Category: Caribijornal

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All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Grows to 25 Resorts in Caribbean, Mexico

All-inclusive resorts are hotter than ever, and since the world’s largest hotel company has made a high-profile entry into the space, the segment is becoming increasingly interesting.

The All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio currently includes 25 properties across destinations including Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Mexico; the Dominican Republic; Jamaica and Saint Lucia.

That includes this week’s debut of the new Delta by Marriott Riviera Nayarit, an All-Inclusive Resort, the company’s first Delta in the region and the world’s first-ever Delta All-Inclusive property.

And this portfolio is as diverse as it is vast: travelers can find everything from the luxe, adults-only boutique all-inclusive The House in Barbados to the Royalton Antigua , home to some of the most sought-after overwater bungalows in the wider Caribbean.

A Marriott all-inclusive in Negril, Jamaica.

“We are excited to see our All-Inclusive expansion from Mexico and the Caribbean into Central America as well as South America,” Alex Fiz, Area Vice President and Managing Director Caribbean and All-Inclusive at Marriott International, told Caribbean Journal. “The eight Marriott brands that will be expanded to all-inclusive will give the consumer what they are looking for – our service culture, trusted brand experience and a tailored option for every type of traveler – from adult only to family.” 

And that diversity goes beyond resort sizes and destinations.

Marriott has launched a broad foray into all-inclusive, with a focus on four categories: adults-only, family vacations; romance, weddings and honeymoons; and solo adventures, with resorts geared to every kind of traveler.

Marriott All-Inclusive Portfolio Grows to 25 in the Caribbean and Mexico
A room at The House in Barbados.

For adults, that means options to escape to “romantic adventures in exotic destinations,” with a focus on wellness, fashion and music; for family vacations, the emphasis is on adventures for all ages — kids and teens’ clubs, “cutting-edge family accommodations including shared living spaces” and fun dining concepts.

Marriott is also making a big push into weddings, romance and honeymoons, from beach weddings to recreation-filled honeymoons.

And, in a welcome development, Marriott is also acknowledging solo travelers — a category sometimes underrepresented in the broader all-inclusive space.

The Colony Club resort in Barbados.

“We want to offer guests a wide array of options and empower every traveler to explore their kind of dream vacation at distinctive international resorts,” says Fiz. “From authentic local dining experiences to thoughtful programming for all ages, and cultural excursions, curate your memories in your own style.”

Marriott International’s entry into the all-inclusive segment kicked into high gear at the end of 2019 with the company’s acquisition of the sought-after Elegant Hotels portfolio, which includes six all-inclusive resorts on the western and southern coasts of Barbados.

That expanded earlier this year, with the announcement that a collection of Blue Diamond signature branded resorts would be joining the Marriott portfolio.

It’s a significant step for Marriott, and a nod to the growing importance of the all-inclusive category for travelers, particularly in the Caribbean.

Marriott also has more all-inclusive properties on the way, with plans to open new all-inclusive resorts in destinations like Curacao and Jamaica. (You can find out more here).

In other words, the world’s largest hotel company is officially all in on all-inclusive. And that means all-inclusive has a whole new meaning.

For more, visit Marriott All-Inclusive.

The post All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Grows to 25 Resorts in Caribbean, Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Margaritaville Beach Resort Officially Opens Doors in Nassau

The Bahamas’ newest resort is officially open. 

The highly-anticipated Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau held its ribbon-cutting ceremony in the heart of downtown Nassau this week. 

It’s the first-ever Margaritaville resort in The Bahamas, set at The Pointe, the new luxury destination in the capital. 

The $350 million project is a significant infusion of energy to the waterfront in downtown Nassau, a city that has been seeing a renaissance in recent years. 

The expansive waterpark at the property.

The property joins the already-open One Particular Harbour, an adjacent Margaritaville-branded residential resort. 

