Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Royal Caribbean Group appoints Amy C. McPherson to Board of Directors

MIAMI, Dec. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) today announced the appointment of Amy C. McPherson, former president and managing director of Europe for Marriott International, to its Board of Directors. Her appointment was effective as of December 21, 2020.

“I am honored to welcome Amy to our board of directors,” said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Group’s chairman and CEO. “Her many years of involvement in the growth of the travel industry, as well as her deep experience in the development of international markets, will be a valuable addition to the board.”

McPherson spent more than 30 years in leadership roles at Marriott International, including 10 years of service as the company’s president and managing director of Europe, until her retirement in 2019.  While at Marriott, she was recognized as one of 25 outstanding “Women Who Mean Business” by the Washington Business Journal.

Ms. McPherson is former Vice Chair of the Executive Advisory Council at James Madison University College of Business. Currently, she is a principal investor in KidsKnowBest, a full-service creative agency providing strong brand solutions for the social age powered by kids.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., doing business as Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), is a cruise vacation company that owns four global brands: Royal Caribbean InternationalCelebrity CruisesAzamara and Silversea.  Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 61 ships with an additional 15 on order as of December 21, 2020.  Learn more at www.rclcorporate.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

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Experts recommend heightened protocols for the healthy return of sailing

Healthy Sail Panel recommends 74 detailed steps to safeguard the health of guests, crew and communities

MIAMI, Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – New recommendations from a panel of globally recognized medical and scientific experts say that by relentlessly focusing on prevention and other measures – including the testing of guests and crew members – public health risks associated with the pandemic can be mitigated in a cruise ship environment.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8644151-royal-caribbean-group-norwegian-cruise-line-healthy-sail-panel/

Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

The Healthy Sail Panel submitted its recommendations today to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in response to a CDC request for public comment that will be used to inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships. The Panel was formed in June by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH).

The Panel comprises globally recognized experts in medical practice and research, public health, infectious diseases, biosecurity, hospitality and maritime operations that have applied the best available public health, science and engineering insights to their recommendations.

The Healthy Sail Panel’s 65-plus-page report includes 74 detailed best practices to protect the public health and safety of guests, crew and the communities where cruise ships call. Recommendations include testing, the use of face coverings, and enhanced sanitation procedures on ships and in terminals. The Panel is chaired by Governor Mike Leavitt, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The Healthy Sail Panel spent the last four months studying how to better protect the health and safety of guests and crew aboard cruise ships,” said Dr. Gottlieb. “Taken as a comprehensive approach, we believe the Panel’s robust public health recommendations will help inform strategies for a safe resumption of sailing.”

Gov. Leavitt said: “This Panel undertook an ambitious, cross-disciplinary, public health examination to develop standards and guidelines that create the highest level of safety in the complex environment of a cruise ship. We studied the industry’s experiences combating the pandemic – and we then incorporated the many lessons learned and advances made by medicine and science over the past six months. The Panel’s recommendations are grounded in the best scientific and medical information available and are intended to meaningfully mitigate public health risks to those who sail.”

“We understand our responsibility to act aggressively to protect the health and safety of our guests and crew, as well as the communities where we sail, and we asked the Panel to help us learn how to best live up to that responsibility,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “We were inspired by the depth of the Panel’s work and their determination to help us establish the strongest protocols in the travel industry.”

“The Healthy Sail Panel’s recommendations are robust and comprehensive, and they reflect the intense focus the panelists brought to their work,” said Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We know that both authorities around the globe and consumers expect cruise lines to provide the safest, healthiest vacations we can, and this work demonstrates our commitment to doing just that.”

Fain and Del Rio said each company will use the Panel’s recommendations to inform the development of new, detailed operating protocols, which will be submitted to the CDC and other authorities around the globe for review and approval– an important milestone in the process of resuming sailing around the world. The Panel’s work is open sourced for others to incorporate in their protocols as well; Governor Leavitt and Dr. Gottlieb expressed appreciation that authorities and other cruise companies had already engaged in the Panel’s work as observers.

The Healthy Sail Panel identified five areas of focus every cruise operator should address to improve health and safety for guests and crew, and reduce the risk of infection and spread of COVID-19 on cruise ships:

  1. Testing, Screening and Exposure Reduction
  2. Sanitation and Ventilation
  3. Response, Contingency Planning and Execution
  4. Destination and Excursion Planning
  5. Mitigating Risks for Crew Members

In each category, the Healthy Sail Panel created practical and actionable recommendations to address specific safety concerns. Among the recommendations are key strategies such as:

  • Taking aggressive measures to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering a ship through robust education, screening and testing of both crew and guests prior to embarkation
  • Reducing transmission via air management strategies and enhanced sanitation practices
  • Implementing detailed plans to address positive infection on board, including contingencies for onboard treatment, isolation and rapid evacuation and repatriation
  • Closely controlling shore excursions
  • Enhanced protection for crew members

The full Healthy Sail Panel report can be found here: Royal Caribbean Group or Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding business strategies, plans, and objectives for future operations (including those regarding efforts made by the panel and future health and safety protocols and mitigation efforts) are forward-looking statements and we cannot guarantee that our protocols and mitigation efforts will be successful. Many, but not all, of these statements can be found by looking for words like “expect,” “plan,” “will,” “may,” and similar words. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance and may involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to the impact of: the spread of epidemics, pandemics and viral outbreaks and specifically, the COVID-19 outbreak, including its effect on the ability or desire of people to travel (including on cruises); the ability to develop strategies to enhance health and safety protocols to adapt to the current pandemic environment’s unique challenges once operations resume and to otherwise safely resume operations when conditions allow; coordination and cooperation with the CDC, the federal government and global public health authorities to take precautions to protect the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities visited and the implementation of any such precautions; and other factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in each respective company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. While we believe that the recommendations of the panel will make cruise vacations safer, we cannot guarantee or assure that our protocols and mitigation efforts will effectively eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19. There may be additional risks that are considered immaterial or which are unknown. The above examples are not exhaustive and new risks emerge from time to time. Such forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which we expect to operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change of events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement was based.

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GAP, the first airport group in the world to accredit all its airports in the ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) programme

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Sept. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Airports Council International (ACI) is pleased to announce the accreditation of all the airports that are part of Grupo AeroportuarIo del Pacífico (GAP) in the ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) programme. GAP becomes the first airport group in the world to successfully accredit all its airports in the AHA program.

ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme supports airports assessing the new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations and in alignment with the joint EASA and ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol.

The AHA program recognizes airports’ commitment to the safety of passengers, airport employees, and the general public. All passenger areas and processes are considered including terminal access, check-in areas, security screening, boarding gates, lounges, retail, food and beverages, gate equipment such as boarding bridges, escalators and elevators, border control areas and facilities (in collaboration with authorities), baggage claim area and arrivals exit.

“Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico reaffirms its commitment to the health and safety of passengers and employees by accrediting the 14 airports of the group (12 in México and 2 in Jamaica) in the ACI Accreditation of Sanitary Measures (AHA) program. GAP becomes the first Airport Group in the world to demonstrate that all its airports have successfully implemented their health measures in accordance with the recommendations of the ICAO CART and aligned with the best practices of the industry”, said Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC.

“Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico’s priority is to give its passengers a safe and pleasant travel experience. As proof of this is the present accreditation, which keeps us in the leadership of health security at an international level, applying the best protocols and measures in all our airports”, added Raúl Revuelta, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI) is the international airport organization, with 1,960 airports in 176 countries. The Latin American and Caribbean office (ACI-LAC) has 270 airports in 34 countries that manage 95% of air traffic in the region.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. of C.V. (GAP) is a Mexican company that develops its activity in the airport sector. GAP operates 12 international airports in Mexico and two in Jamaica, serving more than 300 destinations, through 35 airlines. Its shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Mexico and New York.

In 2019, GAP served 48.7 million passengers, 8.4% more than in 2018.

The airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico are located at:

  • Guadalajara and Tijuana, serving the main metropolitan areas.
  • Mexicali, Hermosillo, Los Mochis, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Morelia, serving medium-sized developing cities.
  • La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Montego Bay, serving some of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
  • On October 10, 2018, GAP signed the concession contract with the government of Jamaica in order to operate, modernize and expand the Norman Manley International Airport (”KIN”) located in the city of Kingston.

The airports managed by GAP in Mexico are owned by the Mexican government and have been allocated in a 50-year concession starting in 1998, as part of a domestic initiative to privatize and improve the quality and security of the country’s airport services.

In Jamaica, the government owns the Montego Bay Airport and the concession granted for its operation is for a 30-year period, which will conclude on April 2033. The Kingston Airport was granted for a 25-year concession. GAP took control of the operation and administration this past October 2019.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico believes in the value of each individual and seeks to trigger his or her potential through education. Better-educated Mexicans will raise their quality of life and contribute towards the country’s development. GAP, in line with its business model and through its Foundation, is committed to be a factor of change. We work on two strategic pillars: work with the community, through the GAP Schools, and on training the airport community, with Community Training Centers.

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Los Cabos Airport Second Worldwide To Achieve ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA)

-  Los Cabos Airport is the first aerodrome to receive this accreditation in the American Continent

-  Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico Will accredit al lof its airports in the AHA Program

LOS CABOS, Mexico, Aug. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Latin America and Caribbean have announced today that Los Cabos International Airport is the second in the world and the first in Latin American and Caribbean to be accredited in the ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) programme.

