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St Maarten Is Reopening for Tourism

 

St Maarten is officially reopening for tourism on July 1, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The Dutch Caribbean destination will begin receiving travelers from Europe and North America on that date, according to St Maarten Tourism Minister Ludmila de Weever. 

On June 22, the island will begin opening up to travelers from a number of Caribbean countries, with the stipulation that those travelers need to have been present in their own countries for three weeks prior to departure. 

“The Ministry understands the urgent need for increased economic activity on the island but we intend to re-open in a safe and responsible manner for our residents and visitors,” de Weever said. 

So what will the experience be for arriving travelers?

All travelers to St Maarten will need to have taken a COVID-19 RT-PCR test, with proof of negative results no older than 72 hours prior to the day of travel. 

Children aged 10 and under are exempt. 

All arriving and departing travelers are required to wear a face mask inside the airport a tall times, and all travelers will receive mandatory temperature checks upon arrival. (Anyone exhibiting symptoms will be subject to COVID-19 testing at an additional cost to the traveler). 

st maarten tourism reopening

A number of St Maarten resorts will be reopening next month. 

That includes the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, which is slated to reopen on July 1. 

st maarten tourism reopening
The Divi Little Bay Beach Resort in St Maarten.

And the adults-only all-inclusive Sonesta Ocean Point will reopen on July 1 as well, while its sister resort, the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, will remain closed for the month of July. 

So what about flying to St Maarten?

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines will be operating the first flights from the United States to St Maarten, with service from Fort Lauderdale beginning July 1. 

JetBlue will be resuming New York-St Maarten service on July 3, and Fort Lauderdale-St Maarten flights on July 4. 

And American Airlines will relaunch its flights from Miami on July 7, followed by a relaunch of Charlotte-St Maarten flights on July 9, according to Princess Juliana International Airport. 

See the full flight schedule below, courtesy of the PJIA Operational Department. 

st maarten tourism reopening

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Why Dems need to prioritize statehood for DC and Puerto Rico

… Support for DC and Puerto Rico statehood is wholly consistent … or representatives to protect Puerto Rico (all the territory … that enfranchising DC and Puerto Rico through statehood would … Republicans have long supported Puerto Rican statehood). But that…

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EIN PR news, Island Life

World Bank approves funding for a digital Caribbean

The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the regional Caribbean Digital Transformation Project for a total of US$94 million for four Eastern Caribbean countries: Dominica (US$28 million), Grenada (US$8 million), Saint Lucia (US$20 million), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (US$30 million), and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission (US$8 million) to build an inclusive digital economy. This is the first World Bank-financed project to support the development of a digital economy in the Caribbean. It aims to increase access to digital services, technologies, and skills by governments, businesses, and individuals.

“The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the essential role of digital technology in keeping people, businesses, governments, and countries connected. It enabled virtual continuity of services and facilitated contactless transactions.”  

“The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for the Eastern Caribbean countries to become digital leaders. Wider and more rapid adoption of digital technologies can support countries during the COVID-19 recovery phase and help build resilience, create jobs and boost future growth,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean.

The project aims to increase internet penetration and access to digital financial services and public services. It will support reforms and regional harmonization of the legal and regulatory environment to promote investment in digital infrastructure. It will support activities to make telecommunications and financial services more affordable, while addressing risks related to cybersecurity and data protection. The project will also support public sector modernization and delivery of citizen-centric, digital public services. Support will be provided to individuals and businesses for skills and entrepreneurship development.

Financing for the project comes from the International Development Association (IDA). The OECS Commission will receive a grant, and the four Eastern Caribbean islands will receive interest-free financing with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years.

World bank

World Bank Group COVID-19 Response:

The World Bank Group, one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, is taking broad, fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response. We are increasing disease surveillance, improving public health interventions, and helping the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs. Over the next 15 months, we will be deploying up to $160 billion in financial support to help countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses, and bolster economic recovery, including $50 billion of new IDA resources in grants or highly concessional terms.

In other news:

Sint Maarten Airport ready for re-opening

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Island Life

Sint Maarten airport to re-open on July 1st

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) announced that Sint Maarten is ready to receive travellers from Europe and North America by July 1st, which coincides with their celebration of Emancipation Day.

TEATT Minister Ludmila N.L. de Weever urged the public to continue adhering to the proper social distancing and health and safety protocols, as well as the established guidelines for businesses in order to maintain a COVID-19 free Sint Maarten.

“Travel Entry Requirements” has also been released to all stakeholders. It outlines the safety and health protocols, testing requirements and health screening procedures, among others for visitors arriving at the Princess Juliana International Airport. The advisory is subject to change upon the government’s discretion.

Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten is open to passengers from Saba, Sint Eustatius, Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, Martinique, and Guadeloupe. For these countries, passengers should ensure that they have been consecutively present there for 21 days prior to the date of departure. No quarantine will be required upon arrival to Sint Maarten.

Starting from June 22nd, Sint Maarten will also be open to St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica and the British Virgin Islands. The 21-day minimum stay requirement will also be applied to passengers from these islands so that no quarantine will be required.

“The Ministry understands the urgent need for increased economic activity on the island but we intend to re-open in a safe and responsible manner for our residents and visitors,” said Minister de Weever.

She likewise assured the public that the Ministry is committed to keeping the public informed of the developments surrounding the re-opening of Sint Maarten’s borders and she continues to meet with the relevant stakeholders in the interim.

In other news:

The OECS thanked the Republic of Cuba for the medical support to curb COVID-19 

The post Sint Maarten airport to re-open on July 1st appeared first on Caribbean News Now!.

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Island Life

Hyatt All-Inclusive Hotels Reopening in the Caribbean

 

Hyatt’s portfolio of all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean will kick off a regional reopening in July, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Four Hyatt-branded all-inclusive resorts will reopen on July 1, including the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Hyatt Ziva Cancun and the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall and Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, both of which are in Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

On July 22, Hyatt’s pair of all-inclusive properties in the Cap Cana enclave of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will reopen: the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana had just opened their doors at the end of 2019 before shuttering amid the pandemic. 

all-inclusive caribbean hyatt
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana.

Hyatt is also reopening its two all-inclusive resorts on the Pacific coast of Mexico: the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, which will relaunch July 15, and the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, which is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 24. 

Hyatt’s Caribbean all-inclusive portfolio is owned and operated by Playa Hotels and Resorts. 

“We look forward to introducing new and exciting all-inclusive lifestyle experiences, providing the very best vacations with the highest safety standards for both our guests and our resort team members,” said Kevin Froemming, Playa Hotels & Resorts’ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. 

all-inclusive caribbean hyatt

Playa has developed a new health and safety plan for the reopenings called “Playa Safe Stay,” which will cover every aspect of the travel experience. 

“As we prepare to reopen our resorts, there is no higher priority than the health and safety of our guests and associates,” said Gregory Maliassas, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Playa Resorts Management. “We have been working diligently for months on implementing new procedures and policies as part of Playa Safe Stay to ensure that a vacation at any Playa resort exceeds our guests’ expectations of both safety and fun.”

For more, visit Hyatt All-Inclusive. 

— CJ

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