2022 News

Grenada’s New Voluntourism Program Offers Authentic Experiences for Visitors

St. George’s, Grenada W.I. – As destinations worldwide recover from the pandemic, trends indicate that travelers are looking for experiences that allow them to connect deeper to a destination, support sustainability, and positively impact the places they visit. To meet this trend and as part of its continuing sustainability efforts, Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) is proud to launch its new Voluntourism Program for visitors seeking to engage with the local community and culture while making a tangible impact.

“For travelers, voluntourism provides an intimate and memorable experience which allows them to make deep and meaningful connections with our local community whilst leaving a positive footprint on the island.  We want to connect through their hearts and passions, which will in turn increase their propensity to return to the island. We want to join together to be better global citizens and be intentional about ensuring a positive impact and bringing about positive change.”

Voluntourism opportunities are available year-round in a variety of sectors such as agriculture, environment, education, and health.

Below is a roundup of the voluntourism programs in Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique:

Agriculture

• Annandale Community Project: Annandale Waterfall is home to the Annandale Community Garden where members of the surrounding community can come to tend to the kitchen garden and take produce parcels as needed at no cost. This encourages healthy eating in homes that otherwise could not afford the cost of consistent healthy diets. They teach the community how to plant and tend to the garden and make meals using the produce from the garden. The project is always looking for volunteers to help garden and teach the nearby school children how important it is to eat what you grow. Donations of garden tools, greenhouse equipment, seeds time and expertise are all needed to flourish.
• Myristic Mountain: Myristic Mountain is home to some of Grenada’s most gorgeous flora and fauna, exciting hiking trails, fertile farmlands, purely organic meals and horseback riding. With so much happening on the mountainside, the team is always open to receiving volunteers to help farm the crops, tend the horses and plant more flora.

Environment

• Beach & Reef Cleanups: The beaches of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique are pristine and improperly discarded wastes are a threat to sea life and coral reefs. Volunteers are needed for maintenance and can team up with dive shops.
• Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project: This charity is the brainchild of Grenada’s Dive Community who have seen first-hand the damage done by global warming. To combat the disappearance of reefs and sea life, Phil Saye at Dive Grenada spearheads building and placing artificial reefs in Marine Protected Areas. Once placed the artificial reefs are monitored and maintained. This includes underwater cleanups, urchin and fish counts, ID tag placement and cleaning. Volunteers in this program can see first-hand new life flourishing.

Education

• Grenada Scholarship Program: The Grenada Scholarship Program provides funding to marginalized youth looking to continue on their educational path. The funds go directly to school fees, books and uniforms. The program allows sponsors to join monthly meetings to give guidance on topics they are most knowledgeable in.
• Mt. Rich Football Club: Grenada is bursting at the seams with young talent just waiting to be seen on the global stage. The Mt. Rich Football Club fosters sportsmanship and healthy competitiveness amongst youngsters. The Club exists because of donations of equipment and people willing to coach and practice with the team.
• Get Swimming Grenada: A non-profit organization that offers free swimming lessons to children on the island who otherwise could not afford private lessons. Volunteers are needed to give swimming lessons to both kids and adults.
• Carriacou Culture Train String Band: Carriacou is the custodian of ancestral traditions and the tri-island’s cradle of culture. The Culture Train String Band teaches children on the sister isle of Carriacou to play string instruments and processions. Donations are needed to help keep the art form alive. Musicians are needed to hold workshops for teachers and students.

Health

• Medical Elective in Grenada: This program engages nurses, junior doctors and medical professionals to lend their expertise to medical services in the tri-island. Medical doctor volunteers are needed to help teach the current doctors different practices to be used in crisis management or using basic types of equipment.
• Grenada Down Syndrome Association: This is an NGO that hosts several annual events that require volunteers to ensure their success. The group celebrates World Down Syndrome Day in March with a host of activities including a national “funky sock day” to help raise funds and awareness for citizens and their families. The “fun day” in August includes yoga, sports, face painting, and horseback riding. In December their Christmas Party volunteers help hand out gifts and host meals.
• Grenada Donation Table: The Donation Table facilitates donations to Grenada’s General Hospital and Public Community Clinics.

For further details on Grenada’s voluntourism programs, please visit https://www.puregrenada.com/voluntourism/. For more information on Grenada or to plan a getaway to the destination, visit www.puregrenada.com

Jamaica Lauds New Nonstop Service From American Airlines

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA, March 11, 2022 – Continuing to build out its number of available non-stop gateways from the U.S., Jamaica will be welcoming new non-stop air service by American Airlines from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ) starting June 4, 2022.

