By the Caribbean Journal staff

Global Ports Holding has formalized its partnership to create what may become the leading cruise port in the entire Caribbean in the heart of Nassau, The Bahamas.

GPH has signed a $250 million heads of agreement with the government of The Bahamas, with a plan to transform Nassau’s Prince George Wharf into “one of the great waterfront destinations of the world.”

The event means the official start of the project, which is billed as the biggest economic boost for the Bahamian cruise industry in 50 years.

The move comes after six months of negotiations between GPH, the world’s largest cruise port operator, and the government of The Bahamas.

A rendering of part of the project.

GPH’s bid won the government’s cruise port redevelopment RFP process in February of this year.

 “Today’s signing is an extraordinary day for the Bahamian people and for the residents of New Providence,” said Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis. “We are embarking on a quarter of a billion-dollar project to redevelop what will become the iconic, world-renowned and new Nassau Cruise Port.”

Another look at what the project will be.

Under what is a 25-year operating concession agreement, GPH aims to bring up to 2 million more cruise passengers to Nassau every year, creating what the company says will be “thousands of direct and indirect new jobs.”

The ambitious project would mean a dramatic transformation of the capital’s waterfront, adding amenities like a major entertainment pavilion, a Junkanoo museum, and a walkable waterfront the company says would rival “any, anywhere.”

The Port of Nassau already welcomes around 4 million passengers every year.

“We are grateful for the support of the government and the people of The Bahamas and are delighted to serve as your partners in the redevelopment of your cruise port,” said Mehmet Kutman, Chairman of Global Ports Holding. “One of our ultimate goals for this project has always been to support the people of The Bahamas by enhancing the current tourism product through this project. This day marks the beginning of this process as we work together to create a venture that will become a long-standing, successful partnership for all. We look forward to helping you maintain this proudly Bahamian asset, which we pledge to take very good care of during our lease.”

The Nassau project adds to GPH’s existing Caribbean portfolio that includes ports in Havana and Antigua.

The project becomes the next chapter in what has become a full-fledged rebirth in Nassau, from Graycliff’s popular Heritage Village to the dramatic The Pointe project on Bay Street, with the latter home to the soon-to-debut Margaritaville resort and residences, itself a $250 million project.

— CJ

The post The Bahamas’ New $250 Million Cruise Port Project appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Dallas-based Aimbridge Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management firm in the United States, is merging with multinational hotel firm Interstate Hotels and Resorts.

It’s a major move for Aimbridge, which just announced a significant expansion in the Caribbean with six new resorts in its regional portfolio.

The combined company will manage a total of 1,400 branded and independent hotel properties around the world.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Aimbridge co-founder and CEO Dave Johnson will become the new CEO of the combined business, while Interstate President Michael Deitemeyer will become the company’s global president.

“Aimbridge is thrilled about the opportunity to join forces with Interstate to enable us to bring even more value to our hotel owners,” Johnson said. “Our combined scale will ensure access to more robust data and the best talent to further differentiate us as leading hospitality managers. Personally, I am excited to work with Mike Deitemeyer, a good friend and well-respected industry leader.”

The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, is slated for completion by the end of this year.

— CJ

The post Aimbridge Hospitality Is Merging with Interstate Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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… widespread damage. It appears Puerto Rico missed the worst of … .
When Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico two years ago, it … moved further away from Puerto Rico which left many relieved. … of emergency declaration for Puerto Rico. The concern regarding Dorian …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The newly-renamed Hurricane Dorian has exited the Caribbean Sea, heading into the Atlantic, leaving a trail of heavy rain.

While parts of The Bahamas could remain in the crosshairs of the storm, the region emerged from Dorian largely unscathed and without major incidents, damage or injuries, although there were periodic power outages in the region, according to the most recent reports.

Indeed, Puerto Rico, the only Caribbean territory that faced something of a “direct” hit from the storm, fared rather well, with Governor Wanda Vazquez Garced announcing that public schools and government offices would reopen on Thursday for normal business.

The storm did mean massive amounts of rain in the southeastern Caribbean and, most recently, heavy wind and rain in the USVI, Puerto Rico, the BVI, Vieques and Culebra.

On Wednesday night, the storm was about 60 miles northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving away from Puerto Rico and the USVI into the Atlantic.

While the path of the storm in the Atlantic was slated to keep it well east of the southeastern and central Bahamas later this week, parts of the northern Bahamas like Abaco and Grand Bahama, remained in the projected path of the storm later this weekend.

Much can change over the next few days, however, as the storm is currently projected to make landfall on the east coast of Florida.

All hurricane warnings and watches have been discontinued in the wider Caribbean region.

It was a strong message of the Caribbean’s renewed focus on storm resilience and readiness in the wake of the crippling storms of 2017.

“The system allowed us to mobilize and focus on some areas,” said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley. “The work done made a significant difference in our state of readiness.”

— CJ

The post Hurricane Dorian Leaves the Caribbean, Heads for the Atlantic appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Fort Lauderdale-based Silver Airways has continued streamlining its Caribbean operations following last year’s acquisition of leading regional carrier Seaborne.

The company has announced that bookings for San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Seaborne’s current flight network in the Caribbean will now all be hosted on Silver’s reservation system, according to a statement.

The change applies to all Seaborne flights in the Caribbean with the exception of its seaplane operations between St Croix and St Thomas, along with Vieques Air Link routes to Culebra and Vieques.

The change applies to all flights beginning Sept. 1, according to the company.

— CJ

The post Silver Airways Streamlines Caribbean Operations appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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