Photo credit: Moskito Island.

The British Virgin Islands has been named Best Luxury Destination in the Caribbean in Modern Luxury’s 2026 Travel Awards, according to an announcement on April 24 by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission and its Director of Tourism, Clive McCoy.

The recognition, presented by Modern Luxury, a United States-based luxury lifestyle media company, follows the territory’s designation as the publication’s Hottest Destination of the Year in 2025. Winners of the 2026 awards are scheduled to appear in the May 2026 print issue.

“We are proud to once again be recognized by Modern Luxury, this time as the Best Luxury Destination in the Caribbean,” Mr. McCoy said. “These awards speak to the consistency of our product and the authentic, high-quality experiences that define the BVI.”

The annual awards highlight destinations, properties and experiences in global travel, with a focus on high-end tourism. Officials said the latest recognition reflects the British Virgin Islands’ continued appeal to travelers seeking sailing, villa accommodations and resort experiences.

In 2025, the territory also received recognition when Oil Nut Bay’s Quintessa Villa was named Best Private Villa in the Caribbean by the same publication.

Tourism officials said the award adds to a series of recent acknowledgments from international outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, Caribbean Journal and USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards, which have ranked the destination and its tourism partners in various categories.

The British Virgin Islands, an archipelago of about 60 islands and cays in the northeastern Caribbean, has long marketed itself as a leading sailing destination and continues to promote its tourism offerings to international visitors.

Benito Wheatley, the British Virgin Islands Special Envoy, and José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, urged closer cooperation between the Caribbean and Latin America to accelerate progress on sustainable development goals during a regional forum in Santiago, Chile.

The meeting took place during the 9th Meeting of the Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development, held April 13 to April 16 in Santiago.

Both officials noted that implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals stands at 19 percent, with four years remaining before the 2030 deadline, underscoring the need for increased coordination and investment across the region.

Mr. Wheatley, speaking in his capacity as vice chair of the 40th session of the commission, commended the organization’s work on development challenges and policies aimed at advancing economic and social outcomes. He emphasized the need to strengthen technical cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in resilience, investment and technology, citing fiscal constraints driven by debt and responses to external shocks.

Mr. Salazar-Xirinachs reaffirmed the commission’s support for the sustainable development of the British Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean, noting that small island developing states, while largely middle-income, remain vulnerable to external economic and environmental shocks and require continued international support.

He also commended the British Virgin Islands for its role at the forum, including its leadership of a Caribbean panel moderated by Mr. Wheatley in his capacity as vice chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee. The panel focused on implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States through South-South cooperation.

Mr. Wheatley reiterated the territory’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and to advancing regional priorities, including climate resilience.

“Through our various leadership roles within U.N. ECLAC, the British Virgin Islands will continue to advocate for the Caribbean to ensure the subregion’s priorities, including climate resilience, are taken into account in the intergovernmental deliberations of the wider region on the 2030 Agenda,” he said, adding that greater collaboration between the Caribbean and Latin America would be necessary to advance the goals within the remaining timeframe.

His Excellency the Governor, Daniel Pruce, on Tuesday appointed Honourable Marlon A. Penn, Representative for the Eighth District, as Leader of His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in accordance with Section 70 of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007, formalizing a recommendation from Opposition members and the National Democratic Party.

Hon. Penn signed the Instrument of Appointment and the Oath for the Due Execution of Office during a ceremony at Government House on Tuesday morning.

The appointment follows a recommendation submitted to the Governor by the four elected Opposition members of the House of Assembly, who, after consultation, identified Hon. Penn as the member commanding majority support within the Opposition, as required under the Constitution.

In a statement issued April 21, the National Democratic Party said the recommendation reflected the confidence of both Opposition members and the party in Hon. Penn’s leadership. “The appointment reflects the confidence of the Opposition Members and the National Democratic Party in the leadership, experience, and commitment of Honourable Penn to effectively represent the interests of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the statement said.

Hon. Penn was elected Political Leader of the National Democratic Party during the party’s national convention held April 18 at Maria’s by the Sea. The convention brought together 121 delegates from across the territory and resulted in the selection of a new leadership team ahead of the next general election.

During the convention, Hon. Penn secured 65 votes in a contested race against Mark H. Vanterpool, who received 39 votes, and Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton, who received 17 votes. Hon. Melvin Mitch Turnbull was elected deputy chairman with 64 votes, defeating Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, who received 57 votes. Paul A. Hewlett was confirmed as president unopposed, and Andrea Walters was elected vice president, defeating Troy Christopher.

Other officers elected included Messena Vanterpool-Pompey as secretary, Sharnette Chalwell as assistant secretary, Eldon Solomon as treasurer, Cathy-Ann Bascombe as assistant treasurer, Dorilyn Edwards as chaplain, Aaliyah Inniss as chairperson of the Youth Movement and Lisa Smith as chairperson of the Women’s Movement.

Following his election as Political Leader, Hon. Penn said the outcome marked a new phase for the party. “I am profoundly grateful and honoured for the support and confidence vested in me to lead the party into the next general elections,” he said.

Hon. Turnbull said the leadership team would prioritize unity and policy-focused initiatives. “Our focus is on unity, rebuilding trust, and advancing practical solutions that improve the lives of the people of these Virgin Islands,” he said.

Hon. Penn has represented the Eighth District in the House of Assembly since 2011 and previously served as Minister for Health and Social Development. He also served as Leader of the Opposition from 2019 to 2022 following the general election that year.

Under the Virgin Islands Constitution, the Governor appoints the Leader of the Opposition from among members of the House of Assembly who command the support of the majority of Opposition members.