Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has relaunched flights to another Caribbean destination, this time to Cartagena on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. 

Spirit has relaunched its route from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Cartagena. 

With its return, Spirit is the first international carrier to enter Colombia since the country reopened its borders for tourism. 

Spirit is also relaunching flights from Fort Lauderdale to Colombian destinations including Bogota, Medellin and Cali on Sept. 21. 

“Being the airline that will operate the first commercial international flight to Colombia from the United States is a sign of our commitment to the country,” said Ted Christie, president and CEO of Spirit Airlines. “ We have been anticipating our return to the country and we thank the government of Colombia for its constant support and collaboration.”

Spirit actually operates more nonstop flights to Colombia than any other U.S. carrier. 

“The return of Spirit to our skies is great news for the country, as it confirms that we are making a firm step towards the recovery of the tourism industry under strict biosecurity protocols,” said Flavia Santoro, prseident of ProColombia, the country’s chief investment and tourism agency. “When this situation began, we were clear that we had to work on a plan to restore international seats and frequencies hand in hand with the airlines. This is how we are coordinating the return of Spirit and supporting it in its promotional plans to return.”

Visitors looking to enter Colombia must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 96 hours of the time of travel. 

That’s along with a required application on the Colombian immigration page (you can find it here).

— CJ

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After a little over a month of closure, the United States Virgin Islands is reopening for tourism once again, Caribbean Journal has confirmed. 

US Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte confirmed to Caribbean Journal that the destination would be reopening for leisure tourism on Sept. 19. 

The US Virgin Islands’ USVI Update website said hotel and accommodations providers, including charter vessels, can now already take new leisure travel reservations. 

And beginning Sept. 19, hotels and accommodations providers, including charter vessels, can accept new guests. 

The US Virgin Islands has also introduced a new travel protocol for visitors to the territory: all travelers must have a COVID-19 test result taken within five days prior to arrival in the territory. 

Travelers must also fill out a travel health form (you can find it here).

The move comes just over a month after the USVI “put the brakes” on tourism, with Governor Albert Bryan, citing what he called at the time an “alarming level of risk.”

One of the destination’s most popular hotels, the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas, has confirmed a reopening date of Oct. 1 in the wake of the news.

For more. visit US Virgin Islands Travel Update. 

— CJ

The post The US Virgin Islands Is Reopening for Tourism on Sept. 19 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Royalton is reopening three Saint Lucia resorts in November, according to parent company Blue Diamond Resorts. 

On Nov. 1, three Royalton-branded resorts will relaunch: Mystique Saint Lucia by Royalton; Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia and the Royalton Saint Lucia Resort and Spa. 

A fourth Blue Diamond property in Saint Lucia, the Starfish Saint Lucia, is slated to reopen its doors on Dec. 15. 

All of the properties will be welcoming guests under the company’s new “Safety Assured Vacations” health and hygiene protocols. 

Saint Lucia reopened for tourism in June; you can find the destination’s current COVID-19 entry protocols here. 

For more, visit Royalton Saint Lucia. 

— CJ

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