2021 News

What’s New in The Islands of The Bahamas in February

NASSAU, Bahamas, February 03, 2021 – The Bahamas appeals to travelers looking for a warm winter getaway in February as hotels and activities continue to reopen across the islands and resorts offer romantic Valentine’s Day escapes. With new extended-stay accommodations on Harbour Island and a number of hotels providing on-site COVID testing, The Bahamas continues to adapt to safety regulations to provide visitors with a stress-free Bahamian vacation.

NEWS

Bahamian Hotels Provide On-Site COVID Testing ­– Hotels across Nassau Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island and the Out Islands are providing on-site COVID testing for guests in accordance with new U.S. international travel requirements. Baha Mar, Atlantis and The Ocean Club are just a few of the hotels and resorts with on-site testing on Nassau Paradise Island along with Out Island hotels, including Caerula Mar Resort and Abaco Beach Resort.  For a full list of COVID testing sites and the latest travel and entry protocols, visit Bahamas.com/TravelUpdates.

SLS and Rosewood Baha Mar to Reopen March 2021 – Baha Mar will enter into its final phase of reopening on March 4 with the reopening of Rosewood and SLS. The Nassau resort first welcomed back guests at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in December 2020.

Harbour Island’s Rock House Hotel Launches Villa – Rock House Hotel on Harbour Island has launched its Rock House Rental Villa, a private vacation home with all the amenities of a hotel. While the hotel and restaurant remain closed, up to 20 guests can enjoy the fully staffed private villa that comes with a private chef and concierge to take care of guests’ every need.

Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course Reopens –With the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort’s reopening on February 24, golfers can once again enjoy the award-winning Greg Norman course. Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Course is frequently recognized as one of the most scenic courses in the Caribbean, with 18 holes set against The Exumas’ famous turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.

Breezes Bahamas Welcomes Back Guests with Be Smart + Safe Initiative – Upon its reopening in December 2020, Breezes Bahamas has safely welcomed guests with its Be Smart + Safe initiative. The initiative provides guests and team members with protocols on social distancing, face coverings and more.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

For a complete, up-to-date listing of deals and packages for The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com/deals-packages.

Atlantis Couples Getaway Package – Couples can plan a romantic Bahamian getaway at Atlantis this Valentine’s Day. Celebrate with your partner while receiving daily complimentary breakfast, a quiet dinner for two, and late checkout.

Cape Santa Maria Beach Lovers Vacation – Escape to Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort on Long Island for a romantic retreat. Relax with a complimentary massage, welcome cocktails and more when staying three nights or more.

Breezes Bahamas Winter Sale – Breezes Bahamas is offering guests savings up to 53% for travel booked by February 28, 2021, as part of its Winter Sale.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS

With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating and thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at www.bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

Martinique named the world’s top emerging destination by TripAdvisor for 2021

New York (January 27, 2021) – TripAdvisor has announced that the French Caribbean Island of Martinique was named the world’s top emerging destination in 2021. The well-known travel review site just published the winners of its annual Travelers’ Choice ®Best of the Best Awards for Destinations, and Martinique has won the first place in their prestigious “Emerging Destinations” category.

Followed respectively by Panama City Beach in Florida, US and Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil; Martinique is the only Caribbean island listed among the Top 10 in the list.

This distinction is a real recognition for the island since the Emerging Destinations list is based on spots around the world that travelers are saving on TripAdvisor.

Due to the global pandemic which has heavily impacted the travel industry in 2020, traveling to the Island of Flowers has been—same as mainland France—closed to non-EU visitors. But the best-kept secret French Island is more than ever on the radar of the US travelers, as their next choice of destination.

“Martinique being named the world’s top emerging destination by TripAdvisor for 2021 reflects the many wonders of the island along with the richness of its culture and the warmth of its people, said François Baltus-Languedoc, CEO of the Martinique Tourism Authority.  Along with all the stakeholders from the public and private sector, we are strongly committed to pursuing our strategic efforts in the US. This exciting news couldn’t have come at a better time, and we look forward to welcoming our American friends.”

For travelers who wants an unforgettable experience, the French Caribbean Island of Martinique has so many things to offer: from strolling along the Bay of Fort-de-France (a member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World) taking a dive in its crystal clear waters, discovering the traditional Yole Boat recently listed among the UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage, or tasting the most prestigious A.O.C. rum in the world, to name just a few.

Trinidad Accommodation Properties Awarded HST Stamp

Port of Spain, Trinidad – Thursday January 14, 2021 – Three (3) accommodation properties in Trinidad have successfully been awarded the Healthier Safer Stamp (HST) by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The HST Stamp is a measurable and verifiable assurance to travellers of a healthier and safer travel and tourism option.

