Since the beginning of June, when the first Caribbean destinations began to reopen their borders for tourism, there’s been a continued wave of hotel re-openings.

So it was major news in Punta Cana this weekend when a full-fledged new resort actually opened its doors — for the first time.

Indeed, the first new resort to open in Punta Cana since the beginning of the pandemic just began welcoming guests: The Radisson Blu Resort and Residence Punta Cana. 

The property, the only Radisson Blu in the Caribbean, officially launched operations on Nov. 15. 

It’s one of just a handful of new resorts that have opened since the beginning of the pandemic, and the first in the Dominican Republic.  

The 164-suite resort, which is set on Cabeza de Toro beach in greater Punta Cana, is one of the only all-inclusive Radisson Blu resorts in the world. 

“The opening of Radisson Blu in Punta Cana marks an important milestone in our corporate history and is a testament to our confidence in the reactivation of tourism in the Dominican Republic,” said Francisco Jorge, Vice President of ACH Hoteles & Resorts, which owns the resort. “We are proud to expand Radisson’s footprint in the Caribbean, offering our guests the quality of service that has made the brand a staple in the tourism industry, combined with the idyllic natural charm of one of the best Dominican beaches.”

The new-build property’s 164 suites are set across 12 buildings on the beach, with amenities including six a la carte restaurants, five bars and lounges and a large lagoon-style pool, among others. 

It’s the second Radisson in the Dominican Republic, joining a Radisson-branded hotel in the country’s capital of Santo Domingo. 

“We are delighted to welcome guests to Radisson Blu Resort and Residence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. As with all Radisson Blu properties, we are committed to providing an unparalleled guest experience in the idyllic setting of Cabeza de Toro, a blue flag beach in close proximity to all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. Our guests can travel with the peace of mind that we have them completely covered, from safety protocols, to all-inclusive offering, to personalized attention, Radisson Blu Punta Cana will redefine the upscale beach vacation”

The Dominican Republic has been open for tourism since this summer. 

For more, visit Radisson Blu Punta Cana. 

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RIU Hotels and Resorts has reopened its Riu Playa Blanca in Panama, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The reopening of the 573-room resort, which is set in Panama’s “Arco Seco” region, means the company has now reopened all of its hotel properties on the Pacific Ocean, Riu said in a statement. 

That includes 10 hotels across Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama. 

The Panama property has reopened under Riu’s set of 17 new health and safety protocols which the company said would be “followed meticulously on a global basis so that we can offer our guests and staff the highest levels of safety and hygiene.”

“Since restarting operations, our objective has been clear: to offer a quality stay, as we have always done at RIU, with the highest standards of safety and well-being for our guests and personnel,” Riu said. 

For more, visit Riu Playa Blanca. 

The post Riu Reopens Panama Resort appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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St Vincent and the Grenadines has a new tourism minister, following the country’s recent general elections. 

The country’s new tourism chief is Carlos James, whose portfolio also includes Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture. 

“I am looking forward to a number of major projects that are coming on stream both on St. Vincent the mainland and also in the Grenadines,” James said in a statement. 

That includes projects in the pipeline with brands including Marriott, Holiday Inn Express and Beaches. (The latter is the first-ever project by Sandals Resorts International in the country).

“This is going to be an exciting time here as the Minister of Tourism, I am quite looking forward to serving the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and also my government. This is St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribbean you’re looking for,” James said. 

St Vincent and the Grenadines is currently open for tourism. 

— CJ

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