Jennifer Matarangas-King has officially been sworn in as Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, during a ceremony at Government House on St. Croix.
Confirmed Leadership
Matarangas-King was confirmed by the 36th Legislature of the United States Virgin Islands in November 2025, following her appointment by Governor Bryan in August of the same year. The confirmation formalized her role at the helm of a department tasked with guiding the territory’s most significant economic driver.
Tourism supports more than half of the U.S. Virgin Islands economy, touching nearly every sector across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. The commissioner’s role carries responsibility for marketing the destination abroad while ensuring the benefits of visitor growth remain connected to local communities.
Strengthening the Department from Within
Since assuming the role, Matarangas-King has focused on internal operations, prioritizing staffing, structure, and leadership across all three islands. Her early months have been marked by an effort to build capacity within the Department of Tourism, filling key positions and reinforcing on-island teams.
That internal focus has been paired with renewed attention to local partnerships. The department has expanded collaboration with organizations including the University of the Virgin Islands and the VI/PR Friendship Day Committee, among others, with an emphasis on creating stronger ties between tourism initiatives and the people who live and work in the territory.
For Matarangas-King, the connection between residents and the visitor economy is foundational. “Tourism must work for Virgin Islanders first,” she said during the ceremony. “When our people feel connected to and invested in the industry, that pride and authenticity naturally extend to our visitors.”
Balancing Growth and Community
Looking ahead, the commissioner’s agenda centers on sustaining tourism growth while deepening engagement at home. Marketing efforts in key feeder markets remain a priority, supported by airlift development and continued destination promotion. At the same time, the department is sharpening its focus on community participation, workforce development, and local representation within the tourism sector.
Matarangas-King has articulated a vision built around what she describes as a “Vested Interest,” encouraging Virgin Islanders to see themselves as active stakeholders in the industry’s direction and success. The approach reflects a broader effort to align visitor growth with cultural preservation, local businesses, and long-term economic stability.
Continuity and Momentum
With the swearing-in complete, Matarangas-King now formally takes on the full scope of the commissioner’s role, building on the foundation laid by her predecessors. The presence of former commissioners at the ceremony underscored the department’s institutional memory and the shared goal of positioning the U.S. Virgin Islands competitively in a dynamic Caribbean tourism landscape.
