by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 10:30 AM ET, Fri February 6, 2026
Beyond the Resort is a new series that dives into life in the Caribbean with a look at the culture, local events and people that may be missed by visitors on short vacations if they only stay by the pool. It’s hosted by Canadian travel journalist and TV host Natalie Preddie, alongside beloved on-air personality Kayla Marie Williams.The series is directed by award-winning filmmaker Tristan Barrocks.
The first season is set to pair breathtaking landscapes with the stories of locally owned Black businesses and community voices rarely seen in traditional travel programming.
Preddie told TravelPulse Canada that Beyond the Resort can be a valuable resource for travel advisors because it expands how destinations can be understood and therefore, how they can be sold and recommended.
“Today’s travellers are increasingly asking for meaningful, culture-rich, and community-connected experiences, not just beautiful places to stay,” says Preddie. “This series provides deeper context, stronger stories, and locally grounded experiences they can confidently suggest to clients.”
The first season focuses on Saint Lucia and will be available on YouTube and the Beyond the Resort website starting March 1, 2026.
The first four episodes feature:
- A fresh, local-led perspective on Saint Lucia.
- Stories rooted in the island’s rich history and cultural heritage.
- Food, music, small business, adventure, and community.
- A spotlight on locally owned Black businesses shaping the island’s identity.
- A Black-led cast and crew crafting inclusive, nuanced Caribbean storytelling.
- Cinematic visuals from an award-winning director.
Preddie believes the show will help advisors “move from simply booking trips to curating journeys with better questions, better partners, and better outcomes for both travellers and destinations. It’s a practical lens on where travel is heading: more intentional, more informed, and more impactful.”
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