Category Archives: Private Islands

Update prepared by Christopher Harlowe (Partner, Cayman Islands) and Harry Rasmussen (Senior Associate, Cayman Islands)

The Private Funding of Legal Services Act, 2020 (the Act), which came into force on 1 May 2021,1 codifies the rules that apply to litigation funding in the Cayman Islands, which had previously been determined on a case-by-case basis by the court including by reference to the anachronistic principles of champerty and maintenance. The widened access to litigation funding introduced by the Act brings the Cayman Islands into line with onshore jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and the United States which have well-developed litigation funding markets and providers. The Act provides welcome certainty for litigants looking to manage the expense of litigating in the Cayman Islands.

There are three types of litigation funding agreements: i) Conditional Fee Agreements, in which the client pays an uplift on the attorney's standard fees if the claim succeeds but nothing if the case is lost; (ii) Contingency Fee Agreements, in which the attorney receives a percentage of the sum(s) recovered by the client if the claim succeeds, and nothing if the case is lost; and (iii) Third Party Funding Agreements, where a third party agrees to fund all or part of the costs of a client's case in exchange for payment on agreed terms.

History of litigation funding in the Cayman Islands

Historically, the main obstacles to the use of litigation funding in the Cayman Islands were the archaic English doctrines of champerty and maintenance, which remained both crimes and torts in Cayman until they were repealed with the introduction of the Act.

In recent years, the Cayman Islands courts have taken a pragmatic approach, having established useful guidelines for litigants looking to use Third Party Funding Agreements.2 The Cayman courts were also sympathetic to the use of Conditional Fee Agreements by liquidators to pursue meritorious claims that could not otherwise be pursued for want of funding. While helpful, these guidelines still required each case to be considered individually on its merits. The introduction of the Act specifies the circumstances in which litigation funding, including on a contingency fee basis (which was previously unavailable), is available to litigants, generally without court approval.

The key elements of the Act

Champerty and maintenance

Section 17 of the Act repeals the offences of champerty and maintenance under the common law, save where the cause of action accrued before the Act comes into force, so this provision does not have retrospective effect.

'Contingency fee agreements'

The Act permits the use of 'contingency fee agreements', save in respect of criminal (or quasi-criminal) proceedings, or proceedings in respect of the care of a child or any order under the Children Act.

Section 3 of the Act essentially defines a contingency fee agreement as an agreement in which the remuneration paid to the attorney for their legal services provided to or on behalf of the client is contingent, in whole or in part, on the successful outcome of the matter at hand. This definition therefore encompasses both Conditional Fee Agreements and Contingency Fee Agreements (as described above).

The Act and the Private Funding of Legal Services Regulations, 2021 (the Regulations) together specify certain limits on the success fee payable and what portion of a successful client's recovery can be paid to the attorney pursuant to a Conditional Fee Agreement and a Contingency Fee Agreement, as follows:

The above said, an attorney may enter into a either a Conditional Fee Agreement or a Contingency Fee Agreement which provides for the payment to the attorney of a larger amount than the specified percentages if the agreement to do so is approved by the court. Such an application must be brought jointly by the attorney and the client within 90 days of the execution of the agreement. The Act specifies the considerations the court will have regard to when determining such an application, which include the nature and complexity of the value of the proceedings. Notably, in determining such an application, the court cannot approve a contingency fee which exceeds 40 per cent of the total amount awarded, of any amount obtained by the client or of the value of any property recovered in the proceedings.

The Act further stipulates that any award of costs or costs recovered must be excluded when calculating the fee payable to an attorney under a Conditional Fee Agreement or Contingency Fee Agreement unless prior court approval to the contrary has been obtained.

The Act also includes a number of procedural requirements in relation to Conditional Fee Agreements and Contingency Fee Agreements, including as to their form and content, client cooling-off periods and the impact on costs. Notably, section 12 of the Act requires that a Conditional Fee Agreement or Contingency Fee Agreement must be first approved by the court (before payment to the attorney) where it is made by a client in a fiduciary capacity, including in their capacity of guardian, attorney or trustee under a deed or will.

Litigation funding agreements

The Act makes separate, albeit relatively brief, provision for litigation funding agreements (i.e. Third-Party Funding Agreements).

The only conditions prescribed by the Act regarding the entry of Third Party Funding Agreements are that: the agreement shall be in writing; the agreement shall comply with prescribed requirements, ' if any', and that the sum to be paid by the client to the funder shall consist of either any costs payable to the client in respect of the proceedings to which the agreement relates together with an amount calculated by reference to the funder's anticipated expenditure in funding the provision of the services, or a percentage of the amount or the value of the property recovered in the action or proceedings to which the agreement relates. There are as yet no prescribed requirements under the Act, and none have been proposed by the

Cayman Law Reform Commission but the Act makes allowance for such requirements in the future, which may cover matters such as information to be provided by a litigation funder to a client before the agreement is made or impose different requirements for different types of Third Party Funding Agreements.

Comment

Certain forms of litigation funding agreements have been available to litigants in the Cayman Islands for over a decade, albeit often subject to the approval of the Judges in the Financial Services Division of the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. The codification of the guidelines applicable to these types of fee agreements provides greater certainty for litigants wishing to rely on them without having to obtain the prior approval of the court (in most cases). The new availability of Contingency Fee Agreements (ie an agreement allowing the attorney to retain an agreed percentage of the client's recovery) marks a leap forward for the jurisdiction, and one that brings the Cayman Islands into line with competing common law jurisdictions.

Interestingly, and consistent with the position in England, the Law Reform Commission has not proposed any specific set of regulations governing the provision of third party litigation funding, for now favouring self-regulation over a more prescriptive approach. Consequently, we expect to see the market for these services in the Cayman Islands develop at pace.

Read the original here:

Private Funding of Legal Services Act, 2020: the codification and expansion of litigation funding in the Cayman Islands - Lexology

Americans will soon be able to the sail the open sea once again, after COVID-19 shut down the cruise industry.

But how will these first cruises compare to the pre-pandemic experience? According to travel experts, that will depend on whether or not you are vaccinated.

On Wednesday, Celebrity Cruises became the first cruise line to have one of its ships receive the green light from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to resume operations out of a U.S. port. The Celebrity Edge is set to sail out of Port Everglades in Florida on June 26 for a seven-night cruise around the Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises became the first cruise line to have one of its ships receive the green light from the CDC.

Celebrity, which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises RCL, +3.20%, will require passengers over the age of 16 to be vaccinated fully against COVID-19. Starting in August, that mandate will extend to travelers 12 years and older.

It is not yet clear how the mandate will work for ships sailing out of ports in Florida, since Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, issued an executive order earlier this year prohibiting businesses from requiring proof of vaccination from customers.

Its a major milestone for the cruise industry, which has been prohibited from sailing out of U.S. ports since last year as a result of the pandemic. Someday is here, Celebrity President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo tweeted TWTR, -0.97% to celebrate the news.

Celebrity wont be alone for long. In a Facebook FB, +0.12% post, Royal Caribbean CEO and President Michael Bayley announced the company had received CDC approval to do a simulated sailing of the Freedom of the Seas. Boom! he exclaimed in the post.

Anything that happens on these first few sailings could be modified for future sailings.

Cruise lines have ramped up their technology offerings in recent years, including the development of mobile apps that allow people to use their phones to open their staterooms or order a drink. These mobile apps could become more important in the COVID era.

