By Alexander Britell

It’s been a banner year so far for tourism in the Cayman Islands, and the destination is showing no signs of slowing down.

Stayover visitors to the Cayman Islands totaled 209,143 arrivals in the first five months of 2018, according to new data from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.

That represented a 16.51 percent increase over the same period in 2017, or 29,637 more stayover visitors — among the fastest growth rates in the Caribbean region.

The number was buoyed by a very strong month of May, in which the territory reported a 22.4 percent increase compared to May 2017.

Seven Mile Beach.

“The tourism industry of the Cayman Islands is an important economic driver that leads to job creation and national development for which we all benefit,” said Cayman Islands Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell. “Our tourism stakeholders should be extremely proud of our collective performance and I am optimistic that we can continue this positive trend throughout 2018.”

Visitors spent around $390 million in the destination in the first five months of the year, an increase by around $54 million year over year.

Cayman Brac, one of the three must-visit islands making up the Cayman Islands.

The 2018 boom comes after what was itself a strong year for the Cayman Islands last year, when the British Overseas Territory crossed 400,000 stayover visitors for the first time ever.

“Achieving great milestones for 2018 and beyond will be led by the vision of our National Tourism Plan, ongoing commitment to innovative strategic marketing practises, and working in partnership to identify and attract the right mix of visitors to our shores,” said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands.

The Grand Hyatt project.

The Cayman Islands has also been seeing a wave of new hotel development, from the launch of a new Grand Hyatt project on Seven Mile Beach to the just-announced Mandarin Oriental, Grand Cayman.

The destination has also been boosted by new airlift from carriers including Southwest Airlines and JetBlue, the latter of which is adding even more flights to Grand Cayman this fall.

The post Cayman Islands Tourism Is Booming appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Another new cruise port in the Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic tourism officials are mulling exactly that, according to a statement from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.

Officials this week broached the idea of establishing the city of Boca Chica as what would be the Dominican Republic’s fifth cruise port.

Boca Chica would join existing ports including Santo Domingo; Puerto Plata’s Amber Cove, the country’s newest port; La Romana and San Souci.

“This addition would further develop the country’s cruise industry and increase tourism to Boca Chica,” the Ministry said in a statement to the media.

Boca Chica is set just to the east of Santo Domingo, a short distance from the city’s Las Americas International Airport.

— CJ

The post Dominican Republic Mulls New Cruise Port appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… of Puerto Rico by Monday, bringing squally rains and occasional breezy conditions.
Puerto Rico … , CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar said.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello declared a … ’s approach was enough for Puerto Ricans to flock to stores to …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of Anguilla’s signature resorts is planning a comeback.

The island’s CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa is planning on “re-emerging” in November after closing in the wake of Hurricane Irma last year, according to the property.

The resort, set on the spectacular Rendezvous Bay (previously named number one beach in the Caribbean by Caribbean Journal), is already accepting reservations for arrival on Nov. 1, according to the property’s Web site.

The Reef by CuisinArt reopened earlier this year.

The CuisinArt’s sister resort, the Reef by CuisinArt, already reopened in April after shuttering following Irma.

The post Anguilla’s CuisinArt Resort Reopening in November appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines is significantly ramping up its flight service to St Maarten this winter, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The world’s largest airline will be adding a new daily flight from Miami to St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport beginning Dec. 19.

That will be accompanied by a new daily nonstop flight between Charlotte and St Maarten as well.

The latter service will launch on Nov. 4, according to St Maarten tourism officials.

It’s an important statement for a destination that was hit hard by Hurricane Irma last year — and for the airport.

Indeed, St Maarten’s famous air hub has made steady progress since last year’s storm, with 73 percent of all air carriers that offered service to the island before the storm having resumed flight operations to the island.

American is expanding to St Maarten in a significant way.

Right now, there are around 9,901 seats to St Maarten every week from U.S. carriers including United, Delta, JetBlue, American and Spirit.

While the airport is still operating with a temporary facility, it is planning to complete upgrades and renovations by 2020.

The Divi Little Bay.

The new flights have been joined by the reopenings several of St Maarten’s most popular hotels, including the Divi Little Bay, Princess Heights, Oyster Bay and boutique resorts like Le Petit Hotel on the French side.

St Maarten has also been seeing strong growth on the cruise side of the industry as well, according to recent data.

The post American Airlines Is Adding More Daily St Maarten Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico