Sometimes it seems as if there’s a new hotel project launching in the Caribbean every week. 

And that’s because the Caribbean continues to see rapid growth in hotel development, led by the region’s traditional trio of high-volume travel destinations.  

The Caribbean’s hotel boom keeps going strong, with the Dominican Republic and Cuba leading the way, according to a new report. 

Hotel analytics leader STR says there are more than 31,787 rooms in construction in the Caribbean-Mexico, with the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica leading the way within the Caribbean. (It should be noted that these totals include rooms actually under construction, not those in the planning stages).

The Dominican Republic has a total of 6,356 rooms under construction across the country — about 8.4 percent of the destination’s existing supply. 

That’s no surprise for keen followers of the region’s hotel industry, with the Dominican Republic’s longtime focus on attracting new hotel investors continuing to pay off — with its primarily all-inclusive model still a highly attractive draw for developers.

Cuba is next with 1,616 rooms under construction, or about 2.5 percent of its current supply, while Jamaica has 1,425 rooms in construction, representing 5.6 percent of the country’s existing hotel stock. 

Of course, each of those destinations’ totals is dwarfed by Mexico, which has 16,699 hotel rooms in construction, STR said. 

Upper-tier hotels are leading the way, according to STR, with the “upscale” hotel segment accounting for 7,048 rooms in the regional construction pipeline. 

That’s followed by the luxury segment, which has 6,958 rooms in construction in the wider region, along with 6,606 rooms in construction in the “upper upscale” segment. 

The hotel construction growth in the Caribbean continues to be a positive sign for the region and its continued ability to attract investment. 

It will also mean a renewed focus on strong marketing efforts and ensuring that the region continues to secure new airlift to bring seats for all those new rooms.

— CJ

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Jamaica is looking to reposition its historic town of Falmouth, a town that is coming to its own as a full-fledged travel destination.

Jamaican tourism officials say they’ll be marketing the capital of the Trelawny parish “in its own unique way.”

Falmouth is often packaged as part of the tourism offerings of greater Montego Bay, something officials say they want to change. 

“Falmouth currently lacks what you would call identity branding,” said Jennifer Griffith, permanent secretary in Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism. “The hotels and attractions that are in Falmouth are marketed or are perceived to be in Montego Bay, while those that are closer to St. Ann are being identified with the resort town of Ocho Rios. Now that is about to change.”

Falmouth, which is filled with Georgian architecture and centuries-old buildings, is also home to several of Jamaica’s most popular attractions, from Chukka Good Hope to rafting on the Martha Brae river to the Hampden Estate rum experience. 

The town “has been transformed into a first choice destination,” Griffith said, pointing to new hotel projects like the recently-debuted Excellence Oyster Bay and the Royalton properties in the area.  

“Falmouth has truly turned the corner where it now deserves its own branding and where it can finally free itself from the shackles of its more celebrated neighbors,” she said. 

— CJ

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Luxury resort brand Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts is coming to The Bahamas. 

The Singapore-based company is partnering with Island Developers on the new Banyan Tree illa Bahamas on the island of Bimini. 

The new project, designed by renowned architect Chad Oppenheim, will be the first-ever resort in The Bahamas to feature overwater bungalows. 

The property will consist of 50 keys and 54 luxury residences. 

All of the hotel suites will come with private terraces and plunge pools, with hotel amenities including a signature Banyan Tree Spa and a series of curated events like music series and oceanside meditation gatherings. 

It’s another major project for Bimini, which will soon see the debut of the Beach Club at Bimini, a project developed in partnership with Virgin Voyages. 

Illa Bimini was first announced last year.

“illa Bimini represents a vision to bring the highest level of luxury and service to The Bahamas while being environmentally sensitive in our approach. We are ecstatic to align ourselves with a brand that shares that vision in Banyan Tree,” said Alejandro Capo, Principal of illa Bimini.

The project will be the first-ever Banyan Tree-branded hotel in the wider Caribbean. 

The company does operate several hotels in Cuba under other brands. 

“With this signing, we are proud to bring our founding brand of Banyan Tree to the beautiful island of Bimini,” said aid Peter Hechler, Head of Regional Operations MENA, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts. “As our first luxury resort in the Bahamas, Banyan Tree illa Bahamas will showcase the best of our brand’s ethos of creating a sanctuary for the senese, while deeply connecting with the environment and local culture. This also represents our Group’s continued strategic intent to expand into the Americas, a part of the world we have a great affinity for.”

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