The one thing cruise passengers can be sure of for the foreseeable future, at least is that nothing is set in stone. As the pandemic evolves, requirements will change. Travelers should be prepared, even for circumstances to change while onboard.

For instance, a country could decide to halt international arrivals before the ship has the opportunity to make the port-of-call. Additionally, dont expect policies from one ship to carry over to another. Anything that happens on these first few sailings could be modified for future sailing, said Stewart Chiron, a travel industry expert.

Last October, the CDC released its first guidance on the policies it expected cruise lines to follow to resume operations, which it has since updated on multiple occasions as the circumstances of the pandemic have changed.

Before October, the public-health agency had issued no-sail orders that banned cruise ships from operating.

Under the CDCs latest set of guidelines, cruise operators essentially have two options:

Other companies are also quickly ramping operations back up again. Norwegian Cruise Line NCLH, +2.70% has signaled its plans to resume operations later this year, and three cruise lines owned by Carnival Corp. CCL, +2.00% Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line are planning to begin offering cruises between Seattle and Alaska again later this summer.

In other regions of the world, cruise lines have already resumed operations, including in Europe and Southeast Asia. In some cases, a small number of passengers onboard these ships have tested positive for COVID-19, though no major outbreaks have been tied to cruise lines in recent months.

However, the cruise industry came under serious scrutiny at the start of the pandemic when ships were associated with super-spreader events.

Heres what travelers can expect from these first sailings out of the U.S. since the pandemic began:

The newest guidelines from the CDC for cruise ships with vaccinated passengers, released in late May, reflect the new recommendations the agency has made on the land. Much like how vaccinated Americans can return to normal life and dont need to wear masks or social distance in most settings, the same is now true for them on fully-vaccinated cruise ships.

For vaccinated people going on a cruise, its going to seem a lot like it did before the pandemic, said Chris Gray Faust, managing editor at travel website Cruise Critic.

Vaccinated passengers will not be required to get COVID tests prior to or after their trips. And travelers wont need to worry about putting their masks on during long meals, at the casino, during a spa treatment or while seeing a show on the ship.

For vaccinated people going on a cruise, its going to seem a lot like it did before the pandemic.

Its really appealing for people because its an environment where they know everybodys going to be vaccinated, Gray Faust said.

Of course, if a vaccinated American opts to go on a cruise that isnt requiring people be inoculated against COVID, they wont have these same luxuries but they may have areas where they can relax and take the mask off. The CDC allows cruise lines to designate parts of these general-access ships to be only for people who are fully vaccinated, including casinos, bars or restaurants.

No cruise lines have announced plans to do this yet, but its likely some will, according to Gray Faust. The cruise lines have been working with the CDC to develop these guidelines.

To get approval from the CDC to sail ships where fewer than 95% of passengers will be vaccinated, cruise lines must run simulated voyages with volunteer passengers, such as the upcoming sailing with Royal Caribbeans Freedom of the Seas.

To date, more than 250,000 people have volunteered to participate in our return to sailing efforts, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said. There are logistics to figure out and we will share details once they have been worked through.

But the guidelines shared by the CDC provide a glimpse of what the experience may be like for these volunteers. Passengers on these ships must either present proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19 using a vaccine authorized in the U.S. or by the World Health Organization. Failing that, they must present a certified statement that they dont have medical conditions that would place them at high risk of a severe case of COVID-19.

The voyages can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days, and must include an overnight stay. The voyages will act as tests for the cruise lines policies for embarkation, disembarkation, dining, entertainment and medical treatment. Ships can visit private islands or engage in port-of-call excursions, but mask wearing and social distancing are expected.

Travelers will be expected to be tested on the day they board, the day they get off the ship, and once more within 3 to 5 days after the trip to ensure the virus did not spread.

What travelers can do when the ship makes port in different countries will largely depend on that locations own rules. Travel expert Chiron is set to participate in Celebritys first sailing out of St. Maarten since the pandemic began on June 6. The ship will visit Aruba and Curacao, but what passengers can do at each stop varies.

Im told that in Curacao they are requiring passengers to take the cruise line tours to remain in the bubble, Chiron said. Where, in Aruba, which is the second port, there theyre allowing passengers to be on their own.

Some locations may also have rules requiring people to have a recent COVID test before disembarking.

As for apps, Royal Caribbean has expanded the online check-in features, so that guests can select a scheduled time that they will board the ship. This will help eliminate crowds by managing the ebb-and-flow in parking lots, drop-off areas and terminals to allow for physical distancing from car to stateroom, the company said.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean is reinventing how the muster process works. During a muster drill, guests are familiarized with the safety procedures on each ship and what to do in the case of an emergency. Typically, these drills were done in person with most of the ships passengers assembled at once.

Passengers on Royal Caribbean ships wont need to congregate for an in-person muster drill.

Now, the cruise line is offer eMuster technology guests can get the information they need on their mobile app or on the stateroom TV to complete the briefing. And then they are asked to check in at their assigned muster station before the ship sets sail. The new process will reduce physical interaction, the company noted.

Other cruise lines have gone a step further in using technology in light of COVID. Some cruise lines in Europe have implemented contact-tracing devices among passengers to monitor peoples actions in case a passenger falls ill, Gray Faust said.

Read the original here:

Cruises are finally returning to U.S. ports here's what will be different post-COVID - MarketWatch

Its just a 10-minute seaplane or 45-minute speedboat trip from Mals Velana International Airport up to the Fari Islands archipelago in the North Mal Atoll, where the first Ritz-Carlton property in the Maldives opened June 1. The all-villa resort offers everything youd want in a tropical getawaywhite sand beaches, crystal-blue lagoons, overwater and beachfront accommodationsas well as the type of elevated offerings you would expect from the luxury brand. As seen in these exclusive first-look photos, its all wrapped up in a striking, modern design by the late Australian architect Kerry Hill, who took inspiration for the spherical buildings from the circular forms of the lagoon, the swirling ocean breezes and the cyclical nature of island life.

With seemingly every major luxury brand already operating in the Maldives, it is noteworthy that Ritz-Carlton is just now entering that market. Expanding into this destination is something we have had our eye on for a long time, as we continue to evolve our portfolio, [and this] is the perfect moment for us to debut in the Maldives, as luxury travelers continue to seek out opportunities for meaningful exploration and reconnection, as well as destinations that offer access to open spaces and natural beauty, Donna McNamara, vice president and global brand leader for Ritz-Carlton, tells Robb Report.

The beachfront options include two-bedroom villas with pools.The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

When asked how Ritz-Carlton might differentiate itself from the other five-star options in the country, McNamara says that thoughtful expansion remains a top priority for the brand. We want every Ritz-Carlton property to be the gateway for immersion into the unique cultures where we operate. I love that from the moment you arrive at the resort, you feel deeply connected to the destination. McNamara further notes that as the Maldives offers so much more than a stunning physical environment, [the resort is] focused on bringing the rich culture to life for our guests.

