Southwest Airlines is set for a big Caribbean relaunch this coming fall, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The announcement comes as increased vaccinations and traveler confidence continue to lead to a tourism rebound in the Caribbean.
“With demand for beach and leisure destinations continuing to increase, Southwest intends to resume service to all of its previously served international destinations by Nov. 7,” the carrier said in a statement.
That will kick off Oct. 7, when Southwest relaunches daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, The Bahamas; Grand Cayman and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.
No Nov. 7, Southwest will then resume daily nonstop service from Fort Lauderdale to both Cancun, Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Half Moon’s Eclipse resort in Montego Bay.
On the same date, Southwest will also resume once-daily nonstop service from Houston Hobby and Belize City, Belize.
Southwest also announced it would be launching a new nonstop route to Cancun, with daily service from Chicago O’Hare and Cancun beginning Nov. 7.
Southwest will serve Cancun from a total of 17 airports in the United States this winter.
American Airlines has launched its newest Caribbean route, with nonstop service from Dallas-Fort Worth to St Maarten.
The new flights, which launched this week, are operating every week on Saturdays.
American Airlines is operating the service on Airbus A321 aircraft, with plans to operate through at least the end of the summer.
Roxxy Beach, the island’s most popular beach spot and club.
American Airlines continues to ramp up its air service in the wider Caribbean, with increased vaccinations and traveler confidence leading to a full-fledged Caribbean surge.
The launch comes as St Maarten continues what has been a successful tourism reopening first launched in the summer of 2020.
The Coral Beach Club in St Maarten.
That includes both the Dutch and French sides of the island.
Melia is relaunching its premier resort in the Dominican Republic, Caribbean Journal has learned.
On June 15, the company will launch the former Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real as the new Paradisus Grand Cana, according to a statement.
The all-inclusive Paradisus Grand Cana, formerly known as the Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, will be focused on a “multi-generational vacation experience,” with a total of 432 suites.
The Maia Spa at Paradisus Grand Cana.
The circle-shaped hotel, set across four floors in the heart of Bavaro, has a total of six eateries, and a mix of rooms ranging from one-bedroom suites to two-bedroom “master inner circle” suites.
“As we continue to welcome back travelers, we are thrilled to offer this elevated experience in Punta Cana,” said André Gerondeau, Chief Operating Officer for Meliá Hotels International. “We know that The Reserve is something special that will create lasting memories for our guests.”
The property is located at the broader Paradisus Palma Real complex in Punta Cana; the Palma Real resort just reopened its doors earlier this month.
Melia has reopened both properties with its Stay Safe With Melia program, the product of a partnership with Bureau Veritas; the program is now in place at more than 340 Melia hotels around the world, with a focus on health and safety measures from temperature checks for all guests to in-room health kits.
Spirit Airlines is expanding to Miami International Airport, and that means a wave of new flights to the carrier’s wheelhouse in the Caribbean.
Crucially, it will represent an expansion — meaning it will supplement Spirit’s existing service at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the company said.
The plan is for “additional growth in South Florida due to demand that’s strong and getting even stronger,” Spirit said in a statement.
Spirit is already the largest airline at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood.
“The demand is there to support growth throughout South Florida,” the carrier said. “Our flying out of MIA is in support of continued expansion in the region.”
A hotel in Santo Domingo.
So where will Spirit be flying in the Caribbean?
Beginning in October, Spirit will kick off a number of new routes to the Caribbean out of Miami, most of which will be daily.
That includes daily flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, both of which will launch Oct. 6.
That will be followed by daily service to Barranquilla, Colombia beginning Nov. 17.
On Nov. 17, Spirit will also launch daily flights to San Pedro Sula, Honduras and San Jose, Costa Rica and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The historic Caribe Hilton in San Juan.
On Nov. 18, Spirit will kick off new flights from Miami to St Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands, with flights operating three times each week.
It will only reinforce the carrier’s growing presence in the Caribbean, following a several-years-long Caribbean expansion out of Orlando as well.
Hilton is expanding its Caribbean Caribbean portfolio with a new all-inclusive in Curaçao, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The new Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton resort is slated to open in September 2021, the product of a conversion of the former Corendon Mangrove Beach Resort.
It’s home to four pools, a private beach, and nine dining outlets, one that includes pool and beach bars, specialty eateries and a rum tasting lounge.
That’s along with a fitness center and a waterpark with six waterslides.
A presidential suite.
“As we continue to grow our all-inclusive portfolio throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, we are thrilled to partner with Corendon Hotels & Resorts and open the largest all-inclusive resort on Curaçao,” said Pablo Maturana, managing director of development, South America and Caribbean, Hilton. “With more than 35 spectacular beaches, Curaçao serves as an ideal destination for tourists looking for a pristine natural environment, and we couldn’t be more excited to offer guests yet another option when booking their travel to the Caribbean.”
The 399-room resort is part of a growing all-inclusive portfolio for Hilton in the Caribbean, one that most recently expanded with the new Yucatan Resort Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.
It also marks a return to Curaçao for Hilton; Hilton had departed the destination in 2019 when the Hilton Curaçao was rebranded as a Dreams all-inclusive resort.
“The signing of Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao Resort marks a major milestone for the brand as we add the latest all-inclusive property to Curio Collection, a growing portfolio of more than 100 one-of-a-kind handpicked hotels and resorts around the world,” said Jenna Hackett, global brand head, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Nestled in a protected nature preserve with a gorgeous private beach, this beautiful resort will boast stylish accommodations, elevated dining experiences and premier services and amenities, all coming together to offer guests a truly unique travel experience.”
Later this year, Hilton will opening another Caribbean all-inclusive with the new Hilton Cancun.
“We are very pleased to partner with Hilton, a globally-recognized leader in hospitality, and benefit from Hilton’s global brand awareness and award-winning guest loyalty program,” said Atilay Uslu, founder, Corendon Group. “Starting September 2021, we look forward to welcoming Curio Collection by Hilton to the beautiful island of Curaçao. Our goal is to provide the very best service to our guests and Hilton Honors members and to show that Corendon’s hospitality is an added value for the Hilton brand.”
The property will participate in Hilton Honors, the company said.
