Return to Antigua
Travel professionals can’t help but like success stories, and Blue Waters Resort & Spa is surely one of them, what with its renovations and its growth in the North American market.
New Resorts Within Resorts
This trend—of enclaves and even entire resorts within larger Caribbean resorts—keeps growing, so what follows is a guide to special resort sections that have opened and/or will soon open in 2018.
Apple Leisure Group is Expanding
Apple Leisure Group (ALG) is expanding with new resort brands, new hotels in development, and a new travel distribution channel.
Delta Air Lines Increases Service to Cuba
Last year, Delta Air Lines celebrated the first anniversary of its return of service to Cuba, and now the company is expanding its service to the country with the addition of a nonstop flight from Miami.
The Sands at Grace Bay Launches New Hurricane Refund Policy
The Sands at Grace Bay announced the launch of its newly created No-Hassle, 100% Refund Policy, in the event of a hurricane, along with other special promotions.
Update on St. Lucia, Part 2
Prime Minister Allen Chastanet announced a huge road construction project at the recent 2018 North America Showcase in St. Lucia, but that was just part of a fact-filled update on attractions, events, infrastructure, and hotels.
Update on Saint Lucia, Part 1
Caribbean Editor Ed Wetschler headed to the 2018 North America Showcase, where presentations from members of the Saint Lucia tourism community covered more than just hotel updates.
Moon Palace Jamaica Offers Complimentary Flights
Moon Palace Jamaica is taking the idea of all-inclusive to new heights with its new Fly Me To The Moon offer, which includes airfare for travelers.
Sandals Montego Bay Unveils New Look
Sandals Montego Bay—a flagship resort for Sandals Resorts International—has made its debut with a new, reimagined and renovated look.
St. Maarten Resorts Welcome Agents with Special Rates
After nearly a year of working to fully restore the Sonesta St. Maarten Resorts following damage done by Hurricane Irma, the company is inviting travel agents to visit both of its St. Maarten properties through the See For Yourself program.
Summer Specials in the Caribbean and Latin America
Summer may be in full swing, but that doesn't mean it's too late to book your clients on a last minute summer trip, especially with several properties in the Caribbean and Latin America offering special seasonal savings and packages.
Belmond Property Reopens in St. Martin
After closing its doors in order to complete a restyle of the resort, Belmond La Samanna is now scheduled to start welcoming guests on Dec. 10, 2018.
Learn, Earn & Grow with the Revised Saint Lucia Travel Agent Expert (SLEx) Program
Designed to support your efforts and your business, the Saint Lucia Travel Agent EXPERT (SLEx) Program has been revised with an array of new benefits.
The Santo Domingo Experience
Restorations in Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the Americas, have transformed a grimy, decaying Colonial Zone into a UNESCO World Heritage site.
New Fitness Experiences
The expansion of fitness experiences in the Caribbean shows no sign of a let-up, so put down that donut: We’re here to talk about new ways resorts and other businesses are serving the ever-increasing demand for healthy vacations.
Bermuda Hotel Now Accepting Cryptocurrency
Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa is accepting the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as a form of payment for guests staying at the boutique Bermuda property.
Atlantis Debuts New Marine Programs
Launched in conjunction with this month's World Oceans Day, Atlantis Paradise Island's new marine programs will allow guests to get up-close and personal with marine life.
Bahia Principe Closes Punta Cana Resort For Renovations
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts has temporarily closed one of its Dominican Republic properties, Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar Blue, for renovations.
Melia to Debut New Luxury Property
This winter, Melia Hotels International will debut its newest luxury experience with the launch of The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana.
Saint Lucia: Experience Authenticity
Saint Lucia, you might say, is spreading its wings. During Caribbean Week NYC I sat down with Hon. Dominic Fedee, the tourism minister, for his views on what's happening.
Kids Stay Free at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana is offering a discounted rate and complimentary stays for families booking during the Nick Jr. Friends Event.
Martinique: Bienvenue from Caribbean Week NYC
This overseas department of France is the only place on earth where rum distilleries have earned AOC status, so...
Why the Cayman Islands Tourism is Booming
Although 2017 was a great year, with arrivals up 8 percent, the Cayman Islands are on track to surpass it with first-quarter arrivals up 20 percent.
Still Recovering: Post-Hurricane Caribbean Updates
You keep coming across updates on the post-hurricane situation in the affected islands for one simple reason: The situation keeps evolving. Here's the latest on five island destinations from a Caribbean Tourism Organization news conference.
Gansevoort Villas Debut with Special Intro Rates
The new luxury oceanfront Gansevoort Villas—part of the Gansevoort Turks + Caicos resort—are now available for booking and are also offering special introductory rates.
