Essence Corp has joined in the efforts to help Bahamian residents recover in the aftermath of disastrous Hurricane Dorian in Sept. 1, donating to the World Central Kitchen, Inc. The organization, founded by internationally known Chef Jose Andres, has set up mobile kitchens in Abaco, Grand Bahama and Nassau, to cook and prepare 20,000 meals […]
Caribbean
Update: Industry rushes to aid Bahamas relief efforts
It is now two weeks since Hurricane Dorian devastated the northern Bahamas, on Sept. 1. The official death toll stands at 50, although officials expect this to rise substantially since 1,300 people are still listed as missing. Preliminary reports estimated Dorian caused some $7 billion in damage, although it is likely too early to tell. […]
Brown-Forman and MONARQ Group enter into Caribbean distribution partnership
Brown-Forman and MONARQ Group have entered into a regional distribution partnership in which MONARQ will represent the Brown-Forman portfolio in 16 Caribbean markets, effective July 1. “We are enthused to welcome MONARQ to the Brown-Forman family and look forward to working closely together to continue to grow our brands in these important Caribbean markets. Given the importance of the territory we took time […]
Little Switzerland expands with new Breitling, TAG Heuer and Patek Philippe openings as islands recover from hurricanes
Little Switzerland, one of the most important luxury retailers in the Caribbean, is expanding its footprint in the region with several new branded boutiques for Breitling and TAG Heuer, as well as a Patek Philippe Showroom in St. Thomas. As the largest authorized retailer of luxury timepieces in the Caribbean, the company recently opened […]
Grenada boosts its image as the Caribbean’s luxury destination with careful tourism development
Mega yachts in secluded ports, 5 Diamond properties, world class boutique hotels, award winning beaches, private islands, waterfalls, rain forests filled with exotic spice trees, thriving agriculture, and unspoilt dive sites– Grenada fully delivers on its reputation as the luxury destination in the Caribbean. Home to some of the top-rated and most luxurious hotels […]
Dominican Republic ticket sales down, but air travel to other Caribbean destinations swells
Air travel distribution and intelligence company Airlines Reporting Corp. (ARC) says that the Dominican Republic’s (D.R.) tourism crisis is diverting more visitors to Mexico and other Caribbean destinations. ARC reports that air ticket purchases made in the U.S. from June 1-23, 2019 for travel to the D.R. fell 10% when compared to the same period […]
Discover Puerto Rico reports highest tourism revenue and visitor numbers in island’s history
Discover Puerto Rico has reported that the island, which was devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria less than two years ago in September 2017, is tracking towards a record-breaking tourism year. Year-to-date revenue is at the highest level in the island’s history, says the destination marketing organization, with revenues of $445 million reported through May. The […]
Royal Caribbean JV buying Grand Lucayan Resort in the Bahamas
The government of the Bahamas signed a letter of intent on March 22 with Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group for the purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort and redevelopment of the Freeport Harbour. The Freeport development will involve the construction of new ship berths at the port which could potentially double capacity. The […]
One on One with Rene Riedi, Division CEO Central and South America for Dufry
Managing the LATAM airport duty free business in challenging times The duty free and travel retail business in South America experienced one of its most difficult years in recent memory in 2018, a situation that took place practically overnight. A company like Dufry, which has airport operations in nearly every country in the region, […]
Disney signs deal with Bahamas to develop Cruise Port in Eleuthera
Disney Cruise Line has signed a heads of agreement with the Bahamas for a proposed cruise destination in Eleuthera, to be built on land it acquired from a private seller. Disney is expected to invest some-where between $250 million and $400 million to complete the project. The deal stipulates that, along with the land purchase, […]
Punta Cana International Airport reveals plans for third terminal, confirms DFA as concessionaire
Award-winning Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic is aiming to launch its U.S. Pre-Clearance facility in November this year, and has begun designing a third terminal, according to Rafael Smith, PUJ Director of Landside & Terminal Operations. Named one of ACI’s “Best Airport’s by Size and Region” in Latin America and the Caribbean […]
WEBB Banks reinforces number one position in Caribbean
WEBB Banks, the newly created wine and spirits super distributor, is having fantastic success in the region, CEO Andy Consuegra tells TMI. Created from the joining of North Carolina’s Banks Channel and Miami’s WEBB, the merger gave the combined company the scale, the leverage and breadth of portfolio that the partners did not have separately, […]
Denizen jewelry lands on Turks & Caicos
Caribbean-born jewelry brand Denizen has anchored on the British Overseas Territory of Turks & Caicos Luxury duty free retailer Royal Jewels is exclusivity distributing Denizen on the archipelago and retailing it at their flagship stores. Two stainless steel collections are currently available for Turks & Caicos and for the island of Providenciales (site of the […]
CTO projects 6-7% growth in the Caribbean in 2019 following better-than-predicted performance last year
The Caribbean tourism sector is projected to record strong growth in 2019 on the heels of a stronger-than-expected performance last year. In his annual Caribbean Tourism Performance Review news conference, Ryan Skeete, acting director of research of The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), said he is forecasting 6-7% growth this year, continuing an upward trend which began […]
Nassau Airport Development Company issues Airport Hotel RFP
Officials at the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) are seeking proponents to design, finance, construct and operate an on-site hotel at Lynden Pindling International Airport. On Monday, January 21, the company issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) document outlining details required to bid on the proposed airport hotel project. Final proposal submissions will be due […]
