Caribbean Tourism Update

SIX SENSES RENDERINGCaribbean Tourism UpdateBy Regina BarabanSustainable tourism was a recurring theme at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), held Oct. 11-13 at The Shore Club, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. “Sustainable tourism has become a commitment that Caribbean leaders are taking seriously because it’s recognized that the natural beauty of our islands is our most valuable asset, and we must be dedicated to preserving it for future generations,” said the Hon. Kenneth Bryan, minister of tourism & ports, Cayman Islands and CTO chairman, in opening remarks at the conference. The overall economic picture for the Caribbean is robust, with a busy winter season ahead. At a media briefing, tourism executives from 14 Caribbean countries shared current tourism infrastructure news and developments. Visitor numbers for all of the countries have rebounded from the pandemic, most matching or exceeding 2019. As well, advisors can expect added airlift and significant hotel openings on many of the islands. Among the hotel developments:GOLWYN RESORTThe Bahamas“The Bahamas is very busy, with at least 8 million visitors projected for this year,” said Latia Duncombe, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism director general of tourism, investments & aviation. “We share our culture with the world in year-round festivals and festivities. What’s key to us is preserving and promoting tourism in a very sustainable way.” The Bahamas, she reported, has recently established a development fund for sustainable tourism projects.2023 saw the opening of the 81-room Goldwynn Resorts & Residences, a new oceanfront luxury retreat in Nassau. The storied British Colonial, located on the beach in downtown Nassau, is due to reopen by the end of this year after a nearly $100 million renovation and redesign.BAHAMAS QUOTECurrently under development, the 50 all-suite Montage Cay on a private 53-acre island in The Abacos is expected to open next year. Every ultra-luxe suite will have a private plunge pool, outdoor shower and outdoor lounge area. It will be the first Montage resort in The Bahamas. Further along the timeline is the Six Senses Grand Bahama, with an anticipated 2026 opening. The Bahamas is a popular cruise destination as well. The newly renovated, $300 million Nassau cruise port opened in May. A new cruise port on Long Island, Calypso Cove, is under construction with an anticipated 2025 opening. 2025 is also the anticipated opening for Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s exclusive port destination on the south coast of Grand Bahama island.VIDA LODGE ROOMCayman IslandsOver the next few years, the Cayman Islands will add 1,200 hotel rooms, said Rosa Harris, director of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. “We know that people who come to the Cayman Islands love nature,” she said, citing the new VIDA Ocean Adventure Lodge, 18 boutique luxury apartments due to open this winter next to Grand Cayman’s Barkers National Park. Also new to Grand Cayman, the 282-room Hotel Indigo is now accepting reservations for arrivals on or after July 2, 2024. Steps away from famed Seven Mile Beach, the hotel will have a beachy, modern vibe. CAYMAN QUOTE Further ahead, One/GT’s modern suites and residences and the 80-room Kailani, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotels, are due to open in 2025. The Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Hotel & Residences in George Town, with 351 rooms, will be the largest hotel in the Cayman Islands when it opens in 2026. The Westin Grand Cayman is planning to open a sister Autograph hotel tower on site. As well, “There is a lot of rebirth and rebranding on the culinary scene,” says Harris. “Grand Cayman is known for good food and restaurant choices. There are over 200 restaurants already and many new ones coming on board.”GrenadaGrenada is upping the ante for sustainable tourism and “a bespoke, individual experience that is relaxed and laid back,” said Petra Roach, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority. “We’re not mass tourism,” she noted. “We have a very engaged community. Our minister is absolutely committed to sustainable tourism that takes full account of its current and future environmental impact and has local community involvement.” GRENEDA QUOTE Newly opened after several months of renovation this summer are two ultra-luxe properties: The boutique, all-suite Calabash in Saint George’s and the 64-suite Spice Island Beach Resort on Grand Anse Beach. January will see the opening of Silversands Beach House, an addition to the world-class Silversands beach resort, with 31 villas and its own Italian restaurant. And Six Senses makes its Caribbean debut in the first quarter of 2024 with Six Senses La Sagesse, located on the southern part of Grenada, known for its relaxed lifestyle. “We’re very proud of the confidence that Six Senses has put into Grenada,” says Roach. “The Six Senses brand is very into wellness and farm-to-table and they take truly holistic views of the customer experience—which is also the DNA of Grenada as a destination.” DIAMOND POOL RESORTJamaica“Jamaica continues to outperform expectations in terms of arrivals, spend and length of stay,” said Donovan White, director of tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “September visitor numbers are up and airlift is up—we’re expecting 906,808 airline seats from the U.S. in 2023, significantly more than last year and a 74.4 percent market share. We have approximately 8,000 hotel rooms slated for construction over the next two to five years”. The 260 room Sandals Dunn’s River, Ocho Rios opened this year in May. 2024 openings include the first 1,000 rooms of the 2,000-room Princess Hotel Hanover, in Negril; the 352-room Hideaway at Royalton Blue Waters, an Autograph Collection All Inclusive Resort in Montego Bay; and the expansive, all-inclusive 650-room Hotel RIU Palace Aquarelle, Falmouth, Trelawny, complete with a waterpark. Groundbreaking is slated for a 2,000-room Hard Rock Hotel in St. James, a 450-room UNICO in Montego Bay, plus other small hotels and villas. As well, there is ongoing investment in local airports and roadway infrastructure, including a significant modernization and expansion of the MBJ Sangster International Airport, currently in phase 2 of an estimated $130 million project.VINCY VILLA
St. Vincent and the Grenadines“Our diversity is unique, from black sand beaches and waterfalls on the mainland to white sand beaches in The Grenadines,” said Hon. Carlos James, minister of tourism, civil aviation, sustainable development & culture, St. Vincent & The Grenadines. “Traditionally, we have a lot of local, boutique hotels. But major development is happening in 2024.” In March, Sandals Resorts’ newest all-inclusive resort opens in the capital city of Kingstown’s Buccament Bay area, located on 50 acres tucked away between rainforest and sea. Now open for reservations, the resort will feature a Sandals’ first: 2-bedroom butler villas overlooking the waterfront. As well, “there will be a community tourism area next to the resort,” said James. 2024 will also see groundbreaking for the country’s first Marriott property, located on a black sand beach in the capital city of Kingstown. Contact InformationThe Bahamas: bahamas.com/travel-agentsCayman Islands Department of Tourism: visitcaymanislands.com/en-usGrenada Tourism Authority: puregrenada.com and https://expert.puregrenada.com/Jamaica Tourist Board: visitjamaica.com/travel-agentsSt. Vincent & the Grenadines Tourism Authority: discoversvg.com and https://discoversvgpro.com

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