Destination News

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Presents Its 2nd Virtual Junkanoo Summer Festival 2021

NASSAU, Bahamas, August 9, 2021 – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation is gearing up to host its 2^nd Virtual Junkanoo Summer Festival (JSF) scheduled for three (3) consecutive Saturdays, August 14, 21 and 28, 2021. The virtual festival will air on TourismTodayBahamas Facebook page and will feature all things Bahamian, sharing generational knowledge on customs and traditions, Bahamian delicacies and enlightening viewers on the art and history of Junkanoo. This virtual event allows the Ministry of Tourism to continue its efforts in keeping us all safe, while preserving our cultural heritage.

Junkanoo Summer Festival is one of the Ministry of Tourism’s premier events that happens annually. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown significantly and has gained immense popularity. Consequently, it has been expanded to include additional authentically Bahamian talents.

In that vein, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation invites you to join in the celebration as we display what is truly Bahamian. Join us in this virtual parade of top-notch Bahamian talent, featuring among others, Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Geno D., Lady E and Veronica Bishop. The event will also be hosted by Bahamian singers and songwriters Dyson and Wendy Knight and will end with a live Junkanoo performance by an all-star junkanoo band.

This highly anticipated Festival, although virtual, promises to be entertaining and engaging and will showcase integral aspects of the Bahamian culture, such as the creativity of our people, our music and dance, our stories, Bahamian cuisine and an assortment of local drinks.

“We’re extremely proud and excited to bring this unique cultural event to residents and visitors,” said Charity Armbrister, Director of Cultural and Authentic Events at the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation. She continued, “We love showcasing the many talented Junkanoo groups here in The Bahamas and those who have made it their life’s commitment to preserve our culture. The Ministry is pleased to bring more attention to the wonders of The Bahamas, especially since the unexpected invasion of the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

The Ministry of Tourism welcomes each of you to participate in this celebration of Bahamian culture and feast your eyes on a collage of colours, as some of our local performers display artistically designed costumes in all of their extravagant glory! Come and enjoy culinary shows, mixology, and the pulsating sounds of world-renowned Bahamian music and more.

Junkanoo Summer Festival 2021 is an event you don’t want to miss!

Statement by Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez on the Passing of Former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird

The name Lester Bryant Bird will forever feature prominently in the annals of Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean’s history. He will long be revered as an architect of the post-colonial development of Antigua and Barbuda. Our nation, and the people of the Caribbean have lost a stalwart and visionary with the passing of Sir Lester Bird, athlete, and beloved statesman.

Sir Lester who was first elected to parliament in 1976 served as Antigua & Barbuda’s second Prime Minister for a decade beginning in 1994. On behalf of the staff at the Ministry of Tourism and Investment as well as The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority along with the entire tourism fraternity, I offer sincere condolences to the former Prime Minister’s immediate and extended family and to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

From 1976-1989, Sir Lester served as Minister of Economic Development, Trade, Energy and most notably Tourism during a long and distinguished political career.

I had the privilege of witnessing the former Prime Minister’s dedication to the region, as validated by his work as chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and more importantly, to the people of Antigua and Barbuda. It was Sir Lester’s vision and his leadership that, as our sugar industry waned, laid the foundation for the development of our tourism industry. His vision ultimately provided employment and positively changing the quality of life for so many in our society. An extraordinary public servant who cared genuinely about people, it was under his leadership, in his capacity as Prime Minister, that an ombudsman was appointed to deal with the complaints of citizens. A series of foreign direct infrastructural investments in Tourism during the 1980’s and 90’s, led by Sir Lester, created an economic boom, making Antigua and Barbuda a mecca of prosperity which attracted thousands of our Caribbean neighbours to share in this growth.

In his long and distinguished career, Sir Lester will be remembered for his negotiating skills as he championed tourism partnerships from which the industry has benefitted, including the construction of the Royal Antiguan hotel, the expansion of the industry to include cruise tourism, the building of the Heritage Quay and Nevis Street cruise piers and the development of the Heritage Quay shopping center which was a game changer for our cruise industry.

In 2014, Sir Lester was conferred with Antigua & Barbuda’s highest honour, a Knight of the Most Exalted Order of National Hero (KNH), for his contribution to national development as an outstanding sportsman, lawyer and parliamentarian for 38 years. Our tourism industry has benefitted significantly from his governance. To continue to build on that strong foundation and enduring legacy that he has left us, is a most fitting tribute to this colossus of a Caribbean stateman and true National hero of Antigua and Barbuda. May his soul rest in peace.

