Blog

What’s New In The Bahamas In June

NASSAU, Bahamas, June 1, 2021 – Wanderlust no more. The Bahamas welcomes travellers to celebrate the arrival of summer with ease! Experience the islands – in real life – for an unforgettable vacation. With plenty of deals, must-visit experiences and new relaxed travel measures, soaking up the tropical sun, lazing on the white sand beaches and cooling off in the refreshing, warm turquoise waters of The Bahamas is not as out of reach as you may think.

NEWS

Fully Vaccinated Travellers Relax with Ease – As of May 1, 2021, those who are fully vaccinated are not required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test before entry, submit to rapid testing mandates or complete the daily health questionnaire during their stay. The only entry formality required of fully     vaccinated travellers is to obtain a Bahamas Travel Health Visa within five days of travel. Before booking, travellers should visit Bahamas.com to stay up to date on the latest travel information.

Baha Mar Welcomes New Oceanfront Water Park – Baha Bay, a 15-acre oceanfront water park, is set to open July 2, featuring 24 water slides, a duelling water coaster, 500,000-gallon wave pool and winding river for guests of the Baha Mar resorts.

Riu Palace Paradise Island in The Bahamas Reopened – The all-inclusive adults-only beachfront resort welcomed back guests last month with an extensive range of cuisine, on-site entertainment and more.

PROMOTIONS AND OFFERS

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

First Responders Appreciation – To show appreciation, Comfort Suites Paradise Island is comping the first night for first responders now through June 15, 2021, when booking 4+ nights. Guests who stay for 3+ nights are eligible for up to $300 in food and beverage credit.

Sneak Peek into Paradise – The new Margaritaville Beach Resort – Nassau is offering guests 35% off when booking travel before June 30, 2021.

Free Night + $250 in Resort Credit for Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas – Guests who book travel to Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, now through August 13, 2021, receive the 5^th night free, and stays beginning July 11 are eligible for a $250 resort credit.

Stay Longer on Us Deals – Baha Mar is offering exclusive promotions at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar. Guests can take advantage of discounted rates, complimentary nights and $100 resort credits.

Summertime with UNEXSO Grand Bahama – Make a splash this summer on Grand Bahama Island with special excursion deals from UNEXSO. Book now for 30% off the dolphin close encounter. The offer expires on August 30, 2021.

$300 Fuel Credit for Out Island Vacations – Boaters receive a $300 fuel credit for a pre-booked 4-night consecutive hotel stay at Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member resorts and marinas before October 31, 2021. Booking window: now – June 30.

Exclusive Travel Deal for Bahamas Residents – Residents of The Bahamas can take advantage of a limited-time offer to explore the Family 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. Individual hotel offers are available.

Private Pilots for Out Island Hopping – Jet set travellers can enjoy the excitement of an island-hopping vacation with this great offer. Private Pilots who pre-book a 2-night stay at any participating Bahama Out Islands Promotion Board member hotel will receive a $150 Fee Credit. Travel window: July 5 – October 31, 2021.

Anguilla Appoints Georgios Tserdakidis Chief Marketing Officer

The Valley, Anguilla, June 2, 2021……The Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), Mr. Kenroy Herbert, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Georgios Tserdakidis to the position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective April 1, 2021.  Mr. Tserdakidis is a multilingual marketing and communications specialist with extensive international experience in strategic destination marketing and communications for the travel and tourism industry. He has worked with leading tourism boards, global brands, mega-events, governments and public sector entities, and has cultivated strong relationships with the travel industry and media around the world.

“Mr. Tserdakidis joins the ATB at a critical juncture, as we are rebuilding our tourism industry in the wake of the COVID pandemic that has devastated the hospitality industry worldwide,” said ATB Chairman Herbert.  “Out of every challenge comes opportunity, and we can seize this moment to re-imagine and restructure our industry for the 21^st century.  We need fresh, creative and innovative thinking and this is what Mr. Tserdakidis brings to our organization,” he continued.

As Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Tserdakidis will be responsible for the development and continuous review of all elements of the Anguilla Tourism product.

