CARIBBEAN: Karisma Hotels & Resorts To Expand To St. Lucia And Barbados

Mandy Chomat, chief sales and marketing officer at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, says the all-inclusive company is planning to expand its Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma brand to the islands of Barbados and St. Lucia.

There’s serious thought about expanding to St. Lucia and Barbados, said Chomat.

Karisma Hotels & Resorts is in discussions to expand Margaritaville into these islands over the next few years.”

Chomat also said travelers could expect new Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts properties throughout the Caribbean as well. That brand first debuted in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2016.

Karisma is scouting Barbados and St. Lucia, along with other major island destinations, for Margaritaville, An All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma, as well as Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts,says Chomat.

We’re looking at island destinations throughout the Caribbean, including Antigua, the Bahamas, and Grenada, evaluating airlift and infrastructure, among other variables.

In Mexico, the company is opening the El Cielo Winery & Resort in Valle De Guadalupe, Baja California this summer. In 2019, the company is spotlighting the Riviera Maya once again with the opening of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya and Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma.

In addition to our continued expansion in Riviera Maya, Karisma is looking at Baja California, Vallarta and Huatulco in Mexico, said Chomat.

Later this summer, we will also introduce El Cielo Winery & Resort in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, the new Napa Valley.

Although the new Margaritaville, an All-Inclusive Experience, by Karisma brand is expected to be the most popular amongst Millennials, Chomat has noted in the past that Jimmy Buffett, the musician who made the Margaritaville song and brand famous worldwide, has fans or Parrot Heads, that span generations.

St. Lucia and Barbados are globally recognized destinations that appeal to leisure travelers, said Chomat.

The vibe of Margaritaville lends itself beautifully to these islands and others as it’s a state of mind, inviting guests to unwind and enjoy themselves in paradise.

And several Caribbean travel experts TravelPulse spoke with agree.

It will be interesting to see how the Margaritaville concept pans out because I think it will be on a level of luxury that many people wouldn't expect when they think about the brand Margaritaville, said Anthony Tucker, vice president and general manager at the All Inclusive Outlet in Georgetown, Kentucky.

So often people only think of the restaurant or casino in Las Vegas, but the proposed plans are really going to cater towards a luxury-centric customer who wants to just have a blast on vacation.

I think when they open in Cancun/Riviera Maya it will be eye opening and their success there will carry over into even further success in St. Lucia and Barbados.

Ryan Doncsecz of VIP Vacations, Inc. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania also thinks the plans will greatly benefit Barbados, which he thinks is in need of another new, all-inclusive resort.

Another all inclusive resort in Barbados is huge, said Doncsecz. Sandals Resorts International already has proved that an all-inclusive can be a huge success on an island that is predominantly EP.

Finally, St. Lucia getting another brand name shows their dedication to bringing new and exciting experiences to the island.

Petra Roach, U.S. director of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), says the presence of a Karisma resort on island would help increase the island's presence amongst Millennials.

Hotel investment is critical to future growth, said Roach, and the Karisma brand brings with it a strong Millennial customer base and a focus on the culinary experience of the visitor - both of which are integral to Barbados’ overarching tourism strategy.

Karisma also remains committed to expanding its relationships in existing destinations like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

In fact, Karisma Hotels and Resorts recently revealed that it is planning to develop a brand new luxury resort, entertainment and retail complex in Jamaica.

The Sugar Cane Jamaica project will be located near Ocho Rios.

It’s the most ambitious development in the country’s history, representing a $1 billion investment and plans for 10 hotels encompassing 5,000 rooms over the next decade, said Chomat.

Karisma first expanded to the Caribbean in late 2013 when it had a soft opening for its first Jamaica resort, Azul Sensatori Jamaica. Karisma then expanded to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2016 in the form of its popular family brand Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts.

The smaller islands of the Caribbean are a fast growing portion of our business right now, particularly in St. Lucia, so I think those destinations are a perfect fit, said Tucker.


Tourism Observer

MEXICO: 194-room Viceroy Los Cabos Hotel Opens

Viceroy Hotel Group opened its 15th property worldwide with the opening of Viceroy Los Cabos.

The latest addition to The Viceroy Icon Collection – Viceroy Los Cabos is located in the heart of San Jose del Cabo on the coast of Baja California.

