Agents News - Issue 30, February 2008 - Caribbean Tourism
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AgentsNews Caribbean Training Programme Newsletter www.caribbean.co.uk Issue 30 – February 08 Welcome to Issue 30 of the CTP E-News Roadshows & Training Events Essential Details Roadshows will start on Monday May 12th in Chester followed by London, South East and the Channel Islands on dates to be confirmed. Please call 0208 874 9534 for further details. Cayman Islands Dept of Tourism will be hosting Roadshows during the months March and April at venues in Cambridge, Luton, St. Albans and Milton Keynes. To register your interest please contact Gillian Young on 0207 491 6961 or e-mail [email protected]. Grenada Board of Tourism will be coming to a venue near you this spring with a Roadshow to remember. For more information please call 0208 877 4516. Jamaica Tourist Board will be hosting a travel agents evening at Bar Azure in Liverpool on March 28th. For more information please call 0207 225 9090. Sandals, Beaches and Royal Plantation ‘Luxury Included Roadshows’ will take place at the following locations: March 4th Gatwick, March 5th Southampton, March 11th Aberdeen, March 12th Edinburgh, March 17th Cardiff, March 18th Nottingham and March 19th Manchester. For further information please call 0207 590 0210. Sandals will be presenting their ‘Award Winning Training Day’ sessions across the UK from Chester to Ipswich from March 4th to April 22nd. For more information please call 0207 590 0210 or e-mail [email protected]. Look out for the Trinidad & Tobago Game Shows this spring. Each month informal, fun, interactive and unique training sessions will be held through-out the UK. For further information please call 0800 804 8787. Congratulations! Caribbean Training Programme agent Janet Brimble, Chew Valley Travel is the latest winner of an educational place, on the Take Some Time Out Trip, to Trinidad & Tobago! Destination Fact File Montserrat was once best known as the home of AIR Studios, where artists including Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, The Police and The Rolling Stones recorded music. Nowadays, the island is famous for a different kind of rock star – the Soufrière Hills Volcano, which has been active since 1995. In recent years, Montserrat’s volcano has been transformed from a limitation into an opportunity, with the island offering a unique brand of ‘volcano tourism’. Visitors can watch scientists at work in the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, view the volcano from safe look out points and even explore evacuated buildings where ash-covered possessions remain, just where they were left, over a decade ago. With friendly locals, unspoiled hiking trails, excellent scuba diving and numerous good-value rental villas and guesthouses, Montserrat offers relaxation, beautiful scenery and a slice of ‘how the Caribbean used to be’. To learn more about Montserrat you may call 0207 928 1600 or visit www.visitmontserrat.com. Shopping Basket Bottle of beer 330ml – £0.75 Canned drink – £0.40 Local bottled water 500ml – £0.40 Ice Cream (8oz) – £0.75 Dining Out – Local Restaurant Bottle of beer – £0.90 Glass of wine – £1.80 Soft drink – £0.75 Bottled water – £0.75 Starter up to – £3.50 Main Course £6.25 – £11.50 Dessert – £1.75 The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has launched their new revamped website – www.caribbean.co.uk. The new site is specifically designed to provide you, the trade professional with up-to-date information on the region. Whether you are looking for facts to assist your customers planning a holiday or looking to build on your knowledge to become a Caribbean Specialists, you will find a wealth of information within the site. Your personal update on Caribbean news from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation. Edited by Sonja Rogers, CTO London CTO Website
Transcript of Agents News - Issue 30, February 2008 - Caribbean Tourism
AgentsNewsCaribbean Training Programme Newsletter
www.caribbean.co.ukIssue
30
–Feb
ruary
08
Welcome to Issue 30 of the CTP E-News
Roadshows & Training EventsEssential Details Roadshows will start on Monday May 12th in Chester followedby London, South East and the Channel Islands on dates to be confirmed.Please call 0208 874 9534 for further details.
Cayman Islands Dept of Tourism will be hosting Roadshows during the monthsMarch and April at venues in Cambridge, Luton, St. Albans and Milton Keynes.To register your interest please contact Gillian Young on 0207 491 6961 ore-mail [email protected].
Grenada Board of Tourism will be coming to a venue near you this spring witha Roadshow to remember. For more information please call 0208 877 4516.
