Community News
Explore the Caribbean. Adventure awaits you!
BY TVISHA MISTRY
It is time to explore the beauty and the adventures that await you in the Caribbean. Currently, the Caribbean is heating up to welcome guests for an unparalleled spring vacation.
The British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands’ Minister for Health & Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone announced opening plans for visitors on April 23rd.
Starting May 15th the British Virgin Islands will welcome fully vaccinated passengers to explore and tour the adventures awaiting them.
Fully vaccinated persons upon arriving will be required to provide proof of full vaccination as well as take a PCR test within five days of travel to the destination. Once a negative test result is received, visitors will be free to enjoy their vacation across the Territory.
This means that visitors will not be required to a mandatory four-day quarantine, which is still required for arriving passengers that have not been fully vaccinated.
“This is great news and timely, as more guests are arriving fully vaccinated and many in our industry have stepped forward to take the vaccine in support of economic rejuvenation,” said Director of Tourism Clive McCoy. “The Territory already has an enviable record for health and safety during the pandemic and has continued with its strategy of gradual reopening based on international conditions and the local situation. Any progress in that direction augers well for tourism and for the economy, and this is a very significant step.”
Grenada
Grenada Tourism Authority’s Board of Directors has officially confirmed the appointment of Petra Roach as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Petra Roach is a highly knowledgeable and experienced professional who brings ample experience to her position. She has joined Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) after previously serving in the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) for twenty-seven years.
During her tenure at BTMI, Roach held various positions, including Vice-President of Marketing and Sales, Director of Sales and Marketing, Global Head of Markets, and interim CEO.
“Petra is a recognized leader in the tourism sector, and we are thrilled she has agreed to take on the challenge the GTA has presented her,” said GTA Chairman Barry Collymore. “This is a huge win for Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique as we saw the urgent need to have someone with not only the understanding of the Caribbean marketplace but with the skillset to help lead our unique destination through recovery and start a new chapter for our tourism product.”
Bahamas
Crystal Cruises and Royal Caribbean have announced their return to the Bahamas this summer. Guests can enjoy Crystal Cruises through their operations in the Bahamian bubble of Nassau, Bimini, Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador, and Long Island.
Travelers can have their “Adventure of the Seas” with the Royal Caribbean from the company’s homeport based in Nassau. The cruise will begin operations in June and will visit several islands including Grand Bahama Island and Perfect Day at CocoCay, (Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamas destination).
Further, the Bahamas have received a Bronze Adrian Award this year. The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) will honor the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation with a Bronze Adrian Award in the Integrated Marketing Campaign category.
Additionally, the Bahamas have received nine nominations by the World Travel Awards. Ranging in diverse categories the Bahamas have been shortlisted for the 28th annual World Travel Awards. Voting is open now through August 2nd, 2021.
Jamaica
Jamaica’s travel ban on the United Kingdom (UK) officially ended on April 30th and the island has opened its borders to guests as of May 1st, 2021.
Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett said, “On Saturday, Jamaica will reopen its borders to international visitors from the United Kingdom. This will enable the critical gateways of Heathrow and Gatwick airports, to have transit for passengers coming through and who are fully compliant with health and safety protocols required for international travel.”
“The opening of the borders is important in the context of not just Jamaica’s tourism but Caribbean tourism, as so many of these countries benefit from transiting through Jamaica for British and European nationals”, Minister Bartlett continued. “It is important also against the background of the recent call by the Caribbean Tourism Organization urging a review of the categorization of Caribbean countries by the UK; given the fact that we have the lowest death rates and highest recovery rates and exemplary COVID-19 management,” he added.