This opening marks a collaboration with Rodina Group, one of the top investment firms in Mexico specializing in hospitality, real estate, transportation and infrastructure.

Originally concepted by Mexico-based architect, Miguel Angel Aragones, and formally known as Mar Adentro, the 194-room property has re-emerged as a Viceroy property after undergoing renovations and enhancements.

With a dreamscape design embracing the natural beauty of water throughout every facet of the resort, the new Viceroy Los Cabos is a canvas for discovery with cinematic views and alluring experiences around every turn.

Completely reconceptualized and brand new to the resort are a beachfront pool and bar, a refreshed and vibrant lobby and arrival experience, new dining venues, and a state-of-the-art fitness center curated by Los Angeles-based celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak.

The much-anticipated opening of Viceroy Los Cabos marks an extremely monumental day for our brand.

I look forward to welcoming guests to this extraordinary resort as we endeavor to create inspiring adventures that will stay with them a lifetime, said Bill Walshe, CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group.

The resort stands out as provocative and sensational. It furthers Viceroy's quest to deliver highly individual, modern luxury experiences in the world's most sought-after destinations.

As proud owners of Viceroy Los Cabos, we are thrilled to collaborate with Viceroy.

This stunning and unique resort will elevate the already impressive reputation Los Cabos has as the ultimate destination for sophisticated adventurers, said Andres & Felipe Chico, Managing Partners at Rodina.

Upon arrival through a sculpted iron portal and artisan wooden door, the sensory experience truly begins as guests are greeted by the sound of water, the conceptual central element brought to life throughout the resort.

With a striking yet minimalistic design, beautifully re-envisioned by Mexico-based design firm Arquitectura de Interiores.

Viceroy Los Cabos' new lobby interiors have transformed from stark white to feature a warm color palette of blue and natural sand tones, all inspired by the majestic meeting of the Los Cabos desert and sea.

The eye-catching and bold façade is an artistic melange of white, black and beige, and gives way to the modern and sleek lobby adorned with handmade details, rich textures and unique pieces of art inspired by the local Mexican culture.

Among the other renovations, Viceroy Los Cabos reveals five distinct and reconstructed dining venues, each providing a fresh and local experience reflective of the history and culture of Baja.

Nido Restaurant, translated from Spanish to mean nest, is both a visual centerpiece and social epicenter for guests and locals alike.

Its latticed, nest-like structure is surrounded by elevated walkways, appearing to float on water. With an international ceviche menu and innovative handcrafted cocktails, Nido draws inspiration from Spain, Mexico, and Peru.

Located in the main building of the resort, Casero Restaurant and Otro Bar feature elevated homestyle Mexican cuisine and a Tequila Library stocked with house infusions such as chile and marigold, as well as craft coffee and specialty Mexican Hot Chocolate.

Viceroy Los Cabos' beachside eatery Nidito which means Little Nest - overlooks the brand new infinity beach pool and picturesque ocean, while offering colorful and bite-sized decadences including an array of tacos, exotic fruit cups, and Instagram-worthy cocktails with festive garnishes.

Opening later this year is a vibrant rooftop bar with scenic ocean views.

Located in a city full of art and history, Viceroy Los Cabos is an undeniable gateway to the colorful culture of Los Cabos.

The resort offers truly experiential and one-of-kind activities for its guests – curated by its very own Head of Vibe – including learning to surf with a local pro, an exclusive fishing with the chef experience.

Scuba diving with underwater photography, fluorescent night dives, and custom tequila making classes.

Additionally, to further highlight the resort's connection and commitment to the arts, Viceroy Los Cabos has debuted A Canvas for Discovery Artist Series, kicking off with Los Angeles-based contemporary artist Spencer Mar Guilburt.

More vibe-led amenities offered at the resort include a cinema room for movie screenings and dynamic, versatile meeting and event spaces.

Minutes away from downtown San Jose del Cabo, guests can immerse themselves in the local culture by exploring the city's weekly art walk, Colonial architecture and myriad of authentic dining options.


Tourism Observer

MEXICO: Uber Driver Shot To Death In Rosarito

Three American citizens were taking an Uber Thursday night from a nightclub to their rented apartment in Rosarito, Mexico, when their Uber driver was shot and killed, Mexican authorities confirmed.