Saint Lucia Tourism Grows, Offers Special Agent Rates
After hitting record-setting numbers in 2017, current figures show continued robust growth of Saint Lucia's tourism sector, proving that the destination is an island vacation that appeals to a wide range of travelers.
The Dream Honeymoon
What is the dream honeymoon? Depends who’s dreaming, so here’s a look at dream honeymoons at six romantic Caribbean properties.
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar property—part of Nassau’s Baha Mar resort complex, also home to the SLS and Rosewood properties—“is a reflection of something or somewhere in The Bahamas,” says Yvette Edwards, director of sales and marketing at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar.
Bahia Principe in Samana, D.R.
The Dominican Republic’s Samana Peninsula is a gorgeous slice of Dominican beach and mountain views, and in this picturesque setting, there are four unique Bahia Principe properties that speak to each of your clients.
What is the Typical Destination Wedding?
You’ve asked such a good question (smart!) that I broke it down into several questions and sent them to the people of some top-selling Caribbean resorts.
Jamaica: News for Travel Agents
During a pre-Caribbean Week NYC conversation, Donovan White, the recently appointed director of tourism of the Jamaican Tourist Board, discussed the growth of travel to Jamaica and more.
Casa de Campo Welcomes Agents with Extra Perks
Travel agents heading to the Dominican Republic can stay at the luxury Casa de Campo Resort & Villas at a discounted rate with extra perks.
Saint Lucia Experts Reap Rewards
With Recommend's Saint Lucia Expert course, you can not only learn about what the island has to offer, you can also reap sales rewards and benefits.
BodyHoliday Announces Summer Renovation Plans
Health and wellness resort BodyHoliday St. Lucia announced that it will temporarily close this summer in order to complete a $20 million renovation.
Princess Cruises: New Ship, Sky Suites and More
Princess Cruises announced its 2019-2020 Caribbean season, including details of the new Sky Princess, first-time destinations and the cruise line's new Sky Suites.
Saint Lucia Properties Offer Agent Discounts
With Recommend’s Saint Lucia Expert course,you can not only learn about what the island has to offer, you can also reap sales rewards and benefits.
Stonefield Villa Resort Launches Wellness Brand
Stonefield Villa Resort launched Escape to Wellness,a new experience brand as part of the resort’s repositioning to a health and wellness boutique property.
Agents Win a Trip to a Luxury Bahia Principe Hotel
This month, an agent can win a 5-night escape to the Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia or a Luxury Bahia Principe Hotel of their choice
Club Med is Headed to the Dominican Republic—Again
Club Med is headed to the Dominican Republic (again) with the brand's second property in the DR with the opening of a new property in Miches.
Become a Saint Lucia Expert, Enjoy Special Rates
Special agent rates for Saint Lucia Expert course graduates.
Trending Now in Luxury Travel in the Caribbean
For insights into how luxury is evolving, Recommend rounded up two executives at major tour packagers and three top-selling travel agents. Before we asked them about trends, though, we asked what “luxury” means nowadays.
Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado Welcomes Children
Luxury Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado, previously an adults-only property, is set to welcome a new group of travelers: children.
Update from DATE, Part 3: EP Resorts in the Dominican Republic
A few years ago the then-new Gansevoort and, even more so, Amanera properties expanded the D.R.'s boutique luxury niche, so this year's Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), held in April, included some buzz about luxury EP resorts:
Update from DATE: All-Inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic
Much of the talk at this month's DATE (Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange) in Punta Cana was about the continued growth of travel to the Dominican Republic, but the focus was also on new and renovated hotels of all stripes.
Azul Beach Resorts Properties Get a Name Change
What's in a name...Well, a lot actually, especially if you're sending your clients to one of the Azul Beach Resorts which will receive a new name.
Send Mom to The Bahamas for Mother’s Day
Clients still searching for the perfect Mother's Day gift? Warwick Paradise Island- Bahamas has a deal that will have them packing their bags for a getaway.
Update from DATE, Part 1: Dominican Tourism Rises to the Occasion(s)
Recommend traveled to the Dominican Republic to attend the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange. These are the big picture tourism updates from the island.
Grand Classica to Sail to Bahamas
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will welcome its newest addition to the fleet, Grand Classica, as she arrives in the Port of Palm Beach tomorrow
Why Cayman Islands Tourism Has Surged
The news that U.S. arrivals in the Cayman Islands were up 13.44 percent in 2017—definitely a stand-out in the Caribbean region—made this reporter eager for more details.
Apple Vacations Expands in Puerto Plata
Apple Vacations now partners with 13 hotels in this area, including these four all-inclusives. Rates quoted are for a couple staying one week, excluding air.
The Best Cultural Experience: Local Food
Although most travel is experiential travel (why would anyone visit Rome or the Grand Canyon and not look around?),...