The circular spa floats above the turquoise lagoon.The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

To help make these connections to the destination, guests of each of the 100 overwater or beachfront villas will enjoy the round-the-clock services of a dedicated aris meeha, or personal butler, who can organize activities such as Maldivian cooking classes, traditional drum performances timed to sunset, beach cricket matches or kids arts and craft sessions. Along with featuring organic products from UK-based Bamford, the ring-shaped, nine-room spawhich floats over the lagoonperforms signature treatments using local ingredients like heated sand, fresh coconut and native herbs. Guests of all ages will also be able to engage with the underwater world around the resorthome to a resident pod of dolphinsvia activities led by experts from Jean-Michel Cousteaus Ambassadors of the Environment program, with which Ritz-Carlton has had a longtime partnership.

Many of the villas offer direct access to the lagoon or ocean.The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

The resorts four sections include a dedicated culinary island, home to seven restaurants featuring dishes from Japan, Italy, India, Lebanon and China; the Cantonese-focused Summer Pavilion is an outpost of the Michelin-starred Singapore eatery by the same name. A large kids club, tennis courts, a photography studio (offering equipment rental and a range of classes) and areas for water sports round out the facilities, while the villas themselves feature private pools (the three-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Estate has two), indoor-outdoor showers, al fresco lounging space anddepending on their locationdirect beach access or overwater hammocks. To help honor the destination further, the resort was designed to minimize impact on the reef ecosystem through the use of pre-fabricated materials and construction techniques, and solar panels, glazing and other sustainable methods have been employed to help lower the carbon footprint. Rates start at $1,500 a night for one-bedroom villas, $4,400 a night for two-bedroom villas and $22,500 per night for the Ritz-Carlton Estate.

See more here:

First Look: The Ritz-Carlton Opens Its First Resort in the Maldives - Robb Report

If youre planning to travel to the Maldives heres what youll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Maldives reopened borders to all travelers from all countries on July 15, 2020. The primary exception to this is the tightly packed capital city of Mal, which is off-limits to visitors as it has been the source of the majority of the countrys coronavirus cases.

This is the couples destination to end all others luxury hotels set on private islands, with rooms cantilevered over the water, just in case a walk to the beach is too much effort.

From May 13, travelers from South Asia are temporarily banned from entering the Maldives.

The new rules apply to all visa holders from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, as well as those who have transited those countries in the past two weeks.

However, the Maldives is open to visitors from all other destinations, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid test.

Travelers from the UK are currently subject to a 10-day quarantine.

The Maldives was one of the rare travel successes of 2020, and it looks like that trend is continuing for 2021.

There were over 140 resorts and over 330 guesthouses open and serving international visitors as of late February.

The destination has launched a loyalty program that rewards regular visitors with points based on the frequency and duration of their trips. Those who rack up lots of points will be bumped up to various elite status levels that offer advantages including hotel discounts.

All arrivals other than Maldives citizens and those who are fully vaccinated must present a certificate of a negative PCR test carried out within the 96 hours prior to departure, clearly showing the name and address of the laboratory, as well as the date of the sample taken.

The result must be attached to the Traveler Health Declaration form which must be submitted online within the 24 hours prior to arrival. Visitors are asked to download the national contact tracing app, TraceEkee, and use it during their journey.

Tourists are allowed to split stays between hotels. However, if you spend more than 48 hours in the Greater Mal area, you must take another PCR test before moving elsewhere.

Since the discovery of the new UK variant in late December, all travelers arriving from the UK, including transiting passengers, must undergo a 10-day quarantine.

From April 20, fully vaccinated tourists are not required to submit a negative PCR test on arrival or adhere to any quarantine restrictions provided they present proof that their second dose of a vaccine recognized by the World Health Organization was administered at least two weeks prior to travel.

Those who are arriving to work in health facilities, day care centers, schools and residential care services are required to present a negative PCR test on arrival regardless of their vaccination status.

Travelers visiting an island where 60% of the population (including tourist resort/guesthouse and hotel islands) are fully vaccinated will be exempt from quarantine measures.

The Maldives has reported a total of 60,943 coronavirus cases and 151 deaths as of May 28.

While the figures remain relatively low for the most part, Covid-19 cases jumped from around 100 to over 1,500 in the space of a month, prompting a short-term ban on visitors from South Asia on May 13.

However, numbers are continuing to rise, with a record 2,194 cases reported on May 20.

The country began its roll-out of the India-made AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine on February 1. Hospitality workers were included in the first round of citizens to get vaccinated. Nearly 470,00 people in the Maldives had received their first dose of the vaccine as of May 28.

Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, the Maldivian Minister of Tourism, has confirmed that the Maldives is developing a Visit, Vaccinate and Vacation scheme named 3V that would allow visitors to receive a Covid-19 vaccine on arrival.

The program wont go ahead until the countrys entire population, estimated at just under 550,000, has been fully vaccinated.

The Maldives are selling themselves as a destination offering a normal vacation, thanks to the isolation of most hotels and the fact that the vast majority of visitors stay in-resort rather than venture out.

This means that while locals are subject to restrictions, those going to and from the airport are exempt. Split stays between different hotels are allowed, if the hotels meet government requirements. Requests for split stays must be made to the Ministry of Tourism at least 48 hours before travel.

Expect also for your resort to have some rules especially a temperature check on arrival, and masks to be worn indoors. As most items in shops must be shipped to the Maldives, some things can get pricey you should bring things like masks and hand sanitizer with you to avoid spending while on the island chain.

imuga.immigration.gov.mv

Tourist board Covid-19 updates

Ministry of Health latest figures

Learn how wealthy Indians have been shut out of the Maldives due to the temporary ban on South Asian travelers, and why the destination is hoping to lure travelers with vaccines on arrival.

Wondering what its like to visit right now? Read this piece, which details the pandemic vacation experience.

If youre planning your trip, check out our list of the best dining experiences. And meet the Maldives barefoot pilots. And if a travel bubble is what you want, youre in luck the Waldorf Astoria Maldives has just revealed its latest property, a Maldivian private island called Ithaafushi, available for a cool $80,000 a night.

Link:

Traveling to the Maldives during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go - KRDO

AS THE ART MARKET shifts away from nearly exclusively centering Europe and North America to recognizing the contributions of artists in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, a new art fair is showcasing a region that remans woefully under-appreciatedthe Caribbean and Atlantic Islands.

The Atlantic World Art Fair debuted online May 31 and is live through Jun 21 on Artsy. Dozens of artists are showcased from Aruba, the Azores, the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, and their diasporas. Nine galleries are participating, presenting more than 250 works of art in a range of mediums.

All of the galleries are women-led and three are Black-ownedGallery Alma Blou in Willemstad, Curaao; Frame Centre Gallery in Kingston, Jamaica; and Black Pony Gallery in Hamilton, Bermuda.

CARLO WALL, Hanchi Vi Coco, 2020 (satin Aluminum print, 23 3/5 15 7/10 inches / 60 40 cm), Editions 1-10 of 10. | Carlo Wall, Courtesy the artist and Gallery Alma Blou, $525

Lisa Howie, owner of Black Pony, envisioned the event, which is exclusively online. She views the Atlantic World Art Fair as a platform for artists and galleries to reach a wider audience of collectors and curators and an opportunity to connect the region to the larger art world.

This is an opportunity for us to educate and develop appreciation for the contemporary works being created in the area, Howie told Culture Type.

Born in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, Howie said she has had two careers. Her first was teaching literature for more than a dozen years. Her instruction method was rooted in using artwork as the entre point before diving deeper into the literature. She taught in Canadian private schools while earning a masters degree in education at the University of Toronto and in public and private schools in Bermuda, where she moved in 1993.

