caribbean news

A New Year-Round Resort in Anguilla

The Bahamas’ “Sweetest” Festival Is Back

The Caribbean’s “sweetest” festival is coming back for 2022. The popular Pineapple Festival in Eleuthera will run June 3-4 on the island of Eleuthera, the heart of the country’s pineapple industry. After a pandemic hiatus, the event is back this …

The Caribbean Island of Saba Just Removed Testing Rules for Travelers

The tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Saba has removed all of its testing rules for travelers, Caribbean Journal has learned. Effective May 1, the island will no longer require travelers to have a pre-travel test or complete an online health …

A Big Tourism Comeback in the USVI

The US Virgin Islands is in the midst of a tourism renaissance, according to recently-released data. The USVI is reporting close to a 50 percent increase in stay-over arrivals this year. It’s what the USVI Department of Tourism is calling …

Carnival Set to Resume Grand Bahama Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line is resuming its Grand Bahama cruises on Oct. 11, the cruise line said this week. The company’s Carnival Pride cruise ship will dock in Freeport, Grand Bahama on Friday, the first Carnival ship to dock in Grand …

How Guyana’s State House Is Going Green

By Dana Niland CJ Contributor The Guyana Energy Agency has been awarded tender for the supply and installation of a solar PV system at the State House in Georgetown. Guyana’s Ministry of the Presidency will be equipped with a state …

Caribbean Sees Slight Rise in Hotel Occupancy

By the Caribbean Journal staff Following a very strong September, the Caribbean hotel sector saw slower growth in October, according to the latest report from STR. The region’s occupancy was 57.9 percent last month, a 1.2 percent rise over the same …

A Very Strong Month for the Caribbean Hotel Sector

By the Caribbean Journal staff Caribbean hotels posted strong growth in September, according to the latest report from hotel analytics firm STR. The region’s hotel occupancy was 54.4 percent last month, a 6.4 percent year-over-year improvement over the same month …

An Historic Caribbean Hotel Is Reborn

By the Caribbean Journal staff An historic Caribbean hotel has new life. The Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel and Casino has officially debuted, following a $40 million renovation that began in 2014. The property, which plays a major role in …

India and Barbados Sign Air Services Agreement

New pact makes travel easier By the Caribbean Journal staff Barbados and India have signed an Air Services Agreement, the two sides announced. The agreement will “redound to the benefit of both Barbados and India,” according to Barbados Tourism Minister …

A Major New Hospital in Jamaica

By the Caribbean Journal staff A major new hospital has officially opened its doors in Jamaica. The $19.3 million USD Hospital Montego Bay was officially opened by the Spanish-owned Hospiten group in the Rose Hall area of St James. The …

This Top Puerto Rico Hotel Has a New General Manager

By the Caribbean Journal staff The W Retreat and Spa in Vieques has named Nathalie Urban its new general manager, Starwood announced. She joins the property after most recently working at the Presidente InterContinental Cancun resort. “Nathalie’s experience and proven …

Marriott Plans Major Caribbean, Latin America Expansion

By the Caribbean Journal staff Marriott International is embarking on a major expansion push in Latin America and the Caribbean, the company said this week. The company said it plans to open 60 new hotels in Latin America and the …

How Internet Exchange Points Can Boost the Caribbean Economy

By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Caribbean nations must strengthen their Internet infrastructure in order to take full advantage of the global digital economy. This was the message was expressed by Mark Vanterpool, Vice President of Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU), at …

Caribbean Home: An $11.7 Million Villa on the Market in St Barth

By the Caribbean Journal staff It’s the toniest island in the Caribbean, and that means serious real estate. The newest listing to hit the market in St Barth is called Artepea, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom villa at the top of the …

Hurricane Joaquin Pummeled Parts of the Bahamas

Major damage on several islands By the Caribbean Journal staff Hurricane Joaquin pummeled parts of the Bahamas as it rose north this weekend. The Category 4 storm’s biggest damage came in the south of Long Island, where it caused “major …

A New Villa to Try in Barbados

A new place to stay By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Blue Sky Luxury has announced the addition of Langara, the Penthouse at Sandy Cove Barbados, to its Caribbean villa portfolio. Blue Sky Luxury now represents over 250 rental properties in …

How Open Data Can Help Caribbean Development

A push for transparency By Gerard Best CJ Contributor Across the Caribbean, governments are moving their essential services to digital platforms and generating more data than ever. Yet much valuable public information remains locked away in proprietary systems, beyond the …

Grand Cayman’s Flip Flop Tree

A flip-flop tree grows in Cayman By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor It started with just one flip-flop. But now there are hundreds, joined by assorted sneakers, slippers and even flippers, nailed to a casuarina tree bordering the coastal road …