Cayman’s Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa has appointed Virgil M. Napier to its team in the role of Director of Sales & Marketing.

Napier comes to the Grand Cayman resort from the Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, CA, bringing with him more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

With specialties in revenue management, group sales and luxury leisure sales, Napier will lead all sales and marketing initiatives for Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa’s growth.

Kimpton Seafire was named Caribbean Hotel of the Year in 2016 by Caribbean Journal.

Napier’s experience includes time as Director of Sales & Marketing at upscale properties such as Rosewood at Baha Mar, W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island and Viceroy Anguilla, along with his years as Director within the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co.

“Virgil’s track record with well-respected luxury properties speaks for itself,” said Steven André, General Manager of Seafire. “His passion and sales and marketing expertise are a perfect fit for Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa as we move forward this year.”

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Kimpton Seafire Names New Marketing Director appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Paradise Island was originally the private estate of a Swedish millionaire and called Hog Island. But today Paradise Island, the one-square-mile oasis just offshore from Nassau, Bahamas, lives up to its current name, offering sun-seeking vacationers miles of idyllic white-sand beaches; the Caribbean’s largest casino; world-class restaurants; and a wealth of resorts to make your island base. So which one should you choose? You can’t go wrong at any of these, which we consider the five Paradise Island hotels.

One & Only Ocean Club For more than half a century this classic Caribbean cloister has welcomed well-heeled guests to what was once the estate of A&P heir Huntington Hartford. Recently given a contemporary overhaul complete with a new oceanview infinity pool and Ocean Pool Grill as well as rebuilt Hartford Wing rooms that now feature Japanese toilets, the retreat, famous for its formal gardens featuring 12^th-century French statuary, is the finest on the island, the crown jewel among Paradise Island hotels. (The hotel’s Dune restaurant, a Jean-Georges outpost, is also a major highlight).

Atlantis The biggest game in town, 3,400-room Atlantis is to the Bahamas what Disney is to Orlando: the place every little (and big) kid wants to visit, with a vast waterscape of lagoons, aquariums and waterfalls; a 141-acre water park, Aquaventure; and the the top casino in the region. There are also a range of options, from the luxe The Cove to the signature Royal Towers. But the 20-year-old isn’t resting on its laurels: It recently launched a new movement to “nurture the Bahamian creative and entrepreneurial community, preserve the oral and visual history of the country and create a platform for Bahamian makers to share their works with the world” with its “Come to Life” cultural initiative.

Warwick Paradise Island Bahamas Less than a year old, this adults-only all-inclusive resort is the first new resort on Paradise Island since 2007. Facing Nassau Harbour, the 250-room playground boasts three restaurants, a poolside pizzeria and grille, a beach bar and a lobby bar, and it’s only a 10-minute walk from the sands of Cabbage Beach. The pool deck is stunning, and the food is a standout, too.

Comfort Suites Paradise Island This little island’s biggest secret has to be the value proposition at this 223-room hotel, where rates include complimentary access to all the amenities of neighboring Atlantis resort plus free WI-FI and daily hot breakfast. Families won’t find a better deal.

Riu Palace Paradise Island On the spectacular Cabbage Beach, this Atlantis neighbor offers great value for the budget-conscious visitor, with reasonable everything-included rates and 379 modern rooms.

The post The Top 5 Paradise Island Hotels appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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BY GUY BRITTON

It’s a booming industry in the Caribbean, and cruising shows no signs of slowing down. That’s particularly true in Jamaica, which has spent significant resources in recent years in an effort to improve its standing as a leading Caribbean port of call. And that’s to continue, with plans to expand capacity, both for large and small-ship cruises, and upgraded port facilities across the country. To learn more, Caribbean Journal caught up with Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.

What makes Jamaica a special destination for cruisers? 

Jamaica had over 150 distinct attractions, likely the most in the Caribbean. Supported by warm welcoming people and advanced infrastructure. Also there are 5 ports of call, which allows visitors to see different aspects of the culture. The new North South Highway connects visitors arriving on the North coast to Kingston, which they couldn’t have done before.

Jamaica has big plans to upgrade its ports. Can you talk more about that?

We have plans for several of Jamaica’s cruise ports:

Port of Montego Bay Master Plan

•       Increased berthing capacity

•       New cruise terminal buildings

•       Increased ground transportation

Kingston Port

•       Increase cruise ship/passenger capacity

•       Deep dredging to accommodate larger ships

Port of Ocho Rios

•       Infrastructure improvements to enhance visitor experience

•       Artisan Villages

Port of Falmouth

•       Opened in 2011 as Jamaica’s first custom built port

•       Georgian town with historic areas

•       Highly rated on Trip Advisor

Port Antonio

•       Ideal for smaller luxury cruise lines and yachts

•       Master Plan in development

 

What is cruising’s overall impact on Jamaica Tourism? 

Jamaica welcomed over 1.6 million cruise passenger to island in 2016 with an economic impact of 2.55 billion. The advancement of the cruise industry has facilitated the further development of towns as we develop our ports, which allows Jamaicans to provide goods and services to the entire cruise industry passengers and crew; for example Falmouth Cruise has stimulated new tourism offerings such as walking and trolley tours and more visits to previously under visited attractions.

