Caribbean tourism experiences strong growth in 2023, recovery to continue into 2024 Continuing its positive recovery trend, Caribbean tourism grew in 2023 with an estimated 14.3% increase in international stay-over arrivals to the region, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has reported. Delivering the “Caribbean Tourism Performance Review 2023” in Bridgetown, Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the CTO, shared that last year’s growth was in line with CTO’s forecast for the year, and attributed the outcome to sustained demand for outbound travel from the United States – the Caribbean’s main source market, enhanced tourism-related infrastructure within the destinations, the fulfillment of strategic marketing initiatives, and augmented airlift capacity between the region and its source markets, albeit unevenly distributed among the destinations. “Based on preliminary data provided so far by the destinations in the Caribbean, tourist visits were approximately 32.2 million – about four million more than in 2022,” stated Regis-Prosper, who noted that [...]

Curaçao: an island of more than sun and beaches By Marina Menéndez The orange gabled roofs, seen from the sky, are a glimpse of the colorfulness awaiting travelers’ eyes on setting foot in Willemstad, the capital of Curaçao. The exquisite colonial buildings evoke the architecture of Amsterdam, but the explosion of colors is much more dazzling on this island. The cheerful bright blue, green, red and yellow façades are far removed from Curaçao’s dark past as a major market of the Atlantic slave trade. A legacy of those times is the 18th century drum, music genre and dance form known as tambú, dubbed the Curaçao blues, through which slaves expressed their sorrows. The indigenous inhabitants of the island were also enslaved following colonization by Spain, and taken to the island baptized with the demonym of the Crown: La Española (Hispaniola). Today, however, all this is a past evident only in the [...]

Cuba to host 69th Meeting of UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Americas in April By Daily Pérez Guillén Cuba will host the 69th Meeting of UN Tourism Regional Commission for the Americas (CAM) and the Seminar: Empowering Touristic Development through Innovation in Community-based Tourism, running April 29-30, 2024 in Varadero, as confirmed by Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, on his X account. In Madrid, TTC spoke with Gustavo Santos, Regional Director for the Americas of the World Tourism Organization, who noted that this is “A wonderful opportunity for the 27 countries of the area to meet on this beautiful island to reflect on the development of tourism in the region.” According to the UN Tourism representative, Latin America is the planet’s sustainability reserve and undoubtedly a promising territory for world tourism. “In Cuba, we are going to ratify what sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism means, he added. [...]

Cozumel collects over 7.5 tons of sargassum from west coast Cozumel has begun their sargassum season a little early with its arrival due to strong winds. Municipal officials have already begun a collection of the unwanted seaweed from the west side of the island. Strong winds from the recent passing of cold front 32 pushed the sargassum toward land, covering a section of the island’s west coast. “Given the atypical sargassum arrival along the western part of the island due to the effects of cold front No. 32, the municipal government continues working to clear the sea wall of marine material accumulated on the coast,” the Director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) Milton Zavala Aradillas reported. Crews cleared the seawall of sargassum that arrived due to the strong winds, waves and change in sea currents on the west side of the island, he said. Workers from Zofemat, women from [...]

Grupo Puntacana Announces New Ultra-Luxury Hotel Project at Playa Serena During the 44th edition of the International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR 2024), held in Madrid, Spain, Grupo Puntacana announced the development of its next hotel project in Playa Serena Puntacana Resort, a unique proposal in ultra-luxury tourism. The Playa Serena hotel will be a project where nature meets luxury and exclusivity. It will have capacity for 160 guests, 75 suites, 5 overwater villas, 1 beach club, 3 restaurants, 1 themed restaurant, 1 beach restaurant, 4 bars and 8 spa bungalows. It is projected to open in 2026. The announcement was made by Grupo Puntacana executives Frank Elías Rainieri, CEO; Paola Rainieri, Chief Marketing Officer; and Francesca Rainieri, Chief Financial Officer; accompanied by Frank Rainieri, founder and Chairman of the Board of Grupo Puntacana; and Haydée Rainieri, member of the Board of Grupo Puntacana. “The Playa Serena hotel will elevate the hospitality experience at Puntacana Resort. [...]

Dominican Republic ranks seventh in Latin America for tourism Dominican Republic. Photo: Pixabay/Einfach-Eve In 2024, the Dominican Republic ranks seventh among the Latin American countries with the highest income in the tourism market, according to forecasts by Statista Market Insights. The country is projected to experience a growth rate of 15%, surpassing the figures from 2023 and translating to an estimated average profit of around $600 million. This forecast encompasses revenue from various sources, including hotel reservations, cruises, tourist packages, and vacation rentals. As the world’s tourism sector nears recovery, reaching almost 90% of pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels by the end of 2023, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) anticipates complete recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2024. Statista Market Insights predicts a 13% increase in tourism and travel revenue globally in 2024. Brazil leads this projection, with expected income of approximately $16.81 billion, surpassing the previous year’s $15 [...]

Falcon’s Resort in Punta Cana rebrands as Paradisus Grand Cana On January 15, Falcon’s Resort by Meliá, All Suites Punta Cana, is set to rebrand as Paradisus Grand Cana, following a market response evaluation and brand strength assessment, announced Andre Gerondeau, the director of operations at Meliá Hotels International. Originally known as Paradisus Grand Cana, the property underwent renovation and relaunch in early 2023 under the Falcon’s Resort by Meliá name, part of a collaboration with Falcon’s Beyond, an entertainment development company. The rebranding aligns with Falcon’s Katmandu Park Punta Cana, a neighboring theme park, creating a unique “resortainment” experience. Despite the rebranding, the partnership with Katmandu Park will persist at Paradisus hotels in Punta Cana. The Paradisus Grand Cana will feature 108 special “Katmandu Experience” swim-up suites among its 432 accommodations, providing guests with enhanced amenities and complimentary access to Katmandu Park Punta Cana. Additionally, Gerondeau disclosed Meliá’s ongoing expansion [...]