via CaribJournal. (June 27th 2016). European carrier Norwegian is expanding its service to the French Caribbean.

Guadeloupe, French Caribbean. Photo via esl-languages.com

The carrier, which launched major new flights between the Northeast and Martinique and Guadeloupe last year, has announced plans to launch flights from Fort Lauderdale to Guadeloupe later this year.

Beginning Dec. 17, Norwegian will operate twice-weekly flights between Fort Lauderdale and Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Norwegian will also add a fourth weekly flight from New York to Guadeloupe beginning Dec. 17.

“We are very excited to add our seventh route from the United States to the French Caribbean, this time from Florida. Norwegian will now be able to offer Floridians a much more affordable and comfortable way to reach the French Caribbean, or if they wish to travel onwards to any of the nearby islands,” said Thomas Ramdahl, Chief Commercial Officer, Norwegian.

Recent news about: Travel to Martinique

 

Flights for Guadeloupe are now available for purchase, with fares as low as $79 one-way, according to the company. The new Guadeloupe service is Norwegian’s sixth nonstop route out of Fort Lauderdale.

Cascade aux écrevisses, Basse -Terre, Guadeloupe photo via uk.france.fr

“We are thrilled about the increase of service from New York and the new nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to Guadeloupe. An airline operating non-stop flights to Pointe-à-Pître from four different cities in the US is just unprecedented,” said Sandra Venite, USA Director for the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board.

See also: Other new flights to the Caribbean


The new flights are the latest boon for the French Caribbean, which has been seeing a rapidly-expanding route network after decades without nonstop flights from the continental United States, a drive that began when Martinique was able to bring back American Airlines’ nonstop flights from Miami in 2014.

NEW YORK, NY (June 15, 2016) – Martinique has been cited once again as the “Safest Destination in the Caribbean,” the designation published in the 2016 Caribbean Tourism Quality Index. 

Club Med in Martinique. photo via us.martinique.org

Released during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) “Caribbean Week” in New York (May 31-June 4, 2016), the Caribbean Tourism Quality Index is an annual study produced by Resonance Consultancy, an international leader in destination development, branding, and marketing headquartered in Vancouver and New York.

More about the islands: Top 5 Caribbean Destinations for Honeymooners

The Resonance study measures tourism’s supply-side performance and competitiveness in 28 destinations across the Caribbean. 

This marks the second time in recent years that Martinique has been recognized as the
“Safest Destination in the Caribbean".

Grand Riviere Beach, Martinique. photo via travel.usnews.com

“As flowers are an international symbol of peace, I suppose it’s fitting in a way that The Isle of Flowers should be recognized like this,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau. “In reality, though, it is the warmth and welcoming spirit of the Martinican people and the steadfast dedication of our local authorities that keeps us at the top for travel safety.”

photo via vacations.aircanada,com

Click here: Best Caribbean Destinations for Adventure

 

 The top safety ranking is the latest in an impressive list of honors for Martinique over the past year.

·       Ranked in the Top 16 Places to go to in 2016, Condé Nast Traveler

·       Ranked #7 (of 24) Top Destinations of 2016, Budget Travel

·       Travel Top 10: Trendiest 2016 Destinations, Ebony

·       Best Culinary, Cruise, Tourism Board Destination – Caribbean (2016), Travvy Awards

·       Top 5 Best Romantic Islands in the Caribbean (2015), USA TODAY

·       Ranked #1 Must-Visit Place in the Caribbean (2015), Caribbean Journal

·       Traveler’s Choice Award, Best Beaches (2015), TripAdvisor

·       Named Best Caribbean Island for Romance (2015), Business Insider

·       Silver Magellan Awards, Overall Destination and Waterfront Development (2015), Travel Weekly