EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week #IslandsCaribbean examined islands that were closing their borders in response to the threat of the COVID-19 variants and travel restrictions authorized in their target markets. On the whole, these islands were in the Lesser Antilles: a group of smaller Caribbean islands.
In this edition, we explore developments in three islands of the Greater Antilles: Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. We also explore three resort chains: Karisma Hotel Group, Grupo Posadas, and Marriott International.
Of these three, only Marriott International has developments in all of the islands named. The sole new construction is located in Puerto Rico, with the completion and recent opening of the Aloft Ponce. Marriott’s developments in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are renovations of former Blue Diamond Resorts.
Only time will tell if Karisma Hotel Group and Grupo Posadas have made the better move to suspend construction in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic respectively. Travel is much diminished, but research indicates that it is the activity people desire most during this pandemic, and vaccines have been developed and are being administered: though not at a pace than would satisfy the industry.