Barbados is set to host the 2024 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) from November 13–15 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort. This prestigious event is expected to boost the local hotel industry and stimulate economic growth. “We are thrilled to partner with the Barbados government and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts for CHICOS’...
Hyatt’s much-anticipated Centric brand is finally making its debut in the Caribbean, and it’s coming to the heart of the Dominican Republic. After years of speculation and rumors about possible locations in Barbados and Puerto Rico, the first Hyatt Centric hotel in the region is set to open in Santo Domingo. The Hyatt Centric Santo Domingo is scheduled to welcome guests in spring 2025. Located in...
One of the Caribbean’s most dynamic hospitality leaders has stepped into a significant new role: president of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). Sanovnik Destang, executive director of the Bay Gardens Resorts in Saint Lucia, has been officially elected as the association’s new president. His appointment was confirmed at the recent CHTA General Meeting. Destang, who was recognized...
A group of 82 hospitality professionals from Barbados, including general managers and human resource staff, successfully completed a series of intensive workshops aimed at enhancing guest services. Sponsored by the Sandals Foundation and organized by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF), the workshops took place at Island Inn and marked the first post-pandemic visit...
The Strand Turks and Caicos, a premier luxury resort community situated along 2,230 feet of pristine oceanfront in Providenciales, is gearing up for its grand opening on November 23, 2024. With limited availability, this highly anticipated resort promises to redefine exclusivity in the Caribbean, offering a blend of luxurious accommodations, world-class amenities, and unforgettable experiences that...
BWH Hotels, the global hospitality giant known for brands like Best Western and SureStay Hotels, has been making significant strides in expanding its presence across the Caribbean. This includes newly opened properties in Aruba and Curaçao, with a robust pipeline of additional hotels set to launch throughout the region. In an interview with Caribbean Journal Invest, Bill Clegg, Regional Director of...
The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI) has unveiled an exciting lineup of events for Tourism Week 2024, emphasizing the sector’s global impact on economies and cultural exchange. Scheduled from September 22 to 28, these events coincide with World Tourism Day and adopt the theme "Tourism and Peace – 30 Years of Connecting People to Places and Cultures." Marsha Alleyne, Chief Product Development...
It all began fifty years ago as an exclusive island retreat for the leadership of Gulf + Western Industries, the parent company of Paramount Pictures. Today, Casa de Campo has grown into not only the premier resort in the Dominican Republic but also one of the most iconic destinations in the Caribbean. Spanning 7,000 acres in La Romana, this luxurious resort has a rich history marked by legendary...
Caribbean hotel occupancy experienced fluctuations in 2024, largely due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl. While the first half of the year saw consistent growth in occupancy, with a peak of 71.3% by June, July saw a decline of 1.9% in occupancy compared to the previous year. This dip was attributed to the direct effects of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant disruptions across several islands,...
After an eight-year wait, construction of a new Hyatt Hotel is set to commence this year, with its opening slated for 2026. This development is part of a significant US$100 million ($200 million) financing agreement that prominent businessman Mark Maloney has arranged with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Out of the total, US$90 million ($180 million) is allocated for building the hotel,...