Saint Lucia Appoints Dr. Ernest Hilaire as Minister for Tourism

Castries, August 9, 2021 – Honourable Dr. Ernest Hilarie was sworn into Saint Lucia’s Cabinet of Ministers on August 5, 2021, to the portfolio of Minister for Tourism, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Information.

A former Saint Lucian Diplomat, he represents the Castries South constituency in the House of Assembly for the Saint Lucia Labour Party.

As part of his immediate order of business, the Minister will convene meetings with the tourism sector to include the Ministry of Tourism, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, and private sector organizations to gain visibility on the current plans. These meetings will provide meaningful insight and will ensure that the strategy set forth for promoting Saint Lucia is one which positions the destination for full recovery and sustainable growth.

Speaking on his appointment to the Cabinet of Ministers, Dr. Hilaire said, “Tourism is one of the main economic drivers of the Saint Lucian economy which strengthens our supply chain, promotes economic development, and creates significant employment. Therefore, given my experience, coupled with the amalgamation of my portfolios which function interconnectedly with our tourism product, I look forward to serving wholeheartedly, with focus on further bolstering the tourism sector and placing people at the center of the sector.”

Dr. Hilaire served Saint Lucia as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2012- 2016 and added to his political experience are areas of sports, management, and international relations.  He has a track record in Cricket Management and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree (Double Major) from Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies in Political Science and Sociology. He also earned a Master of Philosophy degree in 1995, with a distinction in International Relations, from Darwin College, Cambridge University, England and went on to pursue a Ph.D. at the London School of Economics.

Honourable Dr. Ernest Hilaire also holds an Executive Diploma in Negotiations and Conflict Resolution from Notre Dame University.

The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority wishes him the very best during his tenure and pledges our support towards the continued development of brand Saint Lucia under his leadership.

Curaçao Booms with New Hotels and Expanded Flights

WILLEMSTAD – AUGUST 9, 2021 – The Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao has recently seen a surge of new and re-branded hotel developments backed by the world’s top hospitality brands, as well as expanded flight routes. From a fully renovated Marriott, to upscale all-inclusive options like Dreams and Sandals, as well as newly flagged properties like Trademark by Wyndham and Curio by Hilton Collection, Curaçao is proud to offer differentiated new accommodations that cater to an increased influx of North American travelers.

This has been a strong year for the island’s expansion with brands like Sandals, Wyndham and Hilton all planting a flag in Curaçao. In early 2021, Sandals Resorts International announced that it will transform the current Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort into Sandals® Royal Curaçao. Set to begin in late 2021, the transformation will initially include 350-luxurious rooms and suites stretched along the Spanish Water Bay and the Caribbean Sea, with further expansion planned in the coming years. Conceptual plans for the resort include adding key elements for the signature Sandals experience, including new expansive pools, a variety of dining options, lavish accommodations, and newly constructed River Suites. Guests will also have access to the neighboring 18-hole Pete Dye championship golf course, two onsite marinas and a 38,000-square-feet indoor and outdoor event and meeting space – the largest on the island upon completion. The Sandals® Royal Curaçao goes on sale Aug. 4, 2021, and is set to open fully on April 14, 2022.

In May 2021, Kunuku Aqua Resort became a part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham portfolio, a collection of soft-branded upper-midscale and above hotels that maintain their independent spirit and individuality. The family-friendly resort with an on-site water park offers a total of 24 apartments, along with 189 rooms. The resort is currently undergoing exterior and interior upgrades, including all rooms and apartments, set to be completed in 2022.

Finally, in June 2021, Hilton announced the signing of the newly opened Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao Resort as the newest property to join its Curio Collection by Hilton portfolio. Owned by Corendon Group, the all-inclusive resort is expected to convert in September 2021 and will re-establish Hilton’s presence on the island. In its next chapter as a Curio Collection property, Mangrove Beach Corendon Curaçao Resort will offer curated experiences for adventurous travelers, while also catering for those in search of a tranquil Caribbean retreat.

This growth and development come on the heels of renovations and openings on the island of three additional global brands in late 2019/early 2020, including Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa and Casino and Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino. Situated just minutes from the island’s historic capital of Willemstad, the Curacao Marriott reopened in November 2019 after an extensive $40 million renovation. The 336-room oceanfront hotel unveiled a newly redesigned lobby, guest rooms, restaurants, pool, grounds, and meetings/event space. A month later in December 2019, the Dutch Caribbean’s first-ever Dreams resort officially made its debut in Curaçao following a large-scale renovation of the former Hilton Curaçao resort. The 197-room all-inclusive resort offers seven dining options, a dive center, a spa, and a prime stretch of private beach on Curaçao’s Piscadera Bay. And in early 2020 the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, located in the heart of Willemstad and adjacent to the Rif Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, completed a $12 million redesign that included a nearly updated lobby, 223 guestrooms, on-property casino, and Nautilus restaurant.