LOS CABOS AIRPORT, SECOND WORLDWIDE TO ACHIEVE ACI AIRPORT HEALTH ACCREDITATION (AHA)

ACI’s Airport Health Accreditation programme recognizes the commitment to health and welfare of passengers, airport staff and the public, by supporting airports assessing the new health measures and procedures introduced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with ICAO Council Aviation Restart Task Force (CART) recommendations and in alignment with the joint EASA and ECDC Aviation Health Safety Protocol and ACI EUROPE’s Guidelines for a Healthy Passenger Experience at Airports.

Topics covered by the accreditation include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.

“Airports in Latin America and Caribbean have acted quickly to this crisis adapting their procedures to the ICAO CART Recommendations and industry best practices. The ACI Airport Health Accreditation gives airports the opportunity to demonstrate to the travelling public and governments that the measures implemented are consistent with global recognized standards” said Rafael Echevarne, Director General of ACI-LAC.

“The impact of the COVID Pandemic has been devastating to our economies and the reactivation of air transport is key for the economic recovery of our region. The AHA programme will contribute restoring confidence in air travel”, added Rafael Echevarne.

“We congratulate Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP) and Los Cabos International Airport for being the first airport in the region to be accredited in the Airport Health Accreditation programme which demonstrates the commitment of GAP to the health and safety of passengers, employees and the public.”

“Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico’s priority is to give its passengers a safe and pleasant travel experience. As proof of this is the present accreditation, which keeps us in the leadership of health security at an international level, applying the best protocols and measures in all of our airports”, added Raúl Revuelta, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico.

Congratulations to Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico and the team from Los Cabos Airport!”

About ACI
Airports Council International (ACI) is the international airport organization, with 1,960 airports in 176 countries. The Latin American and Caribbean office (ACI-LAC) has 270 airports in 34 countries that manage 95% of air traffic in the region.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. of C.V. (GAP) is a Mexican company that develops its activity in the airport sector. GAP operates 12 international airports in Mexico and two in Jamaica, serving more than 300 destinations, through 35 airlines. Its shares are listed on the stock exchanges of Mexico and New York.

In 2019, GAP served 48.7 million passengers, 8.4% more than in 2018.

The airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico are located at:

  • Guadalajara and Tijuana, serving the main metropolitan areas.
  • Mexicali, Hermosillo, Los Mochis, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Morelia, serving medium-sized developing cities.
  • La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Montego Bay, serving some of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
  • On October 10, 2018, GAP signed the concession contract with the government of Jamaica in order to operate, modernize and expand the Norman Manley International Airport (”KIN”) located in the city of Kingston.

The airports managed by GAP in Mexico are owned by the Mexican government and have been allocated in a 50-year concession starting in 1998, as part of a domestic initiative to privatize and improve the quality and security of the country’s airport services.

In Jamaica, the government owns the Montego Bay Airport and the concession granted for its operation is for a 30-year period, which will conclude on April 2033. The Kingston Airport was granted for a 25-year concession. GAP took control of the operation and administration this past October 2019.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico believes in the value of each individual and seeks to trigger his or her potential through education. Better-educated Mexicans will raise their quality of life and contribute towards the country’s development. GAP, in line with its business model and through its Foundation, is committed to be a factor of change. We work on two strategic pillars: work with the community, through the GAP Schools, and on training the airport community, with Community Training Centers.

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Royal Caribbean Group sets sail with updated corporate identity

MIAMI, July 30, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – When a company is known for raising the bar on design and innovation, nothing is exempt from the mantra of continuous improvement—not even the company’s own name.

That’s why Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is now known by a new moniker: Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).

“The name is simpler, fresher and more modern. It’s also more descriptive—Royal Caribbean Group sounds like a parent company name, reflective of our growth and evolution since we last updated our identity more than 20 years ago,” said Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain.

The company’s flagship cruise line brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea, Azamara, TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises – are all now proud members of Royal Caribbean Group.

Royal Caribbean Group’s logo has also been updated. The company’s iconic crown and anchor emblem has been sharpened and made more symmetrical, and now resides inside a circle at all times.

The Royal Caribbean Group identity was designed by Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv.

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is the operating business name for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Royal Caribbean Group is the owner of four global cruise vacation brands: Royal Caribbean InternationalCelebrity CruisesSilversea and Azamara. Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 63 ships with an additional 16 on order as of July 10, 2020. Learn more at www.rclcorporate.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

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Archipelago International Adds Two Hotels to Its Cuban Portfolio

JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Archipelago International, Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned and independent hotel operator, today announced that it has been awarded the management contracts for a further two hotels in Cuba. The first of these is the iconic Panorama Hotel in Havana. To be rebranded as the ASTON Panorama Hotel, the property, which first opened its doors in 2002, comprises 320 rooms and is best known for its impressive architectural design and superb location, facing the sea in the city’s Miramar district.

Aston Panorama Hotel, Havana, Cuba

The second hotel is the Holguin Costa Verde Hotel, which will be rebranded as the ASTON Costa Verde Beach Resort. This resort is located in the Holguin region of Cuba on its northeastern coast and comprises 749 rooms, 4 pools, 9 restaurants and 7 bars offering a great selection of á la carte, buffet, beachside and poolside dining options.

Aston Costa Verde Beach Resort, Holguin, Cuba

Both hotels are due to open on 1st December 2020 and will join Archipelago’s growing portfolio in Cuba, which includes the GRAND ASTON Cayo Las Brujas Beach Resort & Spa and two upcoming hotels, GRAND ASTON Varadero Beach Resort and GRAND ASTON La Habana Hotel, both currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2021.

“We are delighted to be given the opportunity by Grupo de Turismo Gaviota S.A. to introduce our very successful ASTON brand to Havana and Holguin, particularly at such landmark hotels. Since its opening, GRAND ASTON Cayo Las Brujas has consistently ranked as the No.1 hotel in its region for guest satisfaction and quality audits. This operational excellence is now more important than ever and will continue to be post Covid-19, as guests will expect and demand higher standards of hygiene and safety practices from hotels. Cuba is best positioned to alleviate these concerns, as it is recognized as one of the safest destinations in the world, has an excellent healthcare system and is taking a holistic approach as a nation to ensure its tourism offerings meet new standards and expectations”, commented Gerard Byrne, Managing Director, Archipelago Overseas.

According to Archipelago’s President & CEO, John Flood “We will continue to invest in the resources needed to ensure that the hotels we manage and operate in Cuba perform above and beyond our guest’s expectations. There is no doubt that in the post pandemic travel context, Cuba will stand out as one of the world’s leading destinations for safe, healthy and environmentally friendly travel”.

About Archipelago International

Archipelago International is one of the most trusted names in Asian hospitality, operating over 150 hotels with a further 50+ currently under development across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East. With 20,000 rooms in more than 60 destinations, the Group’s brands include GRAND ASTON, ASTON, Collection by ASTON, The Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Harper, Quest, NEO and favehotels.

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Royal Caribbean Group names Dr. Calvin Johnson Global Head, Public Health and Chief Medical Officer

Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Health to lead strategic planning and operation of global health program

MIAMI, July 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Royal Caribbean Group has named Dr. Calvin Johnson as Global Head, Public Health and Chief Medical Officer. In this new role, Johnson will lead the Group’s global health and wellness policy, manage its public health and clinical practice, and determine the strategic plans and operations of its global healthcare organization. Johnson will also collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel to ensure the company establishes and implements its protocols and recommendations.

“Calvin’s extensive experience in public health and clinical care will help us raise the bar on protecting the health of our guests, crew and the communities we serve,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Calvin will also work closely with the newly announced Healthy Sail Panel to ensure we establish and implement leading health protocols and procedures.”

Dr. Johnson has a strong background in protecting public health through service delivery innovation, policy development and analysis, and leadership training and development. He has successfully led significant response efforts during active infectious disease outbreaks and was responsible for ensuring all aspects of patient care while overseeing a clinical operation with 1,300 caregivers and more than 300,000 individuals.

“Royal Caribbean Group is committed to going beyond requirements to truly innovative solutions,” said Johnson. “I am excited to join the industry leader, who is clearly establishing the way forward in managing public health initiatives and protecting health and safety. The Healthy Sail Panel is doing critical work to help us develop enhanced standards, and achieve readiness for the return to service, and I am looking forward to being involved in that work.”

“Calvin will add critical expertise in our mission to elevate the quality of care,” said Jennifer Love, Royal Caribbean Group Senior Vice President, Safety, Security, Environment, Medical & Public Health. “His appointment is testament to our commitment to transforming healthcare for those we serve.”

Dr. Johnson, most recently Principal at Altre Strategic Solutions Group, is the former Chief Medical Officer for Corizon Health, then the largest provider of correctional health care in the United States, and for Temple University Health System. He served as Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 2003-2008 and was Medical Director for the New York City Department of Health from 1998-1999. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a BS in Chemistry from Morehouse College.

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is the new operating business name for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.   Royal Caribbean Group is the owner of four global cruise vacation brands:  Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea. and  Azamara. Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and HapagLloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 63 ships with an additional 16 on order as of July 10, 2020.  Learn more at  www.rclcorporate.com or  www.rclinvestor.com.

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Royal Caribbean Group reinvents cruise industry’s safety drill

New patented approach helps guests sail away smoothly

- Technology licensed to other cruise lines to help eliminate crowding

MIAMI, July 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Royal Caribbean Group is replacing one of the least-loved but most important parts of a cruise vacation – the safety drill – with Muster 2.0™, an entirely new approach to delivering safety information to guests. The innovative program, the first of its kind, reimagines a process originally designed for large groups of people into a faster, more personal approach that encourages higher levels of safety.

With Muster 2.0, the key elements of the safety drill – including reviewing what to expect and where to go in case of an emergency, and instructions on how to properly use a life jacket – will be accessible to guests on an individual basis instead of a group approach that has been followed historically. New technology, eMuster™, will be used to help provide the information to guests via their mobile devices and interactive stateroom TVs. Travelers will be able to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies. The new approach also enables everyone on board to maintain better spacing as guests move about the ship, and it allows guests to enjoy more of their vacation with no interruption.