The 28-year-old Uber driver was transporting two men and a woman all U.S. citizens from the nightclub Papas and Beer to a residence at Club Marena, Rosarito police officials said.

The victim was shot multiple times by a driver who pulled up next to the Uber car in a black sedan at about 11:35 p.m., according to police.

Rosarito is a resort city south of Tijuana in Baja California.

The passengers in the Uber rushed to try and help their driver, police said. However, by the time police arrived on scene, the man was dead.

The victim was identified as Jose Humberto Felix Mendez of Mexico. There is no known motive for the attack.

None of the passengers were injured, a representative for the Rosarito Police Department said.

Rosarito is a coastal resort city in the Mexican state of Baja California located approximately 10 miles south of the U.S. border in Rosarito Beach Municipality.

Often mistakenly called "Rosarito Beach" because of the well-known Rosarito Beach Hotel, the town of Rosarito is one part of the municipality named Playas de Rosarito "Beaches of Rosarito".

Its beaches and dance clubs are a popular destination for young people from the United States during the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.

Rosarito Beach is the seat of the municipality of Rosarito Beach. The city is the second largest in the Tijuana metropolitan area and southern beach city of the San Diego–Tijuana international metropolitan region.

Additionally, it is the westernmost municipal seat in Mexico, slightly farther west than neighboring Tijuana, which lies inland to its north-northeast. As of 2010, the city had a population of 65,278.

On December 1, 1995, Rosarito was converted from a suburb of Tijuana, to an independent city. Hugo Torres Chabert, current owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel led the incorporation drive and was subsequently appointed to a three-year term as Mayor.

The territory surrounding the city became the fifth municipality of the State of Baja California.

The geographic city limits of Rosarito Beach Municipality are quite large, abutting the Tijuana city limits to the north, and Ensenada to the south along the coast and inland, however, the core settlement is compact.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, Rosarito's growth was moderate but constant. The mid-1980s, however, was marked with the strong development of tourist-related businesses of obviously considerable investment.

Rosarito Beach was the source of rocks for the Pet Rock collectible of the 1970s.

Rosarito Beach lies on the coast of the Pacific Ocean on the Baja California Peninsula. The city is positioned between the foothills of the Peninsular Ranges and the ocean. It maintains a relatively uniform topography and displays few variances in terrain.

Rosarito has historically been centered on tourism. It began with the Ortiz family's establishment of Rene's (Bar, Restaurant, Trailer Park and Motel) in 1925. Rene served his town holding the position Delegado (Mayor) more than any other politician in Rosarito.

Rene, a prominent businessman, helped create Rosarito from a ranch to a town which later became a city. When Rene was not able to serve his people any longer he chose as his successor Hugo Torres Chabert, a friend and owner of Hotel Rosarito.

While Prohibition was the law of the land, many U.S. residents began to cross the border into Mexico, where drinking was still legal. Tijuana seemed to attract a more speakeasy-oriented clientele, and Rosarito became a haven for the more well-heeled and Hollywood set.

Rosarito was visited by Hollywood film stars such as Orson Welles and Dolores del Río who were attracted by hunting (deer, quail and rabbit) and fishing (lobster, abalone).

While Rita Hayworth was married to Prince Aly Khan, son of Aga Khan III, the two would visit the Rosarito Beach Hotel, take over an entire floor, and bring their own staff, including a personal chef.

Other Hollywood visitors included Mickey Rooney, Ava Gardner, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. In early 2008, Britney Spears made a one-day trip to Rosarito in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi; she failed.

A descendant of Maria Luisa Chabert Uriarte, the young wife of Manuel P. Barbachano the founder of Rosarito Beach Hotel, her nephew Hugo Torres Chabert led the drive to incorporate the city in 1995, and was appointed to a three-year term as Mayor.

In 2007, Torres Chabert ran for election and was overwhelmingly elected to a new three-year term. The subject of rising crime rates and police corruption were major issues in the campaign.

Torres Chabert, as owner of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, was deeply concerned about the safety of tourists, and pledged strong action to deal with both issues.

In early 2008, both federal and state police were ordered into the city along with neighboring Tijuana to reinforce the city's efforts.

