Canadian carrier WestJet is expanding its Caribbean network with a new route to Belize.

Beginning Nov. 3, WestJet will operate weekly nonstop service between Calgary and Belize on Fridays.

The flights will depart Calgary at 9:15 AM, arriving at 2:51 PM, with he return flight departing Belize at 3:45 PM and arriving in Calgary at 10:06 PM.

“The Calgary – Belize flight is a welcome addition that will further boost Belize’s tourism industry.  The new flight is exciting news and it underscores BTB’s unwavering marketing efforts in promoting Belize as a growing, viable and a must-go destination,” said Karen Pike, the Belize Tourism Board’s Director of Marketing and Industry Relations.

WestJet already operates a flight between Toronto and Belize from October to May.

“As the carrier with more flights from Calgary International Airport than any other, we have designed our Calgary flight schedules to deliver 55 per cent more connecting itineraries which will help to launch new flights in future seasons and further expand our presence in YYC – a key driver in economic and employment growth in the city,” said Brian Znotins, WestJet Vice-President, Network Planning, Alliances and Corporate Development.

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Coral gardening, the process of replanting laboratory-raised coral fragments to restore coral populations, is proving to benefit Caribbean reefs, according to a new study from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.

The school said the research had important implications for the long-term survival of reefs worldwide, which have been in global decline.

“Our study showed that current restoration methods are very effective,” said UM Rosenstiel school coral biologist Stephanie Schopmeyer, the lead author of the study. “Healthy coral reefs are essential to our everyday life and successful coral restoration has been proven as a recovery tool for lost coastal resources.”

Staghorn corals (Acropora cervicornis) are propagated within underwater coral nurseries to create a sustainable source of corals. Photo by Stephanie Schopmeyer.

The study examined restoration success during the first two years of work at coral restorations sites in Florida and in Puerto Rico.

According to the findings, “current restoration methods are not causing excess damage to donor colonies as a result of removing coral tissue to propagate new coral in the lab, and that once outplanted, corals behave just as wild colonies do.”

This was the first study to collect baseline coral restoration survival and productivity data at regional scales.

It’s a boon for what has become a growing number of coral restoration projects across the Caribbean, most notably Bonaire’s Coral Restoration Foundation, which recently expanded to Curacao.

“Coral reefs are declining at an alarming rate and coral restoration programs are now considered an essential component to coral conservation and management plan,” said Diego Lirman, UM Rosenstiel School professor of marine biology and ecology and a coauthor of the study. “Our findings provide the necessary scientific benchmarks to evaluate restoration progress moving forward.”

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Fast-growing Antigua and Barbuda has become the latest Caribbean destination to formalize an agreement with home sharing giant Airbnb.

The agreement aims to “help drive diversified and sustainable tourism to the islands and begin dialogue about a framework for taxation on accommodation,” the destination said in a statement.

The tourism and services industry is continually evolving, and Airbnb is the largest game changer in the accommodation sector. By working with them, we will ensure that Antigua and Barbuda is interacting with the full spectrum of visitors,” said Asot Michael, Antigua Minister of Tourism, Economic Development, Investment and Energy.

In Antigua and Barbuda, there are currently more than 500 active listings on Airbnb, with a typical host earning around $5,700 USD annually.

Antigua said the number of Airbnb guests to the islands had grown by 53 percent in the last 12 months, with travelers tending to stay around six nights.

“We are proud to work with Antigua and Barbuda to assist in the creation of new economic opportunities for the local economy and offer genuine experiences for travelers. Our joint efforts will highlight the culture, heritage and hospitality of local residents,” said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s Public Policy lead for Central America and the Caribbean.

The post Antigua and Barbuda, Airbnb Sign Tourism Agreement appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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It’s perhaps the most exciting addition to the Caribbean underwater scene in years: the BVI Art Reef, the brainchild of a group of conservationists led by BVI resident Sir Richard Branson.

It’s called the BVI Art Reef, and an underwater art installation centered around an old World War II warship called the Kodiak Queen and a massive “kraken” sea monster sculpture all off the coast of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.

But it’s also part of a larger, multifaceted project that includes everything from grouper repopulation to coral restoration.

The project was a joint effort that include partners like the government of the British Virgin Islands, Unite BVI, Maverick1000, Secret Samurai Productions, Beneath the Waves, Commercial Dive Services and the Association of Reef Keepers.

Better still? You can snorkel the site, too, making it accessible for even more travelers.

Caribbean Journal recently checked out the site to bring you an exclusive video look. See more in the video at the top of the page.

For more info, visit the BVI Art Reef project.

— CJ

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Karisma is looking to make a major expansion in South America.

The company has appointed Juan Pablo Franky as its new chief executive officer for the region, a role in which he will spearhead the expansion of Karisma’s brands.

“We are extremely pleased that Juan Pablo is joining our accomplished team, taking on a pivotal leadership role towards bolstering our presence in South America,” said Neil Evans, Chief Operating Officer of Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “Karisma has experienced rapid global growth over the past few years and we are eager to continue this trajectory with a focus on bringing our world-class brands to Latin America. With Juan Pablo at the helm and a new office in Bogotá, we are confident South America will be an increasingly significant market for Karisma’s new and existing luxury properties around the world.”

Franky will concentrate on commercial development in Latin America for Karisma’s brands, which include El Dorado Spa Resorts, Azul Beach Resorts, Generations Resorts, Karisma Villas, Allure Hotels, Hidden Beach Resort, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Karisma Hotels Adriatic and Margaritaville, many of which already operate in the Caribbean region.

“I am very excited to join Karisma Hotels & Resorts and help the company to achieve its goal of increasing its hotel portfolio by 35 percent by 2020,” Franky said. “I look forward to bringing Karisma’s elevated standard of luxury to Latin America while further educating agents, operators and leisure travelers on its Gourmet Inclusive Experience, esteemed partnerships and the innovative services and amenities found at each of its world-class properties.”

Franky had most recently served as vice president of development and investment for Decameron Hotels.

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