Jamaica Tourist Board will be hosting a travel agents evening at Bar Azure inLiverpool on March 28th. For more information please call 0207 225 9090.
Sandals, Beaches and Royal Plantation ‘Luxury Included Roadshows’ will takeplace at the following locations: March 4th Gatwick, March 5th Southampton, March11th Aberdeen, March 12th Edinburgh, March 17th Cardiff, March 18th Nottinghamand March 19th Manchester. For further information please call 0207 590 0210.
Sandals will be presenting their ‘Award Winning Training Day’ sessions acrossthe UK from Chester to Ipswich from March 4th to April 22nd. For moreinformation please call 0207 590 0210 or e-mail [email protected].
Look out for the Trinidad & Tobago Game Shows this spring. Each monthinformal, fun, interactive and unique training sessions will be held through-outthe UK. For further information please call 0800 804 8787.
Congratulations!Caribbean Training Programme agent Janet
Brimble, Chew Valley Travel is the latest winner
of an educational place, on the Take Some
Time Out Trip, to Trinidad & Tobago!
Destination Fact FileMontserrat was once best known as the home of AIR Studios, where artists
including Sir Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, The Police and The Rolling Stones
recorded music. Nowadays, the island is famous for a different kind of rock star –
the Soufrière Hills Volcano, which has been active since 1995.
In recent years, Montserrat’s volcano has been transformed from a limitation into an
opportunity, with the island offering a unique brand of ‘volcano tourism’. Visitors can
watch scientists at work in the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, view the volcano
from safe look out points and even explore evacuated buildings where ash-covered
possessions remain, just where they were left, over a decade ago.
With friendly locals, unspoiled hiking trails, excellent scuba diving and numerous
good-value rental villas and guesthouses, Montserrat offers relaxation, beautiful
scenery and a slice of ‘how the Caribbean used to be’. To learn more about
Montserrat you may call 0207 928 1600 or visit www.visitmontserrat.com.
Shopping Basket
Bottle of beer 330ml – £0.75
Canned drink – £0.40
Local bottled water 500ml – £0.40
Ice Cream (8oz) – £0.75
Dining Out – Local Restaurant
Bottle of beer – £0.90
Glass of wine – £1.80
Soft drink – £0.75
Bottled water – £0.75
Starter up to – £3.50
Main Course £6.25 – £11.50
Dessert – £1.75
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has launched their new revampedwebsite – www.caribbean.co.uk. The new site is specifically designed toprovide you, the trade professional with up-to-date information on the region.Whether you are looking for facts to assist your customers planning a holidayor looking to build on your knowledge to become a Caribbean Specialists,you will find a wealth of information within the site.
Your personal update on Caribbean news from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.Edited by Sonja Rogers, CTO London
CTO Website
Educationals
News from…
Essential Detail(0208 874 9534) – May/June – Windward & Leeward Islands
Turks & Caicos Tourist Board(0207 222 2669) – May – Joint T&C/Bahamas
Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board – May/June(e-mail: [email protected])
Chapter Member HighlightEvery issue we highlight one of our chapter member hotels or hotel
groups. This issue we are delighted to be looking at Tobago Hilton
Golf and Spa Resort.
The lush tropical island paradise of Tobago is best known as an award
winning eco-tourism destination, for its world famous Buccoo Reef, its unique
flora and fauna, and warm and friendly people. The island is also home to the
Tobago Hilton Golf and Spa Resort, which is situated on 20 acres of
tropical beachfront. Winner of the Tobago Department of Tourism’s award for
“Large Hotel of the Year” in 2007, this property boasts of a PGA standard
18-hole golf course, and 200 deluxe ocean front guestrooms, that includes
22 suites that each features a family-sized jacuzzi. The Tobago Hilton Golf
and Spa resort caters to a wide variety of visitors – both for leisure and
business purposes, with many foreign and local clients opting to host
meetings, conferences, and company retreats, in any of the property’s three
meeting/function rooms. In 2008, the property is pleased to announce new
and improved Wedding and Golfing Packages along with an array of other
services, to potential and interested clients. For more information on this
beautiful and exotic property please contact Mr. Felipe Gotor, Director of
Sales and Marketing at 1-868-660-8500/2 ext. 6400 or e-mail
Aruba Tourism Authority reported an impressive 70% growth inBritish visitors to the Dutch Caribbean island in 2007, over 2006.They attributed the growth to the continued support of their UK touroperator partners and growing consumer awareness. Increased flightcapacity was also named as a key factor. First Choice Holidaysintroduced a new direct service from Manchester, in addition tothe existing London Gatwick route to Aruba from the UK.