After reviewing safety information individually, guests will complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ship’s departure, as required by international maritime law.

“The health and safety of our guests and crew are our number one priority, and the development of this new muster process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “The fact that this will also save guests time and allow the ship to operate without pause means that we can increase health, safety and guest satisfaction simultaneously.”

“Muster 2.0 represents a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests’ vacation experiences by removing points of friction,” said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group’s senior vice president of digital. “In this instance, what’s most convenient for our guests is also the safest option in light of needing to reimagine social spaces in the wake of COVID-19.”

This marks the first dramatic change to the safety drill process in a decade, since Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas moved the life jackets from guest staterooms to the muster stations, which improved the evacuation process and has been widely followed throughout the industry. More than a year in the making, Muster 2.0 is also an initiative that will be part of the comprehensive set of protocols and procedures Royal Caribbean Group is developing along with the Healthy Sail Panel that was recently assembled in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“This new process represents the kind of innovation that the Healthy Sail Panel is focusing on as part of its mission to enhance the health and safety of cruising,” said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, co-chair of the Healthy Sail Panel. “It shows that we can accomplish a lot if we try to think outside the box on safety.”

“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Royal Caribbean Group on this innovative milestone. It’s exactly what our industry needs during these unprecedented times and we appreciate the generous offer to participate in this innovation,” said Frank Del Rio, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “In this industry, we all work cooperatively to enhance health and safety, and this is an example of that.”

The distributed muster for ocean-going vessels concept is patented in the United States and is patent-pending in major markets around the world, including the various cruise industry flag states. The company has also worked with international regulators, the U.S. Coast Guard and other maritime and government authorities to ensure it meets all safety requirements.

In addition to introducing the new process on the ships of its own cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara – Royal Caribbean Group is offering to license the patented technology to interested cruise operators and will waive patent license fees during the time the world and industry battle the global pandemic. Patent licenses have already been granted to the company’s joint venture, TUI Cruises GmbH, as well as Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Muster 2.0 was first tested on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas in January 2020. Guests who took part in the mock process indicated a strong preference for the new approach and also reported better comprehension and retention of the safety information.

About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a cruise vacation company comprising four global brands: Royal Caribbean InternationalCelebrity CruisesAzamara and Silversea. Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 63 ships with an additional 16 on order as of July 10, 2020. Learn more at www.rclcorporate.com or www.rclinvestor.com.

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Swoop Seeks Airport Partners to Lead Economic Recovery

CALGARY, Alberta, June 17, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Swoop, Canada’s leading Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier (ULCC) and an independently operated subsidiary of the WestJet Group of Companies, today issued a ‘Request for Proposal’ (RFP) seeking strategic airport partners in North and Central America and the Caribbean. The airline is interested in hearing from airports who share an entrepreneurial, consumer-driven mindset to collaborate with the ULCC to stimulate travel and support economic recovery.

Swoop is Canada's ultra-low fare airline of choice, on a mission to make air travel more affordable and accessible for Canadians. Learn more at www.FlySwoop.com (CNW Group/Swoop)

“We believe the key to recovery lies in strategic collaboration, creativity and innovation to get travellers moving back through airports and into the skies,” said Charles Duncan, President, Swoop. “We are encouraged by early signs of recovering demand for ultra-low fares and are eager to collaborate with airports across the region to re-think how we, as an industry, approach affordable and accessible air travel.”

Swoop, which operated its first flights on June 20, 2018, remains confident in the long-term prospects for its ULCC business model and future growth. The airline is seeking innovative proposals from airports that understand providing value to travellers through fair fares, and low fees creates demand as well as the importance of travel and tourism in stimulating economic recovery.

“Having welcomed 2.5 million travellers on board in our first two years of operation, our unbundled airfare model has proven successful here in Canada. This demonstrated demand for ultra-low fares translates to increased passenger traffic in airports, and the significant spillover effect through the support of jobs and businesses in local economies, all of which are essential for economic recovery,” stated Duncan.

In 2019 Canadians saved $159 million as a result of Swoop’s investments, which lowered fares and increased choice and competition within the marketplace. Overall, since launching in 2018, Swoop has been responsible for the creation of more than 1,800 jobs resulting in an economic impact of $295 million as part of its mission to make air travel more affordable and accessible.*

Swoop’s Airport RFP process is being managed through the Route Exchange RFP feature available to Routes Online members. Airports across North and Central America and the Caribbean, with facilities suitable for the operation of Boeing 737-800 NG, are invited to participate by first completing a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire. Successful applicants will then be invited to submit a formal response to the RFP, which will then be evaluated and moved through a collaborative assessment process. The process will take place over several weeks, with successful applicants announced later this year.

Full details on the RFP process and how to participate can be found at www.routesonline.com

About Swoop

Established in 2018, Swoop is Canada’s leading ultra-low-cost airline, independently operated as part of the WestJet Group of companies, offering scheduled service to destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Swoop offers completely unbundled products and services, creating the unique opportunity for travellers to control their costs and customize their experience by purchasing only the extras they desire.

Swoop operates a modern fleet of nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft, equipped with in-seat power and Wi-Fi connectivity. Swoop’s mobile app allows travellers to quickly and easily book flights, manage bookings, check-in, view boarding passes, track flights and access Wi-Fi service in-flight.   For more details on Swoop, visit FlySwoop.com.

* Swoop Economic Impacts 2019, a study conducted by Chris Lowe Group in January 2020.

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Blue Diamond Resorts Reopening Five Resorts Next Month

Overview of Royalton Negril Resort & Spa
Royalton Negril Resort & Spa and Hideaway at Royalton Negril are among the five Blue Diamond Resorts properties that will reopen on July 15, 2020.
Overview of Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun are among the five Blue Diamond Properties that will reopen their doors on July 15, 2020.
Grand Lido Negril
Grand Lido Negril will reopen its doors to guests on July 15, 2020, along with four other Blue Diamond Resorts properties in Mexico and Jamaica.

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 11, 2020:- Blue Diamond Resorts announces its plans to reopen five of its luxury resorts after a three-month temporary closure. On July 15, 2020, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril and Grand Lido Negril will resume their operations following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and local Ministries of Health.

As the Caribbean’s fastest-growing resort management group, Blue Diamond Resorts is thrilled to welcome back discerning guests in two of its highly sought-after beach destinations for a family-friendly vacation or adults-only getaway. To help safeguard both guests and employees, Blue Diamond Resorts has implemented new Safety-Assured Vacations protocols, including physical distancing guidelines, advanced dining safety, increased staff training and the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a 360º Clean Approach of all resort common areas and Diamond Clean Guest Rooms where every touchpoint is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

“As we begin to reopen our award-winning resorts in Cancun and Negril, we are committed to providing the All-In Luxury™ experience that our valued guests have come to know and love, with their safety being the utmost priority,” said Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group. “With advanced safety protocols and superior cleaning measures, guests will be able to relax in paradise and rediscover the wonders of our host locales.”

Book your next All-In Luxury™ vacation by August 31st and take advantage of our Welcome Back Offer with prices starting at $2,058 per couple, up to 2 Kids Stay Free deals in our family resorts, Flexible Booking Policy and more*. To book a luxurious vacation to Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun or Hideaway at Royalton Negril, visit our website or contact your preferred travel agent or tour operator today.

*For full offer details visit: https://www.royaltonresorts.com/royalton/offers/welcome-back-offer

About Blue Diamond Resorts
Since its inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has curated an impressive portfolio encompassing 47 properties, exceeding 15,500 rooms in ten countries. Taking a proactive approach to differentiating brands under each market’s demands, the resort management company caters to a range of budgets and interests from adult-only elegant getaways to fun-filled family vacations. Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts offers signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™ and in-suite wellness elements. Royalton Luxury Resorts’ adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations, plus the stylish All Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril provides those over 21 with an upscale and luxurious naturist vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed to impress the entire family, featuring on-site splash parks and a popular kids club with famous themed characters, Toopy & Binoo™, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value for customers in convenient locations. Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star™ with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from iconic movies, music and sports. Mystique Resorts, a boutique-style resort collection, offers personalized vacations in strikingly beautiful locals full of endless adventures.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com.

Blue Diamond Resorts reabrirá cinco resorts el próximo mes

Royalton Negril Resort & Spa
El 15 de julio de 2020, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril y Grand Lido Negril reanudarán sus operaciones.
Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
El 15 de julio de 2020, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril y Grand Lido Negril reanudarán sus operaciones.
Grand Lido Negril
El 15 de julio de 2020, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril y Grand Lido Negril reanudarán sus operaciones.

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 11, 2020: Blue Diamond Resorts anuncia sus planes de reabrir cinco de sus resorts de lujo después de un cierre temporal de tres meses. El 15 de julio de 2020, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril Resort & Spa, Hideaway at Royalton Negril y Grand Lido Negril reanudarán sus operaciones con nuevos protocolos de seguridad e higiene establecidos según las normativas de los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC), Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y los ministerios de salud locales.

Blue Diamond Resorts, el grupo de gestión hotelero de más rápido crecimiento en el Caribe, está encantado de recibir a los huéspedes más exigentes en dos de sus destinos de playa más populares donde podrán beneficiar tanto de vacaciones familiares como de escapadas solo para adultos. Para ayudar a proteger tanto a huéspedes como a empleados, Blue Diamond Resorts ha implementado nuevos protocolos de Vacaciones con Seguridad Garantizada, los cuales incluyen pautas de distanciamiento social, seguridad alimenticia avanzada, uso de equipo de protección personal (EPP) así como mayor capacitación para sus empleados, un sistema de limpieza con enfoque a 360 grados en todas las áreas comunes de los resorts y habitaciones con limpieza Diamond donde cada punto de contacto conlleva una limpieza y desinfección a fondo.

