Airbnb hosts in the Caribbean and Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico have earned more than $266 million so far in 2017, according to the company’s latest data report.

These destinations have attracted nearly 2 million guest arrivals this year, representing a 170 percent increase from the same eight months in 2016.

The report comes as Airbnb has signed more than 10 collaboration agreements across the Caribbean and Mexico covering both tourism cooperation and more formal tax collection logistics.

“By strengthening support for home sharing and allowing Airbnb to help users fulfill their local lodging tax obligations, these governments have set strong examples for other Latin American countries that are devoted to tourism development,” Airbnb said in a release.

So far, Airbnb has signed agreements with governments including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Curacao, Grenada, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and with the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

“These agreements strengthen the region’s tourism industry, and we are proud to have streamlined the lodging tax collection process for our users in places like Mexico City, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum,” explained Jordi Torres, regional director for Airbnb in Latin America. “And we look forward to rolling out new announcements with governments in the rest of the continent,” he added.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hurricane Irma was set to make landfall in the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning as a potentially catastrophic Category 5 hurricane.

As of 11 PM in the evening, Irma was just 50 miles east-northeast of Antigua, with maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour.

The NOAA said the “extremely dangerous core” of Irma would move over portions of the northern Leeward Islands Tuesday night and early Wednesday, before moving near or over portions of the northern Virgin Islands on Wednesday and pass near or just north of Puerto Rico late Wednesday and Wednesday night.

While the NOAA said some fluctuations were likely over the next few days, Irma was forecast to remain a powerful Category 4 or 5 hurricane during the next couple of days.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 50 miles from the center, with tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 175 miles.

Hurricane Warnings remained in effect for islands including Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, St Martin and St Barth, along with the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra.

The Dominican Republic also issued a hurricane warning for the area from Cabo Engano to the northern border with Haiti.

Looking ahead, hurricane watches were in effect for Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St Nicholas, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Southeastern Bahamas and Cuba from the Matanzas province eastward to Guantanamo.

A tropical storm warning was also in effect for Dominica and parts of the Dominican Republic.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

The threat of Irma has led to states of emergency across the Caribbean and frantic preparations and evacuations ahead of its impact.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

The category-4-strength Hurricane Irma was set to make landfall in the Caribbean on Tuesday as islands across the northern Caribbean braced for impact.

As of Monday evening, the eye of Hurricane Irma was moving with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph with higher gusts, with additional strengthening forecast for the next 48 hours.

The storm was about 410 miles east of the Leeward Islands.

The center of the storm was set to move near or over portions of the northern Leeward Islands on Tuesday night and early Wednesday.

As such, a hurricane warning is now in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, St Maarten, St Martin, St Barth, the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra.

A Hurricane Watch and tropical storm warning is in effect for Guadeloupe, with a tropical storm watch in effect for Dominica.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of storm-force winds.

Some of Irma’s biggest hazards are storm surges, which could raise water levels by as much as six to nine feet above normal tide levels along the coasts of the extreme northern Leewards.

The NOAA said that if peak surge occurs at the time of high tide, water could reach as high as four to six feet in the BVI and USVI (except St Croix) and between two and four feet on the northern coast of Puerto Rico.

Irma is expected to produce total rainfall of about three to six inches, with max amounts of 10 inches across the northern Leewards, something that could produce life-threatening mudslides and flash floods.

Islands around the northeastern Caribbean have declared states of emergency, most notably Puerto Rico.

Irma’s approach led to a wave of flight cancellations around the northern Caribbean both on regional carriers and international carriers like American Airlines, though it should be noted that these cancellations applied to flights to the northeastern Caribbean, not the eastern and southern Caribbean.

The post Hurricane Irma Heads for the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Southwest Airlines has officially taken delivery of its newest aircraft: its first Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Southwest is the first airline in the United States to receive the 737 MAX, planning to take delivery of eight more MAX planes in the coming weeks.

Southwest is aiming to launch nine MAX aircraft into revenue service on Oct. 1.

“Southwest Airlines has a lot more to do and a lot more places to go,” said Chairman & CEO Gary Kelly. “The 737 MAX opens a new chapter of efficiency, reliability, and comfort to the Southwest fleet, and its increased range allows us to take our low fares even farther.”

Southwest’s 737 MAX 8 aircraft has a single-class cabin configuration with 175 seats, along with features like LED lighting sequences and Boeing’s Sky Interior.

“As the launch Customer of the 737 MAX, we’ve been preparing for this moment since 2011,” said Chief Operating Officer Mike Van de Ven. “I want to offer a special thanks to Boeing, CFM, and all of the Southwest Employees who worked together to deliver this game-changing aircraft to Southwest Airlines.”

The post Southwest Gets First Boeing 737 MAX 8 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Hard Rock International has promoted Andrew Nasskau to be its new vice president of operations development, the company announced in a release.

Nasskau had been serving as area vice president of operations, responsible for management, operations and preopening of Hard Rock hotels in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.

In his new role, he will oversee pre-opening global operations and development for the brand.

“With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Andrew is the perfect fit for the position of vice president operations development and we look forward to seeing his continued success,” said Dale Hipsh, senior vice president of hotels, Hard Rock International. “From serving guests to hoteliers, Andrew’s career has been a stadium tour packed with sellout dates in London, Dubai, Tenerife and more.”

Hard Rock has been expanding globally, including in the Caribbean, where it is developing a major new project in Santo Domingo.

— Caribbean Journal staff

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