Belize is postponing what had been a planned tourism reopening on Aug. 15, destination officials confirmed. 

Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, the Belize Tourism Board said it was “necessary to delay” the reopening of Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport. 

The country has not yet announced a new date. 

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the move had come “in an overabundance of caution,” folloiwng a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in three districts in the country. 

“Ensuring that travelers have reliable, trustworthy, and useful information continues to be a top priority so they can make the best decisions for their health and safety when choosing a vacation destination,” the Belize Tourist Board said in a statement. 

“As a country, we are committed to enhancing our tourism product to be able to welcome back visitors to our shores in a safe and responsible manner. A new date for re-opening has not yet been established, and will be determined based on further developments in country,” the Belize Tourist Board said. 

Belize is continuing its weekly repatriation flights for Belizean nationals abroad, however. 

More than a dozen Caribbean destinations have reopened their borders for tourism in some form. 

For more, visit the Belize Tourist Board. 

— CJ

The post Belize Is Postponing Its Tourism Reopening appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Three more hotels have reopened their doors in August on the island of Barbados, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

That includes the Bougainvillea Beach Resort on the south coast of Barbados and the Beach View Hotel on the island’s tony Platinum Coast. 

They’re joined by The Abidah by Accra, one of the island’s newest all-inclusives.

That’s along with a number of hotels that opened in July, including Little Good Harbour, Port St Charles, Royal Westmoreland, Blue Orchids; Coral Mist; Courtyard by Marriott; Hilton Barbados, Radisson Aquatica, The Crane and White Sands Beach Condos. 

Barbados officially reopened its borders for tourism in July. 

— CJ

The post More Hotels Reopen in Barbados appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Bequia Beach Hotel in the Grenadines is reopening in October, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The family-owned luxury hotel on Bequia will relaunch Oct. 1, a spokesperson for the property confirmed. 

The resort has been shuttered temporarily amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The seven-square-mile island of Bequia has long been one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. 

The resort recently announced the addition of a new villa component called Friendship Bay. 

The 56-room hotel is the largest hotel property on the island. 

For more, visit the Bequia Beach Hotel.

— CJ

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Saint Lucia was one of the first destinations to relaunch tourism when the island reopened its borders at the beginning of June, and it’s open to tourists including those from the United States.

What you’ll find in Saint Lucia are many resorts with widely spaced accommodations ideal for social distancing, and strong safety protocols for hotels, transportation, and attractions.

All travelers to Saint Lucia must submit a pre-arrival travel registration form and proof of having received a negative COVID-19 PCR test within seven days of arrival on-island. Visitors must have reservations at (and confie to) a hotel that has been certified as compliant with Saint Lucia’s COVID-19 safety protocols in order to be admitted into the country. (See more on the island’s policies here). Happily, Saint Lucia’s diverse hotel stock specializes in resorts you’ll never want to leave.

So where can you stay if you’re planning to visit? Here are the resorts that have received COVID-19 certification and are open right now.

Ladera: Three-walled suites 1,000 feet above the beach and with spectacular views of the Piton mountains make a stay at Ladera seem otherworldly — in other words, the perfect place for escape. Just 37 rooms means plenty of elbow room for guests.

The post 9 Saint Lucia Resorts That Are Open Right Now appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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