 

What is cruising’s impact on Jamaica’s local markets, business and people?

With tourism as a major economic driver in Jamaica, we must do more to build out the capacity of Jamaican businesses and industries, the small and medium tourism enterprises to reap the benefits from tourism.  We will be working with the cruise partners to develop our human capital with training and such that more Jamaicans can be employed by the cruise lines outside of Jamaica.  Additionally, through our linkages network we will connect businesses and entrepreneurs to be able to supply the demand that a growing tourism brings for goods and services to satisfy customers.

 

What effect has the cruise port in Falmouth had on that area? 

Falmouth provides an inviting and highly attractive gateway to the town from the port. Many Jamaicans have established businesses at the port from restaurants to retailers to craft artisans. It has been helpful to bring the community culture into the port and provide cruise passengers with more access to the community.

 

What does the future hold for Jamaica and the cruising market?

To become the premier cruise destination in the Caribbean, increasing cruise visitors to 2.5 million by 2020.  Build out the capacity of the destination in order to attract more cruise lines as well as increase employment. We will also see improved destination assurance to deliver a superior experience for our visitors. Our future vision also includes the creation of new partnerships and alliances with other destinations within the region to offer new cruise experiences. And most importantly, to further develop Kingston as a tourist destination and visitor cruise port, and attract boutique cruise lines to Port Antonio.

 

The post Jamaica’s Big Plans for the Cruise Industry appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Locale, a new “limited service” hotel brand, is coming to the Cayman Islands.

Howard Hospitality Group has announced the launch of Locale, a new kind of hotel concept that will consist of “live and work” guestrooms and lofts catering to the business travel set.

Locale “appeals to the millennial mindset while creating an open inclusive concept for savvy travelers from all walks of life,” the company said in a release.

The hotel will feature food and beverage concepts including Bonfire, an “urban Italian kitchen,” and Swirl, an artisanal Colombian gelato shop.

Locale Grand Cayman will occupy a spot on West Bay Road along the Seven Mile Beach corridor, with a projected opening date in September.

“We are thrilled to officially announce the launch of our new brand, Locale, which lets us continue growing our footprint in Grand Cayman while introducing something truly fresh and new to the market here,” said Howard Sitzer, Chief Executive Officer for HHG. “Grand Cayman is a hotbed of international tourists today, especially millennial business travelers frequenting the island for combined ‘bleisure’ trips.  We have begun crafting a uniquely modern hotel brand we feel will be groundbreaking and inspirational.”

Locale Grand Cayman is the first of what’s expected to be a larger portfolio, with each future property boasting its own distinctive personality.

“We believe there is a definite appetite amongst frequent travelers today, especially those seeking unique out-of-the-box experiences, to be part of a cultural shift – a movement, really – creating the hotel brand of the future,” Sitzer said. “Based on the feedback we’ve already received from core target groups, we believe the future is incredibly bright for a model like Locale and we are excited to see where this takes us, as we eye additional destinations.”

The company, which is also behind the island’s Margaritaville resort, said it would announce more details on Locale Grand Cayman’s on-site amenities and activities in the coming months.

Don’t miss our list of the top Grand Cayman hotels.

– CJ

The post New Millennial-Focused Hotel Brand “Locale” Coming to Cayman appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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An accomplished roster of speakers, including a top executive from Virgin Atlantic, a leading authority on tourism intelligence and a host of respected hoteliers, will address delegates attending the annual Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, slated to take place from June 2 to 4 at the Hyatt Regency Miami.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association reports that Britain’s Mark Anderson, Executive Vice President at Virgin Atlantic, and Trinidadian Dr. Auliana Poon, Managing Director of Tourism Intelligence International, are among the list of speakers for the forum, which features a number of educational sessions.

At CHIEF, the region’s hospitality industry assembles to network, learn, share ideas and collectively brainstorm creative solutions to current challenges.

Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin, KCMG, will keynote the conference, addressing the importance of excellence in Caribbean tourism.

Tourism executive and former CHTA President Simón Suárez, Vice President of Institutional Relations and Projects of Grupo Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, will also address conference-goers, along with Bonita Morgan, Director of Resource Mobilization and Development of the public sector Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Ewald Beimans, Owner and Managing Director of Aruba’s award-winning and environmentally friendly Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort; Sandro Fabris, General Manager of the acclaimed Half Moon in Montego Bay in Jamaica; and sustainable tourism specialist Denaye Hinds, Director of Sustainability of OBM International will also participate in the conference.

This year’s CHIEF offers attendees the chance to be part of intimate professional development sessions on Friday June 2.

During the CHIEF conference, attendees get to customize their experience with a choice of 16 industry-relevant topics throughout the conference.

General session tracks focus on leveraging marketing potential, embedding sustainability into tourism offerings, and LGBTQ travel.

Other more specialized sessions will highlight areas such as branding strategies, cost management, customer service, local sourcing and upselling.

CHIEF will also recognize Caribbean businesses that masterfully implement best practices in the categories of Operations, Sales and Marketing, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Responsibility.

— Dana Niland, CJ Contributor

The post Tourism Luminaries Headed to CHIEF Event in Miami appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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