St Croix, the US Virgin Islands’ largest island, is getting a new tourism identity. 

USVI tourism officials have launched a full-fledged rebranding of St Croix, with a new push aimed at educating travelers on the unique features of the island. 

The USVI is calling it “St Croix: A Vibe Like No Other,” and, more importantly, it’s a new approach for the USVI — giving each of the islands in the territory a unique brand. 

“We believe that St. Croix is going to be the big new attraction for tourism in the Caribbean,” said United States Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte, who said the people, cuisine, history and culture of the destination, coupled with its laid-back vibe, will help position St. Croix as a “go-to” Caribbean destination throughout a new marketing campaign.

“Through the eyes, art and expertise of Crucians we can present the breadth and depth of experiences the island has to offer. Through chefs, mixologists, musicians, tour guides, artisans and other professionals we will explore the Crucian vibe,” Boschulte. “I am excited to roll out our marketing strategy to position St Croix as a destination with its own identity and one whose tourism potential is limitless.”

The rebranding comes as St Croix is in the midst of a tourism renaissance, from new hotels like The Fred in Frederiksted to reimagined historic properties like Company House in Christiansted and what is one of the hottest culinary scenes in the Caribbean. 

Indeed, St Croix saw a 7.9 percent increase in tourist arrivals in 2019 compared to the previous year, the commissioner said. 

This year the island is poised for more growth, with two of its major resorts set to reopen for the first time since Hurricane Maria. 

That includes the all-inclusive Divi Carina Bay and the Renaissance St Croix Carambola Beach Resort (which is opening this year, according to Marriott).

“After the hurricanes of 2017, impacted islands saw major dips in arrivals with reduced accommodations inventory,” said Boschulte, who was speaking at a briefing at the recent CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace conference in Nassau. “However, two years later, airline capacity on St. Croix is actually ahead of pre-storm levels; with continued hard work and focus, we expect that trend to continue.”

That includes a third American Airlines daily flight set to launch from Miami in June.

The news also comes as St Croix was recently named the number one destination to visit in the Caribbean in 2020 in Caribbean Journal. 

“We like what St Croix has to offer,” Boschulte said. 

The post How the USVI Is Rebranding St Croix appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Hilton’s Harbor Club resort in Saint Lucia has named a new executive chef. 

The waterfront hotel, which is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has tapped Cristian Rebolledo to the role. 

The Harbor Club has also named Rebolledo as its new director of food and beverage.

“Chef Rebolledo’s diverse culinary background makes him especially suited to oversee the four different restaurants we have here at The Harbor Club, especially the newly opened 14North,” said Lester Scott, General Manager of the hotel. “We’re excited for our guests to experience the finesse of Chef Rebolledo’s culinary expertise and the new culinary creations he will bring to the table.”

Rebolledo, a native of Chile, was most recently at the Turks and Caicos Collection in Providenciales, where he led food and beverage operations for three properties: Beach House, Alexandra and Blue Haven. 

— CJ

The post Harbor Club Saint Lucia Names New Executive Chef appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The first-ever Six Senses resort in the Caribbean has officially broken ground on the island of Grenada. 

The new project is the latest by the region’s hottest luxury hotel developer, Range Developments, the company behind the celebrated Park Hyatt St Kitts and the new Cabrits Resort Kempinski Dominica. 

In a statement, Range Developments said the company was “committed to complete the project by November 2022.”

The 100-room resort will be set on Grenada’s spectacular La Sagesse beach. 

“We have achieved this important milestone in a record time,” said Mr Mohammed Asaria, Managing Director and Board Member of Range Developments.

The agreement with Grenada’s government was just signed 10 months ago, Asaria said. 

“[We] feel privileged to be placing our resort on such prime land in Grenada and to be working with Six Senses, a brilliant combination,” Asaria said. “These are exciting times ahead, as we always strive to make a difference in the communities we operate in. The Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada resort, like all of our developments, will create a halo effect across the country’s economy.”

Six Senses, which is now part of the InterContinental Hotels Group umbrella (IHG purchased the brand last year), is a brand focused on a combination of wellness, sustainability and luxury.

While this project is the first-ever Six Senses resort in the wider Caribbean region, the company has long operated a spa at the Puntacana Resort and Club in the Dominican Republic. 

“The Government of Grenada fully supports and welcomes the work of Range Developments, which has an outstanding record of delivering the finest world class resorts in the Caribbean,” said Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada. “This project will impact significantly on Grenada’s rural economy and it will also offer visitors a more unique experience, given its location outside of the traditional tourist belt.”

It’s another big boost for Grenada’s growing luxury hotel sector, which now includes the recently-opened Silversands Hotel along with another highly-anticipated project, the Kimpton Kawana Bay, set to open its doors on Grenada’s iconic Seven Mile Beach this year.

The post Six Senses’ First-Ever Caribbean Resort Breaks Ground in Grenada appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Hyatt Place brand is coming to the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

The first-ever Hyatt Place in the country will open in the third quarter of 2024, according to a statement from Hyatt Hotels Corporation. 

The 120-room Hyatt Place Santo Domingo Piantini will be set in the heart of the capital’s commercial and financial hub. 

Construction on the project is set to begin this year; the newest Hyatt Place will join four existing Hyatt Place properties in the wider Caribbean region. 

“We are thrilled to announce plans to introduce the Hyatt Place brand in the Dominican Republic and expand the brand’s footprint in the Caribbean through the development of this new hotel in such a prominent location in Santo Domingo,” said Camilo Bolaños, Vice President of Development and Real Estate for Latin America and the Caribbean at Hyatt. “Hyatt Place hotels offer high-energy professionals who want to balance their priorities and get the most out of their stay, so they can get the most out of their lives.”

The project will be built by Constructora Aybar and Contemega, set in Santo Domingo’s Ensanche Piantini location. 

The new project comes as Santo Domingo continues to grow as a travel destination, with a surge in airlift and a new effort by the country’s tourism officials to reposition the city. 

— CJ

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