MEXICO: Tijuana Sex Tourism, People Who Look For It Know Where To Find It

Plans for a cheeky marketing campaign called “Flirty Tijuana” to promote the city’s red light district appear to have backfired, as Tijuana officials on Monday recast the effort as a low-key program to improve street lighting and security.

In an interview Friday with Síntesis TV, Miguel Angel Badiola, president of Tijuana’s tourism and convention committee, described a publicity campaign called “Tijuana Coqueta” that would promote the Zona Norte neighborhood, where streets and hotels for decades have been a city-regulated venue for prostitution. It would be aimed at visitors from Baja California, San Diego and eventually beyond.

The comments ignited a social media firestorm and a different kind of publicity for Tijuana’s “zona de tolerancia” — one of several nicknames for the district, which features street prostitutes, strip clubs and bars with topless dancers.

Badiola said Monday that the plan was devised independently by the Tijuana Association of Bars and Cantinas to make improvements to infrastructure in the Zona Norte district, such as street lighting, sewers, curbs and security cameras. Badiola said he spoke to the television crew assuming they knew those details. The city tourism committee issued a written apology to Tijuana’s mayor over the weekend, claiming the its initial comments were distorted by media.

Of the area’s prostitution business, he said, “that does not need promotion. The people who look for it know where to find it.”

In his TV interview, Badiola had described plans to promote the Zona Norte to tourists, eventually from elsewhere in the United States and other countries, without specifically mentioning prostitution.

“You cannot block the sun with a finger,” he said in the interview. “What better way to work with our hands and be able in some way to contribute to this change of image with this ‘Flirty Tijuana.’”

Tijuana Mayor Jorge Enrique Astiazarán surveyed the area last week, accompanied by television camera crews. He was asked by a reporter for Síntesis, “Can you promote the Zona Norte for tourists that come from other cities?”

“Only if everything is done respectfully, in order, then go ahead,” Astiazarán responded, while acknowledging both that sex tourism exists in the area and that local business owners have helped the city make street improvements.

That and other seemingly approving interviews — including one with San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President Jerry Sanders, a former city police chief — were juxtaposed with video footage of streetwalking prostitutes and table-top dancers in the Friday news segment aired by Síntesis. It declared that “for the first time, the City of Tijuana will promote the prostitution tolerance zone as a tourism site.”

On camera, however, Sanders spoke only generally about tourism and how campaigns for tourism can benefit the region. A spokeswoman for the San Diego chamber said Monday that Sanders does not support a campaign for Tijuana’s red light district.

The mayor’s office issued a statement saying that Astiazarán was not endorsing or even tacitly approving the Flirty Tijuana campaign. “There is no, nor will there be, any type of campaign that goes against who we are as Tijuanenses,” Astiazarán wrote on Facebook.

On the Facebook page for Síntesis, news about the Flirty Tijuana plan generated more than 500 comments, mainly of outrage or disbelief. Local reporters questioned Tijuana Catholic Archbishop Rafael Romo Muñoz, who called the plan “strange.”

Any publicity that hints at sex tourism is a traumatic reminder for Tijuana residents of the city’s reputation in the 1970s and 1980s as a seedy bastion of brothels and booze — before waves of gang violence drove most tourists away in the 2000s, said Victor Clark, a Tijuana native and professor at San Diego State University who takes his students on academic tours of the red light district.

“Tourism collapsed, and it’s slowly coming back to Tijuana,” said Clark. He said the red light district’s downtown location presents a public image challenge.

Authorities allow prostitution in an area of roughly six square blocks, with regulations by municipal health authorities. Prostitutes are required to pay for a health examination each month and an HIV test every three months.

Clark, in his role as president of the Binational Center for Human Rights, has lobbied for city improvements to the area that help ensure prostitutes are not preyed upon by criminals or extorted by corrupt police — without promoting prostitution.

Bar owners in the Zona Norte have proposed what would be a second round of street-scape improvements that would resolve complaints about trash, unlicensed street vendors and possibly provide security cameras that are used by police to monitor other Tijuana streets.

In response to the criticism and official denials, Síntesis posted unedited footage of its interviews with the mayor and tourism committee president and defended the accuracy and context of its reporting about the Flirty Tijuana campaign.

A news conference is scheduled for today by tourism officials and an association of bars and cantinas.