By Alexander Britell

In what could be an industry-shaking move for Caribbean rum and rhum agricole, global spirits firm Campari Group has purchased French company Rhumantilles.

Rhumantilles is the owner of nearly 97 percent of Martinique-based Bellonnie & Bourdillon Successeurs, the owner of French rum brands Trois Rivieres and Maison La Mauny.

The company also owns Duquesne, a rum designed for the local market in Martinique.

In a statement, Campari said the enterprise value of the deal was a little over $66 million USD.

The company said the deal was expected to close during the fourth quarter of this year.

It’s a serious jolt for rhum agricole, which occupies a tiny share of global rum production, producing rum from fresh sugar cane juice as opposed to the vast majority of rums, which are made from molasses.

With strict AOC regulations, Martinique’s rums are arguably among the finest in the world — and the injection of Campari’s financial and marketing might could be a major boost for a sector of the spirits world that is still largely unknown, particularly in the crucial United States market.

Martinique’s nearly dozen working distilleries on a single island are akin to the Napa Valley of Caribbean rum.

While a pair of agricole brands, Martinique’s Rhum JM and Rhum Clement have made serious headway in achieving awareness in the U.S. market, the Campari move could prove to be an important next step.

The acquisition would place the two primary rums alongside another major Caribbean rum brand owned by Campari, Jamaica’s Appleton.

Campari said the move would “add prestigious agricole rum brands to its offering and enhance its exposure to rum, a premiumizing category currently at the heart of the mixology trend and growing cocktail culture.”

For more on Trois Rivieres and La Mauny, check out some Rum Journal reviews here. Trois Rivieres Cuvee du Moulin and La Mauny VO.

— CJ

The post Campari Buys Two Major Caribbean Rum Brands appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Club Med has named a new president and chief executive officer for its North America and Caribbean division.

The all-inclusive company has tapped Carolyne Doyon for the role, in which she will succeed Xavier Mufraggi.

Mufraggi had served as CEO for North America and the Caribbean for more than a decade; he has now been promoted to the company’s new CEO for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

In the new role, Doyon will oversee more than 3,000 employees and lead sales, operations and development activities for four regional offices and nine resorts.

“I am proud to announce the nomination of Carolyne Doyon, currently senior vice president of Canada and Mexico, to chief executive officer for North America and the Caribbean,” said Henri Giscard D’Estaing, President of Club Med. “Carolyne’s determination, sharp commercial expertise, and strong leadership will be instrumental to achieve the strategic goals of the North American division.”

Doyon will be reporting to deputy CEO of Club Med Michel Wolfovski, spearheading its plans to grow capacity by more than 30 percent by 2021.

Club Med will soon be debuting its newest Caribbean resort, the Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda in the Dominican Republic, this fall.

– CJ

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Autumn is a time of recharge in the Caribbean, a period when some destinations cool down, visitors thin and certain hotels close for their annual upgrades.

But the vast majority of destinations eagerly welcome visitors in September, when you can find some of the best room rates of the year, get the best tables for yourself and never have to wait on line for conch salad or that perfect rum punch.

And this latest edition of Places to Visit is led by Nassau, the heartbeat of The Bahamas, a destination that needs your return trip more than ever.

So where are you going this month?

The pool at Graycliff in Nassau.

Nassau, The Bahamas It’s no secret that Nassau has long been one of our favorite destinations in the wider region, a remarkably complete place to visit from its megaresorts like Atlantis and Baha Mar to luxury boutiques like Graycliff and the Island House — and one of the most enviable collections of great restaurants in the Caribbean. And, oh yeah, some great all-inclusive options, too, like the adults-only Warwick Paradise Island and the family-friendly Melia Nassau Beach. That’s along with a downtown area that has been undergoing a significant renaissance in recent years.

And yes – and we can’t stress this enough — Nassau is open for business, as is nearly the entirety of The Bahamas. Your visit to The Bahamas has never more important than right now, as Abaco and Grand Bahama begin their recoveries – and while you stop in Nassau, make sure you bring a donation (The Baha Mar has even set up its own Dorian relief foundation) and some relief supplies to make their way to the sister islands. Don’t forget that many hotel, restaurant and resort workers have been personally impacted by the storm (and many of them come from Abaco and Grand Bahama). Your trip will make an impact — and remind everyone that The Bahamas remains one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The post From Nassau to Bonaire, 5 Caribbean Places to Visit in September appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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