The US Virgin Islands is in the midst of a tourism renaissance, according to recently-released data.

The USVI is reporting close to a 50 percent increase in stay-over arrivals this year.

It’s what the USVI Department of Tourism is calling a “clear signal” that tourism in the territory is on a strong rebound.

The USVI welcomed 347,725 stay-over arrivals on St Thomas for the year to date – a nearly 70 percent increase over 2018, according to Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte.

St Croix has seen an increase of 5.2 percent in the same period, with 117,203 arrivals from January through August this year, according to data from the USVI Bureau of Economic Research.

“We will soon emerge with one of the newer complements of hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, beginning with The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, whose opening date has been moved up from Dec. 1 to Nov. 22 this year,” he said.

With the planned opening of Frenchman’s Reef Marriott Resort & Spa, and Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Noni Beach (both of which were announced this week), along with Renaissance Carambola and Divi Carina Bay on St Croix in 2020, the Boschulte said he was confident that the USVI would build on its growing buzz.

“This represents encouraging news for our major economic engine,” he said.

The news comes as air capacity is set to grow both to St Thomas and St Croix for the winter season.

Indeed, airlift to St Croix will actually pull ahead of 2017 pre-storm levels, while seat capacity to St Thomas is projected to approach 90 percent of pre-storm levels.

As additional accommodations inventory comes back online in 2019/2020, St. Thomas should move closer to its full pre-storm capacity, Boschulte said.

That growth includes the return of JetBlue Airways from Boston, which is currently serving St. Thomas with weekly nonstop Saturday flights through February 9, 2020.

After that, the airline will operate a daily nonstop service between February 13 and April 28, 2020.

American Airlines will serve the Miami-St Croix route with three daily flights for the Thanksgiving holiday (November 23-25 and November 30-December 2), a boost in holiday seats.

American will also extended Charlotte-St Croix flights from Saturday-only to daily during the peak Christmas period – (December 18-24; December 26-30; and January 1-6, 2020).

Additionally, United Airlines will serve the Chicago-St Thomas market with weekly Saturday flights, beginning November 2, 2019, and increase its frequency to three flights per week over the peak winter season (January 7 to March 3, 2020), Boschulte said.

“As we move past the recovery phase, we are beginning to witness a renaissance in the Virgin Islands’ tourism product, and eagerly look forward to a bright future for our industry,” he said.

The post A Big Tourism Comeback in the USVI appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

Caribbean Airlines is adding another new route out of what is becoming a growing regional hub in Jamaica, the company announced this week.

Caribbean Airlines will begin its newest service between Kingston, Jamaica and Grand Cayman on Dec. 3.

The flights will operate twice weekly on Tuesday and Saturday, according to a statement.

The Tuesday flight will depart Kingston at 11:25 a.m., and the return flight departing Grand Cayman will take off at 1:30 p.m.

The Saturday flight will depart Kingston at 9:40 a.m., with the return flight departing Grand Cayman at 11:50 a.m.

In a statement, Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines said it was committed to the “expansion of its northern hub in Kingston, Jamaica” and to improving connectivity throughout the region.

Caribbean Airlines is also launching a new flight from Jamaica to Havana early next month.

— CJ

The post Caribbean Airlines Launching More Flights From Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… propaganda on the streets of Puerto Rico. By 12, he was listening …

Powered by WPeMatico

Preferred Hotels and Resorts has added three new properties to its portfolio in Mexico.

Preferred, the largest independent hotel brand in the world, has added the Marival Distinct Luxury Residences in Nuevo Vallarta, the Marival Armony Luxury Resort in Punta de Mita and the Live Aqua Urban Resort in San Miguel de Allende.

“Mexico is one of the most diverse and vibrant destinations within Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “Since welcoming our first Mexican hotel in 1999, we have enjoyed the consistent development of an exemplary portfolio of properties across the country, creating brand presence in popular leisure destinations and key business cities alike. We are thrilled to celebrate both our 20th anniversary and 70th hotel milestones in Mexico this year and will continue to demonstrate our commitment to the country by partnering with its premiere independent hotels and regional groups.”

Mexico is the second-largest hotel market for Preferred.

“With the dissolution of the Tourism Promotion Council of Mexico, and subsequent closure of Visit Mexico’s international tourism offices, independent hotels in the country are feeling increased pressure to compete in the global marketplace,” said Antonio Vera, Regional Director of Mexico for Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

The Marival Residences will join the Preferred Residences category. The Marival Armony will join the company’s Lifestyle Collection, while the Live Aqua Urban Resort in San Miguel de Allende will join Preferred’s “Legend Collection.”

— CJ

The post Preferred Adds New Hotels in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Saint Lucia’s Marigot Bay Resort has named a new director of food and beverage and culinary operation at a property that has long been one of the Caribbean’s leading dining destinations.

The luxury resort has tapped Daniel Echasseriau for the role, in which he look to give each of the resort’s food and beverage outlets a “unique identity.”

“I love the Caribbean and Saint Lucia in particular. I am really excited to be back on the island and working with some of the loveliest, hardest working people in the world, in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Echasseriau said in a statement.

Echasserieau, a native of Brittany, was most recently working at the St Peter’s Bay and Port Ferdinand resorts in Barbados.

“I’m excited about what’s ahead. I believe we have a great team and the ability to create something really special here,” Echasseriau said.

For more, visit the Marigot Bay Resort.

— CJ

The post Saint Lucia’s Marigot Bay Resort Names New Culinary Director appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico