By the Caribbean Journal staff

A major new hotel project is underway on the island of Vieques in Puerto Rico, a big boost for an island with a tourism industry still reeling from the storms of 2017 and whose flagship hotel, the W Vieques, remains shuttered.

The new project is called Zafira St Clair (using the Spanish word for “sapphire”). a $50 million hotel that is the brainchild of British developer Keith St Clair, who continues to grow his portfolio in Puerto Rico.

The hotel, which has already launched construction, will feature 118 units suites and 16 villas, with each room featuring panoramic ocean views.

Designed by architect Rene Jean, Zafira will be set on the sea in the area of Esperanza, with amenities including an infinity pool, a restaurant, a spa and a nightclub.

“Zafira, is a new beginning for Vieques, we want all tourists who come to Puerto Rico to know the wonders and the charm of Vieques, it is a true jewel that we want everyone to know,” said Keith St Clair, the CEO of the St Clair Collection. “This is another project that demonstrates the commitment that we have with the tourist and economic development of Puerto Rico.”

It’s still not clear when the W Vieques Retreat and Spa, long the island’s signature place to stay, will reopen — meaning the planned opening of Zafira could be an even bigger game-changer for the island.

Several smaller hotels have already returned, however, including popular boutiques like El Blok and the Hix Island House.

— CJ

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By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton

There was a new energy at this year’s Seatrade Cruise Global conference, thanks in large part to its return to the Miami Beach Convention Center.

But there was a particularly palpable energy in the Caribbean section, where destinations descended upon the world’s leading cruise industry event with renewed gusto.

The Caribbean’s biggest cruise players were on hand, from regional powers like the United States Virgin Islands and St Maarten and St Kitts to fast growing destinations like Antigua, the British Virgin Islands and Martinique.

The BVI put on arguably the most popular show, with a special luncheon event featuring local cuisine and spirits (including the new Soggy Dollar Rum).

It was also a strong message of the region’s tourism recovery, which has been accompanied by a major bounceback in the cruise industry.

— CJ

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… hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico.
The money will … for Puerto Rico.”
The Legal Services Clinic of Puerto Rican Community … Florida and employing displaced Puerto Rican attorneys.
Mujeres Restauradas … integrate families from Puerto Rico into the community …

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By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton

MIAMI – Cruise giant MSC Cruises has revealed more details on its new planned cruise hub at PortMiami

The new hub is part of its push to expand its presence in the Caribbean, according to the company.

The building, which will be designed by world-renowned firm Arquitectonica, will host two cruise terminals as well as two berths.

The new terminals will be capable of hosting a pair of megaships at the same time and handle as many as 28,000 passenger movements every day.

The company revealed the details during the Seatrade Cruise Global cruise conference in Miami, the world’s leading cruise conference.

“With another 13 cruise vessels due to join our fleet in the next eight years, our ambition is to have our most innovative ship classes represented at PortMiami, bringing a wealth of choice to our North American as well as international guests,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises. “”In particular, the new terminal – which will be one of the most innovative the industry has seen – will ensure that we can provide our guests an enhanced end-to-end high-quality experience while both embarking and disembarking, thus adding to their ability to fully enjoy every moment of their vacation.”

At present, MSC operates four ships out of Miami: the MSC Seaside, MSC Armonia, MSC Divina and MSC Meraviglia.

Work on the new project will launch next year, with a planned completion of late 2022.

It’s part of a wave of new terminals in the pipeline at PortMiami, from Virgin Voyages’ highly-anticipated new terminal to new launches from both NCL and Royal Caribbean.

— CJ

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By Alexander Britell

Apple Leisure Group’s surging AMResorts brand is planning another major all-inclusive expansion in the greater Caribbean.

The company is set to open five new all-inclusive hotels in 2019 under the Dreams, Now and Sunscape brands.

Two of those resorts will open in June: the all-inclusive Now Emerald Cancun Resort and Spa, which will feature 427 rooms on a site just eight minutes from Cancun’s airport; and the Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort and Spa, which will feature 360 rooms in the up-and-coming destination of Akumal near Tulum.

In November, AMResorts will debut the Sunscape Star Cancun Resort and Spa adjacent to the Punta Cancun Golf Club.

The Now Emerald Cancun.

In December, the company will debut the Now Natura Riviera Cancun, a 556-room resort featuring a water park.

A rendering of the Now Natura Riviera Cancun.

That’s topped off by the planned late 2019 opening of the Dreams Acapulco Resort and Spa, a 605-room resort on Playa Icacos on Acapulco’s Miguel Aleman coast.

“Mexico continues to offer an abundance of investment possibilities for resort owners, given its variety of destinations catering to every type of traveler,” said Javier Coll, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Apple Leisure Group. “With our growing footprint in Mexico, and access to the largest distribution network selling all-inclusive vacations in Mexico, we offer an incomparable value proposition for investors. As one of the leading leisure hospitality companies in the country, AMResorts will have over 60 branded resorts with more 24,000 rooms across Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and Europe at the close of this year and will continue to enter new and emerging destinations further expanding its brand presence globally.”

The company also announced it would be streamlining the branding of its newest brand, Reflect, changing the names of three resorts in Mexico to Reflect Cancun Resort and Spa, Reflect Los Cabos Resort and Spa and Reflect Nuevo Vallarta Resort and Spa.

“Despite the challenges present in the market, expansion throughout Mexico remains one of our major priorities,” said Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group. “We remain bullish on the county’s long-term potential and are committed to working closely with local officials to help Mexico reach its full potential. We look forward to further expanding AMResorts’ brand presence in the country, with more opportunities to come.”

AMResorts is also planning other properties in wider region, with the highly-anticipated Secrets St Martin set to open in March 2020, while a pair of Breathless-branded resorts will open in 2020 and 2021 in Cancun and Tulum, respectively.

“We are thrilled to continue our growth efforts in a country filled with culturally rich destinations and diverse tourism offerings,” said Gonzalo del Peon, AMResorts President. “Mexico remains a priority market for AMResorts as we continue to raise the bar to meet travelers’ expectations.”

— CJ

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