Antigua and Barbuda is the latest Caribbean destination to waive pre-testing requirements for fully vaccinated visitors. 

As of March 16, 2022, the destination has lifted the travel testing requirement for fully vaccinated travelers. (Fully vaccinated means a traveler has taken both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one of a one-shot vaccine).

“Our aim is to continue to ensure travellers have a safe vacation in Antigua and Barbuda, in adherence with the covid-19 protocols created by the Government to responsibly manage the various stages of the pandemic and maintain the health and safety of the population,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez.

The testing waiver also applies to fully vaccinated transiting passengers. 

Unvaccinated minors between five and 18 must present a negative PCR test taken and received within four days of visiting the destination, however. 

“The announcement of the removal of the travel testing requirement, will reduce travel costs and prove to be a compelling enough incentive for fully vaccinated visitors to book travel to the destination,” said Colin C. James, CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “It is a development that will make a positive impact on our tourism rebound, and most importantly to the persons who are employed within the industry.”

Children under five do not need to take a test. 

Unvaccinated travelers over 18 are not permitted to enter the destination, a protocol that has been in place in Antigua since December. 

“Antigua and Barbuda is fully open, and visitors to the destination can expect to enjoy a range of excursions, attractions and dining experiences, to include newly opened restaurants and tours,” the  Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority said in a statement. “Beaches are open and all curfew restrictions have been removed.”

The post Vaccinated Visitors Don’t Need a Test to Visit Antigua and Barbuda appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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A new Caribbean airline has launched in the Dominican Republic, with plans for its first flights this spring. 

It’s called Arajet, and it’s being billed as the “first ultra-low-cost airline in the Caribbean region.”

The company is a full-fledged relaunch of the former Dominican Wings low-cost carrier.

It will be based at Las Americas Airport in Santo Domingo, with a fleet of Boeing 737-8 aircraft. 

According to the company, the plan is to kick off with flights to Caribbean and Central American destinations. 

Later this year, Arajet says it expects to add flights to “key ?North American markets,” particularly “populations having significant familial ties to the Dominican Republic,” according to a statement. 

That includes New York, Boston, Miami and Chicago, the company said. 

Arajet will include a fleet of new Boeing 737-8 aircraft; the company says it has “firm orders, purchase options and lease agreements in place” for its first 40 aircraft. 

“The Dominican Republican and the wider Caribbean region is underserved by low-cost airlines and passengers deserve a more affordable way to travel in our market,” said Victor Pacheco, founder and CEO of Arajet. “We believe Arajet is well-positioned to transform the Santo Domingo Airport into a modern, new hub for destination and connecting traffic.”

The business is led by Pacheco and Mike Powell, the former chief financial officer of Wizz Airlines. 

The company is backed by Griffin Global Asset Management and Bain Capital. 

“We are excited to support Arajet as they build a leading ULCC in the Dominican Republican by providing the necessary financial and operational resources that will enable the airline to significantly scale its operations and serve more customers,” said Matt Evans, a Managing Director at Bain Capital.

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Radisson has debuted its newest brand in the Caribbean: Radisson Individuals. 

The new brand has debuted in the region with four hotels on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. 

They’re all in and around Cartagena, the popular historic Caribbean city. 

The new additions include the Hotel Bantu by Faranda Boutique; the Hotel Casa Don Luis by Faranda Boutique; Hotel Casa La Factoria by Faranda Boutique; and Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand. 

Radisson Individuals offers “offers independent hotels and local, regional chains the opportunity to be part of Radisson Hotel Group and benefit from the Group’s international awareness and experience, with the freedom to maintain their own uniqueness and identity,” according to a statement. 

“We are thrilled to build this exciting new relationship with Faranda Hotels and welcome these extraordinary hotels to the Radisson Hotel Group Americas family,” said Paul Adan, managing director for the Caribbean and Latin America at Radisson Hotel Group Americas. “This portfolio signing marks a major milestone as we introduce Radisson Individuals to Latin America. This brand is certain to fuel RHGA’s growth in the region, as it makes it easy for existing upper-upscale independent hotels to affiliate to one of the largest hotel companies in the world.”

