By Alexander Britell

It’s one of the hippest destinations in the Caribbean: the Jamaican beach outpost of Negril.

And if you’re looking for a luxury experience, look no further than Island Outpost’s The Caves all-inclusive boutique hotel.

The retreat on Negril’s West End has it all: 12 cliffside accommodations, a Blackwell rum bar and an Aveda Amenity Spa.

It’s right nearby the famous Seven Mile Beach and a world away from your typical all-inclusive experience.

This is the real Jamaica, a place with personality that reminds you of the essence of Jamaican hospitality.

And now it’s easier to get there, with the hotel’s “Dive Into Spring” package.

The hotel is offering a special package of stays for four nights or longer that includes complimentary cave dining for two, a “signature hot tub experience,” Blue Mountain scrub treatments and a free shuttle ride to Negril Beach.

So what are you waiting for? The offer covers stays through Dec. 15, 2016.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

In a deal that will impact a number of hotels in the Caribbean, HNA Tourism Group has announced an agreement to buy Carlson Hotels Inc.

Carlson Hotels owns hotel brands including Quorvus Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM brands and the Club CarlsonSM global hotel rewards program.

“Carlson Hotels own a powerful set of global brands and this historic agreement provides tremendous opportunities for growth,” said David P. Berg, Carlson Hospitality Group chief executive officer. “We look forward to working within HNA Tourism Group, a greatly respected global enterprise, in what will be an exciting new chapter in the history of Carlson Hotels. As part of HNA Tourism Group, Carlson Hotels will have an opportunity to advance our commitment to providing guests with hospitality world-wide.”

Under the terms of the deal, HNA will acquire all of Carlson Hotels, including its 51.3 percent majority stake in Rezidor Hotel Group, Carlson’s master licensee based in Brussels.

“Since my grandfather, Curt Carlson, founded our company in 1938, our family has run businesses that create opportunity for people and positive change in the world,” said Diana Nelson, Carlson Board chair. “Hospitality is in our hearts, which made this a difficult decision. We strongly believe that selling our hotel business to HNA Tourism Group, a company that fully recognizes its value and heritage, is the best way for us to position it for success and to be true to my grandfather’s legacy in the long term.”

The Radisson brand in particular has been expanding rapidly in the Caribbean, with two more Radisson Blu Hotels set to debut in the region in the coming years, including on in San Andres, Colombia.

“We have great respect for the Carlson family and a deep appreciation for its history and special culture,” said Haibo Bai, HNA Tourism Group board member and HNA Hospitality Group chairman and CEO. “Carlson Hotels’ global success and strong, sustainable growth potential is a testament to their world-class brands, continuous innovation, excellent management, and unique employee-focused culture, all of which we will build upon as part of this combination to establish our presence in the U.S. market and expand our footprint in hospitality internationally.”

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WASHINGTON, USA — Puerto Rico’s Government Development Bank (GDB) is facing a default on $422 million in debt repayments due on May 1, while Congress so far unsuccessfully grapples with legislation to address the island’s financial crisis.

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By Alexander Britell

The Caribbean’s fastest-growing airline has added another new route.

JetBlue Airways launched its new daily flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport on Thursday.

The new flights were first announced at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Industry conference in Curacao last year.

The inaugural flights was marked with a water salute in Fort Lauderdale and festivities including an appearance by Miami Dolphins cheerleaders.

Above: Crane Beach in Barbados

JetBlue has been flying to Barbados since 2009, beginning with flights from New York’s John F Kennedy Airport.

More recently, JetBlue launched its new Mint premium cabin service on its flights to Barbados out of Boston, after having launched the service on New York-Barbados flights last year.

Above: Barbados’ Platinum Coast

Barbados has seen a surge in tourism arrival numbers, with record-breaking numbers and one of the Caribbean’s highest growth rates in 2015.

“Barbados is one of JetBlue’s most important markets,” JetBlue CEO Robin Hayes said at the launch event in Fort Lauderdale. “We’re just going to keep growing and growing.

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By Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort
Op-Ed Contributor

While we celebrate the ease and accessibility of global travel, it requires some common-sense precaution, no matter where in the world one goes. That’s the nature of enjoying new and different destinations.

Education is the key to relishing new adventures without the fear of risk, real or perceived. Accurate information is fears’ best antidote.

Puerto Rico’s climate and natural beauty make it a world-class destination for visitors from around the world. As a tropical island in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has significant experience dealing with mosquitoes and related illnesses. Visitors to our island can feel confident that we are putting this expertise to work and protecting the safety and welfare of everyone who comes here.

To put this into perspective, Zika cases currently represent less than one-half of one percent of our population. Working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health, we have taken aggressive steps to mitigate its impact, specifically on pregnant women who are the most at-risk.

It goes without saying that a comparable priority is our commitment to protecting the 5 million visitors who come to our special island every year.

We are doing everything possible to continue extending our traditional hospitality to this fundamental part of our economy.

In the face of Zika, the government is working actively and aggressively in three key areas: preparation, prevention, and protection.

As with most mosquito-borne illnesses, the most effective way to contain Zika is by preventing mosquito bites. We are reinforcing the vital importance of using an EPA-approved mosquito repellent daily, and wearing proper clothing.

We have a vigorous effort underway to eliminate standing water, seal septic tanks, and eradicate mosquito-breeding sites.

We have established communication channels so our people are immediately able to report high-risk areas.

And, we are working with our entire tourism industry, including the Puerto Rico Hotel and Travel Association, our convention bureau—Meet Puerto Rico and the Small Inn Association, as well as other tourist destinations to ensure that leisure and business travelers are following the CDC guidelines.

With tourism to Puerto Rico at an all-time high, we want visitors to know that they can enjoy our beautiful beaches, rainforest, zip-lines, and terrific accommodations, knowing that we are doing everything in our power to make their visit safe and worry-free.

On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico, we pledge to continue to inform and protect as we welcome the world to the tropical paradise that we call home.

Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort is the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, a public corporation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

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