Demand continues to rise for this year’s 50th edition of Antigua Sailing Week.

The number of vessels registered to compete has grown to 141 this year, with more entries coming in, according to organizers.

“At this time last year we were at 94 entries, so we are very enthusiastic that we are trending well above those figures,” said Alison Sly-Adams, commercial director of Antigua Sailing Week.

Team Antigua competing in Antigua Sailing Week last year.

Organizers are making a major effort to regain the peak Antigua Sailing Week numbers of 200 ships, reached in the late 1990s.

“Antigua Sailing Week has become a staple on our annual events calendar as one of our premier product offerings and for the 50^th year we are committed to delivering an exceptional experience to our visitors as well as our locals who look forward to this activity every year for entertainment purposes as well as to pursue their economic livelihoods,” said Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister Asot Michael. “We will spare no effort in marketing this milestone event regionally and internationally to ensure its success.”

For more information, visit Antigua Sailing Week here.

Looking for a hotel for Antigua Sailing Week? Find one here.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Antigua Sailing Week Keeps Growing appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s not a surprise that the Dominican Republic says it “has it all.” Because the diverse Caribbean nation has something for everyone, whether you want to gorge on gourmet delicacies, scale waterfalls or discover its pre- and post-colonial history; take in a baseball game, hike a mountain or just lounge on some of the region’s greatest white-sand beaches. CJ Travel Editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon brings you the best Dominican Republic vacation for all sorts of travelers, and then check in to the places we recommend you stay when you get there.

BEACH LOVER If you’re searching for miles of pristine white sand bordered by turquoise waters and leaning coconut palms, look no further than the Dom Rep’s most famous resort town, Punta Cana, where 20 miles of beachy east-coast bliss awaits. And the perfect PC perch has to be Tortuga Bay Hotel Punta Cana Resort & Club, whose 30 sophisticated suites and junior suites (designed by native son Oscar de la Renta) are serviced by solicitous concierges. Factor in 45 holes of championship golf; world-class dining and a Six Senses spa, and the sand is just the beginning of this leisurely but never boring Dominican Republic vacation.

WATER SPORTS ENTHUSIAST Sun and sea are served with sides of high-energy water sports and year-round tradewinds in Cabarete, a bohemian north-coast enclave set against a backdrop of emerald mountains that’s the perfect Dominican Republic vacation for the active traveler. Kiteboarders flock to Bozo Beach and Kite Beach, and surfers hang ten at Encuentro. And when you’re exhausted from your efforts, relax and recover at Millennium Resort & Spa, which has mod one- to three-bedroom condo-style suites; a beachfront restaurant, infinity pool and spa; and a Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding school on-site or choose from among the top places to stay in Cabarete.

ADVENTURER On the northeast coast, the peaceful Samaná Peninsula offers diversions for visitors who want to do it all. There’s humpback whale watching in the spring; the rugged trails and native birds of Los Haitises national park; as well as water sports and hiking opportunities galore. But because it also has several breezy beaches (the offshore isle of Cayo Levantado is a standout), this region suits those who want to do nothing at all. Either way, you won’t have to choose at the elegant boutique The Peninsula House in Las Terranas (the region’s original tourist hub). The hillside great house-style bed-and-breakfast is an oasis of subtle and sophisticated style, with antique reproductions in just six suites, a garden pool and its own beach club.

CULTURE VULTURE Founded in 1498, the DR’s capital of Santo Domingo is where the Americas’ first cathedral, hospital and university were built, and its well-preserved Zona Colonial is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Recognized for its architecture, theater, opera and ballet companies, as well as several museums, it is also the home of the charming 24-suite Billini Hotel, where free breakfast and Wi-Fi; ‘round-the-clock concierge service; and a slick rooftop pool and bar make it a solid choice within walking distance of the city’s sights.

GOURMAND On the island’s eastern tip, Cap Cana is a private community adjacent to Punta Cana’s airport. Completely self-sufficient, it has its own marina, Jack Nicklaus golf course, and even its own adventure park. But it’s the resorts along its three-mile white-sand stretch that draw foodies, seduced by the menus of almost 50 restaurants in the enclave, which serve up everything from tacos to imported steaks. Eden Roc at Cap Cana, arguably the best resort in the whole country, offers a luxurious base for your culinary exploration, with 34 suites and villas that come with their own golf carts for navigating the sprawling property; a club at Caletón Beach; and three superb restaurants of its own.

The post The Best Dominican Republic Vacation For Every Traveler appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Airbnb’s Caribbean growth continues.

The home-sharing travel giant has signed another agreement with a Caribbean tourism destination, this time the island of Anguilla.

The memorandum of understanding aims to “promote the island as a premier Caribbean destination, with a unique identity, cultural heritage and environment that goes beyond it’s world class beaches, crystalline waters and top class services.”

“Airbnb and Anguilla will work together to highlight Anguilla’s genuine appeal, as experienced through the eyes of locals, our Airbnb Host Community”, said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s representative for the Caribbean and Central America.

The agreement also provides for Airbnb to share aggregated data with Anguilla to improve understanding on how home sharing is driving tourism.

“This agreement with Airbnb will have the effect of affording Anguillians of all walks of life an opportunity to be involved in the tourism accommodation sector, giving credence to the oft touted statement: Tourism is Everybody’s Business,” said Anguilla’s Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Victor Banks. “Airbnb represents a new trend in the delivery of tourism experiences to a wide range of international and regional travellers and creates a platform to promote Anguilla as a destination of choice for varied and new types of travel experiences.”

Airbnb already has more than 300 listings in Anguilla; a typical Airbnb host in Anguilla has an annual earning of around $4,400 in 2016.

“Our goal is to expand our tourism industry, increasing arrivals and enhancing overall tourism revenues,” said Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism.

Airbnb has been signing a wave of tourism agreements of late with islands including Jamaica and Aruba.

The post Anguilla, Airbnb Sign Tourism Agreement appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, has alerted Governor Rick Scott of Florida in a letter, calling his attention to the “rapidly approaching drop in federal healthcare funding for Puerto Rico, known as Medicaid cliff”, which will likely result in a substantial…

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One of the most exciting urban redevelopment projects in the Caribbean recent memory has broken ground in Nassau.

The Pointe, the $200 million project in downtown Nassau, has officially broken ground on a seven-acre waterfront site.

The project will include a mixed-use development including residential and retail space.

It is being developed by New World One Bay Street, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Construction America.

The first phase of the Pointe was a large parking garage with bottom-floor retail.

China Construction completed the first phase of the project, a 900-space parking garage with first-floor retail, last year.

The second phase of the project will include a 100-room, eight-story condominium project with oceanfront residences, slated for completion in September 2018.

It will also include a 150-room branded resort and spa with a business center, dining and retail amenities; that project is slated to debut in November 2018.

Upon completion, The Pointe will also include a marina and yacht club, 50,000 square feet of retail and office space, restaurants, upscale shopping and entertainment venues including a rooftop bar and a movie theater.

The Pointe is expected to employ 200 Bahamians during construction and create 500 permanent jobs upon completion.

“The Bahamas Government is very appreciative of the commitment, resolve and cooperation demonstrated by CCA,” said Bahamas deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis.  “In its role as General Contractor for the completion of construction at Baha Mar added to this development, we thank CCA for its demonstrated confidence in the Government and people of The Bahamas.”

Nassau is in the midst of a significant urban renaissance.

The post “The Pointe” Breaks Ground in Nassau appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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