By the Caribbean Journal staff

Tourism arrivals to Barbados rose by 2.7 percent last year, a solid performance and another year of positive growth, according to new data from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

But the biggest story last year was a continued surge in tourism from the all-important United States market.

The United States was the area of strongest improvement for Barbados, with an 8.4 percent increase in visitors and a total of 204,830 arrivals, a full-fledged surge in visits that far eclipsed growth from the Canadian and United Kingdom markets. 

It’s part of what has been a concerted push over the last several years to attract more American visitors, work that is now paying off.

The island’s Grantley Adams International Airport reported a total of 681,197 visitors in 2018, representing an increase of 17,686 visitors.

“I am delighted by this news and what it says about Barbados’ tourism product,” said William “Billy” Griffith, CEO of BTMI. “It is never easy as a mature tourism destination to maintain growth at these levels in the competitive business landscape in which we operate, but I am pleased that through strategic marketing efforts we have once again proven Barbados’ value as shown by the record number of arrivals at both the air and sea ports throughout 2018.”

“I must commend our tourism teams both here and in our global offices, whose efforts were instrumental in us achieving this record 2.7 percent growth,” Griffith said. “They did a great job individually, and that’s reflected when we look at our overall reporting.”  

The numbers are likely to increase further in 2019, thanks in part to American Airlines’ recent expansion in service to the island from both Miami and Charlotte.

— CJ

The post American Travelers Are Flocking to Barbados appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Apple Leisure Group’s rapidly-expanding AMResorts brand is adding a pair of new all-inclusive hotels on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

The company has announced two new resort brand management deals as part of a partnership with Oasis Hotels and Resorts.

The two all-inclusive properties will be branded as Now and Sunscape resorts, respectively.

The Now brand will launch at a Cancun resort, while AMResorts is adding its Sunscape brand to a property in the increasingly popular beach hotspot of Akumal.

 “As the market cycle continues to turn, now is the time for owners wanting to ensure future stability for their assets and capitalize on their investments to align with the right partner who can help them weather the cyclical nature of the hospitality industry,” said Javier Coll, executive vice president and chief strategy officer at ALG.

Both resorts are conversions of existing properties, each of which will undergo renovations and reopen under their new AMResorts brand on Jan. 1.

An existing room at the Grand Oasis Tulum. The property will be undergoing a renovation.

The former Grand Oasis Sens will become the Now Emerald Cancun, with 427 rooms; the former Grand Oasis Tulum will relaunch as the Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort and Spa, with a total of 360 rooms.

The former Grand Oasis Sens will become a Sunscape.

AMResorts is planning another Now-branded hotel in the Mexican Caribbean laster this year, with the debut of the Now Natura Riviera Cancun.

The news continues what has been a busy month for AMResorts, including groundbreakings at the company’s Breathless Cancun resort and a pair of new hotels in Saint Lucia.

— CJ

The post AMResorts Is Adding Two More All-Inclusive Hotels in Mexico appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… the high-spirited Avenue of Puerto Rico (also known as Graham Avenue … studio in his first home, Puerto Rico, early this summer. “I … as well as memories of Puerto Rico. Perched on a salvaged chair … as an insurance agent in Puerto Rico, after my dad obligated …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are planning a major visit to the Caribbean later this month.

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are heading to the Caribbean March 17 for a trip that will include stops in Saint Lucia, Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada and the Cayman Islands.

It will reportedly include over 50 engagements across 10 different islands.

The pair will also be visiting Cuba, marking the first-ever official visit to Cuba by a member of the Royal Family.

The aim of the trip is to “celebrate the Monarchy’s relationship with these Commonwealth Realms,” the Royal Family said in a statement.

The tour will begin in Saint Lucia with an event to mark the country’s 40th anniversary of independence, followed by a stop in Barbados and then a trip to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Those visits will be followed by the visits to St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Cuba and then the Cayman Islands.

That stop will include the opening of the Cayman Islands’ highly-anticipated new airport — along with stops in both Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Prince Charles last visited the Caribbean at the end of 2017 in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. That trip included visits to Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands.

— CJ

The post Prince Charles Is Coming to the Caribbean appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Looking for an affordable getaway to Playa del Carmen, Mexico?

The bustling beach town on the Caribbean coast of Mexico is now home to its first Holiday Inn Express, following its debut this week.

The $8 million hotel has a total of 91 rooms and suites and, more importantly, is within walking distance to the beach.

That includes 34 standard rooms and 57 suites, along with amenities like a rooftop pool, a 24-hour fitness center, a business center and free Wi-Fi.

“We are thrilled to introduce the Holiday Inn Express & Suites brand into Playa del Carmen, strengthening our presence in one of the preferred travel spots in the Mayan Riviera,” said Gerardo Murray, Regional Vice President, Brands & Marketing, Mexico, Latin America and Caribbean, at IHG. “This hotel is a significant addition to our portfolio in Mexico, offering guests the brand’s renowned innovative hospitality experience, connectivity and friendly service.”

The property, which is owned by Litore Maya, is managed by Marca Hotel Solutions.

— CJ

The post Playa Del Carmen Gets Its First Holiday Inn Express appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico