Caribbean tips

Leading luxury hospitality company Four Seasons, US-based real estate development firm Two Roads Development and Access Real Estate announce plans for The Ocean Club, Four Seasons Residences, Bahamas. Anticipated to open in 2027 and set within an oceanfront enclave on Paradise Island in The Bahamas, the upcoming residential community will present a curated collection of 67 turnkey Private Residences managed by Four Seasons located in close proximity to The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas.

The Bahamas continues its meteoric rise in tourism as air and sea arrivals reach unprecedented heights, marking sustained growth that has surpassed previous years’ benchmarks. As of the end of November 2023, the cumulative count of foreign air and sea arrivals soared to a staggering 8,645,374, showcasing an astounding 41.8 percent surge compared to the corresponding period in 2022. This substantial increase reflects The Bahamas’ unwavering allure and growing popularity among global travellers.

When the temperatures are dropping across the US and you’ve made it through the stress of the holidays, you may find yourself in desperate need of a vacay. But when it comes time to look at flights, and maybe trip packages, you may notice something when you start to type “D-o-m” into the search bar: instead of flights to the Dominican Republic, you see flights to Dominica. Maybe you’ve heard of the island, or maybe it’s your first time — or maybe you didn’t even know that Dominica and the Dominican Republic were two different countries.

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This week, The Islands of The Bahamas and Alaska Airlines marked a significant milestone jointly welcoming first-ever passengers from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, the nation’s booming capital. Respectively launched on December 14 and 15, the new nonstop routes provide West Coast travellers with greater access to the coveted Caribbean paradise renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and vibrant culture.

From January to December 2023, the Turks and Caicos Islands welcomed over a million visitors. The Turks and Caicos Islands received 1,432,844* visitors combined for air and cruise for January -November 2023.  There were 595,503* air arrivals and cruise visitors were 836,341* for the period.  The air arrivals represent a 6.35 percent increase over the corresponding period in 2022 which saw 559,941 arrivals and 54.49 percent over the same period in 2021 which saw 365,460 arrivals.

Silver Airways made its inaugural flight to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands on Monday, December 18th, 2023. The airline will operate twice-weekly flights non-stop from Fort Lauderdale to Providenciales.

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Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has challenged the Ministry of Tourism to work closely with tourism partners to significantly boost tourist arrivals and strengthen linkages with other sectors, in particular agriculture. “The impact of tourism goes beyond the confines of the industry itself; it ripples through various sectors creating a web of opportunities for people. Jobs created by tourism extend into agriculture, entertainment, attractions, communications and transportation, to name a few,” noted Prime Minister Holness.

With a record winter tourist season on the horizon, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has announced that the island is set to eclipse its growth projections for visitor arrivals and tourism earnings for 2023, based on the robust growth trajectory of Jamaica’s vibrant tourism industry. 

The Norse Atlantic Airways inaugural flight from London Gatwick arrived on 1st December 2023 into Montego Bay with hundreds of excited holidaymakers on board. The much-anticipated flight was given an auspicious welcome amidst a press fanfare at the Sangster International Airport.  The arrival of the historic flight introduced the beginning of a new chapter in travel between the United Kingdom and Jamaica.  The occasion reflects the commitment of both nations to foster mutual growth in the tourism industry, creating boundless opportunities for both Jamaican and British travellers alike. 

Drab winter nights prompt dreamy thoughts of warm balmy evenings in a setting more tropical than December in the UK. Winter sun destinations like the Dutch Caribbean Island of Aruba are ready, willing and able to make those desires come true and even offer a new twist.

The Cabot Collection, developer and operator of luxury resort and residential golf destinations, announces the grand opening of Cabot Saint Lucia, situated along one-and-a-half miles of breathtaking coastline with striking views of the Caribbean Sea. Set across one of the most dramatic sites ever selected for golf, Cabot Saint Lucia offers an unparalleled Caribbean golf experience, magnificent real estate opportunities and unique amenities on a spectacular 375-acre peninsula at the northern tip of Saint Lucia.

Travelers eyeing an escape to the Caribbean won't want to miss these spectacular hotel and resort offers. 

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on the weekend received two major awards for Jamaica from the prestigious World Travel Awards, which is in its 30th year, at the landmark Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Minister Bartlett also as Founder and Chair of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC), a thinktank based in Jamaica, handed out five Global Tourism Resilience Awards to two major Middle East corporations and three countries.

Jamaica has a long association with the James Bond film franchise - it has provided a plethora of iconic locations, such as Doctor Kananga’s underground lair in Live and Let Die (1973) at Green Grotto Caves, and the waterfall from the first Bond film, Dr. No (1962), at Ocho Rios’ Dunn’s River Falls. Now, from the producers behind the James Bond films, comes the thrilling television series 007: Road To A Million.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation is proud to announce a historic achievement in tourism, with the country welcoming a record-breaking eight million annual visitors this year. This remarkable success stands as a testament to the unified efforts, strategic planning, and visionary initiatives championed not only by the Ministry of Tourism but strengthened by the invaluable support of key stakeholders like the Nassau/Paradise Island Promotion, The Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board and The Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association. The Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism shared his optimism, stating, “The Bahamas has long been a sought-after destination, and reaching eight million visitors is a milestone that reflects the collective dedication of our tourism professionals nationwide. Our success lies not just in our islands’ allure but in the strategic endeavours we have embraced. As we celebrate this achievement, we are equally focused on shaping a future that ensures sustained year-over-year growth and enhances the visitor experience.”

Jamaica shared company with New Zealand, Costa Rica and Cyprus as it middled the 2023 Global Law and Order Report by respected Washington DC, United States based international analytics firm, Gallup, Inc.

The Turks and Caicos Islands is celebrating over a million visitors to the destination by air and cruise.  From January to October 2023, the Turks and Caicos saw 535,893 visitors arrive by air and 677,943 via cruise.

For 2023, Jamaica’s culinary excellence has been honoured with not one, but two prestigious World Culinary Awards, celebrating multi-category success. Achieving global recognition of the rich and diverse origins of Jamaican cuisine, the island has received the prestigious World Culinary Awards’ Top Caribbean Culinary Destination, while the gastronomic scene of Montego Bay has earned the coveted title of Caribbean’s Best Culinary City Destination. 

New Hotels in the Cayman Islands for 2024 Scheduled to open in Q2 2024 is Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. The 282-room 10-storey beachfront property will provide an upper midscale experience featuring multiple restaurants, a 6,700 square foot ballroom, a pool deck and a rooftop bar. Indigo’s restaurants and bars around the world are known as a favourite destination for visitors and locals alike. With sustainability in mind, the hotel is being built to LEED standards, which ensures high-performance buildings that have less of an impact on the environment. Hotel Indigo will use a geothermal/ice storage combination and will feature insulated glazing throughout to reduce energy consumption. The latest in Cayman real estate developer, Dart’s, hospitality portfolio, Hotel Indigo is expected to generate several hundred jobs when it opens. In 2022, Dart launched its Hospitality Training Programme, which provides Caymanians with the opportunity to obtain first-hand industry experience via a three-month work experience within the Dart hospitality portfolio.