“A medida que comenzamos a reabrir nuestros galardonados resorts en Cancún y Negril, estamos comprometidos a continuar brindando la experiencia All-In Luxury™ que nuestros valiosos huéspedes conocen y tanto aprecian, manteniendo su seguridad como nuestra máxima prioridad”, dijo Jordi Pelfort, presidente de Sunwing Hotels and Resorts, “con protocolos de seguridad avanzados y medidas de limpieza superiores, los huéspedes podrán relajarse en el paraíso y redescubrir las maravillas locales de nuestros destinos”.

Reserve sus próximas vacaciones All-In Luxury ™ antes del 31 de agosto para beneficiar de nuestra oferta de bienvenida con precios a partir de $ 2,058 por pareja, hasta 2 niños gratis en nuestros resorts familiares, política de reserva flexible y mucho más*. Para reservar unas vacaciones de lujo en Royalton Riviera Cancun, Royalton Negril, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun o Hideaway at Royalton Negril, visite nuestro sitio web o póngase en contacto hoy mismo con su agente de viajes o turoperador favorito.

* Para más detalles sobre la oferta, visite: https://www.royaltonresorts.com/es/royalton/offers/welcome-back-offer

Acerca de Blue Diamond Resorts

Desde su inauguración en 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts ha crecido exitosamente hasta convertirse en la empresa de complejos hoteleros de más rápido crecimiento en el Caribe, con 47 propiedades que sobrepasan las 15 500 habitaciones en 10 países. Con un enfoque innovador para diferenciar marcas según las demandas específicas de cada mercado, la cartera de Blue Diamond Resorts es más impresionante que nunca. Los galardonados resorts de lujo Royalton Luxury Resorts rediseñan la experiencia todo incluido al ofrecer comodidades exclusivas que incluyen All-In Connectivity™, el moderno concepto de Sports Event Guarantee™ y elementos de bienestar en la suite. Las submarcas de Royalton solo para adultos incluyen Hideaway at Royalton, el cual ofrece gastronomía exclusiva y alojamiento preferencial con acceso a todos los servicios y comodidades del cercano Royalton; y el elegante All-Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, una experiencia vacacional dinámica y social con comodidades de lujo y opciones gastronómicas de alta calidad. En Jamaica, se restauró el Grand Lido Negril para brindar unas vacaciones naturistas lujosas y elegantes a lo largo de una exclusiva playa y ser un refugio privado único. Memories Resorts & Spa brinda una experiencia que complace a toda la familia, y Starfish Resorts ofrece un valor increíble en ubicaciones exóticas con alojamiento cómodo. Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts invita a los huéspedes a Vacation Like A Star™ con una experiencia atractiva e interactiva, además de artículos famosos de la cultura pop de películas, música y deportes. Mystique Resorts, una colección de resort de estilo boutique, ofrece vacaciones personalizadas en lugares sorprendentemente hermosos llenos de aventuras sin fin.

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Blue Diamond Resorts Implements New Safety-Assured Vacations Protocols

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 13, 2020: Blue Diamond Resorts prepares to welcome guests back to its resorts with enhanced health, safety and cleanliness programs, brand-wide. The resort management group’s Safety-Assured Vacations protocols will be implemented at each of Blue Diamond’s 47 properties across the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico.

Advanced sanitation measures, new physical distancing guidelines, a 360º Clean Approach and an International Safety Assurance Team are in place to prioritize well-being across every area and touchpoint of Blue Diamond Resorts properties. To help protect both guests and staff members, the new and enhanced Safety-Assured Vacations protocols will adhere to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as the local and national Ministries of Health.

“As the countries which our resorts call home begin to re-open, we want to ensure our guests feel safe and cared for when choosing to stay at a Blue Diamond property,” said Jordi Pelfort, President of Hotels and Resorts at Sunwing Travel Group. “By heightening our industry-leading sanitation practices, we will continue to guarantee luxurious, relaxing and Safety-Assured Vacations for all of our valued guests.”

The Safety-Assured Vacations program includes:

  • Safe Vacation Assurance: In accordance with international health standards, including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and local/ national Ministries of Health, a Safety-Assurance Team is in position to ensure the strict adherence of all guidelines and comprehensive implementation of sanitation, physical distancing and cleaning protocols to protect guests and employees alike.
  • 360º Clean Approach: All resort common areas including pools, beaches, restaurants, bars, entertainment facilities, lobbies, elevators, hallways and other shared spaces will be cleaned hourly. All high-touch surfaces, including general transportation units like golf carts and luggage trolleys, will continuously be sanitized throughout the day, plus fitness center equipment and spa facilities will be sanitized after each use. Blue Diamond is also increasing the daily frequency of cleaning and disinfection procedures for air-conditioning systems of both common areas and guest rooms.
  • Family-First Promise: A superior cleaning and disinfection program for kids and teens club’s facilities and equipment has been implemented, in addition to child-friendly signage and physical distancing measures to ensure a safe environment for little ones, tweens and teens.
  • Advanced Dining Safety: All restaurants have reduced capacity and implemented a one-step reservation system to ensure physical distancing guidelines are respected. Further changes include removal of unnecessary items on tables to avoid cross-contamination, elimination of physical menus, the introduction of digital screens to display menu information and physical distancing guidelines at pool bars.
  • Diamond Clean Guest Rooms: Each housekeeping team will thoroughly clean guest rooms from the inside out, with advanced-grade disinfection products to eliminate emerging viral pathogens. Each touchpoint in a guests’ room will be deep cleaned including remote controls, doorknobs, hairdryers, closet doors, thermostats, lamps, telephones, water faucets and toilet handles. All non-essential amenities will be removed and new in-room hygiene kits with personal-size hand sanitizers, masks, gloves and other safety essentials will be places in rooms. Room service procedures have been updated to ensure safe and distant delivery, as well as the process to replenish mini-fridges and other guest room items to limit additional entry.
  • Physical Distancing and Protection: To provide Safety-Assured Vacations, signage and informative messages will be displayed throughout the common areas and in-room TVs to reinforce the importance of following recommendations. To maintain physical distancing protocols, floor markers will be placed around the resort’s common areas, the furniture will be rearranged in common areas, including restaurants, theaters, pool areas, beaches and lobbies. All indoor guest facilities will reduce the capacity to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for both guests and employees. In addition, hand sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout each resort to encourage guests to sanitize their hands regularly.
  • Staff Care, Training and Awareness: Blue Diamond upholds its employees to the highest standards of health and safety. All staff members are trained and empowered to keep safe, take care and be smart while delivering Safety-Assured Vacations. Strict hygiene protocols for resort staff will continue to be enforced, including a thorough cleaning and sanitation process at all staff entrances, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), rigorous and frequent hand cleaning with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, daily health and temperature checks at the beginning of every shift and the practicing of physical distancing rules.
  • Clean Supplier Commitment: To safeguard their promise to guests, Blue Diamond has put into place agreements with various suppliers and partners to ensure they operate in accordance with the new regulations for the products or services which they provide.

For more information on Blue Diamond’s Safety-Assured Vacations, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com/covid-19.

About Blue Diamond Resorts

Since its inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has curated an impressive portfolio encompassing 47 properties, exceeding 15,500 rooms in ten countries. Taking a proactive approach to differentiating brands under each market’s demands, the resort management company caters to a range of budgets and interests from adult-only elegant getaways to fun-filled family vacations. Award-winning, All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts offers signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™ and in-suite wellness elements. Royalton Luxury Resorts’ adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations, plus the stylish All Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril provides those over 21 with an upscale and luxurious naturist vacation along with a secluded shore for the utmost privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa offers a vacation designed to impress the entire family, featuring on-site splash parks and a popular kids club with famous themed characters, Toopy & Binoo™, while Starfish Resorts provides amazing value for customers in convenient locations. Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts invites guests to Vacation Like A Star™ with an engaging and interactive experience, plus famous pop culture items from movies, music and sports. Mystique Resorts, a boutique-style resort collection, offers personalized vacations in strikingly beautiful locals full of endless adventures.

To learn more about Blue Diamond Resorts, please visit www.bluediamondresorts.com.

Blue Diamond Resorts implementa nuevos protocolos para unas Vacaciones con Seguridad Garantizada

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 13, 2020:  Blue Diamond Resorts se prepara para dar la bienvenida a los huéspedes a sus resorts con nuevos y mejorados programas de salud, seguridad y limpieza en todas sus marcas. Los protocolos para unas Vacaciones con Seguridad Garantizada se implementarán en cada una de las 47 propiedades de Blue Diamond en el Caribe, América Central y México.

Se instaurarán medidas avanzadas de saneamiento, nuevas pautas de distanciamiento social, limpieza con enfoque de 360º y un equipo corporativo internacional que garantizará la seguridad para priorizar el bienestar en todas las áreas y puntos de contacto de las propiedades de Blue Diamond Resorts. Para ayudar a proteger tanto a los huéspedes como a los miembros del personal, los nuevos y mejorados protocolos de Vacaciones con Seguridad Garantizada se adherirán a las pautas de los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades (CDC) y la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS), así como a los Ministerios de Salud locales y nacionales.

