Autumn is a time of recharge in the Caribbean, a period when some destinations cool down, visitors thin and certain hotels close for their annual upgrades.

But the vast majority of destinations eagerly welcome visitors in September, when you can find some of the best room rates of the year, get the best tables for yourself and never have to wait on line for conch salad or that perfect rum punch.

And this latest edition of Places to Visit is led by Nassau, the heartbeat of The Bahamas, a destination that needs your return trip more than ever.

So where are you going this month?

The pool at Graycliff in Nassau.

Nassau, The Bahamas It’s no secret that Nassau has long been one of our favorite destinations in the wider region, a remarkably complete place to visit from its megaresorts like Atlantis and Baha Mar to luxury boutiques like Graycliff and the Island House — and one of the most enviable collections of great restaurants in the Caribbean. And, oh yeah, some great all-inclusive options, too, like the adults-only Warwick Paradise Island and the family-friendly Melia Nassau Beach. That’s along with a downtown area that has been undergoing a significant renaissance in recent years.

And yes – and we can’t stress this enough — Nassau is open for business, as is nearly the entirety of The Bahamas. Your visit to The Bahamas has never more important than right now, as Abaco and Grand Bahama begin their recoveries – and while you stop in Nassau, make sure you bring a donation (The Baha Mar has even set up its own Dorian relief foundation) and some relief supplies to make their way to the sister islands. Don’t forget that many hotel, restaurant and resort workers have been personally impacted by the storm (and many of them come from Abaco and Grand Bahama). Your trip will make an impact — and remind everyone that The Bahamas remains one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The post From Nassau to Bonaire, 5 Caribbean Places to Visit in September appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Club Med has named a new president and chief executive officer for its North America and Caribbean division.

The all-inclusive company has tapped Carolyne Doyon for the role, in which she will succeed Xavier Mufraggi.

Mufraggi had served as CEO for North America and the Caribbean for more than a decade; he has now been promoted to the company’s new CEO for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In the new role, Doyon will oversee more than 3,000 employees and lead sales, operations and development activities for four regional offices and nine resorts.

“I am proud to announce the nomination of Carolyne Doyon, currently senior vice president of Canada and Mexico, to chief executive officer for North America and the Caribbean,” said Henri Giscard D’Estaing, President of Club Med. “Carolyne’s determination, sharp commercial expertise, and strong leadership will be instrumental to achieve the strategic goals of the North American division.”

Doyon will be reporting to deputy CEO of Club Med Michel Wolfovski, spearheading its plans to grow capacity by more than 30 percent by 2021.

Club Med will soon be debuting its newest Caribbean resort, the Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic, this fall.

– CJ

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… and the battered infrastructure of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria delivered a … lessons the hard way in Puerto Rico, by on-the-job … trucks, even the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan. Andrés … two years since Maria hit Puerto Rico, Andrés and World Central …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s become a rather important stop on the sustainability circuit in the Caribbean: St Estatius’ Statia Sustainability Conference, now in its eighth year.

And now the Dutch Caribbean destination is putting its focus on Caribbean festivals, with a theme of “Culture, Festivals, the Economy – A Sustainable Way Forward.”

This year’s conference at Statia’s Mike van Putten Youth Centre will include presenters like Allen Cooper, Anthony Reid, and Gerjanne Voortman,  with the agenda set for Sept. 27-28. 

It’s a major event for Statia, the tiny getaway a short flight from St Maarten often dubbed “The Hidden Treasure” of the Caribbean.

The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation is hosting the event.

For more, visit StatiaStatia.

– CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Global travel and hospitality company Apple Leisure Group has named Alejandro Reynal as its new chief executive officer, the firm announced this week.

In what the company called a “planned transition,” Reynal will succeed Alex Zozaya in the role.

Zozaya will, in turn, serve in a full-time capacity as executive chairman and lead Apple Leisure Group’s board of directors.

Both appointments are already effective.

In the new role, Reynal will oversee the fast-growing ALG, which is made up of a collection of susbisidary companies including AMResorts, whose global portfolio has 66 resorts.

Reynal was most recently the CEO of Atento, a global customer relationship management and business process outsourcing company.

The company’s subsidiaries also include Amstar DMC, Worldstar, Apple Vacations, Travel Impressions, Cheap Caribbean and others.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Alejandro to ALG as we enter the next phase of the company’s evolution and growth,” said Zozaya. “Over the past 20 years, I have had the privilege to participate in the many stages of ALG’s exciting trajectory – from the creation of AMResorts, a leading provider of exceptional vacation experiences in Mexico, the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panama, to the Group’s entrance into Europe. I am confident Alejandro will drive innovation across ALG globally, execute the Group’s long-term growth strategy, and bring our vision for the future to life

Zozaya said the “long-planned” transition would keep him “actively engaged and invested in ALG.”

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding leadership team that already represents the best of the best in travel distribution, destination management, resort management and vacation club operations. I want to personally thank the ALG Executive Committee for their contributions, especially our President John Hutchinson, who has been my right hand and an invaluable resource for the past two years,” he said.

— CJ

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