Howies father is Canadian and her mother is Bermudian. She first visited Bermuda as a child with her parents and was so taken with the island she didnt want to return home. A dual citizen of Canada and Bermuda, Howie was finally able to settle in Bermuda and make this my place, she said, post graduate school.

Her second career, unfolding over the past 15 years, has focused on giving a voice to Bermudian artists, engendering local engagement and support for the arts, and putting the Bermudian art scene on the global stage. After a few years serving as education director at the Bermuda National Gallery, she was named executive director (2009-17).

In 2019, she joined the National Museum of Bermuda, where she works part-time as director of learning and engagement. That same year, she founded Black Pony Gallery, an online commercial space. Howie is working with artists from Bermuda, the Azores, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba. One of the goals of her gallery program is to seed connections between Bermuda and the wider Atlantic world.

For generations, individual artists from the region have gained international profiles, Mara Magdalena Campos-Pons (Cuba), Maksaens Denis (Haiti), Tessa Mars (Haiti), Ebony G. Patterson (Jamaica), and Tavares Strachan (Bahamas), among the more recent examples. The Caribbean/Atlantic Islands as a regional market and a site of cultural production, however, remains largely unfamiliar. With the art fair, Howie hopes to help change that.

Culture Type connected with Howie by phone in advance of the opening to learn more about the Atlantic World Art Fair, her vision for the event, the network shes building, and artistic production in the region:

CULTURE TYPE: What is the concept for the Atlantic World Art Fair? What do you hope to provide the artists and the galleries and bring to collectors and the wider public?

LISA HOWIE: Ive got very clear goals. One, is to make sure, Hey, does the world actually know we exist? Do they know what we create? Do they know that the expressions are not simply what they mightve seen in an airport, these kind of quote-unquote tourist paintings, without any disrespect to those artists? The first goal really is to make sure we get the education appreciation development going.

From there, with this wide outreach with Artsy, yes, we want to make money. We need the capital desperately. The cultural ecosystems are extremely fragile. Thanks to COVID and the lack of our tourism industry, the populations decreased. It isnt all about capital, though.

My third goal is around relationship building, first with the galleries that have come on board. Weve been all working independently in semi-isolation with decades of experience. Weve never had a form of exchange. Im hoping that the fair will lead to an association, potentially labeled Atlantic World Arts Association. I really want to see how the galleries can work together and string the lights between the events. We are already thinking and working on exhibitions together. Relationship building toward collectors. Relationship building, even with yourself, everybody whos interested on the media side.

Weve been all working independently in semi-isolation with decades of experience. Weve never had a form of exchange so Im hoping that the fair will lead to an association, potentially labeled Atlantic World Arts Association.

Tell me about the galleries that are participating. Galerie Monnin in Haiti was founded in the mid-1950s and Frame Centre Gallery and Olympia Gallery in Jamaica, both opened in the early 1970s as brick-and-mortar spaces. Then your Bermudian gallery was established in 2019, exclusively online. Theres quite a range. How did you assemble the group? Who are the participating galleries?

Weve announced it on the Instagram where you kind of have a sense of who they are. Some of them are completely new to me. Im grateful to my relationship with Amanda Coulson at TERN Gallery. (Coulson previously served as executive director of the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas.) Shes new as a gallery space. And my relationship with, Holly Bynoe and Annalee Davis at Sour Grass, which is a hybrid cultural agency space. They just launched their website. Their work has been much more about artist residency programs and looking at opportunities that are more curatorial. Susanne Fredricks of Suzie Wong Presents is the only one who lived on Artsy, at least at the time, when I got everybody together.

Through my conversations with them, those were the starting points, getting them on board. Then it became the brainstorm with them and others that I know in the region. From there it was literally me cold calling, cold emailing saying, Hey, would you be interested in this fair? I positioned this with Artsy to be a 2022 product and they came back saying, This is brilliant. It must be done immediately. Pull it off if you can please. So I basically rallied this since March 2nd to today. (Artsy confirmed to Culture Type that this was indeed the case and that it felt an urgency to support the scene.)

I positioned this with Artsy to be a 2022 product and they came back saying, This is brilliant. It must be done immediately. Pull it off if you can please.'

NYUGEN E. SMITH, Bundlehouse High Tide S.O.S., 2018 (oil Pastel, plastic, acrylic, graphite, colored pencil, collage, fabric on paper, 30 22 inches / 76.2 55.9 cm) | Nyugen E. Smith, Courtesy the artist and Suzie Wong Presents, $3,500

TERESA KIRBY SMITH, Zigzag, 2020 (archival inkjet print, 30 30 inches / 76.2 76.2 cm), Editions 1-5 of 5 + 2AP. | Teresa Kirby Smith, Courtesy the artist and Black Pony Gallery, $3,300

The pandemic has opened many opportunities to connect online and increased peoples willingness to do so. Whereas large international art fairs migrated to online viewing rooms out of necessity to continue their operations, the digital space offers an accessible entry point for a smaller art fair to launch a brand-new venture. Can you talk about starting the Atlantic World Art Fair online, turning a business challenge into a business opportunity?

Well, we obviously transcend all barriers, excluding access to the internet and of course, ones financial reservoir, if theyre purchasing. The very fact that we can in essence visit multiple islands in one virtual space is actually something, thats impossible to do. Yesterday, Amanda (Coulson) was reminding us that for her to go through The Bahamas, even to Cayman, she has to take off several days because we have to fly through Miami. Everything involves a step forward to step back. There arent any hovercrafts jumping through the islands. Its very challenging even for us to negotiate our relationships with our own families and our colleagues, island to island. Just imagine if you were a traveler, youre interested in discovering new works, how are you going to get to all those places?

The fair really takes away any of those issues related to travel and financing the exorbitant fees that go along with short haul flights. Of course, now with COVID and restrictions related to quarantining and everything else, were just hopefully landing in your living room and the comfort of your chair of choice for you to have an experience with us. Perhaps it recreates memories from your island visits. Perhaps it instigates an interest to return. Perhaps it will evolve considerations that the island is a space of culture and that when they visit, they can also do exploration, not just go to the beach or retreat to the bar. Were really hoping that the bigger picture too is that the Atlantic World Art Fair will help to evolve mindsets around where and how culture is created in our region.

Perhaps it instigates an interest to return. Perhaps it will evolve considerations that the island is a space of culture and that when they visit, they can also do exploration, not just go to the beach or retreat to the bar.

JOIRI MINAYA, Container #2, 2016 (archival pigment print on Epson Legacy photography paper, 36 24 inches / 91.4 61 cm), Editions 2, 3 of 5. | Joiri Minaya, Courtesy the artist and Sour Grass, $1,800

LISANDRA SURIEL, Birth of Paradise: The New World, From Ghost Island series, circa 2018 (digital photograph, 33 9/10 43 3/10 inches / 86 110 cm), Editions 2, 3 of 5. | Lisandro Suriel, Courtesy the artist and Sour Grass Gallery, $2,100

How do you define the Atlantic world?

The language of it really is thinking about current historiography redressing the geographic frames that have narrowed the discussion. The Haitian Revolution is without question one of the most important events of our hemisphere. The ripple effect of that and its impact on Bermuda was felt immediately. We have documentation, legislation that reacts preemptively to a revolution that hadnt even happened here. The strident reaction, holding on to and maintaining the repressive institution of the transatlantic slave trade, that is all a part of our Atlantic narrative, whether the colonizer is moving from Portugal down to Brazil or we are enslaved Africans who are moving across the Atlantic.

