TORONTO — Sunwing has announced that it will be offering vacation packages to the island of Antigua for the first time, with direct weekly flights departing year-round from Toronto.

Flights run between Nov. 10, 2017 and Oct. 26, 2018 inclusive, with an additional seasonal flight from Montreal running between Nov. 26, 2017 and March 18, 2018 inclusive.

“The beautiful island of Antigua is a great addition to our wide range of sun destinations. We are pleased with the wide range of resorts that we have partnered with on the island and feel that we have something to suit vacationers of all tastes and budgets,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations.

Colin Skerritt, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Director-Canada, also welcomed the news, adding, “With direct Sunwing service from Toronto and Montreal to Antigua, Canadians finally have an exciting new option for their perfect winter getaway.”

Accommodations on the island include the new Starfish Jolly Beach Resort, the first hotel from the popular chain to open outside of Cuba. Families can also choose The Verandah Resort and Spa, featuring villa-style accommodations and three refreshing pools, including the largest freshwater pool in Antigua.

For adults, Pineapple Beach Club Resort is an ideal choice, with a world-class spa, varied dining experiences and a wide range of water sports. Alternatively, guests of all ages will love St. James Club and Villas, known for its relaxing ambience and lush surroundings.

A week’s vacation in Antigua with departures from Toronto is priced from $1,045 to $3,055 per person, including taxes, double occupancy, between Nov. 10, 2017 and Jan. 31, 2018. From Montreal, prices start from $1,045 to $2,635 per person, including taxes, double occupancy, between Nov. 26, 2017 and Jan. 28, 2018.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Sunwing continues to relay the message that much of the region remains open for business following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. On Oct. 13, Dawson, along with Executive Vice President for Partner Development Eric Rodriguez, and Product Director Ana Maria Lopez, were invited to accompany the Minister of Tourism for Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz on a tour of the Cayos region, which includes Cayo Santa Maria, Cayo Ensenachos, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo.

The intention of their visit – the first by any Canadian travel company to date – was to assess the region’s recovery. What they found was that the Cayos have recuperated well and will be ready to receive guests once flights resume early next month.

Power and telecommunications are fully restored, water supply was never interrupted, and roads and sidewalks are clear. Further landscaping work is currently being done.

The causeways from the mainland to Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria are both operational. The Cayo Coco causeway is completely restored, with ongoing maintenance taking place this month to further improve the structure of the Cayo Santa Maria causeway.

The team was also informed that all commercial areas, including marinas and dolphinariums, will be fully restored by Nov. 1.

As for airports, damage to Santa Clara Abel Santamaria Airport (SNU), which serves the Cayo Santa Maria region, was negligible and the airport is already operational, servicing several domestic and Florida flights daily. Jardines Del Rey Airport in Cayo Coco (CCC) suffered significant damage and no commercial flights have operated since Irma made landfall. Rebuilding is now in its final stages, with all major structural work completed.

Sunwing flights to Cayo Coco will be available once more from Nov. 7. Flights to Cayo Santa Maria will recommence from Nov. 10 onwards from Montreal, while services from Toronto and Quebec City have been rescheduled from Nov. 11. Flights to all other Cuban destinations are already operating as normal, with the exception of services to Camaguey, which will resume from Nov. 1 onwards.

All flights updates are posted at sunwing.ca/arrdepinfo.asp.

A detailed update of individual hotel openings will be released tomorrow.