By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s Montego Bay is seeing a huge surge in travel demand, according to new data provided to Caribbean Journal by Expedia.

The destination recorded growth of nearly 40 percent in package demand in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 2017, according to the travel giant.

That was accompanied by nine percent growth in travel demand for Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The data was released during Expedia’s Caribbean Tech & Travel Summit in Montego Bay on the heels of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference.

Other destinations including Punta Cana and Aruba also posted double-digit growth, the company said.

 “Our Tech & Travel Summit marks a unique opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the Caribbean, as the region continues to be a significant market for us as a company,” said Rafael del Castillo, senior director of Latin American resorts, Expedia Group Lodging Partner Services.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United States Virgin Islands’ tourism industry is “open for business,” incoming Tourism Commissioner Joe Boschulte said this week.

Boschulte, who awaits confirmation as the USVI’s new tourism chief, was speaking during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Jamaica.

The Bolongo Bay in St Thomas.

He said between 60 and 65 percent of accommodations across the territory were now open and accepting guests, while other properties were rebuilding and repairing.

The lobby at The Fred hotel in Frederiksted.

That includes about 1,500 rooms available in St Thomas, about 150 rooms on St John and about 600 units on St Croix.

St Thomas in particular has seen a strong hotel industry rebound, with the return of properties like the iconic Bolongo Bay and Secret Harbour, among others.

The new Braata restaurant in St Croix.

Another 600 villa units and 200 charter yachts are now available in St Thomas and St John, with about 300 villa units now operating in St Croix.

On the airlift front, capacity to St Croix is already ahead of pre-hurricane levels, while seats to St Thomas are at about 80 percent.

— CJ

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Puerto Rico Solar Map displays solar projects … much of the infrastructure in Puerto Rico and heavily damaged the already … completed or are underway in Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria’s landfall …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Virgin Voyages’ highly-anticipated debut is getting closer, and now Sir Richard Branson’s revolutionary adults-only cruise brand is adding two more new destinations to its portfolio.

Virgin Voyages, which announced Havana, Cuba as its first port of call last year, is adding two more cruise ports: Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and Costa Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, according to the company.

All three ports will be called on by Virgin’s first cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, in 2020, carrying 2,770 “sailors,” as the company is calling its guests.

A rendering of the Scarlet Lady ship.

The itineraries will range from five-night “Havana After Dark” cruises that include an overnight stay in Havana; five-night “Mayan Sol” sailings to Costa Maya, and five-night “Dominican Daze” itineraries to Puerto Plata.

The company said travelers will have more time to explore in each port of call, with extended port hours and either an overnight stay or a “late-night sail away” on all voyages.

A dining concept on Scarlet Lady.

“Our research with Sailors unearthed their desire to go to places that allow for a variety of experiences,” said Diana Block Garcia, Vice President of Itinerary & Destination for Virgin Voyages. “Our destinations offer a combination of opportunities for exploration and relaxation, to complement our Virgin Voyages experience.”

Virgin is launching bookings for its inaugural season on Feb. 14 to the general public.

A rendering of the new Virgin Voyages terminal.

All itineraries will be sailing out of PortMiami and the company’s new terminal.

“It won’t be long before we’re creating stories to remember in locations we’ll surely never forget,” the company said.

— CJ

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

One of the Caribbean’s greatest beach bars has unveiled yet another creative expansion: a beachfront pizzeria.

Martinique’s iconic Le Petibonum and its creative proprietor, Guy Ferdinand, have launched the new La Pizzeria du Petibonum in the beach town of Le Carbet.

The pizzeria, adjacent to Le Petibonum, offers a full-fledged fresh pizza offering, from vegetable pies to the signature Petibonum pizza, which includes cheese, chicken, chorizo, merguez, ground beef, barbecue sauce, oregano and black olives.

The new pizza spot offers both beach dining and delivery, if you’re staying in the area.

— CJ

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