Jun 13 St. Kitts welcomes Air Canada expanded service
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS - For the first time in the island's history, Air Canada will serve St. Kitts for a full six months for the 2018-2019 peak season. The non-stop Saturday flights from Toronto will operate from November 3, 2018 all the way through April 27, 2019.
"This is an unprecedented air service expansion by Air Canada that marks yet another historic first for St. Kitts," said the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. "I could not be more pleased to welcome this additional flying, which expands the options for visitors and Diaspora from our key Canadian source market to get to island."
From November 3 through December 10, Air Canada will operate a 136-seat Airbus A319-100 Rouge aircraft with 124 economy class and 12 business class seats for the non-stop Saturday flights. From December 15, 2018 through April 27, 2019, Air Canada will operate a 200-seat Airbus A321-200 Rouge aircraft with 184 economy class and 16 business class seats for these flights.
"Air Canada's decision to expand service into St. Kitts is a testament to the strength of our growing tourism sector," said Racquel Brown, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. "As our airlift from North America expands to accommodate our recently announced new hotel developments and upgrades to existing hotel product which include all-inclusive options, Canadians now have a full range of vacation choices available. This is truly is a complement to our existing North American airlift and gives us significantly increased capacity for this season and beyond."
Air Canada first began serving St. Kitts non-stop on Fridays in peak season from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in 2011 and subsequently shifted to Saturday service. It is the island's only non-stop scheduled service from Canada. In previous years, the flight operated from late December through early April. With the expanded service, St. Kitts will receive an additional 6 weeks of non-stop flying that provides the potential for an increase in Canadian air passenger arrivals.
Source: https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/st-kitts-welcomes-air-canada-expanded-service
Mar 27 St Kitts & Nevis move ahead with geothermal project
A team of US researchers have confirmed that St Kitts and Nevis can move forward with a planned geothermal project on the volcanic island of Nevis.
According to Nevis Pages, a team from US company GeothermEX was contracted by Nevis Renewable Energy International (NREI) to assess a geothermal test well at Hamilton to determine whether there would be potential for a sustainable supply of geothermal energy.
The team said the situation looks promising.
Senior Reservoir Engineer Robert Stacy said the well shows positive temperature and flow levels.
"We are with the well flowing very nicely. High temperatures coming along and plenty of steam coming up from the resource. Very excited to see this. Plenty of energy has gone into this project to achieve what's culminating here today. Very happy to be here to make this become a reality."
"The resource so far looks very promising. High temperatures down at resource at commercial grades to produce power. Right now we are preparing to go in and measure those to quantify how much resource it is and how best to develop the resource here," he said.
GeothermEX, a subsidiary of Schlumberger Company, focuses on geothermal energy testing.
NREI CEO, Bruce Cuthright, said that the people of Nevis have waited for five years to get to this stage, adding that the project as a difficult but a rewarding one.
"It has been a tough project to work on. We know that the people of Nevis have been waiting 10 years to see this flow rate that is behind us."
"This will transform the island," he said.
Cuthright said the project has the potential to supply energy for the whole island.
He added that the testing operations at Hamilton are completed and drilling for the production wells on the site are expected to begin late this summer.
NREI was contracted by the Nevis Island Administration some time ago to harness the island's geothermal energy.
Nevis Peak, the island's potentially active volcano, has had no eruptions since prehistory. However, there are active fumaroles and hot springs on the coastal slopes of the island, which represent low-level volcanic activity.
At present, Costa Rica is the only other country in the Caribbean region that produces geothermal energy.
Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 24 countries, while geothermal heating is in use in 70 countries.
Geothermal power is considered to be a sustainable, renewable source of energy because the heat extraction is small compared with the Earth's heat content.
Source: http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/st-kitts-nevis-moves-ahead-geothermal-project-3
Mar 23 St. Kitts-Nevis announces new CBI programme options
From the press unity in the Office of the Prime Minister
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - With the Hurricane Relief Fund (HRF), a temporary investment option under the country's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme, set to expire at the end of this month, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis has announced plans for the introduction of two new options that "will further invigorate [their] CBI programme."
In a national address March 20, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Minister of Finance the Honourable Dr. Timothy Harris said the Hurricane Relief Fund was a highly successful initiative that exceeded all expectations, while noting that there are still a number of applications that are being processed under this fund.
However, with the HRF coming to an end within a matter of days, Prime Minister Harris said a new fund, to be called the Sustainable Growth Fund, will be launched as its successor.
"The Sustainable Growth Fund for a single applicant will require a contribution of US$150,000, inclusive of government fees," he said. "The contribution for a family of up to four will be US$195,000, following incremental steps."
Harris noted that the monies collected under this investment offering will invest in sustainable areas that "will benefit every citizen and resident of St. Kitts and Nevis - [in] health care, education, alternative energy, heritage, infrastructure, tourism and culture, climate change and resilience, and the promotion of indigenous entrepreneurship."