Butterfly Beach Hotel, Barbadoswon the coveted British AirwaysHolidays Award for IndependentHotel of the Year, beating 1,700other properties worldwide.
SuperClubs year-long commitmentto elevate the Breezes Resortsto a higher plane has beenaccomplished! The completion oftheir newly refurbished accommodation and upgraded amenities atthe super inclusive Breezes Resorts in Curacao, the Bahamas andthe Dominican Republic has been completed.
Don't forget to order your Guide to the Caribbean
which will provide you with up to date information
on all our member countries and industry partners.
You can also download your electronic version
from www.caribbean.co.uk.
Your Guide to the Caribbean
Wedding & Honeymoon Certification Fam to Antigua & Barbuda.
First Choice Travel Agents in the Dominican Republic, on the'Outback Jeep Safari' tour.
Caribbean Training Programme Agents – Reap the Rewards!
Don't forget to keep us informed. Points will be awarded for the following activities:
Promotions, training, trips both holidays and fams and bookings includingCaribbean cruises. See pages 4 to 8 in your Travelfax for more details or call Sonjaon 0208 948-0057 or email [email protected].
The Aruba Tourism Authority has launched their new on-line travel agent trainingprogramme with Travel Uni. Please visit www.arubaacademy.co.uk for moreinformation.
You can now have a virtual tour of the Cayman Islands by visiting a newlylaunched micro site. Visit www.caymanislands.co.uk and immerse yourself with aninteractive experience that brings the three Cayman Islands to life. In addition, theCayman Islands Dept. of Tourism will launch their new on-line travel agent trainingprogramme in conjunction with Travel Uni. Please e-mail [email protected] register your interest.
Group Promotions has developed a new on-line Training Academy. Agents areable to do short study courses on all properties resulting in complimentary stays forthose successfully completing the course. Plus the newly developed AmbassadorsClub enables registered Agents to receive details of exclusive special offers, staffrates and booking incentives together with news and property updates all via email.Please visit www.gptrainingacademy.com.
Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Office will launch a new and exciting on-line trainingprogramme soon. Please register your interest by going to the websitewww.learnTNT.com.
Complete the Turks & Caicos Islands on-line training programme and becomeeligible for fam trips and other treats. Please visit www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk.
Training UpdateHere Gabi Birbeck, of Rendezvous Travel Group, tells us about her recentFam Trip to Anguilla.
Having travelled extensively in the Caribbean, I was really looking forward to mytrip, with Carolyn Brown of the tourist board, to the lovely island of Anguilla.
Situated in the Leeward Islands neighbouring St. Martin, St. Barts, Saba and St.Eustatius, Anguilla is one of the most relaxing islands in the Caribbean.
There are approximately 35 beaches, most of which are protected by coral reefs andoffshore islands, my favourite being Scilly Cay where we enjoyed a wonderful Sundaylunch of lobster, cray fish and chicken combos. Privately owned by Eudoxie andSandra Wallace, the island is found just off Island Harbour and a free boat servicetakes you out to the tiny cay with its conch shell walls and palm fringed beaches.
Anguilla, a small arid island, means “eel” in Spanish, which refers to its long narrowshape. Its Carib name was Malliouhana, which means sea serpent, and which nowgives its name to one of the luxury hotels on the island. Other properties of note areCap Juluca, Desert Rose Estate, Paradise Cove Resort, Altamar, Cove Castles, VillaIndigo, Spyglass Villa and my personal favourite, CuisinArt.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the island, which is easily accessible via Antigua,and I am longing to go back!
