Caribbean Journal recently learned that Moskito Island, billionaire Richard Branson’s private oasis in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), will launch this spring.

“Moskito Island’s reopening is one of several in the Gorda Sound corridor, which is seeing a major rejuvenation this year,” Clive McCoy, director of tourism at The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission, told CJ.

Located on 125-acres, just two miles from sister island, Necker, Moskito is currently home to the 11-room Branson Estate, which is the first of the estates to become available for rent.

But that’s just the beginning of what’s effectively a relaunch of the island as a broader destinastion.

Several additional luxury villa estates will be joining the Virgin Limited Edition portfolio throughout the year and beyond, alongside the nearby Necker Island, which Branson has owned for decades.

Accompanying the 10 individual luxury villa estates is a recreational area that includes a water sports center, a Beach House, an infinity pool and bar, a tennis pavilion and dining outlets.

“As travelers think about safe travel options, we’re pleased that Moskito Island, among others in the region, are now open to offer exquisite travel experiences within the British Virgin Islands,” said McCoy.

It was announced in early December that the British Virgin Islands reopened its borders to international travelers, exclusive to arrivals at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, with specific COVID-19 safety protocols in place.

Closed to visitors since March, the BVI Government has developed an extensive program to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory.

Before landing in the BVI, it is mandatory that all guests have a certified negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result from within five days of arrival, as well as proof of travel insurance that includes comprehensive medical coverage.

In addition, all travelers must apply for a “BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate” within five days of travel to the BVI and must complete the application at least 48 hours prior to arrival with the uploading of the PCR COVID-19 test result.

Applications can be found at www.bvigateway.bviaa.com.

Upon arriving at the airport, travelers will be directed to the BVI’s new “Welcome Centre” for an additional RT-PCR test.

All guests are required to activate a contact tracing system on their phones, which require either data or WiFi connectivity, and wear a government-issued wristband monitoring device, in addition to being given an appointment for their day four RT-PCR test.

All arriving visitors are required to quarantine for four days at their hotel, resort, villa or docked vessel (for charter guests), with another RT-PCR test administered on the fourth day.

If negative, guests will be allowed to move around the BVI freely while still following the government’s current social distancing and safety measures. Anyone who tests positive upon arrival must continue to quarantine at their respective location for a minimum of 14 days.

The post Richard Branson’s Moskito Island to Launch in the BVI appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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American Airlines is set to add more flights to the US Virgin Islands this summer, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The world’s largest airline will be expanding its service to the territory to meet increased demand, according to USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. 

Indeed, the US Virgin Islands has been one of the strongest-performing destinations in the Caribbean amid the pandemic. 

Beginning June 3, American will be operating two daily flights from Dallas to St Thomas, along with three flights per day from Charlotte to St Thomas. 

The latter represents an increase of one more flight per day. 

American Airlines is also expanding its daily flights from Miami to St Thomas, with up to four daily departures from Miami to St Thomas in April and May, then three daily flights in June, July and August. 

The expansion comes after a meeting between Boschulte and American Airlines executives in Dallas this week. 

“The Department of Tourism is extremely pleased by the increase of summer airlift into the Territory,” Boschulte said. 

American will also be serving St Croix with two daily flights from Miami, along with daily flights from Charlotte to St Croix. 

The increasingly popular destination of St Croix is actually seeing a 19 percent increase year over year. 

“We are grateful to our partners at American Airlines for supporting our lifeblood industry by enhancing service to our islands with these additional flights, as they represent critical opportunities to help stimulate the economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Boschulte said. 

The new American Airlines service comes as JetBlue will begin new flights from Newark Liberty to St Thomas this summer. 

— CJ

The post American Airlines Expanding US Virgin Islands Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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As optimism grows in the travel industry, United Airlines is continuing to expand its Caribbean network, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

In fact, United Airlines will soon be flying more flights to the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America than it did in 2019 — before the pandemic. 

“We are proud of United’s deep roots and history throughout Latin America,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of International Network and Alliances.  “In May, we will greatly expand our Latin America schedule, offering even more options than we did in 2019.  This will include numerous opportunities for travelers reuniting with friends and family and those seeking a warm-weather, beach destination.”

United will be operating nonstop service in May to 13 destinations across the Caribbean from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark and Washington, DC. 

That will include flights to Aruba, The Bahamas Bermuda, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, St Maarten, St Thomas and Turks and Caicos. 

That will include a number of Caribbean routes with more than one flight per day, including two daily flights from Newark to St Thomas and Aruba and five flights each day from Houston to Cancun, among others. 

Among other notable routes, United will be flying daily flights from Chicago to both Punta Cana and San Juan; daily flights from Houston to St Thomas; and at least one flight every day from Newark to Nassau, Turk sand Caicos, Santo Domingo, San Juan, Santiago and St Maarten. 

You can find the full list of United flights to the Caribbean and Mexico below. 

The post United Airlines’ Big Caribbean Expansion appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Lighthouse Pointe resort has officially reopened in Grand Bahama, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. 

The all-inclusive resort at the Grand Lucayan complex has begun what is expected to be a phased reopening. 

For now, the property has 200 rooms available for guests, with a number of restaurants now open for guests as well. 

Irma Lewis, The Bahamas’ MP for Central Grand Bahama, said the reopening was a great start for Grand Bahama’s bounce back from both Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic. 

“This government is committed to a better Grand Bahama,” Lewis said. “And this is definitely good news for Grand Bahama.”

In other news for the Grand Lucayan, Royal Caribbean International President announced this week that the company would be moving forward with plans to purchase and redevelop the Grand Lucayan resort complex.

— CJ

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The Bahamas’ SLS Baha Mar is open again.

The resort, one of just two SLS-branded resorts in the wider Caribbean, officially began welcoming back guests this month. 

Its reopening completes the relaunch of the Baha Mar resort complex, joining the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and the Rosewood Baha Mar resorts in opening. 

The property has reopened with a host of new health and safety measures in place, including conducting a rapid antigen test for all guests prior to check in. (That’s in addition to The Bahamas’ pre-arrival testing requirement). 

The resort is also offering free on-property rapid tests upon departure to help travelers comply with the current CDC requirements for returning travelers. 

“We are thrilled to welcome our growing community of travelers back to SLS Baha Mar for an invigorating, unique vacation experience,” said Axel Gasser, Vice President & General Manager, SLS Baha Mar.

In a significant step for The Bahamas’ tourism industry, both of the country’s megaresorts are now open, with the Baha Mar following the relaunch of Atlantis Paradise Island. 

SLS, which is part of the Accor portfolio, recently opened its second regional property, the SLS Cancun on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. 

The Bahamas is currently open for tourism; you can find more on the country’s entry protocols for visitors here. 

For more, visit SLS Baha Mar. 

— CJ

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