Month: May 2020

The US Virgin Islands Is Open for Tourism — Here’s What to Expect

Mexico’s San Miguel de Allende Begins First Phase of “Reactivation”

Mexico’s popular tourism destination of San Miguel de Allende has begun what tourism officials are calling “Phase 0” of its COVID-19 “reactivation plan,” which for now is limited to the local population. The first phase includes activation of the local …

Caribbean Airlines Ramping Up Trinidad-Tobago Flights

Caribbean Airlines is ramping up its domestic operations between Trinidad and Tobago, the carrier said in a statement. Beginning June 1, Caribbean Airlines will be increasing its flight frequency on what’s known as the “domestic air bridge” between the …

Dave Mason, Forever Feelin’ Alright in St Thomas

Musician Dave Mason’s biography reads like a who’s-who of rock history: the co-founder of the band Traffic with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood, writer of “Feelin’ Alright,” and performer of the ‘70s hit “We Just Disagree” counted Jimi …

Caribbean Photo of the Week: The Gold Mill Ruins in Aruba

The latest Caribbean Photo comes from Caribbean Journal reader Monique van Pamelen, who sent in this lovely shot of the Gold Mill Ruins on the east coast of Aruba. Have you taken a great photo in the Caribbean? Send it …

Op-Ed: The Future of Caribbean Air Transport

Living in the time of COVID-19 has underscored how difficult it is to maintain our distance. Many of us are longing for a time when we can feel comfortable to reconnect with our family and friends and restart regular economic …

Turks and Caicos to Reopen for Tourism July 22

Another Caribbean destination is reopening for tourism — the Turks and Caicos Islands, which has officially announced it will reopen its borders on July 22. Turks and Caicos Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson announced the move, which will come with a series of …

How This Antigua Resort Is Transforming Its Operations

The pandemic has altered the hospitality landscape in so many ways, with an understandably strong focus on health and safety. One Antigua resort, the Hodges Bay Club, has announced a major new initiative to transform its operations to reflect the …

What’s Next for the Puerto Rico Hotel Industry

It was a major step for the reopening of Puerto Rico’s tourism industry this week as the destination reopened all of its nearly 15 golf courses, including the popular course at the Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotel, which is …

Webinar: The Caribbean Travel Outlook for 2020

What’s next for the Caribbean travel industry? How will it begin to rebound amid COVID-19? What’s the outlook for demand? A webinar June 2 will gather regional travel industry leaders for a roundtable discussion on the next steps for the …

Antigua Training Taxi Operators on New Protocols

The pandemic means the entire Caribbean tourism industry has to adapt its practices — and that includes the on-island transportation industry. Accordingly, officials in Antigua and Barbuda have begun training sessions for taxi operators focused on passenger safety and “minimizing occupational …

Southwest Airlines Is Planning a Caribbean Relaunch

Southwest Airlines is planning to relaunch a number of routes as the Caribbean begins opening up once again for tourism, the carrier said. While the launches are dependent on each individual destination’s reopening plans, Southwest Airlines said it would be …

Guyana Considers “Phased Reopening” of Airports

Guyana has drafted a four-stage blueprint for the reopening of the country’s airports. The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has submitted the plan for review with the country’s National COVID-19 Task Force. Guyana’s airports have been closed since the early stages …

Mexican Caribbean Launches New Health and Safety Program

As it prepares for the return of travelers, the Mexican Caribbean has launched a new program to ensure high sanitary standards in the tourism industry. Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, the Governor of Quintana Roo, which is home to popular destinations like …

The Caribbean’s Coolest Tiki Bar Is In St Croix

The Fog Cutter. The Hurricane. The Chief Lapu Lapu. The Mai Tai. These are some of the drinks that have defined the world of “tiki,” the colorful, cheerful, retro culture that for almost 100 years has paid tribute to a …

Barbados Launches Task Force on Tourism Recovery

Barbados Tourism Minister Kerrie Symmonds has launched the new Barbados Recovery Tourism Task Force. The unit is responsible for managing the island’s tourism sector during the pandemic and its aftermath and “mapping its transformation.” The unit is being chaired by …

Can Puerto Rico Redefine Tropical Travel Post-COVID-19?

The negative short-term economic global impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism industry has been devastating. Now, as the world begins to slowly reopen and potentially recapture their lost tourism industry, it is imperative to rethink and reassess how …

US Virgin Islands to Reopen for Tourists on June 1

The United States Virgin Islands is reopening for leisure visitors on June 1, USVI Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte announced. That will make the US Virgin Islands the first Caribbean destination to officially reopen for tourism. Boschulte said the USVI was …