By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s major tourism hub of Montego Bay is set for a full-fledged hotel boom. 

Some 6,000 new hotel rooms are coming to the destination on the northwestern coast of Jamaica over the next five years, according to Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett. 

That number is likely to include surrounding areas in what has come to be considered “greater” Montego Bay like Trelawny, which has been seeing its own development boom in recent years.

Montego Bay.

That will be highlighted by a planned Hard Rock hotel-casino development that will include 1,700 hotel rooms, Bartlett said. 

The hotel will likely come under AIC Hotels’ Unico hotel brand, which would mark the second Unico-branded resort along with its flagship Riviera Maya adults-only property. That project was first revealed by Jamaica Tourism Director Donovan White at the CTO’s State of the Industry Conference last year.

The Unico hotel in the Riviera Maya.

Montego Bay recently got a boost with the recent debut of the S Hotel Montego Bay, a luxe beach resort that has injected new life into the “Hip Strip” area of downtown Montego Bay.

Bartlett said the rooms would help Jamaica target the growing market of luxury travelers around the world, a segment of the market Bartlett said could reach $2.5 trillion globally by 2025. 

“Jamaica is well positioned to tap into this obviously lucrative market. Business and luxury travel go hand in hand and the fact that the Montego Bay Convention Centre is also perched on the elegant corridor of Rose Hall, we are uniquely poised to make a run at this market,” Bartlett said. 

Half Moon has more than two miles of beach.

Pointing to Montego Bay area resorts like the legendary Half Moon and AMResorts’ Zoetry Montego Bay, the Minister said Jamaica now had what “we are proud to call an embarrassment of riches, as we continue to pursue the luxury tourism market.”

Half Moon for its part will soon debut a transformational expansion of its iconic beachfront property. 

The new S Hotel in Montego Bay opened earlier this year.

“We just have to keep plugging away where eventually we will get it right,” Bartlett said. “We have the right mixture – a first world international airport in the form of Sangster, a convention centre and some of the finest hotels in the region – all in close proximity.”’’

— CJ

The post A Hotel Boom Is Coming to Montego Bay, Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Carlos Castillo
Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York

Tourism and hospitality have become synonymous in the Dominican Republic. They are the mainstay of the economy, and a tremendous source of pride within our culture. New York City alone is home to over 422,000 Dominican immigrants, the largest number of foreign-born New Yorkers, and more than a million people who claim Dominican heritage. The frenzy of recent media attention and implications of an unsafe environment has challenged an otherwise untarnished reputation.

The Dominican Republic remains an economic anchor throughout the Caribbean and a force of stability. Relations with the U.S. remains strong as well. The Office of the United States Trade Representative reports that U.S. goods exports to the Dominican Republic increased by 9.4 percent to reach $8.6 billion in 2018, and U.S. goods imports from the Dominican Republic increased by 11.9 percent to $5.3 billion within the same year.

As a community, we embrace self-improvement and training, and we hold ourselves to the highest professional standards. We have pioneered and mandate adherence to quality controls that regularly redefine tourism industry benchmarks, and apply the same dedication to all sectors.

To fully understand the importance that we place on the enjoyment and well-being of our guests, it is necessary to highlight the significance of the sector’s past, present, and future.    

A History of Progress

The Dominican Republic boasts a rich heritage and has experienced exponential growth in tourism over the past 50 years. In the 1970s and 1980s, the island’s beaches and hallmark hospitality caught the attention of world travelers with popularity growing year over year. By 1984, the tourism sector outpaced sugar as the country’s leading foreign-exchange earner, and in 1987, the number of visitors first exceeded one million capturing the rank of the Caribbean’s fifth largest earner of tourism dollars.

On July 19, 2019, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic reported that more than 40 million tourists had visited the country over the last seven years. We welcomed 6.6 million guests in 2018 alone, a total more than any country in the Insular Caribbean, and a number only surpassed by Argentina and Brazil when including Central and South America. Today, the Dominican Republic has proudly claimed the leading position in the region with more than $45 billion in foreign currency income from tourism over the past seven years.

Tourism totals in 2018 represented a 6.2 percent increase over the previous year, and a rate of growth that exceeds the world average. Additionally, more than 41 percent of the travelers in 2018 were from the U.S., a total that has increased by approximately 10 percent over the last decade.

The Central Bank further noted, “As the tourism sector has shown, it is of singular importance for the Dominican economy and its strength has been evidenced in the continuous arrival of non-resident visitors, the entry of foreign exchange for this concept, the increase in the capture of Foreign Direct Investment and the generation of jobs.”

A Growing Infrastructure

The country’s stock of hotel rooms has grown in parallel to accommodate the ever-increasing number of travelers. In 1989, the Dominican Republic had 18,000 hotel rooms, more than any other country in the Caribbean region. Today, the Central Bank reports a stock of more than 80,000 rooms, a total that continues to lead the region. Supply is happily met with continued demand as evidenced by a maintained occupancy rate above 85 percent.

