Today we present a #ThrowbackThursday highlight of the dynamic, talented Caribbean Ritual Dancers from St. Thomas participating in the 2016 edition of Seatrade Cruise Global while being accompanied by versatile and energetic steel pan player Stan Brown.

Throughout the years, the U.S. Virgin Islands has promoted the musical culture, heritage and artistry of the Territory with positive effect at numerous trade shows across the U.S. mainland.

According to the UNWTO, cultural tourism is “a type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/products in a tourism destination. These attractions/products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual, spiritual and emotional features of a society that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries and the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions”.

As tourism stakeholders execute strategies to propel the region’s bread and butter forward, promoting the Caribbean’s diverse cultural identity ought to be a central consideration.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.