By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s looking to be a very Merry Christmas for the Caribbean.

With a quick rebound from this fall’s hurricanes, the Caribbean’s hotel industry is reporting a surge in holiday bookings, according to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

The CHTA said it canvassed a number of destinations to see how they are faring for the holidays and into the first quarter of 2018, according to Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the CHTA.

The results are “encouraging,” he said, with all signs pointing to a surge in holiday bookings.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Furthermore, most indicated that forward bookings into the first quarter of 2017 are equaling or surpassing 2017.

Several destinations also reported that a number of their hotels were sold out over the festive season, including Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Cancun, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and The Bahamas.

The Baoase luxury resort in Curacao.

Turks and Caicos, which was one of the first hurricane-impacted destinations to rebound, fully recovering and opening within weeks following the storms, is reporting occupancies in excess of 90 percent over the holidays and strong first quarter bookings.

“Now is a perfect time to visit and support the Caribbean and to see for yourselves how the resilience of our people offers travelers from around the world an exceptional experience – especially during this winter season and beyond,” Comito said.

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By Alexander Britell

There’s a new way to stay on Barbados’ platinum coast. And it’s rather special.

Barbados’ Elegant Hotels has done it again with the debut of the totally transformed adults-only Treasure Beach, a modern but charming, luxurious retreat on the West Coast.

The boutique all-suite hotel, which has 35 units, held its soft opening this week on a privileged perch of Barbados’ picturesque Paynes Bay beach.

Paynes Bay.

The decor is a smooth blend of quintessential Barbados and contemporary, sleek details, with little clever touches that are wholly original.

The rooms are beautiful, with stone walls and a host of delightful amenities, from espresso machines to creatively “framed” flat screen televisions to other comforts like free-Wifi and free daily breakfast and even a free sundown happy hour.

There are three food and beverage concepts: the international Tapestry, The Wine Cellar and the oceanfront Batik Bar, along with a lovely pool and even “beach ambassadors,” who bring you everything from tropical drinks to chilled sun cream.

Elegant Hotels had acquired Treasure Beach in May, and immediately went to work, turning an older property into a cutting-edge, must-visit hotel.

What they’ve also created is a place that marries the kind of hip touches that you find in the world’s hottest high-design hotels with a classic Bajan foundation.

It’s become a hallmark for Elegant Hotels, which has done similar transformations in Barbados, most notably with last year’s debut of The Waves all inclusive, another ultra-fresh redesign on the West Coast.

For more information, visit Treasure Beach.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is reporting strong sponsor and delegate interest in the upcoming Caribbean Travel Marketplace, to be held at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.

CHTA’s Director General Frank Comito said major airlines, tour operators, meeting planners, destinations, hotels and attractions have already signed up for the annual event where the Caribbean travel industry assembles to do business.

Following a meeting with the Host Committee in San Juan last week, Comito said that the overall year-over-year registration was “encouraging,” and assured that all systems were in order for the January 30 to February 1, 2018 event.

Produced by CHTA, Marketplace brings together hotel and destination representatives; online travel agents; tour operators; Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions planners; and members of the media.

“We were very encouraged by what we saw in Puerto Rico,” said Comito, who observed the metro area preparing for the opening of the winter season.

“The strong recovery from Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, is a testament to the spirit of the Puerto Rican people as they get their lives back on track and get ready to welcome tourists to the island,” he said, after noting that numerous hotels and restaurants were already back in business and contributing to the economic resurgence of the U.S. territory. “They are ready for us and they are going to be even more ready on January 30 next year.”

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company reported last week that more than 100 hotels are open and operating, more than 4,000 restaurants are taking orders and serving up meals and major tourist attractions island-wide have been cleaned up and restored.

“It’s been the continued collaboration with Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s team and tourism industry partners that has resulted in tremendous progress and we’re thrilled to be officially open for tourism,” said José Izquierdo, executive director of the PRTC. “Tourism is a vital contributor to the island’s economy, so reaching these milestones not only will help build a stronger, better Puerto Rico, but showcases the resiliency in our people and destination.”

Comito reported that registration for the region’s leading travel marketing event is only slightly behind pace compared with last year’s numbers, with more than 170 supplier companies, more than 50 buyer companies and close to 600 delegates already confirmed for the meeting.

“With six weeks to go, we are on target to equal or surpass last year’s attendance,” he said, adding that next month’s event is shaping up to be “another incredible opportunity to kickstart the region’s marketing efforts for 2018 and beyond.”

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

What’s the most sought-after villa destination in the Caribbean?

Right now it’s the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to a new report from villa rental giant Villas of Distinction.

Turks and Caicos was ranked as the third most-sought-after villa destination, based on “industry insights,” according to the company.

It was ranked third overall, following Italy and Orlando.

“Villa bookings to this area are growing rapidly as guests are looking for islands with wonderful white sand beaches, staffed villas and award-winning restaurants, and the Turks and Caicos checks all of these boxes,” said Steve Lassman, vice president of villa product & agency relations for Villas of Distinction. “Air service is growing rapidly as you now have many cities within the U.S. and Canada offering non-stop service, so it’s easier than ever to get there.”

One other Caribbean destination was also in the top five: Jamaica, which the company said “continues to provide the best value of any Caribbean villa experience.”

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Thomas Cook Airlines’ inaugural flight from Gatwick Airport to Barbados launched this weekend.

The weekly flight from Gatwick joins Thomas Cook’s existing three-times weekly flights to Barbados from Manchester.

“We have a long and established relationship with Barbados and [Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc], and I am delighted that we can now offer this fantastic and beautiful destination to our customers throughout the U.K., with the addition of Gatwick to our Manchester program,” said Sharon Confue, Head of Sales U.K. for Thomas Cook Airlines.

Across Thomas Cook Group Airlines, over 265,000 seats are available to Caribbean destinations in the 2017-18 winter season, an 11 percent increase on winter 2016-17.

“We are delighted to help launch Thomas Cook Airlines’ new Gatwick flight to Barbados, an idyllic Caribbean island that always proves popular with UK travelers,” said Stephen King, Head of Airline Relations at Gatwick Airport. “Barbados has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and clear blue seas and visitors have a wealth of activities to enjoy, from water sports and golf to the island’s rainforest and wildlife.

The 9 hour, five-minute direct flight from Gatwick operates on a Saturday on the Airbus A330-200.

It will operate from until March 23, 2018.

“It’s fantastic that we were able to mark the occasion with a lively event for customers at Gatwick Airport,” said Christoph Debus. “We’re looking forward to a successful winter programme to Barbados from both Gatwick and Manchester and are thrilled to be adding to our growing winter Caribbean programme across the group.”

“The addition of the Thomas Cook service from London to Barbados is great news, as it makes Barbados even more accessible to UK visitors,” said Cheryl Carter, U.K. Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “We encourage first time travelers and our loyal visitors to take advantage of this increased capacity and, plan their next holiday in Barbados now.”

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