Catering to these developments and subsequent increased demand and seasonal travel influx, airlift to Curaçao is back in full swing. For US travelers, American Airlines flies daily from Miami International Airport (MIA), and will add a second flight every Saturday from November 6 to December 11, with plans to run a second daily flight starting December 16, 2021. Non-stop flights from New Jersey (EWR) on United Airlines are set to resume on a weekly basis starting November 6, while the weekly non-stop flight from Charlotte (CLT) on American begins operating again on Saturdays starting December 4. Twice weekly direct flights from New York (JFK) on JetBlue Airways continue to be fully operational.

For Canadian travelers, direct flights are available from both Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) starting this Fall. The Air Canada weekly flights from Toronto (YYZ) will resume on October 1, with a second weekly flight planned for Mondays starting December 20. WestJet Airlines will also begin operating its weekly Sunday flight from YYZ starting on October 31. From Montreal, Air Canada will operate twice per week on Mondays and Wednesdays as of December 13, 2021.

Welcoming international visitors since January 1, 2021, Curaçao’s entry requirements and safety protocols have adapted to coincide with the evolving travel environment. To enter the country, travelers must complete the below mandatory steps via www.dicardcuracao.com:

1. Complete the digital immigration card online before departure.
2. Digitally, fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours prior to departure and carry a printed document of proof with you.
3. Each visitor entering Curaçao will need to show a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test taken at most 72 hours before your flight to Curaçao or a negative result from an antigen test taken at most 24 hours before your flight to Curaçao. You will need to carry a printed document of proof with you. You will be required to upload the negative test results of the COVID-19 PCR-test on dicardcuracao.com before departure.
4. 3^rd day on-island Antigen test. All passengers departing from low-risk, high-risk or very high-risk countries are required to undergo an Antigen test at a local laboratory on the 3^rd day in Curaçao. The reservation and payment of the 3^rd day antigen test is part of the PLC process.

For more information on entry conditions and travel updates, visit www.curacao.com

St. Vincent And The Grenadines To Host Virtual Tourism Stakeholders Conference To Accelerate The Relaunch Of The Tourism And Hospitality Industry

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines August 1, 2021: The multi island destination will host a mega Virtual Tourism Stakeholders’ Conference, on the 4^th and 5^th August to accelerate the relaunch of the country’s tourism product, following the recent eruption of the La Soufriere volcano. The 2021 Virtual Tourism Stakeholders’ Conference is expected to provide a forum for industry leaders and stakeholders to collaboratively and strategically address concerns affecting the restart of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. The theme of the conference is “Reconnect, Rethink and Rebuild Stronger Together”, it posits an inclusive approach to engage valuable stakeholders in the restructuring of the destination’s tourism recovery plans.

Participants are eagerly anticipating a high-level Virtual Tourism Stakeholders’ Conference which will feature a panel of leading stakeholders within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. In addition, stakeholders could expect a fount of knowledge from two adept and prominent regional keynote speakers; on day one of the conference former CEO and Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and former visionary Minister of Tourism of the Bahamas Mr. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace will present on the theme of the conference. Mr. Wallace will share insight of the valuable tourism experiences he has garnered over the years. Furthermore, Dean of the faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Acolla Cameron-Lewis will address the virtual audience on ‘Innovation in the Face of Crisis’.  Dr. Cameron has a wealth of knowledge in tourism policy, and marketing. Her invaluable shared experiences will equip and provide stakeholders with actionable steps to rejuvenate the industry during this challenging time.

“We have had our share of challenges from Covid-19 to a major natural disaster, but we remain resilient and hopeful that we can rebuild stronger and better with tourism being a critical component to the country’s economic recovery,” Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture said.

The tourism minister outlined that the relaunch of the country’s tourism product is a call to action for the global travel and tourism market to join in solidarity with St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this critical time by promoting travel to the 32 Islands and Cays.

“We are anticipating an exciting third and a positive fourth quarter, which includes the commencement of construction work on two major hotels, Beaches Resort by Sandals International and Holiday Inn Express, the opening of a new La Vue hotel and the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic, facilitating direct access to the European market,” Minister James said.

The conference will also feature discussions on new protocols for the tourism sector in preparation for the restart of the Cruise Tourism Industry.

Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the conference via live Facebook streaming on any of the following social media platforms @TourismSVG, @Vc3, @ DiscoverSVG and YouTube https://youtu.be/swLlm9FdwGk.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays and is known for its pristine sailing and diving waters. The multi island state was ranked #4 in Best Caribbean Honeymoon and # 5 in Best places to visit in the Caribbean for 2021 by U. S News.