This corridor, this Atlantic space is the geography by which the culture has interconnected. I guess Im trying to address the limitation of geography and connect with contemporary historiography that the narrative on the Atlantic world as a space is one thats being reconsidered in terms of all of these networks that transcend just that middle-band region called the Caribbean.

There are some shared histories, but its certainly not a homogenous region. Given this, how would you characterize the regions participation in the wider contemporary art world up to this point?

We are such a diverse pool. We are being narrowed through the limitations of Artsy as an English-speaking platform. However, Gallery Alma Blou coming out of Curacao is Dutch, right? Suriname is such a complex space. Readytex Art Gallery is based there. Im learning about that complexity of how many cultures are actually making up who and what they are. While were coming off as almost kind of like the English, the Anglophone Caribbean were also at the same time trying to present that diversity by having Galerie Monnin of Haiti. So we have our French. There are artists who are coming from Guadalupe.

Presenting that diversity is one of the challenges were faced with. Its a very important consideration for us as we go forward. One of our programmed events is in Spanish. We were just talking about, should we also do a Clubhouse thats in Spanish, maybe one in French. (Clubhouse is a social media app for large group chats.) What can we afford in terms of translation? Do we even bother with translation? What ways do we actually attend to the linguistic cultural diversity and at the same time be more broadband accessible? We havent really come to a resolve on that as a group, but its definitely one of our challenges because theres no singularity. Its a very complex network.

The region is extremely diverse in terms of cultures and racial and ethnic diversity. Are the galleries showing mostly Black artists? What kinds of artworks are being presented?

I dont know. I havent even seen the headshots for most of the artists. Im just looking at their work and from what I can see, I think they have a nice medley. I encouraged everyone at the outset to use a matrix when making a selection of the artists to be thinking about, yes race and gender, and also orientation. Artsy sells mostly prints and originals and photographs. Im glad we also have works that speak more to our region, which are textiles and some sculpture. Its going to be interesting to see how those mediums take off.

Artsy sells mostly prints and originals and photographs. Im glad we also have works that speak more to our region, which are textiles and some sculpture. Its going to be interesting to see how those mediums take off.

GHERDAI HASSELL, Detail of Between Ourselves, 2021 (ink, watercolor, acrylic and collage on paper, 11.75 x 16.5 inches). | Gherdai Hassell, Courtesy the artist and Black Pony Gallery, $3,000

KURT NAHAR, Soldering 3, 2021 (acrylic paint on canvas, 39 2/5 35 2/5 inches / 100 90 cm). | Kurt Nahar, Courtesy the artist and Readytex Art Gallery, $800

Black Pony Gallery is among the participating galleries. Are there particular artists you are looking forward to putting before a wider audience?

Gherdai Hassell is doing remarkably well. Young woman completing her MFA. She has a solo exhibition on right now at the Bermuda National Gallery (I Am Because You Are through September 2021). Shes going to have a solo exhibition that Im orchestrating at the National Museum of Bermuda coming up in the summer. She works in collage. Collage is kind of a hot medium at the moment. Shes really interested in a topic that everyones gravitating to in terms of identity, the body, womens bodies, and memory, and making of memory, chiefly in archival photographs.

You have a schedule of programming throughout the run of the art far that begins June 1 with a conversation with two U.S.-based curators: Isolde Brielmaier, curator-at-large at The International Center of Photography in New York, and Franklin Sirmans, director of Prez Art Museum Miami. What will they be discussing?

Theyve been tasked with going through the selection of our work. Their task is to make selections for what Artsy describes as the Curators Choice. I thought it was an appropriate opening to talk with them about their choices for about 30 minutes and cast a light on the works.

Franklin and Isolde separately have both been jurors of the Bermuda Biennial. They participated in my program at the BNG (Bermuda National Gallery) several times and weve stayed as contacts, colleagues, friends. Were very lucky to have their presence. At the other end, we conclude our program with Paulo Miyada. I admire his work and Im excited for him for his biennial (34th So Paulo Biennial in Brazil) and to work with Marcia Pearce (scholar and curator from Trinidad and Tobago, who will be in conversation with Miyada). Weve got a really wonderful group of people involved to bookend the program.

Youve said attention from curators is one of your key goals.

Im really hoping that this fair allows for curators to discover our works, the artists. The best thing that can happen is yes, the galleries need sales, but ideally curators observe works and start thinking about how to include these artists in their shows because the shows are coming back. CT

IMAGE: Top right, Lisa Howie, Founder Black Pony Gallery, Hamilton, Bermuda. | Courtesy Lisa Howie

Atlantic World Art Fair, presenting works by artists from the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands for sale through local galleries, is on view online at Artsy, May 31-June 21, 2021

FIND MORE about the Atlantic World Art Fair

RELATED 1-54 New York, the contemporary African art fair, is currently live on Artsy, May 19-June 6, 2021

June 1, 2021: The Atlantic World Art Fair launched with an opening talk with Franklin Sirmans and Isolde Brielmaier who reviewed the artworks available, identified their Curators Choice picks, and shared their thoughts about familiar artists and new talents they discovered. The discussion was moderated by Lisa Howie, the art fairs founder. | Video by Atlantic World Art Fair

LAVAUGHN BELLE, Storm (how to imagine the tropicalia as monumental-as in heroic), 2021 (mixed media on Paper, 42 64 inches / 106.7 162.6 cm). | LaVaughn Belle, Courtesy the artist and Suzie Wong Presents, $5,000

ZORHIA ALLEN, If I cannot change my colour I want luck, Part of the Olympia Portraits series, circa 2021 (oil on canvas, 21 17 1/2 inches / 53.3 44.5 cm). | Zorhia Allen, Courtesy the artist and Olympia Gallery, $1,250

DEBORAH JACK, the song the tempest sings, traveled the undercurrents to be heard and, 2021 (digital photography, 30 16 7/8 inches / 76.2 42.9 cm), Edition 1/3. | Deborah Jack, Courtesy the artist and Sour Grass, $5,000

CAROL CRICHTON, Crossings, 2012 (acrylic on printed fabric, 67 47 inches / 170.2 119.4 cm). | Carol Crichton, Courtesy the artist and Olympia Gallery, $2,800

MARIO BENJAMIN, Untitled III, (acrylic + spray-paint on canvas, 70 50 inches / 177.8 127 cm). | Mario Benjamin, Courtesy the artist and Galerie Monnin, $12,000

RODELL WARNER, Family and Friends No. 1, 2017 (single-channel video, color, 32s loop5 7/10 8 2/5 9/10 inches / 14.5 21.3 2.3 cm), Editions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 of 20 + 1AP. | Rodell Warner, Courtesy the artist and TERN Gallery, $2,000

SUPPORT CULTURE TYPEDo you enjoy and value Culture Type? Please consider supporting its ongoing production by making a donation. Culture Type is an independent art history project that requires countless hours and expense to research, report, write, and produce. To help sustain it, make a one-time donation or sign up for a recurring monthly contribution. It only takes a minute. Many Thanks for Your Support.

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Culture Talk: Lisa Howie on Organizing Inaugural Atlantic World Art Fair, Online Event Features Works by Artists From Caribbean and Atlantic Islands -...

