… Donald Trump visited Puerto Rico in October 2017, … have been on Puerto Rico,” said Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló … Puerto Ricans.
Yet Trump claimed Thursday he’s “taken better care of Puerto Rico … complete recovery of Puerto Rico,” White House spokesman …
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By the Caribbean Journal staff
The island of St Thomas is seeing a surge in Airbnb demand, according to new numbers released by the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
St Thomas is seeing a 338 percent growth in bookings for the spring season compared to the same period last year.
The news comes after St Thomas was named the top Caribbean destination for Airbnb in 2018, after it saw a 600 percent increase in bookings compared to the previous year.
Indeed, vacation rentals and Airbnb properties have helped buoy the US Virgin Islands’ recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
“The U.S. Virgin Islands looks forward to welcoming these travelers to the Territory, many of whom might be visiting for their very first time. Renting an Airbnb during a stay is a great way to see our islands and experience our local VI vibes,” said Joseph Boschulte, the Commissioner-Designate for the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. “We hope all travelers who stay with us this spring and summer enjoy the fruits of our collective efforts to improve the tourism experience across the Territory.”
Airbnb defined the spring period as bookings between March and April 21, 2019.
— CJ
The post St Thomas Seeing Surge in Airbnb Demand appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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By the Caribbean Journal staff
Mexico’s Atelier de Hoteles brand is set to debut a new luxury all-inclusive in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
The new Atelier Playa Mujeres will open April 15 as the company’s first luxury resort.
The all-suite, adults-only hotel is set within the Playa Mujeres development, which is home to an 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course, which directly abuts the property.
“With Atelier Playa Mujeres we have revolutionized the concept of the hotel industry in Mexico. We celebrate contemporary Mexican art with a captivating architectural design and an authentic atmosphere that is reflected in every corner of our hotel. Our ‘Handmade hospitality’ is remarkable for offering first class, personalized service in a setting of relaxed luxury and vibrant gastronomy surrounding guests with a totally technological experience, generating extraordinary and memorable moments,” said Oliver Reinhart, CEO of Atelier, in a statement.
The 431-suite property will have eight restaurants and eight bars, including a flagship restaurant called Maria Dolores, stewarded by Chef Edgar Nunez, the Mexican chef behind the celebrated Sud 777 eatery in Mexico City.
Amenities range from private check-in, butlers, “golf concierges” and connectivity that even lets guests use their smartphones as their room keys.
There are also nearly 50,000-square-foot conference of event space.
It’s one of two planned openings for Atelier in Mexico this yaer, with the Estudio Playa Mujeres set to debut later in the first half of this year.
For more, visit Atelier.
— CJ
The post A New All-Inclusive in the Riviera Maya appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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An official also said that Puerto Rican officials have mismanaged disaster funds … for the future — requiring the Puerto Rican government to get approval from … recovery in Puerto Rico, according to White House officials. But Puerto Rico incurred in …
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By Alexander Britell and Guy Britton
A new-state-of-the-art Caribbean airport opened its doors on Wednesday, with a very special guest on hand to do the honors.
The United Kingdom’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were on hand to officially open the new, modernized Owen Roberts International Airport in the Cayman Islands.
Prince Charles with Cayman Islands Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell.
“Our pledge to provide the Cayman Islands with a world-class airport in collaboration with the Cayman Islands Airports Authority has been fulfilled,” Cayman Islands Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell told the crowd. “It conveys to all travelers that you are very, very important to us.”
The striking new airport, which was built by McAlpine and designed by RS&H, includes everything from a new shopping gallery and food court to a new boarding gate system, a new ticketing hall and immigration hall to new restaurants to amenities like nursing stations for mothers and a children’s play area.
That’s along with eco-friendly touches like a geothermal air conditioning system, a reflective roof and high-efficiency LED lighting.
The new “Great Hall” of the airport.
More crucially, the new airport has a massively expanded capacity, from the old airport’s capacity of about 500,000 visitors per year to a new capacity for as many as 2.7 million passengers every year.
It’s a significant new chapter for an airport that first debuted in the early 1950s.
There is more to come, too, with plans for a lengthened runway by another 400 feet and to increase the taxiways.
The airport includes a new shopping gallery.
“We know the memories our visitors make while in our islands will be unforgettable, and with the official opening of this airport, we are offering them a chance to embrace and cherish those memories forever,” Cayman Premier Alden McLaughlin said. “The new Owen Roberts International Airport gives us all a better, more customer-friendly traveling experience.”
It comes as the Cayman Islands is seeing record-breaking tourism numbers, part of a strategic push to strengthen its tourism sector in an increasingly competitive regional market.
In a region where more islands are grasping the importance of having modern, internationally competitive airports, it’s a huge new addition.
And as Kirkconnell said, it’s an important message to the destination’s visitors.
— CJ
The post Prince Charles Opens the Cayman Islands’ New Airport appeared first on Caribbean Journal.
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