St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – Governor Albert Bryan Jr. delivered the keynote address today at the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association’s 2025 Annual General Meeting, held at the Ritz Carlton on St. Thomas. In his remarks, Governor Bryan celebrated the substantial growth in the Territory’s tourism sector, highlighting a 15% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the previous year.
The Governor credited this success to strong partnerships between the government and private sector, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration. “The more money and the better our businesses do, the better we do as a government,” he stated.
Governor Bryan also addressed broader economic concerns, including tariffs, inflation, and political uncertainty, which could impact the Territory’s prosperity. He urged attendees to remain focused on opportunities and economic resilience rather than negative news. “Through COVID, through the last six years, I have never been one to ever look at the downside. I always look at the upside. And there are some great possibilities that are coming for us in the Virgin Islands.”
Despite concerns of a possible U.S. recession, Governor Bryan expressed confidence that the impact on the Virgin Islands would be minimal due to the affluence of leisure travelers who frequent the Territory. “You’re coming here because you have some change,” he remarked, noting that high travel costs and the luxury appeal of the USVI serve as economic buffers. He further pointed out that geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and other Caribbean nations could bolster the Territory’s tourism sector, reinforcing the Virgin Islands’ position as “America’s Caribbean.”
Governor Bryan called for legislative support to address key challenges, including taxation on short-term rentals such as Airbnbs, stating, “I can’t do that by myself.” He also highlighted ongoing struggles with housing shortages, emphasizing the government’s commitment to increasing affordable housing options.
On workforce challenges, the Governor noted that while unemployment remains low, labor shortages persist due to restrictive immigration policies. “Now they’re scared to come out and work,” he said, referring to undocumented workers. He also criticized limitations on H-1B visas, stressing the need for congressional action to allow skilled labor into the Territory.
Reflecting on past economic struggles, Governor Bryan reminded attendees of the Virgin Islands’ resilience through difficult times, including the immigration restrictions of the 1970s and the economic downturns of the late ’70s and ’80s. He underscored the tremendous progress made since then, stating, “Yes, it will come with its own set of challenges, but we’ve made real progress. There are things we don’t even talk about anymore because they’ve improved so much.”
Governor Bryan also emphasized advancements in government efficiency, citing the digital transformation of business licensing and vehicle registration as key examples. “Somebody reminded me the other day that they used to take a day off from work just to get their license and register their car. Now, you can do that from home, right from your car. Business licenses used to take months—we’ve streamlined that process and removed unnecessary tax hurdles. We’re getting businesses up and running faster than ever.”
Reaffirming the strength of the Territory’s economy, Governor Bryan noted, “Our tax collections are up—we’re collecting more money every single year. That’s a sign of growth. And guess what? Government employees need to eat, too. The largest single increase in our budget is salaries. Not only are we paying those we make contracts with, but we’re also paying off old obligations from before my administration.”
The Governor’s address underscored the Bryan-Roach Administration’s commitment to fostering economic stability, efficiency, and investment while ensuring that progress benefits all residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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