“We are very pleased to grow our valued partnership with American Airlines, the largest commercial passenger airline flying to Jamaica, through this new route,” said Director of Tourism, Jamaica, Donovan White. “The new non-stop flight from Austin complements the carrier’s existing service out of Dallas Fort Worth and offers yet another convenient option for travelers to get to our island as of this summer.”

American Airlines’ will operate these non-stop Saturday flights utilizing a 76-seat Embraer ERJ-175 aircraft with 12 first class, 20 main cabin extra and 44 main cabin seats.

Francine Carter Henry, Tour Operator and Airlines Manager, Jamaica Tourist Board, added, “It’s wonderful to see our long-standing partnership with American Airlines keep growing. We are looking forward to seeing more visitors arrive into Montego Bay with these new flights.”

American Airlines is the largest air passenger carrier serving Jamaica. Celebrating 45 years of service to Jamaica in 2022, the carrier operates multiple daily non-stop flights to the destination from several U.S. cities including Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW, and Charlotte (CLT).

As of November 2021, American Airlines started utilizing a 787-8 Dreamliner for operations on flights to Montego Bay (MBJ) from their major city hubs of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Philadelphia (PHL).

For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com.

Jonathan Waxman Joins Chef Roster for Anguilla Culinary Experience

ANGUILLA – Chef Jonathan Waxman will be a featured guest chef at the Anguilla Culinary Experience (ACE), a new epicurean festival taking place in Anguilla from May 11 to 15 to benefit culinary education and showcase why the island is known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. The 2016 James Beard Award winner for “Best Chef: New York City” and chef-owner of New York’s Barbuto, joins a growing line-up of international and local chefs who will blend their creativity with Anguilla’s fresh ingredients during five days of parties, dinners, classes, tastings and tours at Anguilla’s five-star resorts, luxury villas and award-winning restaurants. Tickets can be purchased online, with a portion of proceeds to fund life-changing programming for Anguilla’s next generation of chefs.

“Simply put, Anguilla is heaven on earth. The people are fantastic, the local food is terrific, the beaches are pristine, and the water might be some of the best in the world. I’m looking forward to returning to the island and cooking alongside my peers for the Anguilla Culinary Experience,” said Waxman.

On Thursday, May 12, Waxman will cook at the breathtaking cliff-top ÀNI Private Resort Anguilla, together with their Caribbean Region Executive Chef Parash Chhetri, formerly the executive chef at the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary with a strong background in modern organic and vegan cuisine.  Chhetri and his team lead ÀNI’s unique culinary program, through which custom menus are designed for each visiting group to whom the resort is exclusively rented. The dinner at ÀNI will be one of the VIP-ticket only experiences hosted at select villas and resorts.  Each dinner – complete with unforgettable food, wine, live music – will feature an intimate interaction with different chefs and be kept to just 20 guests.

“I’m super excited to work with Chef Waxman to create a unique dining experience for our guests, drawing on both his classic fusion cuisine and my Asian organic roots” notes Chhetri.

On Friday, May 13, Waxman will collaborate with Chef Marc Alverez in the kitchen of Alvarez’s restaurant, Ember. There, the former New Yorker and past chef at Crispo uses live fire cooking to offer up seasonal dishes complemented by the smoke of the burning embers. The duo will combine their talents to present a bespoke prix menu for lucky diners during Restaurant Night.

“Both Chef Waxman and I enjoy using live fire cooking to bring out the best possible flavors in local and seasonal foods. I know together we will create an epic, one-night-only dining experience for our Restaurant Night guests,” said Alvarez.

Advance tickets are required, and guests should reserve early, as seats at each participating restaurant are limited. Waxman will also lend his expert palate as a celebrity judge for a mystery basket cooking competition on Saturday, May 14, during the festival’s final beach barbeque at the Anguilla Great House Beach Resort on Rendezvous Bay.

As a native Californian, Waxman grew up in a family that celebrated the culinary arts. After receiving the Grand Diplôme from La Varenne Cooking School in Paris, he moved back to California to work at Domaine Chandon and then with Alice Waters at the legendary Chez Panisse. In 1979, he became the executive chef of Michael’s in Santa Monica, where he developed his version of California cuisine. He made his mark on New York in 1984 with the now iconic Jams. Today, Waxman is the chef/owner of Barbuto in Manhattan’s West Village, Jams at 1 Hotel Central Park, and Baffi in Atlanta. Waxman is the author of three cookbooks including: “The Barbuto Cookbook,” “A Great American Cook,” and “Italian, My Way.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Waxman to the Anguilla Culinary Experience,” said ACE Co-Chair Wendy Freeman. “Anguilla’s fresh seafood and vibrant culinary culture rooted in tradition and flavored by international influences, offer the perfect canvas for his skilled merging of classic technique with the best local ingredients to create dishes that are seasonal, simple and inspired. We can’t wait to taste what the chefs create together.”