Tagomago Island, Ibiza (Vrbo): This is the summer of excess, the summer of freedom, the summer of overindulgence after a long dark winter of the global soul. Or so were being told. Were taking the new vaccinated mood as permission to plan a vacation thats not just any old holiday jaunt. Summer 2021 demands the best, weve decided, and the best is a private island off the coast of Ibiza.

The first thought when you consider staying on a private island is: Im packing my bags immediately! The second is a little more practical: How do you get there? How do you get off of there? While keeping your partying local is the most relaxing choice while staying on Tagomago, the island is a short boat ride from Ibiza with transportation available 24 hours a day. Or you can choose to lean into your life as a member of the rich and famous and take a helicopter to and from the mainland.

The island covers 148 acres, but you and your chosen group will be the only residents while staying in the gorgeous villa. Well, you and your private chef who comes with the home, of course.

All that the eye can see here is yoursfor the reasonable price of $26k per day. Not included, but also on the menu, is a yacht that you are welcome to add to your vacation tab. (Please take note of the additional sunbathing terrace on the roof for those who feel the need to fly even closer to the sun.)

Modern, classic, clean. This home embraces an ber contemporary feel and leaves the pops of color to the stars of man and nature: the sapphire saltwater pool and cerulean sea.

This is not your mommas all-inclusive resort. This Tagomago Island villa has a chef and a bar full of booze waiting to cater to your every whim at no extra charge. But what this palatial all-inclusive pad has thankfully done away with are the obnoxious fellow vacationers blocking your way to the buffet.

There are plenty of outdoor terraces on which to dine. But if you choose to have a more formal evening meal around the dining room table, you can throw open the floor-to-ceiling windows and let the breeze blow in.

When you arent enjoying some relaxing after a morning of relaxing, you can indulge in some private sports on your private island. A speed boat is available to cater to all of your water sports dreams, or you can enjoy a lovely hike through your very own nature reserve. Picnic lunch at the resident lighthouse, anyone?

Five bedrooms means you can assemble the perfect lively but intimate vacation crew of your nine favorite people in the world. May we recommend you wait to calculate the per person daily tab until after youve had the vacation of your dreams?

Seven bathrooms means that there wont be a wait when youre primping for a night out on your own private island. Good news is, when you own the club, the party can start whenever you deign to show up.

We prefer our bathrooms to resemble our favorite spas: relaxing, serene, and accompanied by a glass of Dom.

Four of the five bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling sea views. In this lovely boudoir, you can go immediately from bed to a dip in the sea. Sunrise swim, anyone?

Normally, you have a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing a vacation rental: do you want to catch the sunrise or the sunset? Here, there is no Sophies choice. Like the Roaring Twenties weve been promised this decade will be, you can have it all!

Yes, we will take our evening cocktails in the Jacuzzi, thank you very much. And we wont complain if theyre accompanied by a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries.

The listing agent may be a bit biased when they describe this property as one of the most exclusive private Islands in the World. But, to be fair, we havent seen any private island we like better. Secluded with an abundance of luxuries of both the natural and manmade varieties, this is exactly the spot in which we want to usher in the Roaring Twenties 2.0.

Book Your Stay: Tagomago Island, Ibiza, Spain: $26,000/night via Vrbo

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OMG, I Want to Rent That House: Ibiza, Spain The Daily Beast - Daily Beast

The gradual return of international travel is likely to bring with it a surge in demand for luxury crowd-free escapes. Which means now may be the perfect time to join an exclusive club which grants you access to beautiful private houses in spectacular places, both at home and abroad.

Part social network and part members club,Stay One Degreeis a collection of high-end holiday homes and people who appreciate them. Properties include private islands, Scottish castles, Mediterranean villas and everything in between.

Would-be travellers hankering forfive-star service may also be in luck. The company recently announced a partnership withlegendary hotel group Mandarin Oriental, which isexpected to provide members withnew levels of luxury.

Stay One Degree islike a more selective version of LinkedIn - but far more interesting. Anyone can ask to join, but applicants must pass preliminary vetting before they can see full details of the available properties. Once in the club, members can send connection requests to property owners and, if accepted, can then arrange a stay.

The social elementis intended to give owners the confidence to let out their valuableand often exquisitely furnished properties, knowing that the temporary residents are not quite strangers.

If you are lucky enough to own the sort of home that belongs in the Stay One Degree collection you can apply through the companys website. All listings are reviewed before publication to ensure that the property, location, decor and photography are of a suitable standard.

With more than 3,500 villas, castles, cabins, lodges and apartments, Stay One Degree covers most of the globe - or at least the more luxurious niches. Accommodation ranges from the bijou to the palatial:

Standing in glorious isolation in the Cairngorms, this historic property features a lavish grand hall, a master bedroom with its own turret and traditional furnishings throughout. Head out into the highlands for hiking and sport, or else hunker down behind the thick stone walls of your own private castle.Sleeps 16 in seven bedrooms, from 611 per night

Set in an acre of gardens, this spectacular villa offers classically inspired architecture and airy poolside living in the green-list destination of Portugal. All eight bedrooms are en suite, making this the perfect property for post-pandemic reunions.Sleeps 16 in eight bedrooms, from 1,010 per night

For those seeking the ultimate post-lockdown escape, this log cabin in northern Finland is hard to beat - especially as the country is among those expected to join the green list. In the winter, the northern lights are the main attraction, but a summer trip to the high Arctic is equally special. Enjoy salmon fishing, hiking in the mountains behind the lodge or a visit to the Kevo nature reserve, an hours drive away. Or confine yourself to the cabins wood-fired sauna and outdoor hot tub.Sleeps six guests in two bedrooms, from 1,110 per night

From its perch high above Lake Como, this villa offers incomparable views of the surrounding mountaintops. The property offers seclusion, too. There are no immediate neighbours, just 4.5 acres of gardens surrounding the three-storey villa and its stylish modern pool house. Luxuriously appointed bedrooms, each with its own balcony, offer comfort and serenity. Italy remains on the amber list for now, but hopes are rising for later in the summer.Sleeps 15 guests in eight bedrooms, from 4,530 per night

At the intimate end of the scale, this pretty little villa sits within the grounds of a boutique hotel justinland from Sri Lankas south coast. The red-listed island is off limits for now, but ideal for long-term dreaming: surrounded by coconut palms, tea bushes and bright hibiscus, this serene retreat is a short tuktuk ride from several glorious beaches - and less than an hour from the historic city of Galle. Guests can use the hotels swimming pool, bar and restaurant.Sleeps two in one bedroom, from 270 per night

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Join the luxury villa club with Stay One Degree - The Week UK

This New Resort in the Maldivian Archipelago Welcomes Guests into a World of Breathtaking Natural Beauty, Legendary Service and Memorable Cultural Experiences

NORTH MAL ATOLL, Maldives, June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C today announced its debut in the Maldives, with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. Located on the Fari Islands, an archipelago on the north-eastern tip of North Mal Atoll, the area is famous for its untouched white-sand beaches and brilliant azure waters teeming with marine life. Featuring stunning minimalist architecture, the resort invites guests to embrace the beru, or circle of island life, and welcomes them into a world of exceptional luxury and memorable experiences.

