Destinations

On The Radar

St-Kitts-small-Aug22

Agents with clients looking for an upscale vacation experience will want to keep St. Kitts on their radar as the Caribbean island is on the verge of gaining two luxury hotel options that will be found in distinctly different settings.

December will see the opening of the first phase of Kittitian Hill, which will have 97 guests units. Later phases will feature villas and private homes.

And next year will see the arrival of a Park Hyatt, which Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said will be a beachfront property, unlike Kittitian Hill, which will have a rainforest setting.

The Park Hyatt will be the only one in the English Caribbean. Brown told a Toronto audience Thursday that her destination has shunned mass tourism.

“St. Kitts is the only Caribbean island that remains quintessential… When you go, it is time for you to decompress and relax.”

Unusual experiences can include riding a “choo-choo train” that among other things showcases what once were sugar plantations and homes of those who became wealthy through the sugar industry. Brown said tourist safety isn’t an issue on St. Kitts, nor is tourist harassment.

Air Canada Vacations sends people to St. Kitts in the December-April period. Tourism officials are hopeful that St. Kitts will see 10,000 Canadians this year.

Pictured (l-r) are Brown, Carolyn James of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and Candice Kimmel of Adams Unlimited.