Caribbean Travel Advisor

This Caribbean Hotspot Has a New Travel Agent Program 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff

Beaches Resorts Just Launched an “Endless Summer” Sale in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica

By: Caitlin Sullivan

The ASTA Just Named The Bahamas Its Top International Partner. Again.

By: Caitlin Sullivan

For the second year in a row, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has been named the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) International Destination Partner of the Year, reaffirming the destination’s continued partnership with the global travel trade.

The award was announced during the ASTA Travel Advisor Conference held May 21, 2025, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City.

It was voted on by ASTA Member Advisors across the country. It recognizes international destinations that demonstrate outstanding support to travel advisors and a sustained commitment to delivering high-quality tourism experiences.

The Bahamas has maintained a strong presence in the U.S. market through a combination of targeted outreach, trade education, and cooperative marketing initiatives. Its tourism ministry has consistently worked to position the islands as both a diverse and accessible destination for travelers—offering a range of experiences across 16 main islands, from luxury resort stays to culturally immersive getaways.

The Bahamas has long seen the importance of the advisor community in driving bookings and shaping traveler perceptions, particularly in a competitive Caribbean landscape where destinations continue to vie for attention amid evolving consumer demand.

The ASTA Travel Advisor Conference is one of the industry’s leading trade gatherings, bringing together travel professionals, suppliers, and destination representatives from around the world. The Bahamas’ recognition at this year’s event underscores the destination’s strategic emphasis on advisor engagement and its efforts to strengthen long-term relationships across the sector.

The award follows a period of continued growth for tourism to The Bahamas, which has seen record-breaking visitor arrivals and expanded airlift from key U.S. markets in the last year.

Saint Lucia’s New Luxury Resort Is Now Taking Bookings 

By: Alexander Britell

This Turks and Caicos All-Inclusive Resort Just Joined Virtuoso 

By: Guy Britton

These Two Dominica Hotels Are Making a Big Adventure Travel Push

By: Karen Udler

Atlantis Paradise Island Has New Commissions and Rewards for Travel Advisors

By: Caitlin Sullivan

The Club Med Punta Cana Is Unveiling a Major Renovation in September

By: Caitlin Sullivan

Club Med Punta Cana, a cornerstone of the all-inclusive brand’s Caribbean portfolio, is undergoing a full-scale renovation aimed at delivering a sharper, more immersive guest experience ahead of the 2025 winter season. Travel advisors should take note: the enhanced product will be ready to welcome clients by mid-September 2025.

This next phase of updates builds on recent improvements made between 2023 and 2024, which included the debut of a revamped Hispaniola restaurant, upgraded family accommodations, a new wedding venue, the largest water park in Club Med’s global portfolio, and a Cinq Mondes Spa.

The 2025 refresh is focused on social spaces, food & beverage, and room upgrades, all designed to reflect the resort’s Caribbean setting while enhancing the guest journey from arrival to departure. Here’s what to expect:

Key Highlights for Advisors:

1. New Buena Vista Welcome Area:
This redesigned open-air reception area is being positioned as the “heartbeat” of the resort, with a panoramic layout and bohemian-inspired design. The space offers ocean views and lush landscaping, setting a strong first impression.

2. Expanded Dining Options:

• Main Restaurant Overhaul: A complete revamp introduces a multi-station culinary experience featuring more than 10 international cuisines. The layout supports both indoor and outdoor seating.
• New Poolside Bar – Joia: This reimagined bar brings in Dominican influences and flexible lounge-style seating, ideal for both daytime refreshment and nighttime cocktails.
• New Coffee Shop: Offers grab-and-go snacks, coffee, and light fare in a laid-back Caribbean setting.

3. Upgraded Accommodations:
The Costa del Coco Deluxe Rooms are being fully renovated with new interiors, private balconies, and spa-style bathrooms. These rooms are already open for September 2025 bookings and cater to clients looking for upgraded comfort with a local design touch.

Bottom Line for Travel Advisors:

With significant updates across core resort pillars—arrival, dining, accommodations—Club Med Punta Cana is positioning itself as a stronger sell for clients seeking a modern all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic. These enhancements make it easier to target families, couples, groups, and destination wedding clients alike.

