New Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King Takes Helm of U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism

Jennifer Matarangas-King has been sworn in as the Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, marking the start of a renewed internal focus and community-driven strategy across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.

Leadership change and immediate priorities

The official ceremony on St. Croix brought together government officials and community stakeholders to recognize the transition. As Commissioner, Jennifer Matarangas-King inherits a portfolio that positions tourism as a cornerstone of the territory’s economy. Early actions emphasize strengthening internal capacity, filling leadership roles islandwide, and deepening ties with local institutions.

Staffing and organizational growth

Since taking office, the Department of Tourism has prioritized rebuilding and expanding its team. This includes appointing leaders on each island and enhancing coordination between offices to ensure consistent service delivery and program rollout.

Key internal measures

• Team expansion across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John to improve local presence.
• Leadership placement to provide clearer lines of responsibility and faster local decision-making.
• Operational focus on community engagement and inter-agency collaboration.

Community partnerships and local engagement

A renewed emphasis on partnerships has been signaled through collaboration with groups such as the University of the Virgin Islands and the VI/PR Friendship Day Committee. These alliances aim to boost cultural programming, workforce development, and educational outreach—efforts that support sustainable tourism and create direct benefits for residents.

Programs and outreach initiatives

Marketing strategy and feeder markets

Marketing will remain focused on key feeder markets while pairing those efforts with stronger local engagement. The dual approach seeks to attract visitors while ensuring communities are active participants in tourism planning and benefit-sharing.

Travel experience implications

For travelers and service providers, these priorities translate into potentially smoother visitor services, greater variety in local experiences, and possibly more coordinated arrival and inter-island logistics. Changes at the departmental level can influence airport outreach, signage, visitor information centers, and how transport and tour operators coordinate with official campaigns.

What this means for transfers, taxis and ground transport

Tourism leadership that emphasizes local ties and operational improvements tends to ripple into the ground-transport ecosystem. Expect a heightened focus on:

• Airport connections and clearer arrival procedures that benefit drivers and passengers.
• Coordination with local transport providers to ensure licensed taxis and shuttles meet service standards.
• Community-based tours that may expand demand for private transfers, larger multi-seater vehicles, and timed airport pickups.

Practical tips for visitors

• Plan transfers in advance to secure the exact vehicle type and pickup time you prefer.
• Ask for vehicle details and driver credentials when booking—this helps ensure licensed, safe rides.
• Consider private or group options depending on party size and luggage needs to manage fare expectations.

Tourism remains a vital economic sector for the U.S. Virgin Islands; a stable Department of Tourism that invests in people and community partnerships can encourage collaboration across service providers and improve the overall visitor experience.

This leadership change is unlikely to drastically alter the global tourism map, but it is significant regionally and affects how services are coordinated at the local level. It matters to travelers who value reliable transfers, clear information at the airport, and consistent standards for drivers and vehicles. For your next trip, consider the convenience and reliability of GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

Highlights to remember: the appointment spotlights renewed investment in staffing, island-level leadership, and stronger links with educational and cultural partners. While reviews and public feedback are useful, nothing replaces first-hand experience—testing services yourself is the true measure. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Benefit from convenient booking, affordable fares, a wide range of vehicle choices and extra options—emphasizing transparency and convenience. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, Jennifer Matarangas-King’s swearing-in ushers in a period focused on internal strengthening, local partnerships, and steady marketing in established markets. These moves aim to support the territory’s economy and improve visitor experiences from airport to destination. For travelers, clearer coordination means better chances of getting the exact transfer, vehicle and driver you need at a fair fare. Whether you need a private car, a seater for a group, or a punctual airport pickup, the right service can make a difference in time, comfort and price—and platforms like GetTransfer.com make it easier to book, compare vehicles and see driver information ahead of time for a transparent, reliable travel experience.