The president and first lady will arrive at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and spend the New Year on the Big Island — as St Croix is called — with their family, according to the White House.

The Consortium on December 16 reported that Mr Biden would usher in the new year on St Croix.

The president's and first lady's arrival to the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport will be open press, meaning there may be an opportunity for the media to ask questions.

In 2015 and again in 2016, Mr Biden welcomed the new year on St Croix.

Rare visit by US President

During his visits in the recent past, Mr Biden was vice president during President Barack H. Obama's second term in office. His arrival Tuesday will mark his first visit to the USVI as a sitting president, and among the rare visits that US presidents have made to the US Virgin Islands while in office.

Mr Obama visited St Thomas in March 2008 when he was an Illinois senator and democratic candidate hopeful for US president. Mr Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush did not visit the territory, and Mr Bush's predecessor, William J. Clinton aka 'Bill', visited the USVI in 2018, which was long after Mr Clinton's presidency.

Herbert Clark Hoover was the first sitting US President to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, landing on St Thomas on March 17, 1931. At the time, Paul M. Pearson was governor, having arrived just ten days prior and was appointed the USVI's first civilian governor.

Former US President Harry S. Truman visited St Croix in February, 1948, and delivered a speech in Christiansted while a sitting president.

Mr Biden's arrival is expected to strain St Croix's limited hospitality stock, including hotel rooms and car rentals — two of the most in-demand items during the holiday season on St Croix, which is also the month St Croix celebrates the Crucian Christmas Festival.