Furthermore, Prime Minister Harris also announced plans for the introduction of a revised real estate offering under the country's economic citizenship programme.
"In order to attract luxury resort developments, there is now being proposed another option where real estate offering that requires a US$400,000 investment may attract two applicants at US$200,000, each plus government fees, but this can only be resold after seven years," he said, adding, "we have given favourable consideration to the recommendation by real estate developers for existing developments to qualify for inclusion in the new option."
Prime Minister Harris stressed that this new offering will not replace the existing real estate investment option priced at US$400,000, plus US$75,000 in government fees, and which can still be resold after five years.
These impending changes to the CBI programme came about following an exhaustive consultative process between the federal government, developers and other stakeholders on the way forward for the citizenship programme. Harris assured all that the country's Citizenship by Investment Programme will continue to employ the strictest vetting procedures that have led to St. Kitts and Nevis' CBI programme being recognised throughout the world as the platinum standard.
"We will maintain our very high standards of integrity, rigour and robust due diligence," he said. "The due diligence standards of St. Kitts and Nevis are ranked among the highest in the world. St. Kitts and Nevis not only has the oldest citizenship-by-investment programme in the world, but the most highly regarded. This success was endorsed by the 2018 Passport Index of Henley and Partners, which ranked our programme as No. 1 in the region."
In 2017, St. Kitts and Nevis was also recognized internationally for offering the "World's Most Innovative Investment Immigration Programme" at the Russian Global Citizen Awards ceremony held at Moscow's prestigious Ritz Carlton Hotel. This annual event recognizes the best governments, companies and individuals who have excelled in investment, freedom of movement and residence services.
Source: https://www.thestkittsnevisobserver.com/local-news/st-kitts-nevis-announces-new-cbi-programme-options/
Mar 01 Lineup Set for St Kitts Music Festival
By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor
The St Kitts Tourism Authority has released the roster of musical artists who will be performing at the 22nd Annual St Kitts Music Festival.
The festival will take place from June 27 - July 1, 2018.
"We are extremely pleased to have such an exciting and diverse range of artists confirmed to perform in this year's St Kitts Music Festival," said Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. "Each year, we strive to feature a variety of musical genres that appeal to both international and local audiences. This year continues that tradition, so we expect another dynamic event with a wealth of outstanding and memorable performances."
Thursday, June 28 will feature Soca Fusion: Nu Vybes & Small Axe, Spice, Destra, KES The Band and Nailah Blackman.
Friday, June 29 will feature Sizzla, Kalonji, August Alsina, Wayne Wonder, Chacka Demus & Pliers, Dejout and Byron Messia.
Finally, Saturday will feature Fetty Wap, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Patti LaBelle and Rhythm of the Beat.
On the evening of Wednesday, June 27, the Music Festival will kick off with a welcome reception hosted at the Christophe Harbour Marina followed by an Escape Fete held at the Salt Plage beach lounge.
Following the three nights of performances, the event will close with the White Sands white party at Carambola Beach Club on Sunday, July 1.
Source: https://www.caribjournal.com/2018/02/27/lineup-set-st-kitts-music-festival/
Sep 22 St. Kitts is Open and Welcoming Travelers
Basseterre, St. Kitts (September 22, 2017) - St. Kitts is pleased to report that initial assessments have been completed and the island is resuming normal operations, as it was fortunate to escape major damage from the passage of Hurricane Maria to its south on Tuesday afternoon.
All hotels in St. Kitts are fully operational and those properties that do not engage in regular seasonal closures are open and servicing guests. St. Kitts' Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) reopened and began welcoming flights on September 20. The Port Zante cruise pier did not sustain damage and St. Kitts is scheduled to welcome two vessels tomorrow - Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Fascination and Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas. Park Hyatt remains on track to debut in November.
We continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to our Caribbean brothers and sisters in those islands which took a direct hit from Maria and to everyone who has been or will be impacted by the storm. Our sincere thanks to those who have kept St. Kitts & Nevis in their hearts and prayers.
For anyone wishing to donate to the recovery efforts of those destinations that sustained more severe damage from the hurricane, two official Caribbean Relief Funds are:
The Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund - www.tourismcares.org/caribbean
The Caribbean Tourism Association Hurricane Relief Fund - www.gofundme.com/hurricane-relief-fund-cto.
For the most recent updates on Maria, please refer to the National Hurricane Center. For more information about St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn.
# # #
Source:
Copyright © 2011 St. Christopher Club Group. All rights reserved. | Website Design, Coding and Maintenance by: Yes, This Big
St. Christopher Club Group, Frigate Bay P.O. BOX 570 St. Kitts, West Indies.
Telephone (869) 465-4854 | (305) 400-2011 Fax (869) 465-6466