“A medida que los países a los que nuestros resorts llaman hogar comiencen a reabrir sus fronteras, nos aseguraremos de que nuestros huéspedes se sientan seguros y atendidos al elegir hospedarse en una propiedad de Blue Diamond”, dijo Jordi Pelfort, Presidente de Hoteles y Resorts en Sunwing Travel Group. “Mejorando nuestras prácticas de saneamiento y limpieza seguiremos brindando a todos nuestros apreciados huéspedes unas vacaciones lujosas y relajantes con Seguridad Garantizada”.

Los nuevos procedimientos implementados incluyen las siguientes áreas de acción:

  • Vacaciones con seguridad garantizada: Se instauró un equipo especial que se asegurará del estricto cumplimiento de todas las pautas establecidas y la exhaustiva implementación de protocolos de desinfección, distanciamiento social y limpieza para proteger a huéspedes y empleados por igual, conforme a las normas de salud dadas por instituciones internacionales incluyendo los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y los Ministerios de Salud locales y nacionales de cada uno de los países en los que Blue Diamond opera.
  • Limpieza 360°: Todas las zonas comunes de los resorts, incluyendo piscinas, playas, restaurantes, bares, instalaciones de entretenimiento, vestíbulos, ascensores, pasillos y otros espacios comunes alrededor del complejo se limpiarán cada hora. Todas las superficies de alto contacto incluyendo todas las unidades de transporte general, como carritos de golf y carritos para el transporte de maletas, serán desinfectadas continuamente a lo largo del día. Además, el equipamiento tanto en gimnasios como en el spa será desinfectado tras cada uso. Blue Diamond también ha aumentado la frecuencia diaria de limpieza y desinfección en los sistemas de aire acondicionado, tanto de las áreas comunes como de las habitaciones de los huéspedes.
  • Promesa “la familia es lo primero” : Se ha instaurado un programa superior de limpieza y desinfección para las instalaciones y equipamiento de los clubes de niños y adolescentes, además de la inclusión de nueva señalización adaptada a niños, incluyendo medidas de distanciamiento social para garantizar un ambiente limpio y seguro para niños pequeños, preadolescentes y adolescentes
  • Seguridad culinaria avanzada: se redujeron los aforos de los lugares de consumos y se implementó un sencillo sistema de reserva para garantizar que las normas de distanciamiento social se respeten adecuadamente. Otros cambios incluyen la eliminación de todos los elementos innecesarios en las mesas para evitar contaminación cruzada, eliminación de menús físicos e introducción de pantallas digitales para mostrar la información del menú y las pautas a seguir de distanciamiento social en los bares de piscina.
  • Limpieza Diamond en las habitaciones: Los equipos de ama de llaves limpiarán y desinfectarán cada rincón de las habitaciones, trabajando desde adentro hacia afuera, con productos altamente concentrados en desinfectantes que eliminan agentes patógenos víricos emergentes. Todos los potenciales puntos de contacto en las habitaciones de los clientes serán rigurosamente desinfectados incluyendo controles remotos, pomos de puertas, secadores de pelo, puertas de armarios y cajones, termostatos, lámparas, teléfonos, manijas de descarga de los inodoros y manijas de grifo de agua. Se eliminarán todos los elementos no esenciales de las habitaciones y se incluirán nuevos kits de higiene con gel desinfectante para las manos, mascarillas y guantes entre otros elementos esenciales de seguridad y sanidad. Se han mejorado los procesos de servicio de habitaciones para garantizar seguridad y distancia durante la entrega de productos, así como el proceso de reposición de minibares y otros artículos en las habitaciones para limitar las entradas adicionales a la habitación.
  • Distanciamiento social y protección: Con el fin de garantizar unas vacaciones seguras, se colocarán nueva señalética y mensajes informativos en las televisiones de las áreas comunes y habitaciones para reforzar la importancia de seguir las recomendaciones.  Para mantener las pautas de distanciamiento social, se colocarán marcadores en el suelo de los resorts, se reorganizarán los muebles en las zonas comunes, incluyendo restaurantes, teatros, áreas de piscinas, playas y vestíbulos. Las instalaciones interiores tendrán capacidades reducidas para mantener un ambiente seguro y agradable tanto para huéspedes como para empleados. Adicionalmente, se agregarán dispensadores de desinfectante para manos alrededor de los resorts para animar a los huéspedes a que se desinfecten las manos con regularidad.
  • Cuidado del personal, educación y conciencia: Los empleados de Blue Diamond mantienen los más altos estándares de salud y seguridad. Todos los miembros del personal están entrenados y capacitados para mantener la seguridad y el cuidado de los huéspedes mientras brindan unas experiencias vacacionales con seguridad garantizada. Se seguirán aplicando estrictos protocolos de higiene para el personal del resort, incluyendo la implementación de procesos de limpieza y saneamiento exhaustivos en la entrada del personal desinfectando desde manos hasta calzado, el uso de equipos de protección personal (EPP) como guantes y máscaras, lavado de manos de forma rigurosa y frecuente con desinfectante a base de alcohol, controles de salud diarios al inicio de cada turno, así como el cumplimiento de las reglas de distanciamiento social.
  • Proveedores comprometidos: Para mantener su promesa más allá de sus puertas, Blue Diamond ha establecido acuerdos con sus diversos proveedores y socios, asegurándose que operen siguiendo las nuevas regulaciones en su elaboración de productos o brindando sus servicios.

Para obtener más información sobre las Vacaciones con Seguridad Garantizadas de Blue Diamond, visite www.bluediamondresorts.com/covid-19.

Acerca de Blue Diamond Resorts

Desde su inauguración en 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts ha crecido exitosamente hasta convertirse en la empresa de complejos hoteleros de más rápido crecimiento en el Caribe, con 47 propiedades que sobrepasan las 15 500 habitaciones en 10 países. Con un enfoque innovador para diferenciar marcas según las demandas específicas de cada mercado, la cartera de Blue Diamond Resorts es más impresionante que nunca. Los galardonados resorts de lujo Royalton Luxury Resorts rediseñan la experiencia todo incluido al ofrecer comodidades exclusivas que incluyen All-In Connectivity™, el moderno concepto de Sports Event Guarantee™ y elementos de bienestar en la suite. Las submarcas de Royalton solo para adultos incluyen Hideaway at Royalton, el cual ofrece gastronomía exclusiva y alojamiento preferencial con acceso a todos los servicios y comodidades del cercano Royalton; y el elegante All-Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, una experiencia vacacional dinámica y social con comodidades de lujo y opciones gastronómicas de alta calidad. En Jamaica, se restauró el Grand Lido Negril para brindar unas vacaciones naturistas lujosas y elegantes a lo largo de una exclusiva playa y ser un refugio privado único. Memories Resorts & Spa brinda una experiencia que complace a toda la familia, y Starfish Resorts ofrece un valor increíble en ubicaciones exóticas con alojamiento cómodo. Planet Hollywood Hotels and Resorts invita a los huéspedes a Vacation Like A Star ™ con una experiencia atractiva e interactiva, además de artículos famosos de la cultura pop de películas, música y deportes. Mystique Resorts, una colección de resort de estilo boutique, ofrece vacaciones personalizadas en lugares sorprendentemente hermosos llenos de aventuras sin fin.

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Royal Caribbean Group Extends Cruise with Confidence Policy Through April 2022

Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Introduce New Booking Options

MIAMI, May 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – To provide peace of mind in vacation planning, Royal Caribbean Group is extending its ”Cruise with Confidence” cancellation policy to sailings through April 2022.

For new and existing bookings created by August 1, 2020, guests have the flexibility to cancel their cruise up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive a full credit of the cruise fare for a future cruise through April 2022. The cruise company has also enhanced “Cruise with Confidence” with new rebooking options. The updates now available to travelers and their travel advisors include:

  • Best Price Guarantee”: Guests can choose to change the price and promotional offer on their reservation up to 48 hours before their cruise.
  • “Lift and Shift”: For ease and as close as 48 hours prior to sailing, travelers have the option to simply “lift and shift” their cruise to the same itinerary departing on a future date. The original price and promotional offer on the reservation will be protected, along with the length of the cruise and stateroom category.

“Guests are reacting positively to our Cruise with Confidence policy,” says RCL chairman and CEO Richard Fain, “because it enables them to make informed decisions and to better manage complicated travel plans during this unprecedented time of uncertainty.”

“Cruise with Confidence” applies to both existing cruise bookings and those made by August 1, 2020. In addition to easing concerns of booked guests, Fain says the policy enhances consumer confidence to schedule new bookings, knowing last-minute travel adjustments are allowed.

“We want our guests to feel they can safely keep their existing cruise bookings or schedule new sailings,” says Fain, “because this policy gives them more freedom and flexibility.”

The policy applies to all cruises with sailing dates on or before April 2022 and across the company’s global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara. For individual brand policy details, including information on Silversea’s policy, please visit the cruise lines’ websites: Azamara: www.azamara.com/cruise-with-confidence, Celebrity: www.celebritycruises.com/cruise-with-confidence, Royal Caribbean: www.loyaltoyoualways.com/service/cruisewithconfidence1/ and Silversea: www.silversea.com/temporary-amendment-to-cancellation-policy.html.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that controls and operates four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. We are also a 50% joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49% shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruceros. Together these brands operate a combined total of 61 ships with an additional 17 on order as of December 31, 2019. They operate diverse itineraries around the world that call on all seven continents. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com, www.azamara.com, www.silversea.com, www.tuicruises.com, www.pullmantur.es, or www.rclinvestor.com.

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Jamaica, Tourist and Business Destination, Participates at the Routes Americas

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, operator of 12 airports in Mexico and the international airports of Norman Manley in Kingston and Sangster in Montego Bay, participated in a in the Routes Americas hemispheric meeting, which was held in Indianapolis, United States.

