By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Vacation Express, which offers exclusive nonstop flights and vacation packages, will be offering flights from Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Newark, Baltimore, Cincinnati and Dallas to Grand Bahama this summer.

“Today is a very good day for Grand Bahama,” said Bahamas Minister of State James Kwasi Thompson. “

“A few months ago the government was in negotiation with Sunwing Airlines and we negotiated the return of the very important Vacation Express, which brings additional airlift to Grand Bahama,” he said.

“So today really marks the return of Vacation Express – we have seen a plane that came from Nashville that brought 150 passengers, and those 150 passengers will stay for four nights here in Grand Bahama,” he said.

Each flight will operate on a four-night rotation, departing various days of the week with early departures and late returns for an optimal vacation experience.

“We are very happy to see the return of Vacation Express,” said the minister. “It is very important to Grand Bahama. One of the things that the government has been working diligently on is providing additional airlift to Grand Bahama, so today we have seen the fruits of that work.”

The post Vacation Express Returns to Grand Bahama appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Another major carrier is adding service to Antigua and Barbuda.

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to launch a new route between New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and Antigua.

The new service, which will operate weekly on Saturdays, will launch Dec. 22.

The announcement comes soon after American Airlines announced that it would be adding a second daily flight to Antigua from Miami, another boost for one of the Caribbean’s hottest destinations.

“We are working to provide the most extensive array of options and routes to our customers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Luciano Macagno, Managing Director – Latin America & Caribbean. “It is exciting to expand our offering with a new flight from our second-largest international hub at New York-JFK to Antigua. This new service demonstrates our commitment to the Caribbean market.”

Valley Church beach in Antigua.

Delta said the flights will operate on Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with 16 seats in first class, 36 seats in Delta Comfort+ and 108 seats in the main cabin.

“Delta continues to be the airline of choice for New Yorkers, whether they’re traveling for work or play,” said Chuck Imhof, Vice President — New York and Sales, East. “This new flight to Antigua is just the latest in an exciting series of recently added service to destinations in the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.”

The flights will depart New York at 8:35 AM and arrive in Antigua at 1:49 PM.

The return flights will leave Antigua at 2:50 PM and arrive in New York at 6:31 PM.

— CJ

The post Delta Launching New York-Antigua Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

In two months since launching sales, Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Residences has reached $45 million in sales, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The collection of planned beachfront residences, which will accompany the Grand Hyatt hotel, is Grand Cayman’s newest residential offering.

“Considering the pent-up demand for a new amenity-rich, full-service property on the island, it’sno surprise Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Residences are selling at such a rapid pace,” said Myles Newell, partner at Waypoint Resort Real Estate. “With the island’s limited inventory, much of it built more than a decade ago, we knew buyers would flock to this new luxury experience development.”

The property is being developed by Pageant Beach Hotel Ltd. and managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, while Florida-based Waypoint Resort Real Estate is teaming with RE/MAX Cayman Islands for sales and marketing of the residences.

Located less than a mile from George Town’s historic town center and just 10 minutes from Owen Roberts International Airport, Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences will occupy a seven-acre footprint with 900 feet of waterfront real estate.

Amenities include three pools, a 12,500 square-foot destination wellness spa, salon and gym, six food and beverage venues, kids club, event rooms with ocean view terrace, and 25,000 square feet of indoor conference and meeting space.

Waterside features include beach cabanas, a seafront eco-walk celebrating the diverse ecology of Grand Cayman, and watersport activities from jet skis to parasailing and snorkeling.

The project is comprised of 167 studio suites, one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences ranging from 460 to 2,471 square feet.

An affiliate of Pageant Beach Hotel Ltd. will offer a rental program for the residences that will allow participating owners, when not occupying their residences, to have Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman rent their residences to hotel guests.

“As expected, buyers are excited about the close proximity to everything that Grand Cayman has to offer, the residences being the newest product available on the island, and the overall value they’re receiving when investing in these units,” Newell said.

The post Sales Surge at Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Project appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell

Martinique has no shortage of must-visit beach towns, from historic Saint Pierre to the up-and-coming destination of Le Diamant.

But if there’s one beach town that exemplifies French Caribbean cool on this island, it’s Le Carbet, the tiny hotspot a short ride away from Saint Pierre.

It’s most famous as the home of Le Petibonum, star chef Guy Ferdinand’s gourmet beach bar that’s as close to a Mecca as there is in Martinique.

The rum bar at Le Petibonum in Le Carbet.

But Le Carbet is so much more, with charming Creole shacks, toes-in-the-sand eateries and even some great little gourmet markets.

Perhaps more importantly, it’s also home to Rhum Neisson, a boutique rum distiller that’s among the best anywhere in the world. (They even make organic rum)

The Neisson distillery in Le Carbet.

And then there’s the beach, touched by the volcanic sand of the nearby Mont Pelee, a kind of obsidian-gold that’s utterly intoxicating.

This is Le Carbet, and it’s a must for any true Caribbean aficionado.

See more in the video at the top of the page.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: Le Carbet, a Must-Visit Beach Hotspot in Martinique appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Is this the beginning of a major partnership?

The Chairman of Caribbean Airlines, Ronnie Mohammed, visited China this week to meet with officials from the NHA Group and Air China.

The delegation, which is led by Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, met with the Chairman of the HNA Group, Chen Feng.

The HNA Group owns over 1,200 aircraft, and is a major shareholder in international hotel chains.

It is also the largest tour operating company in China.

The HNA Group has been invited to establish code sharing and interline agreements with Caribbean Airlines, through its international airline and tourism industry affiliates, according to a statement from the company.

Mohammed also met with senior officials from Air China, the Vice Chairman, of the Commercial Committee, Rao Xinyu and the Deputy Director Bilateral and Government Affairs, International Affairs and Cooperation, Zhang Baoru.

The meeting explored the possibility of code sharing and interlining opportunities between the two air carriers.

Air China is China’s sole flag carrier and a member of the world’s largest airline alliance, the Star Alliance.

On its own, Air China serves 185 destinations in 40 countries and regions, of which 66 are international destinations, including Havana, Cuba and John F. Kennedy, New York, which are destinations serviced by Caribbean Airlines.

Through its partnership with the Star Alliance, Air China’s reach extends to 1,330 destinations in 192 countries.

China represents a potentially huge new source market for Caribbean tourism, but whether the region can secure regular flight service will be a major factor.

In a statement, Caribbean Airlines said it was “optimistic that these preliminary discussions will develop into a productive partnership between the two airlines.”

The post Air China, Caribbean Airlines Hold Talks appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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