The Caribbean’s most glamorous destination is reopening for tourism, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The French Caribbean island of St Barth is reopening for travel and tourism on June 22, according to Bruno Magras, president of the island’s territorial council. 

“Whether you are visiting an island friend or local resident, returning to spend time in your vacation home or coming back to spend some vacation time on the island, St Barth is pleased to welcome you back,” Magras said. 

Magras said life on the island has “returned to normal.”

“Island beaches are open without restriction, restaurants and boutiques are operating as usual, houses of worship are open and holding services and nautical services as well as the other services to which you are accustomed are being provided as usual,” he said. 

That’s due to early, aggressive action to lock down the island in the early days of the pandemic’s spread, and now it means St Barth is open for business. 

The island has implemented new COVID-19 protocols for incoming travelers, however. 

Every visitor to the island will be asked to provide a COVID-negative RT-PCR test performed within three days prior to the visitor’s departure. 

If it’s not possible to arrange a test prior to departure, visitors will be required to be tested for COVID-19 within 24 hours of arrival. 

Until test results are known, visitors will be required to observe “strict quarantine” in their villa or hotel room “during which time interaction is limited to only those traveling in your party.”

Test results will take less than 24 hours to be released, Magras said. For those staying on the island for more than seven days, a second RT-PCR test will be required on Day 7. (Children under the age of 10 do not require a test). 

The island’s villas and resorts are beginning to reopen, most notably the Hotel Le Toiny, the first hotel on the island to announce its reopening, along with the popular Les Ilets de la Plage beachfront resort in St Jean.

Of course, leading villa companies like WIMCO and St Barth Properties are also reopening their properties for travelers.

And the best ways to get there from the United States remains flying luxury carrier Tradewind Aviation via San Juan. 

— CJ

The post St Barth to Reopen for Tourism on June 22 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Ocean Club Resorts in Turks and Caicos are set to relaunch in time for the destination’s reopening for tourism.

The dual-resort portfolio on Grace Bay Beach will reopen July 22, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

That means both the Ocean Club and Ocean Club West properties, both of which are comprised entirely of suites. 

“Ocean Club Resorts has long held a commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our guests and staff,” said Ocean Club Resorts Managing Director, Wilbert Mason. “Our team has taken the necessary steps toward enhancing cleaning measures and implementing new protocols that adhere to social distancing without taking away from the overall guest experience. We look forward to our guests returning and have put in place new safety measures in order to offer a secure yet still unforgettable stay in a post-COVID-19 travel climate.”

The new health and safety protocols range from modifying all public spaces for social distancing to increased sanitization frequency of public spaces and the use of new anti-viral cleaning products, among others. 

— CJ

The post Turks and Caicos’ Ocean Club Resorts to Reopen appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino is reopening on June 30, ahead of Aruba’s tourism reopening, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The resort includes two properties: one in the heart of downtown Oranjestad and another on a private-island retreat. 

The property is reopening with a number of new health and safety measures, with features like the ability for guests to check-in through the Marriott Bonvoy app at home before they arrive. 

That’s along with enforced social distancing, widespread, enhanced disinfecting and new protocols for casino visits. 

The resort’s popular Renaissance Island will continue its tradition of private boat transfers, albeit with a reduced capacity on each boat. 

Aruba is reopening for U.S. travelers on July 10. 

For more, visit Renaissance Aruba. 

— CJ

The post Renaissance Aruba to Reopen June 30 appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Tom Bonin, who sent in this stunning photo of his view on a trip earlier this year to Tortola. 

Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean?

Send it to news@caribjournal.com with CPOTW in the subject line, including your first and last name and the location of the photo. 

It could be the next Caribbean Photo of the Week!

— CJ

The post Caribbean Photo of the Week: The View in Tortola appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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