SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — In order to ensure the essential services to the public, the payment of the government payroll and the suppliers, Governor Ricardo Rosselló has notified the Fiscal Oversight Board (FOB) that the government of Puerto Rico wishes to seek protection under Title III of the…

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BAVARO — One of the Caribbean’s largest and most important annual tourism events has opened with a gala event at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

This week’s DATE, the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange, is being hosted by ASONAHORES, the trade association for Dominican Republic hotels.

The event is sponsored by JetBlue Airlines, which serves five destinations in the Dominican Republic.

The beach at the Barcelo.

Since its launch in the year 2000, DATE has been a fundamental part of the Dominican Republic’s tourism development strategy.

Recently, Dominican Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia said since 2000 the growth of tourism in the country has been 101  percent.

The Dominican Republic “will close 2017 with over 80,000 hotel rooms,” he said, nothing that the destination also had an 86 percent hotel occupancy rate for the first 3 months of the year.

This year’s DATE has drawn over 800 delegates from around the world, including buyers from all major source tourism markets including the major online travel agencies and travel sellers such as Expedia, Priceline, Trip Advisor, Travel Impressions, Cheap Caribbean and Apple Vactions.

All major hotels are represented this week, as well as destination management companies, local excursions and tours,  airlines, government tourism officials, media and the press.

This year’s event includes “The MICE -A Meetings, Incentive, Conventions and Exhibit hosted in an adjacent location.

The event runs through Friday.

— Guy Britton reporting from Bavaro

The post DATE 2017 Conference Kicks Off With Gala Event appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Small-ship line Windstar has unveiled a new slate of cruises with a decided culinary focus, thanks to a partnership with the James Beard Foundation.

Offered on eight sailings in Windstar’s diverse portfolio of cruise destinations, including the Caribbean, guests will have a chance to interact and taste creations from James Beard Foundation-selected chefs.

Windstar’s Corporate Executive Chef Graeme Cockburn joined an exclusive club of chefs to have the honor of cooking at the James Beard House, serving up dishes like Fois Gras Cromesquis with cured golden raisins and Marinated Cucumber and Burrata with sweet heirloom tomatoes.

“Other cruise lines have one celebrity chef, but thanks to our partnership with the James Beard Foundation, we have an array of incredible culinary superstars in our ranks,” said Windstar President John Delaney.

Guest chefs on the James Beard Foundation Culinary Cruise Collection will host an intimate cooking demonstration of a signature recipe that will be served on that cruise, as well as added to the rotating menu repertoire in AmphorA, Windstar’s principle dining room.

The small size of Windstar ships allows guests plenty of personal interaction with the chefs.

Culinary demonstrations, special menu items, unique culinary shore excursions and local market tours will charm guests aboard their itineraries.

Caribbean itineraries include Jewels of the Windward Islands, featuring Chef Keith Rhodes of Catch Restaurant in Wilmington, NC.

Rhodes’ passion for food is at the cornerstone of his restaurant.

Every ingredient used in his cuisine is consciously sourced from organic growers and local fisheries that support sustainable practices.

Rhodes is recognizable from his time on Top Chef and is a James Beard Foundation award semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast.

Another itinerary offering is San Juan & the Virgin Islands, featuring Chef Mario Págan of MARIO PAGAN Restaurant, SAGE Steak Loft and Dorado Beach & Golf Resort, in San Juan Puerto Rico.

Págan has been preparing meals rooted in Caribbean cuisine since his mother taught him in their family kitchen.

Now his three San Juan restaurants fulfill a mission to “bring Puerto Rican food to the world,” which his involvement in the James Beard Foundation Chefs’ Boot Camp for Policy and Change and multiple media appearances–including the third season of Next Iron Chef–has furthered.

The post Windstar’s New James Beard Culinary Cruises appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Blue Diamond Resorts’ Royalton brand is expanding again in the Caribbean.

The hotel has announced the development of the new Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana, an adults-only resort that will be adjacent to the company’s existing Royalton Punta Cana property.

The announcement comes after Royalton also broke ground earlier this year on another property, Royalton Bavaro.

“There is a lot of demand for the Royalton collection of resorts in Punta Cana and we look forward to creating another elegant and refined all-inclusive experience.” said Jordi Pelfort, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Resorts.

Royalton Punta Cana.

The property will include a total of 168 suites, with complimentary extras like afternoon hors d’oeuvres in exclusive pool and beach areas; waiter service; cold towels poolside; lens cleaning and in-room amenities like aromatherapy, custom beach bags and upgraded rooms service.

Guests who choose the brand’s Diamond Club option will see preferred room locations, in-suite liquor, a pillow menu and discounts on spa services.

Hideaway guests will also have access to the 10 restaurants at Royalton Punta Cana.

Royalton has been a major expansion push this year, opening two new resorts in St. Lucia and three new properties in Negril, including its most recent debut, the new boutique 26-suite property, Grand Lido.

— CJ Staff

The post Royalton Expanding in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A sleek new hotel has opened its doors on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, and it’s got a secret: it’s an adults only all inclusive.

It’s called UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya, and it’s one of the most exciting all inclusives to hit the market in some time.

The crisply-designed Akumal-area retreat ticks all of the boxes: 448 rooms, some with swim-up pools, some with outdoor spa tubs, others with outdoor patios.

An outdoor spa tub.

There are four eateries, from the beachside 20.87 to the regionally-focused Mayan restaurant, Cueva Siete.

They’re joined by a three bars and a broad 24-hour room service menu.

The rotating-chef restaurant.

The hotel also has a holistic fitness programwith daily classes including spinning, synergy 360 and even pilates, along with a luxury spa.

The star of the show is the “Anfitrion” service, a kind of butler service (the hotel calls them a “local host” that includes in-depth local concierge services, valet service, help with check in and check out and even making reservations at nearby hotspots.

The spa.

And that’s the story here — yes, it’s an all inclusive, but this resort also wants you to get out an experience the joys of the Riviera Maya.

Even more interestingly, the inclusions are scalable; for the basic rate, you get a wide range of inclusions, from poolside and beachside service to free Wi-Fi.

For a 20 percent service fee, you can get unlimited golf, spa treatments, local tours and beauty and even barbershop services.

It’s a new kind of experience and concept for this sort of resort, and that’s something very exciting indeed.

The post Sleek New UNICO Hotel Opens Doors in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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