The main purpose for Jamaica’s participation in this forum was to attract new flights, air routes and airlines to this Caribbean Island. Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico supports the promotion of Jamaica as destination.

Routes Americas is the main meeting forum of airlines and airports in the American hemisphere, and it served as a platform to lay the grounds for the world meeting that will be held in Milan, Italy next September, where Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico will promote Jamaica more intensely as a tourist and investment destination. Given the global nature of the event, has the participation of airlines from Europe, Africa, Oceania and others, which, in general, would otherwise have no presence at Routes Americas.

Grupo Aeroportuario el Pacífico is committed to Jamaica and acknowledges it both as an extraordinary destination given its natural wonders and excellent tourist offering and as an attractive market for foreign investment that promotes the country’s sustainability, economic and social development.

Grupo Aeroportuario el Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) (NYSE: PAC; BMV: GAP) is a Mexican corporation developing its activity in the airport sector. GAP operates 12 international airports in Mexico and two in Jamaica, servicing over 330 destinations through 35 airlines. Its stock is listed in the Mexico and New York Stock Exchanges. In 2018, GAP served 44.9 million passengers, 10.4% more than in 2017.

The airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico are located in:

  • Guadalajara and Tijuana, serving the main metropolitan areas.
  • Mexicali, Hermosillo, Los Mochis, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Morelia, serving developing medium-sized cities.
  • La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Montego Bay, serving some of the most important tourist destinations in the country and the Caribbean.
  • On October 10, 2018, GAP signed a concession contract with the government of Jamaica in order to operate, modernize and expand the Norman Manley International Airport (”KIN”) located in the city of Kingston.

The airports managed by GAP in Mexico are owned by the Mexican government and have been allocated in a 50-year concession starting in 1998, as part of a domestic initiative to privatize and improve the quality and security of the country’s airport services.

In Jamaica, the government owns the Montego Bay Airport and the concession granted for its operation is for a 30-year period, which will conclude on April 2033. The Kingston Airport was granted for a 25-year concession. GAP took control of the operation and administration this past October 2019.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico believes in the value of each individual and seeks to trigger his or her potential through education. Better-educated Mexicans will raise their quality of life and contribute towards the country’s development. GAP, in line with its business model and through its Foundation, is committed to be a factor of change. We work on two strategic pillars: work with the community, through the GAP Schools, and on training the airport community, with Community Training Centers.

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Caribbean’s First Peer-to-Peer Car Rental Platform, Rent Yuh Ride™, Launched

Black Women Led; 22+ Million Travelers; Strong Market Growth Projected

KINGSTON, Jamaica, Feb. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The emerging peer-to-peer car rental sector is projected to grow at 10% annually, but despite the Caribbean being one of the world’s most attractive travel destinations; it has yet to be touched by this sector – until now. The Caribbean’s first peer-to-peer car rental platform, Rent Yuh Ride (RYR), launched this week and will connect thousands of travelers to private car owners to facilitate car renting in a way that “is efficient, affordable and safe.”  RYR promises a platform that will enable seamless transactions while also rewarding users with travel credits and incentivized bonuses.

Uniquely led by a team of black women, RYR’s operations will be out of Kingston, Jamaica. Eventually, operations will expand across the Caribbean – frequented by over 22M travelers annually. Further boosting its new platform, RYR will partner with the Insurance Company of The West Indies (ICWI), a leader in motor insurance across the Caribbean to provide private rental insurance to car owners at a discounted rate. In addition, RYR will use Jumio, a leader in online identity verification, to definitively authenticate users on the platform.

Rent Yuh Ride The What

The Rent Yuh Ride platform will be accessible online from anywhere, at any time. It’s a marketplace where car owners can sign up, upload their vehicle info (and documents) to be approved and listed on the site for free. Simultaneously, travelers can sign up, search through available vehicles in their desired destination, choose a pickup location, then book.

Once the vehicle has been picked up, the owner gets paid electronically. When it is returned, this will complete the transaction, and both parties are then able to leave each other a review. Everything is done online safely, affordably, efficiently.

Rent Yuh Ride The Why

Problems with Current Car Renting Process:

  • Car owner reputation is unknown; current web listings have very limited information — only thing you see is the car you’re renting.
  • 58% of cars in Jamaica are uninsured — lack of protection creates lack of trust.
  • Traditional car renting is costly; advanced booking doesn’t minimize wait time at pickup — “The deposit fees are astronomical.”

The Ideal Solution is a “Win-Win Situation”:

  • Traveler Benefits: 20%-50% cheaper than traditional renting; know the owner right away; book on-demand; pickup when & where you want; more variety of vehicles to choose from.
  • Car Owner Benefits: earn money hosting; free to list and no monthly fees; list once, market to many travelers.

“Travelers deserve a better way to rent cars, they need options and what’s available just doesn’t cut it,” explains RYR Founder & CEO Cherie Williams. “With the Rent Yuh Ride platform, you can choose from a wide range of vehicles that fit your style, a wide range of prices that fit your budget, and there’s absolutely no negotiating back and forth. Moreover, car owners have underutilized vehicles for months at a time and Rent Yuh Ride will provide new opportunities for them to earn additional income,” says a frequent traveler to the island.

“It’s a win-win situation on both sides: one person will make money and the other person will save money.”

Funding
Investment opportunity available on  Series One platform.

About Rent Yuh Ride
Rent Yuh Ride is the first peer-to-peer digital car rental platform in Jamaica with future expansion across the Caribbean. RYR will directly connect thousands of travelers to private car owners across the islands to facilitate car renting, in a way that’s efficient, affordable and safe.

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Forbes Travel Guide Honors Hospitality’s Finest in 2020 Star Rating Awards

107 Properties Earn New Five-Star Accolades

Largest-Ever Global Expansion as Awards Launch in 16 New Countries

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Triumphs as Hotel Brand with Most Five-Star Hotels

London Takes Starring Role as the Five-Star Capital City of the World

ATLANTA, Feb. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ – Forbes Travel Guide (”FTG”), the global expert on genuine Five-Star service, today presented a galaxy of “Stars” to the world’s most luxurious properties. A record 107 new Five-Star awards have been announced, owing to the company’s significant expansion across 16 countries.

The 2020 awards celebrate 1,898 Star-Rated properties in 73 countries; the full list can be found here. The new awards add 70 Five-Star, 120 Four-Star and 81 Recommended hotels to the annual winners list. Among restaurants, there are 13 new Five-Star, eight new Four-Star and two new Recommended winners. The recipients also include 24 new Five-Star and 22 new Four-Star spas.

This year sees the most extensive global expansion in Forbes Travel Guide’s 62 -year history. The company spotlights new international markets, including Antigua, the Bahamas, Cambodia, Egypt, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Jordan, the Maldives, Mauritius, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, the Seychelles and South Africa, many of which achieved the coveted Five-Star honor.

A total of 432 Five-Star distinctions were awarded to hotels, restaurants and spas, and the top ranking was attained for the first time in Antigua; Bora Bora; Cambodia; Cape Town; Doha; Fiji; Ireland; Johannesburg; the Maldives; Mauritius; Monte Carlo; Moscow; Prague; St. Petersburg, Russia; the Seychelles; and Tahiti.

Four Seasons maintained the prestigious achievement as the brand with the most Five-Star hotels adding 11 new Five-Star hotel awards to its collection. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, Four Seasons Hotel Moscow and Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg are among some of the additions in newly rated destinations.

Wynn Resorts took an all-star position, dominating the Las Vegas market by earning seven Five-Star awards for Wynn Resorts Las Vegas (Wynn Las Vegas, Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Wynn Tower Suites, Encore Tower Suites, The Spa at Wynn Las Vegas, The Spa at Encore Las Vegas and Wing Lei) and an additional eight for Wynn Resorts Macau (Wynn Macau, Encore Macau, Golden Flower at Encore Macau, Mizumi at Wynn Macau, Wing Lei at Wynn Macau, Il Teatro at Wynn Macau, The Spa at Encore Macau and The Spa at Wynn Macau). Wynn Palace Macau also achieved seven Five-Star awards.

London cemented its position as the global Five-Star capital city with 19 top hotels, including six new additions: Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel; Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square; Rosewood London and The Berkeley. The Egerton House Hotel and The Milestone Hotel & Residences join Hotel 41 to give Red Carnation hotels a triple Five-Star hotel win for the city.

“It’s a privilege for Forbes Travel Guide to honor such magnificent hotels, restaurants and spas from all corners of the globe. Each deserving recipient excels at enriching people’s lives through the power of exceptional service,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “Our role at Forbes Travel Guide is to establish our annual star ratings with absolute independence and integrity and champion those at the very top of their game.”

More than 600 Star-Rated winners and invited VIP guests will gather to celebrate at Verified, The Forbes Travel Guide Luxury Summit at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on February 18 and 19. As the recipients of multiple Five-Star awards, the MGM International property will be packed with inspirational speakers and discovery sessions. The event will culminate in a gala dinner hosted by Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei, followed by an exclusive afterglow hosted by Wynn Las Vegas XS nightclub where headline DJ Dillon Francis and other exciting surprises await the 2020 award winners.

For highlights, trends and fun facts from our 2020 Star Awards, click here.

To view the full Star Ratings for 2020, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star Ratings, click here.

Connect with Forbes Travel Guide:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ForbesTravelGuide
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForbesTravelGuide
About Forbes Travel Guide:

Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Our anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on up to 900 objective standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best luxury experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our independent inspection process. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, please visit forbestravelguide.com.

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Aireon Signs Agreement With COCESNA To Expand Global Air Traffic Surveillance To Central America

MCLEAN, Virginia, Oct. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Aireon LLC (Aireon) and COCESNA (Corporación Centroamericana de Servicios de Navegación Aérea) announced that they have signed an agreement to deploy space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The agreement also establishes a strategic partnership to enhance the operations and collaboration of air traffic surveillance in the Central American region.