L-R_ Aerial View of The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Two Bedroom Beach Pool Villa, and Arrival Pontoon at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands

Marriott International, Inc. logo (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International)

"Following much anticipation surrounding its debut, we are thrilled to finally open The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, and set a new standard for luxury hospitality in the Maldives, an internationally desired destination," said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. "This latest addition perfectly complements the Marriott International luxury portfolio, as we continually strive to meet the increasing demand for luxury offerings and experiences from affluent international travelers. This is an extremely monumental day for us, and is set to renew confidence in international travel."

Easily accessible via a scenic ten-minute seaplane ride, or a 45-minute luxury boat ride from Velana International Airport, the resort is part of the picturesque Fari Marina with its vibrant Beach Club, charming boutiques and tempting eateries forming the archipelago's communal heart. The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is ideal for guests seeking a holiday of discovery or exploration for the whole family.

Elemental Design Born from the Sun and the Sea

Designed by the multi-award winning Kerry Hill Architects, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is inspired by its natural surroundings, including the elements of swirling water and ocean breezes, which are incorporated into a design narrative that is rooted in the shape of a circle that also represents the flow of island life. The resort features 100 luxurious one- to three-bedroom villas, either set over crystal clear waters, or nestled along pristine beach coves, each offering spacious living spaces that blur the line between indoors and outdoors with panoramic sliding doors, a sun deck with a private infinity pool and breathtaking views. The resort's minimalist design is respectful of its visual impact on the environment and draws much of its natural surroundings into the guest experience. As part of the legendary, highly personalized service of The Ritz-Carlton, and inspired by the ancient royal customs of the Maldivian royal courts, each room is assigned an 'Aris Meeha' or island butler to fulfil a guest's every wish.

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Distinct Dining Delivers the Best in Beachfront Luxury

With seven distinct culinary venues, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands strikes the perfect balance between high-end dining, beachfront luxury, and wellness-centered menus. Within a beautiful lantern-inspired overwater space, Summer Pavilion takes inspiration from The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore's Michelin-starred restaurant, showcasing contemporary Cantonese cuisine. Iwau, or 'celebrate' in Japanese, is an open-air restaurant with two teppanyaki grills for a multi-sensory dining experience. La Locanda serves rich espressos in the morning, while aperitifs in the setting sun preludes an evening of delightful southern Italian cuisine. The family-friendly Beach Shack is inspired by the carefree spirit and relaxed cuisines of the Mediterranean, featuring shared plates and grilled seafoods. Eau Bar welcomes guests to a laid-back glamourous setting, where guests can indulge in fresh oysters and caviar while sipping on tableside crafted cocktails, while afternoon tea gets a Maldivian twist and sunset is celebrated each evening with a captivating drums and fire ritual.

Two of the resort's venues are located at Fari Marina, a pleasant eight-minute journey in a dhoni, a traditional wooden fishing boat, from the resort island to Fari Marina Village. Arabesque is an eye-catching tribute to a traditional Bedouin tent, inviting diners on a culinary journey from Lebanon to North India. Tum Tum is a food truck serving light Asian delights; the perfect welcome stop in the middle of a day of shopping and exploration.

Culturally Immersive Activities Inspire Wonder and Discovery

At the resort, guests can enjoy an array of experiences designed to immerse them in the best of Maldivian island life and culture, including exciting adventures with Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment Program. Activated for the first time in Asia-Pacific, this unique brand program inspires guests to connect with nature and ocean life, and to safeguard it for future generations. The programming available at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands highlights the rich culture and unique ecosystem of the destination through immersive experiences designed for children, adults and local residents, including a family cooking class, a bike safari around the resort and a "Wonders of Water" ocean mystery program facilitated by one of the program's resident naturalists.

The resort's Ritz Kids program offers a total of 30 activities aimed at inspiring wonder and discovery, including a signature Ritz Kids treasure hunt, as well as a fun program for teens that includes lessons with expert drone cinematographers. The resort also caters to all levels of scuba enthusiasts and snorkelers with a dedicated dive center in partnership with Dive Butler International. Guests can also choose leisurely cruises on traditional dhonis for a chance to encounter dolphins, or swim with turtles and manta rays.

In addition to curated fitness retreats, the resort also features a comprehensive tennis program with coaching, as well as visiting professionals and in-resort tournaments. Guests looking to find their rhythm can take part in a boduberu drumming class, the heart of traditional Maldivian music and an integral part of island culture. By a campfire at the Beach Shack, the resort's resident expert on the sea, or Moodhu Edhuru, evokes ancient traditions with traditional tales of life on the Maldivian archipelagos.

Natural-Sourced Serenity and Relaxation at The Ritz-Carlton Spa

For a complete luxury wellness experience, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, in partnership with renowned sustainable and holistic wellness brand Bamford, is a sanctuary of tranquil relaxation over the turquoise lagoon. The iconic spa offers nine treatment rooms including a spa suite with its own relaxation lounge, a salon and a boutique. Cardinal directions of each treatment room exude powerful energy, and a menu of bespoke spa treatments and healing massages also features a botanical and artisanal body and skincare collection by Bamford.

"The Ritz-Carlton brand creates exceptional experiences inspired by the surrounding locales, with encounters that leave lasting impressions and meaningful memories," said Jennie Toh, Vice President of Brand Marketing and Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Marriott International. "Through the impeccable hospitality of our Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, we look forward to sharing the breathtaking beauty of the Maldivian archipelago, and providing enriching experiences that truly embraces the local culture and traditions with all our guests."

For more information on The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands and reservations inquiries, please visit http://www.ritzcarlton.com/Maldives.

About Marriott International, Inc.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit http://www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Bethesda, MD, part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 100 hotels in 32 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at http://www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

SOURCE Marriott International Inc.

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Unparalleled Luxury Embraces the Circle of Island Life with the Debut of the Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands - Yahoo Finance

Watching the sun set over the ocean from a busy restaurant, listening to a soundtrack of excited chatter in several different languages as translucent waters lap at a white sand beach below a holiday in the Seychelles in 2021 seems no different than it ever was.

The only reminders of the COVID-19 pandemic are the face masks folded on the tables next to drinks, and the hand sanitizer replacing salt and pepper shakers.

Because tourism has returned here in full force. Since the island archipelago reopened on March 25, travellers currently mostly Arab and eastern European rather than German and British due to current lockdowns have arrived in droves. Hotel operators report occupancy levels rocketing from around 20 percent to 90 percent in a week.

Now welcoming around 500 visitors per day, the nation is seeing a glimmer of hope after a tough year that battered its tourism-reliant economy. Even now, during a surge in COVID cases despite operating one of the worlds fastest vaccination campaigns, tourism authorities are insisting the Seychelles is a safe place to vacation. While the Ministry of Health has said about one third of the positive cases are among people who are fully vaccinated, most are those who have received only one dose of the vaccine or none at all.

Which is why safety has become paramount here. Masks are worn even outdoors by the Seychellois and social distancing is strictly enforced.

Security patrols roam the beaches, restaurants and hotels on the nations three main islands Mahe, Praslin and La Digue ensuring the rules are followed at all times. A new COVID-hotel certification has approved 500 of the countrys 700 hotels to operate. But despite the rapid return of tourism, isolation isnt hard to find.

