Destination News

This Summer is Sweeter in Barbados 

Restrictions are relaxing, borders are reopening, and Barbados is the perfect place to create magical moments this summer. Travellers looking to satisfy their need for adventure and relaxation now have a special incentive to choose Barbados.

The island’s new summer campaign just launched and promises sweet savings of up to 55 percent off accommodations, attractions, car rentals and restaurants. Visitors can take advantage of diverse accommodations from luxury hotels on the beach, to charming bed-and-breakfast spots, or private villas nestled in lush gardens.

Adventure lovers can explore all of the experiences and uncover the secrets that make Barbados stand apart from the rest of the Caribbean. Whether it’s biking solo through hidden trails on the East coast; or enjoying a fresh fish cutter at an inviting beach bar with the whole family, Barbados offers a memorable holiday experience for every kind of traveller to immerse themselves in Barbadian culture and way of life.

This summer there’s also lots in store for foodies in the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Visitors can try any of the island’s many new restaurants including QP Bistro, Blush Café, Cosmo Club, Cala Roca, Local and Co., and Seashed, and share all of their experiences on social media under the hashtags #barbadosmoments #barbadosmemories and #barbadossecrets.

To enjoy all of these Barbados experiences and more, visitors can book their savings directly at www.BarbadosSummerSavings.com between March 7 and August 31, 2022, for travel between April 21 and October 31, 2022. The destination is proud to announce that they have partnered with a new local online travel agent, Book Barbados, to facilitate bookings for the summer campaign. This innovative move comes as the destination more purposefully collborates with homegrown businesses and local private sector partners.

Crop Over is back!

Also on the cards this summer after a two-year hiatus, is the island’s largest annual festival. The Crop Over Festival is Barbados’ most popular, most colourful and most anticipated event. This unique summer festival attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe who come to enjoy Barbadian heritage, culture, music, food and dance, every May through August. One of the Caribbean’s most culturally significant festivals, the 300-year-old tradition of Crop Over marks the end of the sugar cane growing season.

Crop Over culminates with Grand Kadooment, held the first Monday in August. Costumed revelers can be seen parading through the streets from morning until evening, and if lucky, may even catch a glimpse of one of the many celebrities known to frequent the island during this time, including Sir Lewis Hamilton, Jordan Dunn and Barbados’ very own Rihanna.

Prime Minister the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, announced that Barbados will have a modified Crop Over for 2022, for the first time in two years. Visitors and Barbadians alike will enjoy the festival this year in a safe way as the Prime Minister outlined that the staging of Grand Kadooment and ForeDay Morning will be done in a new and innovative way without sacrificing enjoyment and safety.

“We are happy for this because we know that after two years of no Crop Over and no release, people are more than waiting for this opportunity,” Mottley said.

Rapid test and fly

To sweeten the deal, getting to Barbados this summer just got a lot easier as Rapid Antigen Tests for entry into the country are now accepted. Plus, there’s no quarantine period for fully vaccinated travellers with valid negative tests.

The widely popular Rapid tests are readily available in Barbados’ primary source markets, and results are typically returned within one hour. Rapid Antigen Tests to enter Barbados must be administered by a healthcare provider no more than one day prior to arrival in Barbados.

Along with Rapid Antigen Tests, COVID PCR tests taken no more than three days prior to arrival in Barbados are also on the list of approved tests for entry into the country.

For more on Barbados’ entry protocols, visit www.BarbadosTravelProtocols.com.

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Statement on Lowering CDC Travel Advisory

NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation has taken note of the updated travel advisory issued from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reducing its travel recommendation for The Bahamas from a Level 4 to a Level 3 destination.

“The lowering of the CDC advisory is encouraging as we make positive progress towards tourism recovery,” said Deputy Prime Minister The Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “Cases of the virus in The Bahamas have been reduced significantly, which has also led to the relaxation of after-arrival testing requirements and other restrictions. With the participation of all Bahamians in following health and safety precautions, we’re confident this positive trajectory towards a new normal will continue.”

The CDC’s COVID-19 Travel Health Notice is a four-level system that categorizes international destinations with thresholds based on the number of COVID-19 cases. Travel Health Notices are raised or lowered when case counts and testing metrics meet appropriate thresholds. A level is raised when case counts remain at a higher level for 14 consecutive days and is lowered when cases remain at a reduced level for 28 consecutive days.

The Government of The Bahamas has enacted several measures to guard against community transmission of the virus, including widespread free testing and vaccine availability, public education efforts and the distribution of free medical-grade masks for all citizens and residents of The Bahamas.

Travellers wishing to visit The Bahamas should log onto Bahamas.com/travelupdates for information on travel and entry requirements.

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority Launches New Podcast

JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (MARCH 11, 2022) – TheAntigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has launched ‘The Beach is Just the Beginning’ – a one-of-a-kind podcast hosted by renowned travel writer and journalist Peter Moore that champions authentic stories from Antigua and Barbuda.

Available on leading podcast platforms including Spotify and Amazon Podcasts, ‘The Beach is Just the Beginning’ is a multi-episode series that transports listeners to Antigua and Barbuda with authentic stories and tales direct from the twin-island nation.

Travel hungry listeners can explore everything from heritage, set against the backdrop of Antigua and Barbuda’s 40^th independence anniversary with a journey through UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson’s Dockyard to a tropical wellness getaway. Discover how Antigua and Barbuda is becoming the ultimate self-care destination, complete with glamping and wellness retreats, attracting visitors looking to unplug and reset with natural remedies, yoga, and the classic Antiguan sunshine.

As no trip to Antigua and Barbuda is complete without a journey to both islands, the series includes an entire episode dedicated to the on-island life of Barbuda. Listeners will learn about Barbuda’s unique culture and the island’s must-do experiences through conversations with notable locals including culture expert Asha Frank and restauranteurs Jackie Beazer and Matthew John. The Barbuda special will also include a tour of the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, the largest in the western hemisphere, and a look at the development taking place on the island.

A just released sports episode coincides with the West Indies Cricket test series against England, featuring interviews from the legendary cricketing knights Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Richie Richardson, and the return of Antigua’s iconic Sailing Week – focusing on the impact these sports have on the island. Additional instalments will have armchair travellers journeying to Carnival through the significance of music and costume and transported to the romantic shores of Antigua’s beaches, to learn about the rise of destination weddings.

Find The Beach is Just the Beginning from Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority on Spotify, Amazon Podcasts or on other leading podcast platforms.

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.