By the Caribbean Journal staff

The world’s largest airline is adding a pair of new routes to the US Virgin Islands.

American Airlines will be launching new nonstop flights from both Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth to St Thomas, beginning Dec. 21, according to the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

The new services will both operate weekly on Saturdays.

The Chicago service will operate on Airbus A319 aircraft with 128 seats, while the Dallas flights will be run on Boeing 757 aircraft with 176 seats, according to USVI Tourism Commissioner Nominee Joseph Boschulte.

The Secret Harbour resort in St Thomas.

“We are delighted with the confidence our airline partners have expressed in our destination,” said Commissioner Nominee Boschulte, who met with American Airlines’ leadership team in Dallas last month. “American has expressed a high confidence in and commitment to our destination and we look forward to making more announcements concerning the strengthening of aerial highways which connect travelers to both our airports, on St. Thomas and St. Croix.”

The Chicago route will operate seasonally, while the Dallas flight will run year round.

The capacity jump comes as the US Virgin Islands continues to see a tourism renaissance, and as St Thomas in particular is set for a major boost with the planned relaunch of the Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas this winter.

The Ritz-Carlton St Thomas is slated to relaunch this winter.

That property will return with a fully renovated experience, according to tourism officials.

The new flights also come as St Thomas continues to see more carriers adding capacity or expanding with new routes to the destination.

That includes Delta’s plans to add a second daily nonstop flight to St Thomas this summer from Atlanta, and an expansion by United of its Houston-St Thomas route to daily service beginning in June.

— CJ

The post American Airlines Is Adding Two New Flights to St Thomas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Wyndham’s growing Caribbean portfolio is expanding again, this time in Belize.

The global hotel company has brought its Trademark Collection by Wyndham soft band to Belize with the addition of the Costa Blu Beach Resort.

The adults-only resort, set north of San Pedro Town on Belize’s popular Ambergris Caye, has 38 suites on a beachfront site.

The property is owned by Sandy Point Group, which has a portfolio of boutique hotels in Belize, and will be managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

“With nonstop flights from 17 cities in seven countries, on seven international airlines, getting to Belize has never been easier,” said Alejandro Moreno, president and general manager for Latin America and the Caribbean at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. “What’s more, the latest numbers released by Belize Tourism Board, show that the revenue generated in the accommodations sector has increased every year over the past seven years. Given the wealth of opportunity, we’re thrilled to be opening our first managed Trademark in a place that’s not only beautiful but also growing in demand.”

Wyndham’s Trademark Collection is a soft-banded, “independently-minded collection of upper midscale and above properties,” according to a description from the company.

The Costa Blu Beach Resort has an on-site eatery, a waterside beach bar, spa services and complimentary watersports like paddleboards and kayaks, among other amenities.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts to bring an internationally recognized brand to Belize and the region,” said Mary Dahlquist, chief operations officer of Sandy Point Group. “With their tremendous global footprint, award-winning rewards program and extensive hotel and resort management experience, we’re confident that partnering with a world-class organization like Wyndham will not only elevate Costa Blu Beach Resort but also help us drive increased exposure to travelers around the world.”

Earlier this month, Wyndham relaunched in Puerto Rico with the addition of the new Wyndham Candelero Beach Resort.

Wyndham has another property in the pipeline in Belize, the Wyndham Grand Belize that is expected to open later this year.

The post Wyndham Continues Caribbean Expansion in Belize appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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