“The ATB is at its core a marketing agency, and we devoted a great deal of time and consideration to the appointment of the CMO.   We are confident that we have found the right candidate in Mr. Tserdakidis and welcome him into our ATB family,” said Stacey Liburd, Anguilla’s Director of Tourism. “We look forward to working closely with him to realise the full and extraordinary potential of both the organization and our beloved Anguilla as the Caribbean’s premiere tourism destination.”

Prior to joining the Anguilla Tourist Board Mr. Tserdakidis held key positions with Expo 2020 Dubai and  Visit California, as well as overseeing national tourism organization and airline accounts with Germany’s leading travel public relations agency.  He has also served as Leader of the Press Office and Office of Protocol for the Consulate General of Cyprus in Frankfurt, Germany.

“I am delighted and honoured to be joining the talented team at the Anguilla Tourist Board and look forward to sharing my expertise and leveraging my industry relationships on behalf of this amazing destination, Anguilla,” declared Mr. Tserdakidis.  “We have an exceptional story to tell, and I deeply appreciate the Board’s entrusting me with this vital mission.  I’m excited to embark on this journey together with the team at such a significant time for the global travel industry as we work together to elevate the Anguilla brand and make her the most desirable destination in the region.”

Mr. Tserdakidis studied Urban Development, Tourism Geography and Political Science at the Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, and completed research programmes in New York and Singapore.

For information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

St. Kitts & Nevis Open Only to Fully Vaccinated Travelers Effective May 29

Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 26, 2021) – The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris announced last evening that based on the cluster of 16 new cases of COVID-19, the first of which was reported on May 19, 2019, involving a national with no travel history, the Government would immediately enact a series of initiatives in an effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Currently, the Federation has a total number of 61 confirmed COVID -19 cases with 45 cases fully recovered and zero deaths. The 16 new patients are stable and are being monitored. While the extensive contact tracing proceeds, new travel requirements for International Travelers were announced:

1. Effective May 29, 2021, only fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed entry into St. Kitts & Nevis. Exemptions for Citizens and Residents.
2. With the summer family travel season beginning considerations have been made for families traveling with children. The following will apply to non-vaccinated children under 18:

• Non-vaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents are welcome.
• If the family is staying 9 days or less, the current Vacation in Place guidelines apply.
• If the family is staying 10 days or more, the parents and the child will have to Vacation in Place until day 14 when the child will be tested.
• Vaccinated parents traveling with a non-vaccinated child will not be allowed to integrate into the Federation until after the child is tested on day 14 and the test results come back negative.

3. A curfew was imposed from 11p.m. to 5a.m. daily, starting May 25 for 14-days.

Below are the travel requirements for fully vaccinated travelers. The previously announced travel requirements for non-vaccinated travelers are null and void.

(a) A traveler is considered fully vaccinated when two weeks have passed since receiving their second dose of a two dose vaccine series (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or AstraZeneca/Oxford) or two weeks after they have received a single dose vaccine (Johnson + Johnson). The traveler’s official COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card will be accepted as proof.

(b) Traveler must complete the Travel Authorization Form on the national website (knatravelform.kn). Once the Travel Authorization Form is completed, the traveler must submit a copy of their official Vaccination Card (back and front scan). The vaccination card must be sent for verification via email or WhatsApp. The date of arrival and the KN number generated on their completed KNA travel form must be included.

1. 1. Vaccination Record cards may be submitted via one of two methods:
      • WhatsApp Phone Numbers – 869-762-0238 or 869-765-4880
      • Email – officeofcmo@gov.kn, Subject line: Vaccination Card
   2. Upon review, the Chef Medical Officer will email the acceptance status of the traveler’s vaccination card.

(c) Upon submission of a completed KNA travel form and approval of their vaccination card, the traveler must upload their official COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test result from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEC 17025 standard taken 72 hours prior to travel. There are no exceptions to the 72-hour timeframe.

(d) Upon receipt of the copy of the COVID -19 RT-PCR test negative result and their official vaccination card, the traveler’s information will be reviewed, and they will receive the approval letter to enter the Federation.

