By Alexander Britell

Dominica has been seeing a remarkable surge in tourism arrivals that are the latest sign of the destination’s post-Maria comeback story.

Dominica, one of the Caribbean’s most naturally beautiful destinations, saw a spectacular first quarter, with 23,444 stayover visitors and a sizzling 87.5 percent increase over the same period in 2018.

Pagua Bay House in Dominica.

More importantly, the total represented a very strong 11.2 percent jump compared to the first quarter of 2017, before Hurricane Maria.

The growth was buoyed by a blazing month of March, when Dominica reported a 110 percent improvement over the same period in 2018 and a 70 percent increase over the same period in 2017.

“A clear path of recovery within the tourist industry is evident in visitor arrivals performance for the first quarter of 2019 as we continue to maintain the momentum from the fourth quarter of 2018,” the Discover Dominica Authority, the country’s destination marketing organization, said in a report.

“The current trend suggests a positive outlook for 2019 which could bring visitor arrivals back to or possibly exceed pre-Maria levels,” the DDA said.

The sky pool at the Fort Young in Dominica.

Indeed, Dominica’s tourism sector has seen a renaissance, with the rebirth of hotels like Secret Bay, Fort Young and Pagua Bay. (Secret Bay is already in the midst of an expansion project).

And the totally reimagined Jungle Bay eco-hotel officially opened its doors in a new location in the south of Dominica.

A rendering of the new Kempinski project in Dominica.

And Dominica will soon be getting a boost from a burgeoning luxury sector, led by this year’s highly-anticipated debut of the Kempinski Cabrits hotel in northern Dominica.

The renewed growth continues what we saw on our first post-Maria visit to Dominica a summer ago — that Dominica remains one of the Caribbean’s most stunning, untouched, adventure-filled destinations.

The post Dominica, a Caribbean Tourism Comeback Story appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… after David Sanes Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican security guard, was killed … to $19,343 in Puerto Rico.  
Related: Why Puerto Rico‘s death … people, whether they be Puerto Rican or someone else, who … , just because somebody is Puerto Rican or Viequense, I’m …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A pair of luxury resorts in Barbados are working together to create a new kind of dive destination in Barbados.

The Port Ferdinand Yacht and Beach Club Residences and the Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort and Residences, both set on Barbados’ Platinum Coast, have unveiled a new dive program led by marine biologist and diving instructor Andre Miller and the Barbados Blue dive center.

The programs range from dedicated kids’ experiences to a broad offering of both diving and snorkeling.

That’s along with snuba, which combines snorkeling and scuba diving without the use of a tank.

“We want our guests to fully immerse themselves in all of the natural beauty Barbados has to offer and our new scuba and snuba program is the perfect way to do that. Not only are we teaching guests about the health and importance of the reef and its creatures, but also creating lasting memories.” said Joseph Violi, group general manager for the two Barbados resorts, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Andre and the team at Barbados Blue – a crew of ocean-loving, happy people who are passionate about what they do.”

For more, visit Barbados Blue. 

— CJ

The post Barbados Has a New Dive Destination appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of St Barth’s most prestigious hotels is getting bigger.

The boutique Christopher St Barth will be adding a collection of three new villas in December, Caribbean Journal has learned.

The expansion comes after the Christopher’s major renovations in the wake of Hurricane Irma in 2017, when it added the new Christo eatery and the Sisley spa.

Each of the villas has been designed by France’s Olivia Putman, who created units that are completely open to the sea, with a mix of natural materials like bamboo and sandstone.

They’ll each include four bedrooms and a private pool, blending what the property called “the privacy of a personal rental with the comforts of a hotel.”

The Christopher is set on St Barth’s Pointe Milou, with a view of St Jean.

For more, visit the Christopher.

— CJ

The post The Christopher St Barth Is Expanding appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… ; scandal throws Puerto Rico governor into crisis
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — … York female politician of Puerto Rican background a ” … had lost their support. Puerto Rican artists Benito A. … Tom Pérez for opposing Puerto Rican statehood, Rosselló writes …

Powered by WPeMatico