“Just as The Bahamas is coming back, the City of Nassau and the Nassau Waterfront are coming back,” said Bahamas Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. “The historic City of Nassau and downtown are being transformed before our very eyes.”

The resort, which is managed by Aimbridge HospitalIty, has a total of 300 rooms, along with 11 food and dining concepts, from the JWB Prime Steak and Seafood to the Graycliff Sky Lounge. 

The Graycliff Sky Lounge.

All of the rooms offer direct ocean views, along with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies or terraces. 

nassau margaritaville beach resort

It’s the newest in a growing pipeline of Margaritaville-branded resorts across the Caribbean. 

For more, visit the Margaritaville Beach Resort Nassau. 

— CJ

The post Margaritaville Beach Resort Officially Opens Doors in Nassau appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Turks and Caicos’ New Travel Rules

Turks and Caicos has announce an update to its travel protocols, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

All travelers now need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken and received within three days before travel. 

The new rules take effect on July 28, 2021. 

It’s a change from the earlier requirement of five days. 

Turks and Caicos first reopened for tourism in July 2020, implementing a series of destination-wide health and safety protocols called TCI Assured. 

The Palms, Turks and Caicos.

The destination received a Level 1 from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the safest designation level. 

It’s also one of the world’s most-vaccinated countries, with vaccination at more than 60 percent of the adult population. 

“We are proud to have safely welcomed travelers to our beautiful Turks and Caicos Islands over the past year and are updating travel requirements to ensure ongoing vigilance and in consideration of the efficacy and turnaround of available COVID-19 tests,” said Turks and Caicos Tourism Minister Josephine Connolly.  “More than 60 percent of the adult population in the Turks and Caicos Islands is fully vaccinated, making us one of the most inoculated countries in the world; combined with our updated TCI Assured program, we are confident in the overall wellbeing of our communities and visitors as travel to the destination continues to flourish.”

turks and caicos travel rules
Beach House Turks and Caicos.

All travelers to Turks and Caicos additionally need to have medical or travel insurance that covers med-evac; they also need to complete a health screening questionnaire. 

Planning a visit? Check out our recent feature on 7 great reasons to travel to Turks and Caicos

For more, visit Turks and Caicos

— CJ

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Sotheby’s International Realty Expands Again in the Caribbean

This story is part of Caribbean Journal Invest, the authority on Caribbean hotel, real estate and tourism business news. Join to access this and other great features, including our biweekly newsletter. Subscribe to Read More.

The post Sotheby’s International Realty Expands Again in the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Jamaica Expands Tourism Reopening

Jamaica is already in the midst of a faster-than-expected tourism recovery.

And now the island is expanding its tourism reopening — with more options for accommodations and experiences now available to visitors. 

For the last year, Jamaica’s tourism industry has been restricted to a group of Resilient Corridors, concentrated around the north coast and destinations like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril, and other destinations like Port Antonio and Kingston. 

Now, hotels, resorts and cottages that are outside of the Resilient Corridors are now allowed to receive guests, once they receive their Jamaica Tourist Board license, along with a Covid compliance certificate and compliance with health and safety protocols. 

The Rockhouse hotel in Negril.

You can find the full list of attractions and options here

“The health and safety of our visitors remain a top priority for Jamaica. We have put in place the industry-leading, highly successful and effective Jamaica CARES program with protocols that are best in class. These updated measures are an acknowledgment that what we have been doing is working thus far, and it is now more important than ever that we continue to work together to navigate this new normal,” the Jamaica Tourist Board said in a statement. 

jamaica tourism reopening
The Geejam hotel in Port Antonio.

“Jamaica’s tourism sector is recovering faster than we have anticipated, and we are encouraged by the success we have had in recent months as the destination continues to welcome more and more travelers,” the JTB said. 

Jamaica first reopened for tourism in the summer of 2020, and the island is buzzing right now. Here’s what you need to know about visiting. 

For more, visit Jamaica

— CJ

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