(e) For their trip, the traveler should bring a copy of the negative COVID- 19 RT-PCR test and their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card as proof of completion of their vaccination. Please note, acceptable COVID-19 PCR tests must be taken by nasopharyngeal sample. Self-samples, rapid tests, or home tests will be considered invalid.

(f) Travelers will undergo a health screening at the airport which includes a temperature check and a health questionnaire. Upon arrival, if a fully vaccinated traveler is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during the health screening, they can be required to undergo a RT- PCR test at the airport at their own cost (150 USD).

(g) Fully vaccinated air travelers will be asked to “Vacation in Place” at a Travel Approved hotel for nine (9) days.

(h) All fully vaccinated air travelers are free to move throughout the Travel Approved hotel, interact with other guests and partake in hotel activities only.

(i) Fully vaccinated air travelers staying beyond 9 days are required to be tested on day 9 (USD 150 visitors’ cost) of their stay and once their test is negative, they may integrate into the Federation participating in tours, attractions, restaurants, beach bars, retail shopping, etc.

(j) Effective May 1, 2021 fully vaccinated air travelers are not required to submit an exit RT-PCR test. If a pre-departure test is still required for the country of destination, the RT-PCR test will be taken 72 hours prior to departure. Example: If a person is staying 7 days, their pre-departure test will be on day 4; if a person is staying 14 days, their pre-departure test will be taken on day 11.

(k) Travel Approved hotels for international travelers are:

• Four Seasons
• Golden Rock Inn
• Marriott Vacation Beach Club
• Montpelier Plantation & Beach
• Paradise Beach
• Park Hyatt
• Royal St. Kitts Hotel

International travelers who would like to stay at private rental home or condo must stay at a property that has been pre-approved as a quarantine housing at their own cost, including security. Please submit request to info@stkittstourism.kn.

Silver Airways Begins Service to Anguilla on June 2, 2021

The Valley, Anguilla, May 25, 2021: The Anguilla Tourist Board is pleased to announce that Silver Airways will commence service from San Juan to Anguilla on Friday, June 2^nd, 2021.  The summer flights will operate twice weekly between the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico and the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport in Anguilla through August 6, 2021. Silver Airways is the parent company of Seaborne Airlines. Seaborne has operated in Anguilla for many years.

“I am proud to have been a part of the initial negotiations with Seaborne Airlines in 2014 that culminated in regular service to Anguilla.  We are delighted to welcome Silver Airways to Anguilla after this lengthy hiatus caused by the pandemic,” said the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes. “Silver/Seaborne has been our valued partner for many years, and the San Juan gateway is vital to the growth of our industry.  Maintaining and expanding access to Anguilla is essential for tourism  development, and the restoration of this service is an important step as we reopen our island to international travelers”, he continued.

“We are honored to service Anguilla, which has long been one of our most popular routes,” declared Captain Steven Dowda, Vice President of Caribbean Operations for Silver Airways and Seaborne Airlines. “Anguilla’s tourism product is exceptional, and our relationship with Anguilla is a strong and mutually beneficial one.  We look forward to working closely with our tourism partners here to grow arrivals to the island and increase service this winter.”

The Silver Airways service will operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, with two rotations each day for a total of four flights per week.

On Thursdays, the flight will depart San Juan at 10:30h and arrive in Anguilla at 11:35h. The return flight will leave Anguilla at 12.15h, arriving in San Juan at 13.   On Saturdays, the flight will depart San Juan at 13.20h and arrive in Anguilla at 14.25h.  The return flight departs Anguilla at 14.55h and arrives in San Juan at 16.00h.  All times given are local. Silver’s codeshare agreements facilitate seamless connections with airline partners American Airlines, JetBlue Airways,  Delta, and Copa.

“The Anguilla Tourist Board will be partnering with our stakeholders on island and our travel advisors in-market to promote Silver’s service as an ideal option for traveling to Anguilla,” said Stacey Liburd, Director of Tourism.  “By flying directly into the island, you not only arrive before noon but in 15 minutes you can be exiting the airport and on your way to the beach!  This service makes traveling to Anguilla easy, convenient and affordable.”

For travel information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com/escape; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.