Spanning the entire Central American flight information region (FIR), COCESNA’s region encompasses more than 2.6 million square kilometers terrestrial airspace and extensive oceanic areas in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Its central location in the Americas positions COCESNA as the major air traffic control provider at the crossroads of the Caribbean, North, South and Central America.

“Aireon is thrilled to welcome COCESNA as a customer, extending the benefits of space-based air traffic surveillance through Central American airspace,” said Don Thoma, CEO, Aireon. “This agreement represents the beginning of a long-term partnership that will boost operations and efficiency in the region.”

In addition to deploying space-based ADS-B throughout the region and within its member States, this agreement establishes a partnership by which COCESNA can utilize the Aireon data to support its leading role in advancing operations across the region. The strategic partnership brings a greater level of collaboration to the existing agreement and also enables the use of space-based ADS-B data for airspace and traffic optimization projects such as the CANSO ATFM Data Exchange Network for the Americas (CADENA) initiative.

Mr. Juan Carlos Trabanino, Executive President of COCESNA, said, “We pride ourselves as being a regional leader in efficiency and safety. From surveillance of our airspace to optimization about our services provided across Central America, Aireon’s data will radically improve all aspects of our business that assures seamless air traffic management across our land and maritime sectors.  We look forward to the beginning of operations in the third quarter of 2020, and are pleased to work with Aireon in this important development for aviation in our region.”

“This partnership demonstrates that Aireon’s space-based ADS-B data generates significant near, medium and long-term value and operational benefits to their organization,” said Thoma.

About Aireon LLC
Aireon has deployed a space-based air traffic surveillance system for Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipped aircraft throughout the entire globe. Aireon is harnessing next-generation aviation surveillance technologies that were formerly ground-based and, for the first time ever, is extending their reach globally to significantly improve efficiency, enhance safety, reduce emissions and provide cost savings benefits to all stakeholders. Space-based ADS-B surveillance covers oceanic, polar and remote regions, and augments existing ground-based systems that are limited to terrestrial airspace. In partnership with leading ANSPs from around the world, like NAV CANADA, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), Enav, NATS and Naviair, as well as Iridium Communications, Aireon is providing a global, real-time, space-based air traffic surveillance system, available to all aviation stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.aireon.com.

About COCESNA
The COCESNA (Corporación Centroamericana de Servicios de Navegación Aérea) is the non-profit, public service organization ensuring safe and efficient air navigation and aeronautical telecommunication to the Central American flight information region (FIR). The organization covers 2.6 million square kilometers of FIR, including six member states (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and maritime areas in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. For more information about COCESNA, visit: www.cocesna.org.

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico Initiates Operations at Kingston Airport

GUADALAJARA, Mexico, Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (”GAP”) initiates operations at the Norman Manley International Airport in the city of Kingston, Jamaica. This is the second airport that the Mexican airport group operates outside of its borders: the first one is Sangster Airport, in Montego Bay, also in Jamaica.

In accordance with the terms of the Contract signed on October 2018, 12 months were granted for the transition and 25 years for the concession. One of the Group’s commitments is to improve the infrastructure and the equipment of the airports it operates. Therefore, during the first 36 months, it expects to make an investment of US$ 60 million in extension and modernization works in the Norman Manley Airport.

At the formal presentation ceremony of the Airport’s operations, GAP’s Director General, Raúl Revuelta, reiterated Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico’s commitment to diversify its airport portfolio and affirmed that “to compete for the operation of Norman Manley Airport represents a strategic decision that will contribute towards GAP’s positioning and it will strengthen the development and growth of Jamaica’s main airports.”

Kingston Airport is the fourteenth airport operated by the Mexican airport group. At the end of 2018, this airport had assisted a total of 1.7 million passengers, and 1.4 million in the period comprised between January and September 2019. This represents an 8.4% growth compared to the same period on the previous year; in other words, practically 30% of the country’s total traffic.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico has developed a service-commitment culture in order to improve the flight experience. Additionally, it keeps close relationships with passengers, airlines, business developers, industry members and, particularly, authorities, in an attempt to contribute to the economic and social development of the communities where it operates.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, S.A.B. de C.V. (”GAP”) is a Mexican company developing its activity in the airport sector. GAP operates in 12 international airports in Mexico and two in Jamaica, servicing over 330 destinations through 35 airlines. Its shares are listed both on the Mexico and the New York Stock Exchange.

In 2018, GAP serviced 44.9 million passengers, 10.4% more than in 2017.

The airports managed by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico are located in:

  • Guadalajara and Tijuana, serving the main metropolitan areas.
  • Mexicali, Hermosillo, Los Mochis, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Morelia, serving developing medium-sized cities.
  • La Paz, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Montego Bay, serving some of the most important tourist destinations in the country and the Caribbean.
  • On October 10, 2018, GAP signed the concession contract with the government of Jamaica in order to operate, modernize and expand the Norman Manley International Airport (”KIN”) located in the city of Kingston.

The airports managed by GAP in Mexico are owned by the Mexican government and have been allocated in a 50-year concession starting in 1998, as part of a domestic initiative to privatize and improve the quality and security of the country’s airport services.

In Jamaica, the government owns the Montego Bay Airport and the concession granted for its operation is for a 30-year period, which will conclude on April 2033. The Kingston Airport was granted for a 25-year concession. GAP took control of the operation and administration this past October 2019.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico believes in the value of each individual and seeks to trigger his or her potential through education. Better-educated Mexicans will raise their quality of life and contribute towards the country’s development. GAP, in line with its business model and through its Foundation, is committed on being a factor of change. We work on two strategic pillars: work with the community, through GAP Schools, and on training the airport community, with Community Training Centers.

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The Shore Club Turks And Caicos Named #1 Resort In The Caribbean, Bermuda And Bahamas In Travel + Leisure Magazine

Meredith Corporation’s travel authority reveals 2019 “World’s Best” list, spotlighting best hotels around the world

NEW YORK, July 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Travel + Leisure magazine announced the results of its annual World’s Best Awards, with The Shore Club Turks and Caicos named #1 in the category of Top 25 Resort Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas. This is the first time in recent years that a Turks & Caicos resort has received top honors.

As the first and only resort on Long Bay Beach in Providenciales, The Shore Club has opened to major acclaim in the last two years, receiving praise and positive feedback from guests, travelers, industry professionals and media. Alongside the 106 ocean-view suites with private verandas and four luxury Villas, four pools, 820 feet of beachfront, a Dune Spa and Wellness Center, water sports, Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, the luxury resort stands apart due to its unbeatable location on the world’s best beach and engaging and anticipatory service.

Every year, Travel + Leisure showcases the top travel destinations and companies around the globe as rated by its readers as the World’s Best. Readers share their favorite cities, hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, and experiences around the world, culminating in the World’s Best list, and earning a spot is considered a high honor in the hotel industry.

“We’ve been thrilled with the positive response to The Shore Club since opening in 2017, and the honor of being named as ‘best’ in the Caribbean is truly the cherry on top,” says Stan Hartling, hotel owner and CEO of The Hartling Group. “What sets The Shore Club apart is the active and vibrant energy that is felt immediately when arriving to the resort, and we thank our team and staff for bringing the island flair to each and every personalized stay.”

With upcoming events such as the Turks & Caicos Islands Film Festival and new Villa openings later this year, The Shore Club remains one of the most sought-after places to stay in the Caribbean. In addition to the highest accolade in that category, The Shore Club was also ranked #30 in the Top 100 Hotels in World. Its sister property, The Palms Turks and Caicos was also listed in the Top 25 Resort Hotels in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas as #13.

“For 24 years, our readers have been voting in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. This annual franchise is a global collection of the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, and more,” says Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Gifford. “Brands and properties from all over the world—from Peru to Japan, India to Italy, and right here at home in the United States—are recognized by our audience because they deliver on exceptional experiences, rooted in a sense of place. I congratulate all of this year’s winners, who have worked so hard to be among the world’s best.”

The 2019 World’s Best Awards lists, as well as survey methodology, are currently featured on www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest and will appear in the August issue of the magazine.

About Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure is the preeminent voice for the sophisticated traveler, serving up expert intelligence and the most immersive, inspiring travel lifestyle content anywhere. Travel + Leisure captures the joy of discovering the pleasures the world has to offer—from art and design to shopping and style to food and drink—and offers compelling reasons to get up and go. With a total global audience of more than 15 million, the Travel + Leisure portfolio includes the U.S. flagship and four international editions in China, India, Mexico, and Southeast Asia. The U.S. edition of T+L, which launched in 1971, is the only monthly consumer travel magazine in print in the U.S., has an authoritative website, TravelandLeisure.com, and an extensive social media following of more than 13 million. Travel + Leisure also encompasses newsletters and media collaborations.

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Blue Diamond Resorts Celebrates Multiple Accolades Across Resort Portfolio

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 10, 2019: Blue Diamond Resorts, the Caribbean’s fastest growing resort chain, is celebrating numerous awards across multiple resort brands.

At the beginning of 2019, six Royalton Luxury Resorts together with their sister property, CHIC by Royalton, received AAA 4-Diamond Awards. Last week, Royalton Luxury Resorts won two TravelPulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards in the categories of “Best Hotel Chain Category – All Inclusive” and “Best All-Inclusive Resorts/Chain or Group – Food and Beverage.”

