From Carnival in Antigua and Barbuda to new properties in the US Virgin Islands, record tourist arrivals in Jamaica and the Barbados Food & Rum festival, here’s the some of the latest news from the Caribbean that has caught our eye.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Antigua and Barbuda will explode into colour, costumes, food, music, and general revelry during the islands’ Carnival celebration, July 22-Aug. 8. With something for everyone, highlights include street, marches, pageants, parties and “jump-ups”; Mas (masquerade); and music, including the sounds of calypso, steelpans, and soca – all coming together in a celebration of the culture, history, and artistry of Antigua and Barbuda (including the abolition of slavery in 1834). The first Carnival celebration took place in 1957, and now takes place over 13 days.
Romance webinar
Meanwhile, agents are invited to join a Antigua-Barbara romance month webinar at 10 a.m. ET on Tues., June 27 and learn why Antigua and Barbuda is the Caribbean’s “Most Romantic Destination” and how, with 366 amazing beaches, the islands provide endless options for destination wedding and honeymoon couples. Prizes will be offered. Register HERE.
THE BAHAMAS
The Bahamas is gearing up for 50th anniversary of celebrations of independence with the milestone set to launch on July 10. Commemorative events will include Junkanoo rushouts and cultural festivals across The Bahamas throughout 2023. The full calendar of events can be found at celebrate-bahamas.com.
BARBADOS
The self-proclaimed Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and birthplace of rum will host its annual Food & Rum Festival Oct. 19-22. This star-studded and taste-budded event showcases Bajan’s culinary talents, from renowned rum producers to award-winning chefs. Guests can participate in a menu of food and beverage experiences while enjoying the beauty and surroundings of the island.
DOMINICA
With its cruise industry on the rebound after the COVID disruption, Disney Magic made its inaugural call to Dominica on May 16. The arrival marked Disney Cruise Line’s second call to the island, with Disney Fantasy having visited in July 2022.
GRENADA
The Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA) has launched a culinary partnership with renowned Chef Alexander Smalls to raise its profile as a leading culinary destination. The partnership will involve a Master Class with local chefs, recipe development showcasing Grenada’s spices and cacao, a Tastemaker event featuring celebrity and influential chefs, a Fireside Chat with Grenada’s leaders in food security, agriculture and sustainability, and the Spice Replanting Program.
JAMAICA
Coming out of its best winter tourist season ever, Jamaica is now set to achieve record visitor arrivals for the summer. Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett announced that as of May, the island had welcomed 2 million total visitors since the start of the year, representing a 18% increase over the previous best in 2019. Moreover, summer bookings are up 33% over the same period last year. “The 2023 summer is gearing up to be the best summer in the history of tourism in Jamaica,” said Bartlett.
TURKS AND CAICOS
Effective July 1, a newly established Destination Marketing and Management Organization, dubbed “Experience Turks and Caicos,” will officially replace the current Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board with the sole responsibility of managing and marketing the Turks and Caicos Islands tourism industry.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is one of the most tourism dependent destinations in the world, including renowned Grace Bay Beach.
“Experience Turks and Caicos, is designed to more than market and promote the destination,” stated Minister of Tourism, Josephine Connolly at the recent Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace in Barbados. “Its mandate is to increase the tourism value chain throughout the entire destination, improve competitiveness, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.
In 2022, the Turks and Caicos welcomed approximately 500,000 stayover visitors, a 17% increase vs 2019, and 1.1 million cruise visitors.
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
The US Virgin Islands (USVI) has welcomed three new properties to its iroster of luxury accommodations: The Westin Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef, Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort and The Pink Palm Hotel, all of which are located on the island of St. Thomas.
Meanwhile, the last of four St. Croix Jump Ups will take place Nov. 24 in Christiansted. The event is often considered a mini carnival, where locals and visitors can immerse themselves in USVI culture by dancing to traditional music and sinking their teeth into traditional bites.