The Hotel Caribe by Faranda Grand was actually the first hotel to open in Cartagena back in 1945, in a location steps from the city’s Bocagrande Beach. 

Radisson says there are “advanced negotiations” to sign additional properties in the Caribbean with Faranda. 

“Joining the Radisson Individuals brand was the perfect opportunity for us to affiliate our portfolio of hotels to the Radisson Hotel Group Americas’ system, while maintaining the unique identity and signature style our guests expect from our hotels,” said Carlos Fernandez, chief commercial officer, Faranda Hotels. “We are excited to debut this remarkable brand in Latin America and create memorable moments for all our guests.” 

For more, visit Radisson Individuals. 

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It’s always been the Caribbean capital of diving, a haven for sustainability and the natural environment. 

But now another side of Bonaire is in the spotlight, as more and more travelers appreciate Bonaire’s place as the culinary star of the ABC islands, where world-class eateries abound and a cocktail and a fine spirits culture continues to grow. 

And that’s the thinking behind the island’s newest event, Bonaire Rum Week, a weeklong festival highlighting the finest premium rums from the Caribbean and the island’s buzzing gastronomic movement. 

“Bonaire has become one of the Caribbean’s top gourmet destinations, led by an impressive collection of world-class eateries and some terrific bars,” says Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal, which is organizing the event hosted by Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “With Bonaire Rum Week, we’re celebrating rum as an artisanal, ultra-premium spirit, set against the backdrop of this impossibly beautiful, pristine island.”

Bonaire Rum Week is set for June 14-17, with a full slate of events that give travelers and locals the chance to sample some of the Caribbean region’s top rums and indulge in Bonaire’s culinary culture. 

The event kicks off with an opening party by Rum Papiamento at Rum Runners; that’s followed on June 15 by a rum-on-the-beach tasting at the Plaza Beach Resort and a cocktail competition at Tiki & Co.

June 16 sees a rum lunch prepared by the Harbour Village Beach Club’s talented Chef Britt Thomassen, followed by a Happy Hour at Buddy Dive by the celebrated Clifton Estate Rum from Nevis. 

On the morning of June 17 at Delfins, there’s a rum tasting seminar for local bartenders; and then there’s the party piece: a final Bonaire Rum Week dinner at the Brass Boer, the Caribbean outpost of the three-Michelin-star culinary team of Johnny and Therese Boer, followed by Papa’s Pilar’s rum-and-cigar pairing evening at the Delfins Beach Resort. 

“We are happy to see how many partners are interested in being part of the first Bonaire Rum Week,” Tourism Corporation said in a statement. “By organizing this event, we will showcase Bonaire as more than just a diving destination, and give our visitors the opportunity to experience Bonaire in a different way. We are looking forward to an exciting week where both our visitors and locals can mingle and enjoy.”

Bonaire Rum Week hotel partners include Delfins Beach Resort; Harbour Village Beach Club; Plaza Beach and Dive Resort Bonaire; Captain Don’s Habitat; Buddy Dive Resort; Bellafonte Bonaire; and Bamboo Bonaire. 

The festival’s host rum is the island’s celebrated local rum, Rom Rincon, joined by more than a dozen rums from across the wider Caribbean.

Caradonna Adventures is the official travel partner for Bonaire Rum Week (you can find more on packages here).

To reserve the final dinner at Delfins, please contact reservations@delfinsbeachresort.com. For the Harbour Village Rum Lunch, contact reservations@harbourvillage.com. 

For more, visit Bonaire Rum Week. 

Bonaire Rum Week is CJ’s second major rum event in the Caribbean, joining the existing Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth, set for Nov. 1-6, 2022, a weeklong festival and the Caribbean’s premier rum competition. 

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