ACE will center around three signature events, including an opening night Ultimate Barefoot Luxury Party sponsored by Tradewind Aviation at Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel; an afternoon Rosé Soirée party at Malliouhana, an Auberge Resort; and a Caribbean Beach Barbeque at the Anguilla Great House Beach Resort on Rendezvous Bay. Ticket packages include entrance to all three signature events, as well as a full or partial credit towards the Restaurant Night prix fixe meal at select restaurants. VIP ticketholders enjoy extra perks such as an intimate VIP dinner at one of the island’s resorts or villas and rum tasting at Zemi Beach’s famous Rhum Room. Packages are available for online purchase at www.anguillaculinaryexperience.com at an early bird rate until March 15, along with individual event and child tickets. A portion of ACE proceeds will go to support the Anguilla National Culinary Team and the island’s hospitality training programs. In between the main events, festival guests can explore Anguilla’s 33 beautiful beaches and enjoy small group activities where they can learn how to make traditional Caribbean Johnny cakes or search for the best rum punch as they tour beachside bars by chauffeured open air Moke.

What’s New in The Bahamas in March

NASSAU, Bahamas, 01 March 2022 — As winter temperatures linger elsewhere, visitor arrival data shows travellers continue to seek tropical escapes in The Bahamas, with nearly 94,000 Health Visa applications at the start of 2022. With spring right around the corner, momentum is strong as the destination offers vacation seekers a host of new experiences, relaxed travel measures and special offers.

NEWS

Ease into Vacation with Relaxed Travel Measures — As of 20 February 2022, the Government of The Bahamas has relaxed on-island testing protocols for all travellers, replacing the previously required 48-hour test. All persons, both vaccinated or unvaccinated, visiting for five days or longer, must now obtain a negative COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on the fifth day. Before booking, travellers should visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates to stay up to date on the latest travel information.

The Bahamas Now Offer Travellers TSA PreCheck — Lynden Pindling International Airport (LIPA LPIA) in Nassau is now home to the first ever US Transportation Security Administration TSA PreCheck lane  established outside of the United States. The new service allows eligible travellers to enjoy a more efficient and comfortable airport experience.

Down Home Bahamas Flagship Store to Open in Nassau — On 8 March, Down Home Bahamas opens on historic Parliament Street to bring the best of The Bahamas to one place. Visitors will discover a wide selection of Bahamian made products from across the 700 islands and cays.

World-Renowned Chefs Celebrate Taste of Paradise Food & Wine Festival — Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas hosts Taste of Paradise Food & Wine Festival, a celebration of the season’s freshest ingredients, from 2 – 13 March 2022. Visitors can enjoy special prix fixe menus and dishes prepared by celebrity chefs Nobu Matsuhisa, Michael White, Todd English and Alan Orreal.

Bahama Beach Club Welcomes Back Guests — Located on the pristine shores of Treasure Cay in The Abacos, Bahama Beach Club is now welcoming back guests. Accommodations include a variety of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom condos, two beachfront restaurants and on-site golfing, boating and snorkelling activities.

$20 Million Bahamas Fast Ferries Terminal Opens in Abaco — Bahamas Fast Ferries completes multimillion-dollar investment in Abaco with the opening of its all-new terminal. The new service agreement will transport Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club staff, employees and members between Marsh Harbour and Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay.

The Bahamas Remains a Bucket List Destination – The Islands of The Bahamas landed several top spots across various categories in USA TODAY 10Best’s 2022 Caribbean Readers’ Choice Awards including “Best Caribbean Rum Distillery,” “Best Caribbean Golf Course” and “Best Caribbean Beach Bar.”

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

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

Never Miss a Tee Time at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas — Guests who book the Golf Getaway Package at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas receive a complimentary round of golf at the 18-hole par 72 championship course, $25 golf store credit and $50 food and beverage credit. Booking window is now through 28 February 2023, for travel until 28 February 2023.

Cruise and Stay in Paradise — Set sail from the Port of Palm Beach, Florida to Grand Bahama Island. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line offers 4- and 6-night getaway packages that combine a fun 2-night cruise with a luxurious resort stay in Grand Bahama.

Exclusive Travel Deal for Bahamas Residents —Residents of The Bahamas can take advantage of a limited-time offer to explore the Out Islands, which includes one free Airline/Bahamas Ferry ticket from Nassau for pre-booked 2-night hotel stays or two free Airline/Bahamas Ferry tickets from Nassau for pre-booked 4-night or longer hotel stays at participating properties. Booking window is now through 30 April 2022, for travel until 30 April 2022.