Guyana, the seat of the Caribbean Community and one of the wider region’s undiscovered tourism destinations, is quietly having a very strong tourism year.
Tourist arrivals were up by 8.5 percent through the end of September, according to a statement from the Guyana Tourism Authority.
Guyana has been working to position itself as an eco-tourism destination, thanks to a surfeit of eco-lodges and one of the most naturally beautiful environments in the hemisphere.
American Airlines is set to launch a major new Caribbean flight expansion this month.
The world’s largest airline will be launching a series of flights across the region beginning Dec. 18 with the launch of new flights from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Guyana.
The same day, American is expanding flights with a second daily frequency from Dallas to San Jose, Costa Rica.
On Dec. 21, American will be launching several new Saturday-only routes, most notably a new route to the USVI.
Those will include a new weekly flight from both Dallas and Chicago O’Hare to the island of St Thomas, a major boost for the United States Virgin Islands and neighboring British Virgin Islands, which relies on both San Juan and St Thomas as its primary gateways.
American will also be launching seasonal Saturday service from Chicago O’Hare and Saint Lucia.
Finally, American Airlines is launching two more Saturday routes: from New York’s LaGuardia airport to Bermuda, and a new route from Charlotte, North Carolina to the island of Grenada.
Both the Bermuda and Grenada flights will operate year-round, the company said.
American will be operating the Grenada and St Thomas flights on Airbus A319 aircraft; the other flights will run on Boeing 737 aircraft.
It’s a noteworthy expansion for American Airlines long the leading carrier to the wider Caribbean region, but one that has faced continued competition in the region from fast-growing carriers like JetBlue.
And the new flights are an important boost for a Caribbean region that has already been seeing strong stayover arrival growth in 2019, according to the most recent data from the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Indeed, stayover tourist arrivals to the Caribbean region rose by 9.7 percent in the first six months of 2019, according to the most recently-compiled Caribbean Tourism Organization data.
That meant around 17.1 million tourists in the period, some 1.5 million more than the first half of 2018.
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The iconic Half Moon hotel in Jamaica, long one of the region’s most celebrated destination resorts, is expanding with a new luxury hotel in 2020.
The highly-anticipated Eclipse at Half Moon is slated to open its doors on March 1, 2020, Caribbean Journal has learned.
The 57-room resort will include two eateries, three bars, a “market cafe,” an infinity-edge pool and a private beachfront with a natural swimming cove.
The resort will launch reservations on Dec. 15.
“Eclipse is a true, distinct luxury experience, and one that honors Half Moon’s legacy and character,” says Guy Steuart, III, chairman of Half Moon. “Guests will discover traditional, elegant architecture amid an abundance of beach and grounds on which to roam – all of which appeals to our loyal guests and the next generation of traveler.”
The new hotel will join two existing resorts at Half Moon: the “original” Half Moon, rebranded as Founders Cove at Half Moon, and the 28-unit Rose Hall Villas at Half Moon.
Designed by New York-based Hart Howerton, the hotel will be centered around a Great House, with an arrival experience framed by a large Guango tree.
The rooms and suites at Eclipse will include ocean views and “expansive outdoor living spaces,” the property said.
The ultimate accommodation will be the Great House Ocean Suite, what the property is calling “one of the most anticipated suites in the Caribbean.”
Dining concepts will include the Italian restaurant Delmare, along with the North Pointe Pool Bar, along with the famous Lester’s Bar (long a mainstay at the original resort), now featuring a broad selection of Caribbean rums.
Half Moon will also include the “Maakit Cafe,” which will include takeaway snacks and pastries, along with Spice, a traditional Jamaican eatery.
Travelers will have access to the resort’s Fern Tree Spa, along with its renowned Robert Trent Jones, Sr-designed golf course.
“Eclipse is a remarkable addition to Half Moon and the Caribbean’s luxury landscape,” says Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, which manages Half Moon. “It takes vision and foresight to create such a notable experience, and Eclipse will undoubtedly become one of 2020’s most sought-after retreats.”
