After years of deliberation, the island of South Caicos in Turks and Caicos is finally on track to get a brand-new airport terminal. 

Turks and Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said the airport and combined service building has gotten the green light, with a preferred bidder having been identified, meaning the next step is for a contract to be prepared and executed. 

“This is the best news that I can give the people of South Caicos who recently saw the destruction of the temporary structure lost to fire. A new Airport Terminal for South Caicos has been underway for over a decade and has seen serious challenges with an unfinished controversial structure and more recently the termination of the procurement process in early 2018 due to flaws in the process,” Cartwright-Robinson said. 

Cartwright-Robinson said the new airport terminal would “certainly lift the image of the island as we address day to day challenges of maintaining the island’s natural and man-made environment.”

The project is slated to be completed in 18 months. In the interim, Turks and Caicos will create a temporary facility. 

It will of course be a significant boost for the island of South Caicos, one of the more pristine destinations in the wider region, one that has recently gotten on the travel map thanks to the debut of the Sailrock resort. 

The luxe residential resort just added a pair of new villas to its portfolio.

South Caicos is a 20-minute flight from the “big” island of Providenciales. 

“The Airports Authority has seen an aggressive Capital Program over the past four (4) years and it includes the purchase of fire trucks and modern equipment, repair works to the JAGS McCartney International Airport on Grand Turk, major works to the Salt Cay Aerodrome and Terminal, the Fire Hall in Grand Turk (which is currently under construction and will rebuild a hub for firefighters, having lost their headquarters since Hurricane Ike), an office block for Providenciales staff and we are now soon to commence a combined services building for firefighters and air traffic controllers on Providenciales,” the Premier said. 

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority is also “in dialogue” on a joint venture proposal for the airport in North Caicos.

— CJ

The post Turks and Caicos Is Building a New Airport in South Caicos appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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We’re all thinking of the Caribbean right now, and in an uneasy time the region’s beauty and its people inspire us to be hopeful about tomorrow. 

In the meantime, imagining ourselves on stunning Caribbean beaches is a form of solace right now, a way to wonder about better days ahead. 

The latest edition of our new Beaches to Dream (a new weekly story we’ll be publishing every Sunday) about feature takes you on a digital journey across some spectacular shores in the Caribbean, from signature coastlines in St Maarten to breathtaking sands in Punta Cana. 

What’s your favorite beach in the Caribbean? Let us know — and explain why you love it — in an email to news@caribjournal.com and we may feature it. 

Roxxy Beach, St Maarten We’re dreaming about freshly crafted cocktails and bright red umbrellas, buzzing music from the DJ in the beach shack and the best tuna tartare on the island. And we’re dreaming about the all-day party that is Roxxy in St Maarten — and imagining our return. 

The post From St Maarten to Punta Cana, 10 Beaches to Dream About appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line says it is planning to resume sailings on May 8, the company said this week. 

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which operates cruises to destinations in The Bahamas including Grand Bahama and Nassau, has canceled its sailings through May 6, amid the global coronavirus pandemic. 

“At Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, the wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always our top priority,” said Oneil Khosa, CEO of Paradise Bahamas Cruise Line. “While we understand that this news [of cancellations through May 6] is disappointing for many of our valued guests, we believe that further suspension is necessary to ensure their continued safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The credit system means cruisers can transfer their cruises to any future sailing date through Dec. 31, 2021. 

“We are in communication with all guests booked on a canceled sailing, as well as with our travel advisor partners, and we are offering a 125 percent Future Cruise Credit for all guests booked on a canceled sailing,” Khosa said. “We wish everyone the very best at this time and look forward to providing you a better way to getaway again soon.”

For more, visit Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. 

— CJ

The post Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Says It Will Relaunch in May appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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