The three (3) accommodation properties are:

• Chez Jeanne Bed and Breakfast
• Inna Citi Place
• Pax Guest House

Officially approved by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the region’s leading tourism organizations, the Healthier Safer Tourism Stamp is granted to touristic entities and destinations that are implementing the recommended proactive Covid-19 health monitoring and safety measures.

As part of their certification process, the three (3) accommodation facilities are actively utilising the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS), which is a CARPHA web-based early warning and response information system. This system aids in the early capture and trends of illnesses in real time, thus reducing spread and any possible reputational damage of the Destination. Some of the best practices implemented by these awarded facilities include temperature scans, testing, physical distancing, enhanced frequency of cleaning and the provision of hygiene kits for safe air travel, hospitality services and safe events.

The three (3) accommodation properties are now also listed on the Caribbean Traveller’s Health Mobile App as preferred, safe options for travellers. The awardees will also be listed on the websites of CARPHA and Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), with links to regional and international health and tourism stakeholders.

Announcing this news, the Chief Executive Officer (Ag.) of Tourism Trinidad Limited, Mrs. Heidi Alert, remarked that “with more of our tourism facilities obtaining the CARPHA health assurance stamp, we will succeed in building travellers’ confidence and accelerate the recovery of our local tourism industry. The building of confidence applies to both domestic tourists as well as international visitors when that time comes. We encourage all our tourism partners to implement the new approach to safe travel in the COVID-19 world. 

We cannot over emphasise the importance of demonstrating self-regulation and increasing compliance to regional and international standards to ensure our readiness as a Destination. This is a great first achievement, and we trust that other establishments will follow suit”.

Tourism Trinidad’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Heidi Alert, also reaffirmed “the organisation’s commitment to continue its partnership with CARPHA as certifications such as the Healthier and Safer Tourism Stamp are crucial during these unprecedented times to give guests a safe and enjoyable experience, free of worry”.

In 2020 Tourism Trinidad conducted an extensive and complimentary series of COVID-19 training for the industry, utilising the services of COSTAAT and CARPHA, for a wide range of tourism stakeholders to provide a comprehensive understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the prerequisite protection and safety measures.

Over five hundred (500) persons accessed this training that is a crucial step in the overall preparation for eventual reopening of Destination Trinidad to international travellers.

Saint Lucia Offers Multiple Options for Departing Travelers 

CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA (January 15, 2021) – In response to the U.S., UK and Canadian governments’ requirements of a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test for airline passengers, Saint Lucia is set to meet the demand for on-island Covid-19 testing and processing. And this brings positive news for Saint Lucia vacationers, as select hotels are offering complimentary testing for guests who qualify.

Saint Lucia has multiple Covid-19 PCR and antigen (rapid) testing options for departing visitors, citizens and residents. Travelers can obtain a Covid-19 test conveniently at select hotels or at local testing facilities, with test results returned within the requisite 72-hour time frame. There are additional options in development to expand testing locations. Travelers can make appointments for tests once they arrive on island or through their Covid-certified hotel. Pricing varies based on location and the type of test administered.

Saint Lucia and its accommodation providers aim to ease the stress and cost of vacation planning. As an added perk, select hotels are offering complimentary antigen (rapid) tests to guests who qualify.

As of January 15, the hotels and villas offering complimentary Covid-19 antigen (rapid) testing to qualified guests include: Anse Chastanet; all five Bay Gardens properties; Calabash Cove Resort & Spa; Caille Blanc Villa & Hotel; Cap Maison Resort & Spa; Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa; Jade Mountain; Ladera Resort; Marigot Bay Resort and Marina; Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat; Sandals Resorts in Saint Lucia; Serenity at Coconut Bay; Sugar Beach – A Viceroy Resort; Stonefield Villa Resort; Tet Rouge and Ti Kaye Resort & Spa. Additional properties in Saint Lucia are anticipated to roll out complimentary testing in the coming weeks. Restrictions may apply and visitors should check with their accommodation provider for details; select hotels are offering PCR tests to guests who meet qualifications.

Detailed information about testing options will soon be available at the Saint Lucia Covid-19 Travel Advisory page at www.StLucia.org/covid-19. Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association, along with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism, continue to work in concert to provide swift responses to global Covid-19 developments.

Since the first international flights returned to Saint Lucia in July 2020, the country has implemented consistent responsible Covid-19 protocols, providing increased safety for both visitors and local citizens. For information about the It’s Time For Saint Lucia winter travel promotion with hotels, resorts and villas with rates up to 65% go to www.SaintLuciaTime.com for special offers.

*List of hotels offering free testing as of January 15, 2021; guests must qualify and restrictions apply; visitors are advised to check with their hotel provider.