By the Caribbean Journal staff

Caribbean regional airline LIAT, one of the region’s most crucial transport facilitators, says it will “continue operating across the region” despite what it called “challenges the airline is facing,” according to a statement from LIAT CEO Julie Reifer-Jones.

In a statement released by the company, Reifer-Jones said LIAT was “disappointed to again see media reports circulating about the airline being on the verge of collapse.”

She said the company was “in the midst of a restructuring exercise which included sensitive discussions with its stakeholders.”

LIAT continues to operate its full schedule of flights to more than 15 destinations every week.

Reifer-Jones said discussions with governments across the LIAT network were “continuing as the airline negotiates with territories to contribute through a minimum revenue guarantee model.”

LIAT currently operates 491 flights every week across its network of 15 destinations in the wider Caribbean region.

LIAT has a fleet of 10 ATR aircraft.

— CJ

The post Caribbean Carrier LIAT “Will Continue to Fly” appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Alexander Britell and Dana Niland

Saint Lucia continues to be one of the Caribbean’s most sought-after destinations, and the Caribbean island keeps breaking its tourism records.

July saw the highest-ever visitor total for any month in the country’s history, according to newly-released data from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

Indeed, July represented a total of 42,773 stayover visitors, which was a 13 percent increase over the same month in 2018.

Saint Lucia.

But more crucially, it was a 2.5 percent jump over March 2019, which had been the island’s previous one-month tourism visitor record.

In a statement, Saint Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee said the island is seeing growth for almost every source market in 2019, with the exception of slight declines out of Canada and France.

For the year, Saint Lucia’s stayover arrival total is now up 7.5 percent, which is among the fastest tourism growth rates in the wider Caribbean region.

Jade Mountain.

Fedee said the destination had been buoyed by new airlift from American Airlines out of Miami, a strong carnival season and the introduction of expanded ferry service out of Martinique.

It also shows that the island is taking things to the next level as an even more complete destination — combining what had been arguably the Caribbean’s most prestigious honeymoon sector with a growing portfolio of luxury resorts, one of the strongest all-inclusive sectors in the Caribbean and an expanding focus on experiential travel and authenticity. (That’s along with an impressive local hotel pipeline that is being highlighted by the rapid expansion of the Bay Gardens brand).

The island also got a major boost this summer with the announcement that the developers of Canada’s Cabot Links would be bringing a significant new golf destination to the northern corner of Saint Lucia, centered on a Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw design that could turn Saint Lucia into one of the Caribbean’s major golf destinations.

Cap Maison.

Heading to Saint Lucia? Check out Caribbean Journal’s recent roundup of the best places to stay in Saint Lucia.

For more, visit Saint Lucia.

— CJ

The post Saint Lucia Tourism Keeps Setting Records appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… clean water to medical care – Puerto Ricans are throwing themselves into response … or damaging countless buildings, wrecking Puerto Rico’s electrical grid, and causing … island. “Maria definitely united the Puerto Rican people. It brought everyone together …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Riu Hotels and Resorts has continued its expansion push with the addition of a major new room block at its all-inclusive Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlan, Mexico.

The company has added a new section with 312 new rooms at the beachfront property, which is set along Mazatlan’s Brujas Beach on the country’s Pacific coast.

That lifts the total number of rooms at the all-inclusive property to more than 1,000, according to Riu.

The resort has also added one of its newest brand-wide amenities, a “Splash Water World” water park.

Additionally, Riu has opened a new eatery at the property, El Malecon, an international buffet restaurant.

The news comes as Mazatlan continues to see rising travel demand, particularly out of the Canadian market.

Riu has been in the midst of a broad expansion and renovation push that has seen upgrades and new additions at some of its resorts across the wider Caribbean-Mexico region.

For more, visit the Riu Emerald Bay in Mazatlan.

— CJ

The post Riu Expands All-Inclusive Resort in Mazatlan appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

All-inclusive company Playa Hotels and Resorts is opening a pair of high-profile all-inclusive Hyatt-branded resorts in the Dominican Republic in November.

Playa, which has a regional portfolio of 21 resorts, will be debuting two new hotels in the tony Cap Cana enclave of Punta Cana on Nov. 1: the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, an adults-only resort; and the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana, a family-friendly resort.

A rendering of the pool area.

Both resorts will include amenities 24-hour room service, beach butlers and a range of suite categories (including swim-up suite options as well).

Both the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana and the Hyatt Zilara will feature 375 suites, with views of either the ocean or the “resort village,” according to Playa.

The combined property will also feature a 14,000-square-foot fitness center including an “industrial boxing gym” and a cenote-inspired spa, and a combined 12 dining concepts across the two resorts.

What a suite will look like a the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana.

The pair of resorts will join Sancutary Cap Cana, a nearby all-inclusive in Cap Cana that is managed but not owned by Playa.

“Since 2013, we have seen tremendous growth as we partner with legendary hospitality brands to provide levels of unmatched quality, service and style”, said Playa’s Chief Commercial Officer, Kevin Froemming. “We are thrilled to have our loyal supporters be among the first to experience the Hyatt all-inclusive flagship resorts.”

A rendering of the poolscape at the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana.

It’s a major addition to what is becoming a full-fledged all-inclusive hub in Cap Cana, where Playa will be working to compete with what is the area’s leading resort, AMResorts’s renowned Secrets Cap Cana.

The new Hyatt-branded resorts join Playa’s existing umbrella of Hyatt all-inclusive resorts that includes Hyatt Ziva and Zilara propertes in Montego Bay; the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos in Mexico; Hyatt Ziva and Zilara properties in Cancun; and a Hyatt Ziva in Puerto Vallarta.

The new resorts are part of a broader expansion for Playa that will include a new Hilton all-inclusive in La Romana set to debut in December. 

For more, visit Hyatt Ziva and Zilara.

— CJ

The post Hyatt Is Opening Two Dominican Republic All-Inclusive Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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