with Festival Village, pageantry, J’ouvert, eight nights of music, and fireworks returning to St. Croix. Sailing in the VI: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, with racing at Christiansted and the event also serving as a Pan American Games qualifier. Local Infrastructure: WAPA approved Christiansted streetlight and National Park pole projects, including 120 decorative streetlights tied into the grid after 2017 hurricane damage. Shopping Spotlight: Charlotte Amalie ranked No. 25 in the Americas & Caribbean for 2026 shopping destinations, highlighting Main Street, Havensight Mall, Crown Bay, and waterfront retail. Inter-Island Charter Fees: USVI Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. called BVI charter fees “silly,” urging lower charges to boost travel between the islands.

Cruise & Ports: Royal Caribbean has floated out its fourth Icon-class ship, Hero of the Seas, at Meyer Turku in Finland, with a planned 2027 debut and a Caribbean itinerary from PortMiami—good news for USVI-bound travelers who rely on steady regional cruise capacity. Local Tourism & Culture: St. Croix has set the 2026–27 Crucian Christmas Festival dates (Dec. 26–Jan. 2), featuring Festival Village, pageantry, J’ouvert, eight nights of music, and fireworks—another major draw for winter visitors. Sailing & Marine Sports: St. Croix will host the 2026 ISCA Sunfish World Championship Nov. 4–14, with racing at Christiansted and the event serving as a Pan American Games qualifier. Shopping Spotlight: Charlotte Amalie ranked No. 25 in the Americas & Caribbean for 2026 shopping destinations, highlighting Main Street, Havensight Mall, Crown Bay, and duty-free and local crafts. Infrastructure Update: WAPA approved Christiansted streetlight projects (120 new lights) and other upgrades, including green composite poles in the National Park on St. John. Regional Travel Watch: The USVI and BVI are still locked in a charter-fee fight over the Sir Francis Drake Channel, with USVI Governor Albert Bryan calling BVI charges “silly.” Travel Planning Tips: A new guide shares 11 steps to make cruise disembarkation smoother and avoid last-minute fees and forgotten items.