{"id":1621880,"date":"2026-02-28T15:49:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/?p=1621880"},"modified":"2026-02-28T15:53:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T20:53:17","slug":"beyond-the-resort-a-love-letter-to-the-caribbean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/divine.ca\/en\/beyond-the-resort-a-love-letter-to-the-caribbean\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Resort: A Love Letter to the Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There\u2019s a difference between visiting a place and understanding it.<\/p>\n

Premiering March 1, 2026, Beyond the Resort<\/em> is a new Caribbean travel series that moves past infinity pools and curated excursions to explore something far more meaningful: people, history, identity, and ownership.<\/p>\n

Filmed entirely in Saint Lucia, the first four episodes follow travel journalist and TV host Natalie Preddie<\/a> alongside on-air personality Kayla Marie Williams as they immerse themselves in community-led experiences, locally owned Black businesses, and the layered cultural fabric that defines the island beyond its postcard beauty.<\/p>\n

\"Beyond
Photo Courtesy of Beyond the Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Behind the camera is multi-award-winning filmmaker Tristan Barrocks, whose cinematic, human-centred storytelling sets the tone for the series.<\/p>\n

For Barrocks, this project was deeply personal.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a Jamaican-Canadian who grew up in a Caribbean household, I carried the culture with me long before I truly explored the islands themselves. Beyond the Resort<\/em> gave me the chance to return with fresh eyes, to step away from the polished postcard version of the Caribbean and lean into the unknown, the secluded, and the often-overlooked spaces.”<\/p>\n

He continues, “Through this project, I wanted audiences to feel the soul of Saint Lucia beyond its beaches: the people, the food, the wildlife, the rhythms of daily life. This series is a love letter to the Caribbean, not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing place of depth, complexity, and discovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

At a time when travellers are increasingly questioning how and why they travel, the series reflects a broader shift toward intentional tourism \u2014 where impact matters as much as itinerary.<\/p>\n

Natalie Preddie calls it a necessary conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeyond the Resort<\/em> is really about intention. It asks viewers to reflect on their motivations for travel and consider how their choices impact the places they visit. We\u2019re exploring how tourism can support local communities, celebrate culture, and build connection. It\u2019s a bigger conversation about how we show up for one another in a global community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preddie adds that this season, rooted in Saint Lucia, feels especially meaningful.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis series is deeply personal. We\u2019re exploring the Caribbean from a place of respect, curiosity, and lived connection, and inviting viewers to experience the region the way locals do.\u201d<\/p>\n

We recently had the chance to sit down with Preddie and find out more about the YouTube series and her tips for taking your vacation Beyond the Resort:<\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond the Resort<\/em> focuses on community and culture over traditional sightseeing. What sparked this approach for you?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
I\u2019ve spent years covering travel and kept noticing the same pattern: the closer you get to local people and local context, the more meaningful the experience becomes. Too often, destinations get reduced to visuals and amenities. I wanted to create a series that recenters travel around people, history and community impact. That\u2019s where the real stories are…and honestly, that\u2019s where the real joy is too.<\/div>\n
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How did it feel to share Saint Lucia and go Beyond the Resort<\/em> with Kayla? How did it shape your experience?<\/h3>\n
\"Beyond
Photo Courtesy of Beyond the Resort<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
It was incredibly special because she was rediscovering the island at a completely different stage in her life. Guiding her through deeper cultural and community experiences, not just highlights, changed the energy of every moment. You ask better questions, you listen more closely, and you stay open. Sharing that kind of layered experience with someone makes the journey more reflective and more human.<\/div>\n
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You\u2019ve said this show reflects the kind of storytelling you believe travel is capable of. What does \u201cpurposeful travel\u201d mean to you?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Purposeful travel means your presence has awareness attached to it. You understand that where you spend, who you book with, and how you engage matters. It doesn\u2019t mean perfection, it means intention. Curiosity instead of assumption. Participation instead of consumption. Travel can create connection, economic opportunity, and cultural respect…but only if we approach it consciously.<\/div>\n
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What do you hope viewers will take away from the series?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
I hope viewers walk away more curious and more thoughtful and realize that depth is available in almost every destination if you look for it. You don\u2019t have to abandon comfort but you can expand perspective. I want people to see that culture isn\u2019t an ‘add-on’ to travel \u2013it\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0the experience.<\/div>\n
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Finally, what tips do you have for travelers who are dipping their toe into getting Beyond the Resort<\/em>?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Start small and be deliberate. Book one locally owned experience. Choose one independent restaurant. Ask one better question everywhere you go: ‘Who\u2019s behind this?’ I also created a simple\u00a0Travel Deeper handout<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>that gives practical steps travellers can follow without overcomplicating their trip. You don\u2019t have to change everything! Just shift a few decisions with intention.<\/div>\n
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Beyond the Resort<\/em> premieres in March. To learn more, visit beyondtheresort.tv.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s a difference between visiting a place and understanding it. Premiering March 1, 2026, Beyond the Resort is a new Caribbean travel series that moves past infinity pools and curated…<\/div>\n
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