Overnight visitor arrivals to the Territory climbed to 106,750 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 100,319 during the same period in 2024, representing a 6.4% increase for the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS

Premier and Minister for Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the Virgin Islands is seeing great tourism numbers following the first quarter of 2025. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

Last year’s total overnight guests surpassed 300,000, topping out at approximately 305,876.

The preliminary figures were made public on April 16, 2025, by Premier and Minister for Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), during the inaugural broadcast of Virgin Islands Voice. 

Cruise Decline

“We are seeing great tourism numbers coming into the territory; The tourism numbers tell us that we are up 6% as it pertains to our overnight guests.”

According to the Premier, “This is what we want,” before providing a nuanced breakdown of tourism performance. 

He told the listening audience, while the figures for cruise passengers showed a “slight decline, it’s actually not that bad.” 

Dr Wheatley qualified this position saying, “We want to have a little more overnight guests and kind of stay at a steady, sustainable rate as it pertains to cruise passengers.” With this in mind, he flagged the need for strategic planning during traditional low seasons.

Adapt or become obsolete

According to Premier Wheatley, “That’s when we need a lot more cruise passengers; A lot of the ships usually go to the Mediterranean at that particular time but if we can get more during that time it would be great.”

In light of the prevailing tourism successes being experienced, he warned it should not breed complacency and local businesses must adapt, or become obsolete.

“What we’re saying is, we have to learn to evolve and we have to learn to adapt. And as business people, if we don’t evolve and adapt, then we won’t be sustainable.”

Premier Wheatley added, “There’s a thriving marine business within the Virgin Islands… going to Virgin Gorda, going to Anegada, doing cruises in our waters. So as a certain level of traffic decreases, we have to adapt our business model to continue to thrive.”