Saint Lucia tourism is surging so far in 2019, and the Eastern Caribbean paradise just set another new record. 

Saint Lucia reported a total of 36,342 stayover arrivals in August, making it the seventh record-breaking month for the destination in 2019. 

Double-digit arrival growth was reported in all of Saint Lucia’s primary tourism markets: the United States, which rose by 13 percent; the United Kingdom,, which saw 12 percent growth; and Canada, which reported 17 percent growth compared to August 2018. 

August’s totals represented a 6.4 percent increase over the same month last year. 

“This sustained growth trajectory is a clear indication that our carefully crafted and well targeted programs, policies, and signature entertainment events are resonating and are gaining traction with consumers in the region and international marketplace,” said Saint Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee. “As we commence the 2019 winter season and more and more of those initiatives continue to bear fruit, we have no doubt the robust growth will continue.”

For the year, the United Kingdom has been the island’s strongest source market, posting 11 percent growth. 

Saint Lucia has seen a 9 percent jump in arrivals from the United States for the year. 

— CJ

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The BVI’s renowned Charter Yacht Show is coming back again for its 38th annual edition. 

The show, which will be hosted at the Nanny Cay Marina from Nov. 7 through Nov. 10, is a venue for charter yacht crews to display their vessels and engage with more than 100 charter brokers. 

The industry-only event also features more than 30 local businesses, from eateries and provisioners to taxis and florists. 

There’s also a “yacht hop” with on-board cocktails and entertainment for brokers. 

Organizers say this year’s Charter Yacht Show will be the biggest in the BVI since Hurricane Irma. 

It will feature approximately 50 of the top fully-crewed charter yachts, two-thirds of which are BVI-based. 

Members of the BVI’s Charter Yacht Society generate an estimated $30 million in economic impact in the BVI. 

For more, visit the Charter Yacht Show.

— CJ

The post The BVI Charter Yacht Show Is Back appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… Robles, have opened Don Guillo — Puerto Rican Native Cuisine, 2551 Delta Drive …

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The Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has launched its newest destination in The Bahamas: Nassau. 

Bahamas Paradise, which already relaunched its popular cruises to Grand Bahama last month, has begun operating Nassau cruises out of West Palm Beach. 

The company is featuring both traditional two-night cruises and its “cruise and stay” program, which includes stays at Nassau resorts like the Melia Nassau Beach Resort, the SLS Baha Mar and the Comfort Suites on Paradise Island. 

“We are excited to introduce our unique Cruise & Stay Program on Nassau, giving travelers the chance to extend their escape at any one of our partner hotels and resorts,” said Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “We have seen tremendous success with this program over the years, and we know that offering the option in Nassau will be a real hit for our guests, as well as benefit Nassau and the Bahamas’ tourism recovery effort.”

The line’s new Nassau cruises include either a two-night cruise with a stop in Nassau or the cruise-and-stay program, which gives travelers the opportunity to stay for as many as six nights in Nassau. 

Bahamas Paradise first announced the addition of Nassau as a destination in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. 

The company is running the Nassau cruises on its Grand Classica cruise ship. 

For more, visit Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. 

— CJ

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Hyatt has opened another new hotel in the Caribbean, with the debut of the new Hyatt Place in Aruba. 

The second Hyatt-branded hotel in Aruba, the Hyatt Place Aruba Airport is the fourth Hyatt Place hotel in the broader Caribbean region. 

The new property, managed by Pelca Development, is aimed at both leisure and business travelers, according to a statement from Hyatt. 

Set adjacent to Aruba’s Reina Beatrix International Airport, the new property is just a short drive from classic Aruba beaches like Baby Beach and Seaside Beach. 

The 116-room hotel has a breakfast bar, a spirits and coffee bar, a food market, a fitness center and almost 1,500 square feet of flexible event space. 

It’s part of a wider mixed-use development project that will eventually include an 8,000-square-foot food hall, 21,000 square feet of office space and retail shops, among other features. 

“As the Hyatt Place brand continues to strategically grow in Latin America and the Caribbean, we are excited to further drive momentum by introducing the first Hyatt Place hotel to Aruba,” said Luciano Julio, regional vice president of operations for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House, in a statement. “Hyatt Place Aruba Airport promises to help guests get the most out of their stay with stylish social spaces, spacious guest rooms and added conveniences that help guests balance the priorities of work and life while visiting Aruba.”

The newest Hyatt in the Caribbean joins the existing Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa and Casino as the brand’s only Dutch Caribbean outposts. 

Hyatt has been steadily growing its Hyatt Place and Hyatt House brands in the Caribbean in recent years, particularly in the Puerto Rico market. 

Over the summer, Hyatt opened its newest Caribbean resort, with the debut of the Resort at Coco Beach in Puerto Rico. 

Hyatt’s wider Caribbean expansion includes several new branded all-inclusive properties slated to debut next month in the Dominican Republic. 

For more visit the Hyatt Place Aruba. 

— CJ

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