Joseph Boschulte, president and CEO of the West Indian Company Limited (WICO), has been recognized for his contributions to Caribbean tourism with an Appreciation Award from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation during this year’s Caribbean Week in New York.
Presented at the organization’s annual awards luncheon, the honor recognizes Boschulte’s years of leadership and dedication to strengthening tourism throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean region. Caribbean Week is considered the region’s premier tourism gathering, bringing together government officials, hospitality executives, travel professionals and media to celebrate the industry’s achievements while discussing future opportunities.
Boschulte’s recognition reflects a career devoted to expanding the visibility and competitiveness of the U.S. Virgin Islands as a world-class travel destination.
Before returning to lead WICO, Boschulte served as commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, where he helped oversee one of the territory’s most successful periods of tourism growth. During his tenure, the destination experienced record visitor arrivals, expanded airline service and strengthened marketing campaigns that attracted travelers from around the world.
His efforts also focused on building partnerships across the tourism industry while supporting initiatives designed to improve the visitor experience and create long-term economic opportunities for local communities.
Accepting the award, Boschulte emphasized that the recognition belonged to the many people who work behind the scenes to make the U.S. Virgin Islands a welcoming destination.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the CTO Foundation,” Boschulte said. “This award reflects the dedication of the countless individuals across our tourism industry who create exceptional experiences for our visitors every day. I am proud to accept it on behalf of our entire U.S. Virgin Islands tourism community.”
Today, Boschulte leads WICO, the organization responsible for managing the territory’s premier cruise port facilities. As one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise destinations, the ports play a critical role in the local economy, welcoming millions of visitors while supporting businesses, restaurants, retailers and tour operators throughout the islands.
The award also highlights the growing importance of collaboration between government agencies and private-sector organizations in maintaining the Caribbean’s position as one of the world’s most sought-after vacation destinations.
Tourism remains the economic backbone of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and industry leaders say continued investment in infrastructure, visitor experiences and strategic partnerships will be essential for sustaining future growth.
For Boschulte, the recognition serves not only as a personal milestone but also as an acknowledgment of the collective efforts of the tourism professionals, hospitality workers and community partners who help showcase the beauty, culture and hospitality of the U.S. Virgin Islands to visitors from across the globe.