The Dominican Republic remains focused on growth and innovation within the tourism sector. The Tourism Development Council recently approved new hotel projects with a total investment of $467.5 million, primarily from foreign capital. These projects will not only increase capacity, but will also add to the more than 330,000 direct and indirect jobs that the sector is currently responsible for.

A Vibrant Future

The Dominican Republic’s crime rate is well below those of other countries in the region and continues to decline. In 2018, proactive measures like a country-wide 911 system resulted in a 27 percent decrease in the number of criminal acts reported against foreign tourists. We remain vigilant in the implementation of measures that will continue to convey confidence and emphasize our commitment to the traveler’s experience.

As previously announced by the Ministry of Tourism, hotel inspections are being doubled and food and beverage quality control and compliance standards are being increased, all guests will be made aware of the availability of 911 emergency services, and a multi-lingual emergency tourist center is being opened to serve as a liaison between visitors and the necessary government agency. A second phase of initiatives includes the commencement of ServSafe training and accreditation for the country’s inspectors in partnership Ecolab, among other meaningful security enhancements. 

We have been touched by the spontaneous endorsements of citizens, celebrities, and friends who have shared personal stories and positive experiences. As the public continues to look to the facts, a downturn in the number of cancellations has been noted and bookings are trending up. We encourage travelers to visit our remarkable country and see that the Dominican Republic has it all.

Carlos Castillo is the Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York.

Note: the opinions expressed in Caribbean Journal Op-Eds are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Caribbean Journal.

The post Op-Ed: The Future of Dominican Republic Tourism appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Over the last few years, Antigua and Barbuda has developed into one of the Caribbean’s hottest hotspots, thanks to an energetic mix of world-class hotels, exotic beauty and what just might be the best airport in the entire Caribbean. Antigua is a robust, rich destination, meaning that it’s filled with different kinds of vacations for every traveler: families, yachters, honeymooners and foodies can all find an Antigua trip that will suit them snugly.

So what are you waiting for? Here are six great reasons why Antigua should be your next Caribbean destination.

Valley Church beach in Antigua.

The Beaches You may have heard that there are 365 of them here, and they’re all spectacular. Whether you’re on the tranquil sands of Dickenson Bay or spending the day in awe of the brilliant turquoise of Valley Church beach, Antigua’s beaches really are worth the trip. And if you doubt the 365 number, well, there’s only one thing to do: a recount.

Galley Bay in Antigua.

The Adults-Only Resorts Antigua has one of the more rarefied collections of resorts in the region, with a diverse mix of luxury resorts, all-inclusives, boutique hotels and classic beach stays. But the adults-only offerings are particularly good, highlighted by the legendary Galley Bay, the hip Cocobay and the classic Pineapple Beach Club.

The beach at the Inn at English Harbour.

The Family Resorts Led by the luxe, lovely Curtain Bluff, Antigua’s family resorts are many. The Verandah is the perfect place for a large family getaway (with a wonderful water sports offering) while smaller beach hotels like the Inn at English Harbour can provide a different kind of family vacation. You can’t go wrong at any of them.

The History There are few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Caribbean, and Antigua’s Nelson’s Dockyard, the onetime haunt of Admiral Horatio Nelson, is one of the best. It’s a charming old town, walkable and breezy, that’s also home to a pair of terrific boutique hotels set in historic buildings: the Copper and Lumber and the Admiral’s Inn. Venture further out and you’ll get to the Shirley Heights Lookout, home to a weekly block-party-style event that marries magnificent views with one of the island’s most popular get-togethers.

Sheer Rocks is Antigua’s must-visit place to eat.

The Food There are many ways to explore Antigua, and one of them is on a plate. The island’s flagship eatery is Sheer Rocks, a tapas-style restaurant that is member of the Caribbean’s culinary pantheon, and the gastronomic quality extends across Antigua, from the venerable Le Bistro to the local spots in St John’s.

The Barbuda Belle.

Barbuda Whether you go for the day or for a week, Barbuda is this destination’s ultimate party piece. Just a short ferry or flight from Antigua, Barbuda is some of the most marvelous beaches in the entire Caribbean, the sort of castaway-style, empty, endless stretches of sand that you thought didn’t exist anymore. And if you want to stay longer, choose a stay at the eco-chic Barbuda Belle.

The post 6 Reasons to Make Antigua and Barbuda Your Next Caribbean Getaway appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Turks and Caios’ Beach Enclave has named a new director of sales and marketing.

The luxury brand, which is behind several residential resort developments in Providenciales, has appointed Valerie Lund to the role, group director Joshua Torai announced.

Lund was most recently with sales consulting firm Inspire Journeys.

“There is nothing more stimulating than to be able to build and create an independent brand as we are doing with Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos,” Ms. Lund notes. “This is just the beginning as we now have the freedom to explore ideas, curate experiences, and design bespoke services for luxury travelers through our exciting brand ethos.”

Beach Enclave most recently launched another new development in Turks and Caicos called Beach Enclave Long Bay, set on Provo’s prestigious Long Bay Beach.

— CJ

The post Turks and Caicos’ Beach Enclave Names New Marketing Director appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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