The U.S. Virgin Islands once paid visitors $300 to travel there, but that centennial offer ended in 2017. Visitors who booked a three-night minimum stay at a participating hotel received $300 in credits for activities. Here is how the promotion worked, and what the islands look like for travelers in 2026.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| The offer | $300 in activity credits, 2017 only |
| Condition | Three-night minimum at a participating hotel on St. John, St. Croix or St. Thomas |
| Booking deadline | October 1, 2017 (booking code CP1) |
| Status in 2026 | Ended |
| Q1 2026 arrivals | 303,388, up 12% year on year |
The $300 offer, and why it existed
The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of Caribbean islands that became a United States territory in 1917, when the U.S. bought them from Denmark for $25 million. Every year the territory marks the deal on Transfer Day, March 31.
For the 100-year anniversary in 2017, the tourism department turned that birthday around and gave gifts to visitors. Travelers who booked a three-night minimum stay at a participating hotel on St. John, St. Croix or St. Thomas, with the code CP1, received $300 to spend on their vacation. Those traveling in March 2017, the month of the centennial, also got a commemorative souvenir. You had to make plans by October 1, 2017, and visit sometime in 2017.
The catch
Like any resolution that sounds too good to be true, it had a catch. The money could not go on your bar tab. It had to be spent on vacation activities such as eco-tours, museums, food tours and kayaking, along with historical and cultural tours. The credits came as paper vouchers usable at any participating location, which you could look up on the tourism board’s website, VisitUSVI.com.
What the islands look like in 2026
Tourism is the islands’ biggest industry. The territory’s Department of Tourism reported a record first quarter in 2026, with 303,388 visitor arrivals, up 12% on 2025 and 6% on 2024. St. Thomas took most of the growth at 246,772 arrivals, while St. Croix recorded 56,616. Through June 2026 the department counted 464,289 arrivals to St. Thomas and 108,604 to St. Croix, and it projects more than 900,000 arrivals for the year, which is its own estimate.
There is no payout to chase now. If you plan a trip, book directly with hotels and check the tourism board’s site for any new offers.
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FAQ
Does the U.S. Virgin Islands still pay visitors $300?
No. The offer was a 2017 centennial promotion for stays booked by October 1, 2017, and it has ended. We found no similar visitor incentive in 2026.
Why was the offer made in 2017?
It marked 100 years since the islands became a United States territory. The U.S. bought them from Denmark for $25 million, and the transfer took place on March 31, 1917.
What is Transfer Day?
An annual holiday on March 31 commemorating the 1917 transfer of the islands from Denmark to the United States.
How many people visit the Virgin Islands now?
The Department of Tourism reported 303,388 arrivals in the first quarter of 2026, up 12% on 2025. Its own projection, which we treat as an estimate, is more than 900,000 arrivals for the year.
Which islands make up the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The main three are St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
Last updated: October 2026.
