Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – May 12, 2025 – Wayne L. Biggs, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority (VIEDA), recently took center stage at the 2025 Americas Lodging Investment Summit—Caribbean & Latin America (ALIS CALA) conference in Miami, Florida, held from April 29-May 1, 2025 where he delivered a compelling presentation on investment opportunities in the U.S. Virgin Islands along with highlights on the Territory’s tourism industry.
To help chart the future of travel and investment across the region, VIEDA CEO Biggs, Jr. addressed an audience of more than 100 hospitality leaders, investors, and developers in Coral Gables. He emphasized the territory’s competitive advantages, including its strategic location, business-friendly climate, and dynamic tourism sector. CEO Biggs, Jr.’s presentation highlighted the Territory’s robust incentive programs, such as the USVI’s Hotel Development Program, the V.I. Economic Development Commission (VIEDC) tax incentive program, and the Southshore Trade Zone (SSTZ) Program on St. Croix.
This presentation aimed at attracting investors in real estate, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism projects. At the conference, CEO Biggs, Jr., was joined by Kyle C. Thomas, program manager, VIEDA Marketing and 2040 Vision, and LaShanna McBean de Chabert, applications analyst for the VIEDC program.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands is poised for remarkable growth, offering diverse investment opportunities for those looking to expand into the Caribbean market,” said Biggs, Jr. “Our commitment to fostering economic development and innovation makes the territory an attractive destination for forward-thinking businesses and entrepreneurs,” added CEO Biggs, Jr.
The Hotel Development Program is designed to promote investment in hotel and resort development in the USVI, offering incentives for constructing accommodations, commercial facilities, and other hotel/entertainment facilities to enhance the visitor experience. Eligible projects include Hotel/Resort Facility, Related Marine Facilities, and Solar or other Energy Generating Equipment.
The VIEDC tax incentive program offers 90 percent exemptions on corporate and personal income tax; 100 percent exemptions on property, excise, & gross receipts taxes, and customs duties; and 83 percent reduction on customs duties decrease from 6 percent to 1 percent.
With the SSTZ located on approximately 367 acres of relatively flat ocean-front land just south of the airport on St. Croix, the SSTZ Program offers the same benefits except for the reduction on customs duties. Benefits from either the VIEDC tax incentive program and the Southshore Trade Zone program may be combined with benefits from the Hotel Development Program.
As the premier event for hospitality investors in the Caribbean and Latin America, ALIS CALA provides a platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the region’s economic landscape. CEO Biggs, Jr.’s participation at this conference reinforces VIEDA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships and drive economic prosperity in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In 2025, the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conferences debuted as one conference under the ALIS umbrella. These conferences were merged and rebranded in late 2024.
For more information on investment opportunities in the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.usvieda.org or send an email to info@usvieda.org . View CEO Biggs, Jr.’s presentation at ALIS CALA here: https://youtu.be/FqdP3Bn6OmQ.