This Summer’s Top Caribbean Destinations, According to Travel Agents

By: Joe Pike

Virtuoso Just Added a New Preview Property in the Caribbean

By: Caitlin Sullivan

Saint Lucia’s Serenity at Coconut Bay Just Extended Its Double Rewards Offer

By: Caitlin Sullivan

This Caribbean Resort Is One of the World’s Best, According to British Airways Holidays Ratings 

By: Caitlin Sullivan

The private peninsula in Antigua. One of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches. A five-star all-inclusive experience. Travelers (and CJ readers) have always loved the Galley Bay Resort and Spa in Antigua.

Now, the resort has another major accolade: the British Airways Holidays’ Customer Excellence Award. 

The award is given to the top 8 percent of British Airways’ 11,000 global hotel partners.

Most importantly, the determination is based on verified customer reviews. It’s a “guest driven honor,” according to the company. Overall, Galley Bay received a 4.7 out of 5 star rating. 

That includes Galley Bay, which has 90 rooms and suites, a Michelin-caliber executive chef, a world-class spa and some of our favorite toes-in-the-sand rooms in the Caribbean (along with the endlessly romantic Gauguin Suites)

“We’ve recognized your hotel because you have gone to great lengths to ensure every detail is just so and often exceeding expectations when it’s mattered the most,” said Andrew Flintham, Managing Director of British Airways Holidays.

Notably, Galley Bay also recently joined the Virtuoso network of luxury travel agents. 

Galley Bay is part of the Elite Island Resorts portfolio, a Caribbean-leading collection of properties set in Antigua, Barbados and Panama. (That includes another Virtuoso resort, Antigua’s adults-only Hammock Cove resort).

For more, visit Elite Island Resorts. 

This is the Biggest Trend in Luxury Caribbean Travel Right Now

By: Caitlin Sullivan

Antigua and Barbuda Names New Tourism Advisory Committee, With 10 Travel Advisors 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff

Antigua and Barbuda has named 10 top travel advisors to the destination’s Tourism Advisory Committee. 

The new agents include Paula McCarty, Travel Smart with Paula; Natalie Fagglanelli, Bayside Travel; Kimberly Jacoby, Romantics Travel; Donna Blasi, Blissful Honeymoons and Destination Weddings; Mark Hennigan, Destination Weddings and Honeymoon Specialist; Kathy Brancifort, First Class Travel; Viviane Gringer, Travel Edge; Roberta Long-Keileher, Protravel International; Daren Southgate, Tzell Long Island and Sally Smith, Travelsmiths.

“I am encouraged that this distinguished group of travel professionals has agreed to serve as advisors to the Authority and the wider Antigua and Barbuda tourism community. Their extensive industry knowledge and expertise in the changing travel landscape will be crucial in shaping initiatives to enhance the Antigua and Barbuda brand,” said Dean Fenton, Director of Tourism at the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority for the US market. 

The members are based in states across the US. 

The committee is part of the destination’s longtime focus on the travel advisor community. 

“Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda benefit from the expert knowledge and personalization the travel advisor provides as they tailor their clients’ trips to ensure a unique and customized experience,” Fenton said. “In turn, for the next twelve months, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority sales and marketing programs will benefit from the knowledge that the members of the Advisory Committee have of the marketplace and the experience their clients seek”. 

The State of Cancun Tourism Right Now, According to Travel Agents 

By: Joe Pike

Beaches’ New Caribbean Resort Is Now Taking Bookings 

By: Jose Antonio

The Winners of the 2025 Caribbean Travel Advisor Awards 

By: Joe Pike

How Spring Break Travel Is Changing in the Caribbean

By: Joe Pike

Hilton’s 500-Room Dominican Republic All-Inclusive Has a New Opening Date

By: Caribbean Journal Staff

Kingston, Jamaica Is Heating Up. This is Where Travel Advisors Should Stay to Experience the City 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff

The Travel Agency Owners Forum Is Coming to Antigua 

By: Dana Niland

This Isla Mujeres Resort Just Joined Virtuoso 

By: Dana Niland

Barbados’ Patricia Affonso-Dass on the Art of the Boutique All-Inclusive Resort

By: Joe Pike

St Maarten’s Top Travel Trade Show Is Back. Here’s What You Need to Know. 

By: Caribbean Journal Staff

When Are Hyatt’s Two New Dominican Republic All-Inclusives Opening?  

By: Caribbean Journal Staff