By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Fast-expanding AMResorts’s newest all-inclusive project has broken ground: the adults-only Breathless Cancun Resort & Spa.

This will be the Apple Leisure Group Brand’s third Breathless-branded property in Mexico, part of a commitment to the wider destination, according to the company.

“Despite the challenges that continue to impact the tourism industry in Mexico, ALG maintains its commitment to Cancun and other destinations in the country. We remain loyal to our goal of attracting investment for new projects that will create jobs and economic benefits in these regions and the Breathless Cancun Resort & Spa is a great example of this” said Alex Zozaya, CEO of Apple Leisure Group. “We are bullish on the future of the Mexican tourism market and will work hand-in-hand with local stakeholders to ensure this new project continues ALG’s tradition of bringing value to the regions where AMResorts brands are present, with concepts that simultaneously surpass travelers’ expectations.”

Set in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone, the new $160 million all-inclusive project will include a total of 429 rooms and suites, along with four pools, a spa and eight eateries.

It’s slated to debut in the summer of 2021, according to the company.

“The potential of Cancun is tremendous, as the area continues to evolve to meet demand for more luxury accommodations and offerings,” said Javier Coll, Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of ALG. “Our ability to leverage our extensive brand management experience in the region allows us to work with hotel owners to refine the product and provide an unmatched ROI for owners, while creating truly differentiated brands for guests to experience.”

The resort is the latest addition to the Breathless Resorts & Spa brand collection, which includes branded properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Most recently, ALG announced the signing of Breathless Tulum Resort & Spa, which is set to open in 2021.

It’s part of a wider expansion push in Mexico, one that was fueled last year by its alliance with Mexico-based Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe.

ALG said the brand’s growth would be buoyed by its growing distribution network in the Mexican Caribbean.

Indeed, ALG says it brings more than 2.3 million passengers each year to the area.

It’s the second major groundbreaking for ALG-branded projects in the Caribbean this month, including a recent groundbreaking in Saint Lucia.

— CJ

The post A New $160 Million All-Inclusive Is Coming to Cancun appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

One of the fastest-growing cruise ports in the Caribbean has a new name.

The British Virgin Islands has renamed the Tortola Pier Park in honor of tourism visionary and local cruise industry pioneer, Cyril B. Romney.

The naming of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park took place at an official ceremony held, part of the B.V.I.’s mission to “pay homage to stalwarts of the community who have contributed selflessly to the development of the territory.”

“Most Virgin Islanders will agree that there is one name that is synonymous with the cruise sector in the BVI. and that is the name Cyril B. Romney,” said Former Premier and Minister for Tourism, Orlando Smith. “He had a vision for the development of the cruise sector and was steadfast in seeing that vision through, whether it was from the lofty seat of Chief Minister of these islands, or as an astute businessman.”

In his capacity of Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board, Romney initiated several strategies for promoting cruise tourism and was the visionary for the construction of a cruise pier and facility.

As a businessman, he made significant investments in equipment and services to serve the needs of cruise as well as overnight guests.

These investments included boats, yachts, buses and properties at Peter Island (Oceans 7), White Bay and Dolphin Discovery, once a major attraction for cruise visitors.

“He travelled far and wide to promote the B.V.I. as a worthy cruise destination and eventually convinced the government, following studies piloted by him while he was Chief Minister, to build a cruise pier, hence ushering in cruise tourism in the B.V.I.,” said former Minister for Communications & Works, Mark Vanterpool.

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… back to Puerto Rico and I took the Puerto Rico Bar. … Puerto Rican residents because it would unbalance the economy of Puerto Rico … US citizens of Puerto Rico is how Puerto Rican residents are … practically unfettered power over Puerto Rico’s citizens since 1898 …

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Continuing its rapid Caribbean expansion, low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines has officially launched two new nonstop routes to the island of Jamaica.

Spirit’s new service includes nonstop routes from Orlando to both Kingston and Montego Bay.

The new Montego Bay flights will operate four times each week on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

A beach in Montego Bay.

The new Kingston route will run three times a week, with service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The new service continues what has been a big jump in airlift to Jamaica in the last year that has included almost 38,000 new annual seats to Jamaica from the United States, along with 12,000 new seats from Europe and an additional 42,400 seats from the Canadian market.

The routes strengthen both Jamaica’s traditional tourism hub of Montego Bay and its capital, Kingston, with the latter an area of increasing focus for the destination.

Half Moon in Jamaica.

Montego Bay has been seeing renewed interest in the travel industry of late, thanks to major transformation projects like that of the Half Moon Resort and the launch of the exciting new S Hotel in the heart of Montego Bay’s “hip strip.”

Kingston, on the other hand, has also been growing as one of the Caribbean’s leading urban destinations, one that will soon see the debut of a highly-anticipated new AC Marriott hotel, a joint venture between Marriott and Sandals.

Spirit has been on a massive growth push, particularly out of Orlando International Airport.

That expansion, first announced last year, has helped to position Orlando as yet another major Florida hub for Caribbean travel, with new service launched in the last six months to destinations including Puerto Rico, Cartagena, Colombia; Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Santo Domingo.

It all amounts to what has been the largest-ever expansion for Spirit, according to the company.

The post Spirit Launches Two New Nonstop Routes to Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By the Caribbean Journal staff

Hyatt’s signature Aruba hotel is planning several new additions this year, following a $21 million renovation project that concluded last year.

The second phase of the hotel’s transformation will see the renovation of the property’s beachfront space, highlighted by the introduction of a new beachside adults-only pool.

That will complement the hotel’s existing 8,000-square-foot, multi-level pool complex.

“The transformation of our beachfront space into a spectacular, multi-level pool will provide a relaxing escape where guests can lounge the day away in a more tranquil setting,” said Gabriel Castrillon, the Hyatt Regency Aruba’s newly-appointed general manager. “This beautiful design will be completely unique to Hyatt Regency Aruba and elevate our continued commitment to delivering a seamless, unforgettable experience for every type of traveler.”

Fort Lauderdale urban design firm EDSA is overseeing the project, which will completely remodel a 43,000-square-foot area of the hotel’s beachfront outdoor space.

That includes the addition of 10 new private pool cabanas, each of which will have its own private entrance, along with a stairway into the pool designed to “make guests feel as though they are floating on the water,” according to a statement.

“Our vision for Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino’s new adult pool is to incorporate beautiful accent walls with stark stone, create a lush landscape, and add other unique water features to give the space a formal yet comfortable feel,” said EDSA Principal Gregg Sutton. “The reimagined area will really wow guests, and further position the resort as a true destination with something for everyone.”

The project will begin in May.

— CJ

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