On Mahe, the most populous of the countrys 115 islands, seclusion is found in the south. The Four Seasons Resort Seychelles, for instance, is a welcoming fortress the private-access road winding through thick foliage until you reach the propertys 67 villas spread across an expansive 180-hectare bay atop the picturesque Petite Anse beach.

Privacy abounds here, and despite it now almost running at full capacity, the site is so vast it never seems crowded. Sun loungers by the beach are socially distant, and given that each of the villas has its own private pool, its become a popular choice for safety-conscious travellers. On-site restaurants Kannel and Zez offer some of the best food on Mahe, so theres really no reason to ever leave the enclave.

But the real draw of a trip to the Seychelles is a spot of island-hopping, and the countrys private islands have been quick to position themselves as the ultimate COVID-friendly place to holiday.

If youre willing to splurge, head for Six Senses Zil Pasyon, located on the private Felicite Island. The traditional-style, ocean-front villas are roomy and come with their own private pools and huge outdoor deck, perfect for social distancing. The spa, which Six Senses is famous for, is back in operation too and is the best place to spend a rainy afternoon indoors.

The waters around Felicite are protected, so the snorkeling here is excellent, and short walks around the island lead you to isoloated white-sand beaches which youll likely be alone to enjoy.

But if its rugged nature and proper hiking youre looking for, head straight for Silhouette Island. Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa operates on one of the few flat areas of the island, which is mostly made up of towering peaks and overgrown jungle. Hikes here are something else entirely steep climbs through native flora that deposit you at a private beach, sometimes featuring free-roaming giant Aldabra tortoises, sometimes with a coral reef prime for snorkeling. These are exclusive experiences, since the island is a protected national park and the hotel offers just 111 rooms. Youll need to opt for a higher end Sanctuary Villa for a private pool, but the lengthy main beach provides ample room for swimming in almost-complete isolation. The local settlement nearby, inhabited by about 30 Seychellois, means theres a far more authentic experience to be had here, too. To spend a few days on Silhouette is to be transported to another world.

While the rest of the world tentatively reopens, and travellers venture overseas once again, the Seychelles has had a head start and time to fine-tune a tourism industry operating in the new normal. So it currently offers a safety-conscious, low-key experience for travellers returning to seeing the world.

This article has been adapted from its original source.

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Tourism is Back and it Starts in The Seychelles With a Boom! - Al-Bawaba

For over a year, we've heard whispers and rumours that Australia could potentially open up a travel bubble with neighbouring countries like New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Islands.

Finally, that pipe dream is becoming a reality the New Zealand travel bubble is in full swing, and the Australian government is in talks to open one with Singapore in the coming months.

But what about the Pacific Islands? After all, we could all use an idyllic beach holiday right about now, especially as it's getting colder here in Australia.

Here's everything to know about the potential Fiji and South Pacific travel bubble.

Now that the trans-Tasman travel bubble has opened between Australia and New Zealand, our government is in talks to open similar bubbles with other countries.

Singapore is reportedly top of the list, and there has been much speculation that the Pacific Islands will be open to Australians relatively soon.

Fiji has only reported 67 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, so it's likely that Australian authorities will deem it a safe country to open borders with.

A travel bubble is an agreement between two or more countries that have had relative success in suppressing the spread of the coronavirus over the past year. People will be allowed to travel freely between these zones without needing to quarantine or self-isolate.

READ MORE: These are the world's top hotels for 2021, according to Tripadvisor

There's not yet a set date that Australians will be able to travel to Fiji. However, it may be sooner than you think.

With the reopening of borders for quarantine-free leisure travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands, experts are optimistic about Australia entering into a similar agreement with Pacific Island nations within the year.

Health experts are speculating that once we're all vaccinated the coronavirus may be treated like a simple cold. Infectious disease expert, Professor Robert Booy, told Today in early May that he believes more travel bubbles will open between Australia and other countries in the coming months.

He said one country after the other would say yes if all agreed they had good control of the virus.

Fiji has only recorded 206 cases of COVID-19 during the entire pandemic at the time of writing, with long stretches of no daily infections. So long as a travel bubble is established, with COVID-free "green zone" flights, it will be safe for Australians to fly to Fiji.

READ MORE: What it's really like to fly internationally for the travel bubble

It's almost a certainty that travellers wanting to take advantage of a Fiji or Pacific Islands travel bubble will need to be fully vaccinated. Once vaccinated, you will receive a certificate that will allow you to travel.

Travellers heading from Australia to New Zealand have to fill out declaration cards before arriving in each country and it's likely a similar system will be implemented if a travel bubble opens with the Pacific Islands.

The Pacific Islands are home to arguably some of the most beautiful places on the planet. From private island resorts to low-key beach bungalows, there's truly something for every vacation style. The only hard thing is deciding where to go the South Pacific region stretches all the way from Australia to Hawaii so there are a lot of options.

Here are a couple of guidelines to get you started.

The Cook Islands

This group of 15 islands is a blend of Polynesian and New Zealand culture, just three-and-a-half hours from Auckland. It's a super laid-back and welcoming destination, and is a favourite spot for families thanks to its modern infrastructure. Here, you can chill out in high-end resorts, or get adventurous with hiking, kayaking, and sailing.

You absolutely have to try the traditional 'Island Night' Polynesian feast on Rarotonga's main beach. Pork and local vegetables are slow-cooked in an earthen oven for one of the most delicious meals you'll ever taste.

Fiji

Far and away the most popular spot in the South Pacific, Fiji has a reputation for being an island paradise. Despite this, it's still wild and natural, with lush tropical forest and endless stretches of white beaches.

Snorkellers and divers should definitely visit Fiji, which is surrounded by coral reefs abundant with marine life. There's really no shortage of things to do here, from splurging on five-star resorts to zip-lining and waterskiing.

Tahiti

Want to visit France without having to travel to Europe? Tahiti and her islands are the perfect mix of French culture and island living. This is the place to travel if you want a luxury island holiday. Think overwater bungalows, private residences, and helicopter trips to remote beaches. Cheeky trip to Bora Bora, anyone?

But it's not just about chilling in your resort. There are also some great wineries on the islands, and quad-biking tours for any thrill-seekers out there.

Samoa

Despite being a rugged slice of paradise, Samoa has been largely untouched by mass tourism. That makes it the perfect place to go for a chill holiday, especially if you want to get out and about in nature. Its rainforests are filled with lush waterfalls and blowholes, while its beaches put even the most stunning desktop backgrounds to shame.

Stay in a basic beach hut (fale) for the full experience, and take a trip to the local markets to stock up on fresh fruit and produce for your stay.

Tonga

Much like Samoa, Tonga is a more untouched island a place to visit if you're happy to rough it a little. One of the least developed islands in the Pacific, this is the place to come if you really want to log off and disconnect. Forget any concept of time, here it's all about chilling out and letting go of organised holiday schedules.

New Caledonia

Another country that's a mash-up of French and Island culture, New Caledonia has long been a favourite holiday spot for Aussies. You can get from Sydney to the capital city of Noumea in under three hours faster than New Zealand!

Here you won't have to compromise on creature comforts, as there are plenty of modern bars, cafes and restaurants serving up delicious food that you won't ever want to stop eating. The beaches are, of course, idyllic, and it's home to the world's second-largest great barrier reef, with incredible marine biodiversity.

The perks start in the bedroom at this Sydney hotel

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Everything you need to know about a Fiji and Pacific Islands travel bubble, and which islands to visit - Nine