Blue Diamond Resorts continues its record year of industry accreditations with multiple TripAdvisor® Travelers’ Choice and Certificate of Excellence awards. So far during 2019, 22 TripAdvisor® Certificates of Excellence have been awarded to properties within the Blue Diamond Resorts portfolio, nine of which are from resorts in Cuba. The news was welcomed by President of Blue Diamond Resorts, Jordi Pelfort, who commented, “We are pleased to have received 22 Certificates of Excellence, as well as the AAA 4-Diamond Awards and the Travel Pulse Canada Readers’ Choice Awards. These accolades are a reflection of guests’ experiences and the overall service one can expect when staying at a Blue Diamond Resort.”

Royalton Luxury Resorts’ flagship property, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa, has long been recognized among the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. In addition to the numerous awards the resort won this year, the adults-only section, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, has received the TripAdvisor® GreenLeader Platinum award. This award is given to resorts which meet certain eco-friendly requirements, including having a linen re-use plan, tracking energy usage, recycling, using energy efficient light bulbs, hosting staff education programs and having a water waste program.

About Blue Diamond Resorts
Since its inception in 2010, Blue Diamond Resorts has risen to become the Caribbean’s fastest-growing resort company with 46 properties exceeding 15,700 rooms in ten countries. Taking an innovative approach to differentiating brands under each market’s unique demands, Blue Diamond Resorts’ ever-expanding portfolio is more impressive than ever. The newest addition to the company is a boutique resort collection, Mystique Resorts, providing a personalized experience in a strikingly beautiful location like Cuba, Holbox Island and Saint Lucia. Award-winning Royalton Luxury Resorts rethink the all-inclusive experience, offering signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™ and in-suite wellness elements. Royalton’s adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, offering exclusive dining and preferred accommodations with access to all services and amenities of nearby Royalton, and the stylish All-Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, a vibrant social vacation experience with luxury amenities and elite dining options. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril has been revived to provide an upscale and elegant naturist vacation along an exclusive shore for the ultimate private retreat. Memories Resorts & Spa is an experience designed to impress the entire family and Starfish Resorts amazing value for customers in exotic locations with comfortable accommodations.

Blue Diamond Resorts celebra los múltiples premios recibidos por su cartera de resorts

CaribPR Wire, TALLAHASSEE, Fla., June 10, 2019: Blue Diamond Resorts, la cadena hotelera de más rápido crecimiento en el Caribe, está celebrando los numerosos premios recibidos por sus múltiples marcas.

A comienzos de 2019, seis hoteles de la cadena Royalton Luxury Resorts junto con su propiedad asociada, CHIC by Royalton, recibieron el premio de 4-Diamond Awards de la AAA. Asimismo, la semana pasada, dicha cadena ganó dos premios Readers’ Choice por parte de TravelPulse Canada en las categorías de “Mejor cadena hotelera en categoría: todo incluido” y “Mejor grupo o cadena/resorts todo incluido: alimentos y bebidas”.

Blue Diamond Resorts continúa este año manteniendo su récord de acreditaciones de la industria turística con múltiples premios Travelers’ Choice y Certificados de Excelencia de TripAdvisor®. Hasta el momento en 2019, distintas propiedades de la cartera de Blue Diamond Resorts recibieron 22 Certificados de Excelencia de TripAdvisor®, nueve de los cuales fueron para propiedades de Cuba. La noticia fue recibida por Jordi Pelfort, presidente de Blue Diamond Resorts, quien comentó: “Estamos encantados de haber recibido 22 Certificados de Excelencia, además de los 4-Diamond Awards de la AAA y los premios Readers’ Choice de TravelPulse Canada. Estos galardones son un reflejo de las experiencias de nuestros clientes y del servicio integral que esperan cuando se alojan en una de las propiedades de Blue Diamond Resorts”.

La propiedad emblemática de Royalton Luxury Resorts, Royalton Riviera Cancun, es reconocida desde hace tiempo entre los mejores resorts todo incluido de México. Además de los numerosos premios que el resort ganó este año, la sección solo para adultos, Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun, recibió el premio platino del programa GreenLeader de TripAdvisor®. Este premio es otorgado a resorts que cumplen con ciertos requisitos ecológicos, entre los cuales se incluyen: contar con un plan de reutilización de ropa de cama, monitorizar del uso de energía, reciclar, usar bombillas de bajo consumo, implementar programas de educación para el personal; así como contar con un programa de desperdicio de agua.

Acerca de Blue Diamond Resorts

Desde su inauguración en 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts ha crecido exitosamente hasta convertirse en la empresa de complejos hoteleros de más rápido crecimiento en el Caribe, con 46 propiedades que sobrepasan las 15 700 habitaciones en 10 países. Con un enfoque innovador para diferenciar marcas según las demandas específicas de cada mercado, la cartera de Blue Diamond Resorts es más impresionante que nunca. La adición más reciente a la empresa es la colección de hoteles boutique Mystique Resorts, que brinda una experiencia personalizada en ubicaciones increíblemente hermosas como Trinidad (Cuba), Isla Holbox y Santa Lucía. Los galardonados resorts de lujo Royalton Luxury Resorts rediseñan la experiencia todo incluido al ofrecer comodidades exclusivas que incluyen All-In Connectivity™, el moderno concepto de Sports Event Guarantee™ y elementos de bienestar en la suite. Las submarcas de Royalton solo para adultos incluyen Hideaway at Royalton, el cual ofrece gastronomía exclusiva y alojamiento preferencial con acceso a todos los servicios y comodidades del cercano Royalton; y el elegante All-Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, una experiencia vacacional dinámica y social con comodidades de lujo y opciones gastronómicas de alta calidad. En Jamaica, se restauró el Grand Lido Negril para brindar unas vacaciones naturistas lujosas y elegantes a lo largo de una exclusiva playa y ser un refugio privado único. Memories Resorts & Spa brinda una experiencia que complace a toda la familia, y Starfish Resorts ofrece un valor increíble en ubicaciones exóticas con alojamiento cómodo.

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Bombardier Signs Firm Purchase Agreement for Six Q400 Turboprops

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, April 01, 2019: Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced today that a customer, who has requested to remain unidentified at this time, has signed an order to acquire six new Q400 aircraft.

Based on the list price of the Q400 aircraft, the firm order is valued at approximately US$ 202 million.

“The Q400 aircraft offers the perfect balance of passenger comfort and operating economics while maintaining its unmatched range and speed advantage versus other turboprops,” said Fred Cromer, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The demand for turboprop aircraft worldwide is tremendous and the Q Series aircraft are ideally positioned to meet the needs of regional airlines as they offer a unique ability to serve diverse and challenging environments. The Q400 offers the lowest seat costs amongst turboprops, with an enhanced passenger experience and a proven 99.5 per cent reliability.”

About Bombardier
With over 68,000 employees across four business segments, Bombardier is a global leader in the transportation industry, creating innovative and game-changing planes and trains. Our products and services provide world-class transportation experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier has production and engineering sites in 28 countries across the segments of Transportation, Business Aircraft, Commercial Aircraft and Aerostructures and Engineering Services. Bombardier shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, Bombardier posted revenues of $16.2 billion US. The company is recognized on the 2019 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Notes to Editors
An image of the Q400 aircraft is posted with this press release at www.bombardier.com.

For more information on the Q400 aircraft, visit http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com/media-kit/

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Bombardier firma un acuerdo de compra en firme por seis turbohélices Q400

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, April 02, 2019: Bombardier Commercial Aircraft anunció hoy que un cliente, quien solicitó no ser identificado por el momento, ha firmado un pedido de compra de seis nuevos aviones Q400.

Con base en el precio de lista de los aviones Q400, el pedido en firme está valuado en aproximadamente 202 millones de dólares estadounidenses.

“El avión Q400 ofrece el equilibrio perfecto entre la comodidad del pasajero y la economía operativa, al tiempo que mantiene su inigualable ventaja de autonomía y velocidad con respecto a otros turbohélices”, comentó Fred Cromer, presidente de Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “La demanda mundial de aviones turbohélice es altísima, y los aviones Q Series se encuentran en una posición ideal para satisfacer las necesidades de las aerolíneas regionales, ya que ofrecen una capacidad única para trabajar en entornos diversos y desafiantes. El Q400 ofrece los costos por asiento más bajos entre los turbohélices, con una experiencia mejorada para los pasajeros y una confiabilidad comprobada del 99,5 %”.

Acerca de Bombardier
Con más de 68 000 empleados en cuatro segmentos comerciales, Bombardier es un líder global de la industria del transporte en la creación de aviones y trenes innovadores. Nuestros productos y servicios ofrecen experiencias de transporte de primera clase que establecen nuevos estándares en comodidad del pasajero, eficiencia energética, confiabilidad y seguridad.

Con sede en Montreal, Canadá, Bombardier tiene plantas de producción e ingeniería en 28 países en los sectores de transporte, aeronaves ejecutivas, aeronaves comerciales y aeroestructuras, y servicios de ingeniería. Las acciones de Bombardier se cotizan en la Bolsa de Toronto (BBD). En el año fiscal que terminó el 31 de diciembre de 2018, Bombardier registró ingresos por 16 200 millones de dólares estadounidenses. La compañía es reconocida en el Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World Index (Índice de las 100 corporaciones más sustentables del mundo) de 2019. Consulte las noticias e información disponibles en bombardier.com o síganos en Twitter @Bombardier.

Notas para los editores
Junto con este comunicado de prensa se publica una imagen de un avión Q400 en www.bombardier.com.

Para obtener más información sobre el avión Q400, visite http://news.commercialaircraft.bombardier.com/media-kit/

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Bombardier, Q400 y Q Series son marcas comerciales de Bombardier Inc. o sus subsidiarias.

Acompaña a este anuncio una fotografía que se encuentra en http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17121c8f-f6f0-4e96-b712-977d46e0b998

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