Anguilla Fam Trip
Other Fam Pics…
Barbados Tourism Authority Barbados SpecialistTel: 020 7636 9448
Sandals and Beaches Resorts SABTATel: 020 7590 0210
Turks & Caicos Tourist Board www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk
Travel Weekly Academy www.travelweekly.co.uk/academyCouples ResortsElite Island ResortsSt Lucia Tourist BoardSunset Resorts
Travel Uni www.traveluni.comAruba Tourism AuthorityAntigua & Barbuda Tourist OfficeBahamas Tourist OfficeBermuda Dept of TourismCayman Islands Dept. of TourismElite Island ResortsGrenada Board of TourismJamaica Tourist Board
Travel Trade Gazette – The Knowledge www.ttglive.com/KnowledgeOccidental Hotels & ResortsSuperClubs
Training Programmes
Angsana Resorts are set to open their first Caribbean hotel on the Turks & CaicosIslands. The five star hotel and spa will have 45 luxury beachfront villas and 120 one,two, and three-bedroom villas. For Further information please contact the Turks &Caicos Tourist Board on 0207 222 2669.
Barcelo has announced the acquisition of the former Occidental Gran Flamenco hotel inPlaya Dorada. The sprawling 582-room resort has eight restaurants and two bars. It isbeing renamed the Barcelo Puerto Plata Hotel and has been re-branded as a BarceloPremium level hotel. This is one of two hotels recently purchased by Playa Hotels &Resorts, a division of Barcelo hotels from Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The other was theOccidental Allegro Punta Cana that has also been re-branded. Barcelo is now the largesthotel chain in the Dominican Republic, operating properties in Punta Cana, Juan Dolio,Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata. For further information please contact the DominicanRepublic Tourist Board on 0207 242 7778.
Breezes Curacao Spa & Casino has enjoyed a US$1.3 million enhancement, namelythe 65-room Flamingo wing which now boasts 32-inch LCD TVs, freshly painted roomsand re-appointed bathrooms. US$10 million was spent to upgrade the BreezesBahamas located on Cable Beach in Nassau. Brand-new offerings such as mahoganyfurnishings, plasma screen TVs and electronic safety deposit boxes are among theupgraded amenities. The Breezes Puerto Plata Resort, Spa & Casino has had newflat screen 27" TVs, new mattresses and linens and bathroom fixtures which werecarefully selected and installed with guests' comfort in mind. For more informationplease call SuperClubs 0208 399-4150.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St.Lucia, have newly refurbished premium oceanview rooms at the Adults Only section. These rooms now have flat screen TV's, stockedminibar, leather sofas, upgraded furnishings and king size beds, all with fabulous viewsof the ocean. They will also feature two new themed evenings weekly which are PiratesNight and Carnival Night. For more information please visit www.cbayresort.com orcontact Group Promotions UK on 01582 792 260.
Cap Maison, St. Lucia will open for business in July 2008. There will be a soft openingin May and June and special rates and promotions will be available shortly. For furtherinformation please contact Essential Detail on 0208 874 9534.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, St. Maarten has introduced nine newly converted luxuryone-bedroom suites and one three bedroom 'Presidential Casita'. A further twelveone-bedroom and four two-bedroom oceanfront suites also became available onJanuary 30th 2008. Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, Aruba have opened onehundred luxury golf villas, with another 52 scheduled to be completed by December2008. A fine dining restaurant overlooking the 9th hole of the golf course will also bepart of the new development. Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort will double thesize of the resort by adding 140 suites, scheduled to open in December 2008. Formore information please call High Profile Marketing on 0161 929 8612.
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa formerly known as Sunscape The Beach PuntaCana, will open in December 2008 in the Dominican Republic. The resort will feature thelargest free-form swimming pool in the country, which will wind its way from the lobbydown to the beach, complete with waterfalls and swim-up bar. For more informationplease call the Dominican Republic Tourist Board on 0207 242 7778.
Flamboyant Hotel, Grenada have added a new poolside Jazz Lounge withair-conditioned indoor seating and ocean/pool view terrace. For more information callHigh Profile Marketing on 0161 929 8612.
Glitter Bay, Barbados will re open after a vast refurbishment taking it from therenowned gem that it was to the luxurious property it is today, still sitting on the bestbeach of Barbados. The property will boast luxurious 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartmentswith fabulous views either over the manicured grounds down towards the beach or fullstunning ocean views. The resort will also be equipped with a new beach restaurantarea and an extended glorious beach. For more information please call Essential Detailon 01582 792 260.
Half Moon Golf Academy, Jamaica will offer a variety of programmes tailored to fit theneeds of all, from complete beginners through to experienced professionals. Therecently appointed Director of Golf, Ewan Peebles, is a PGA professional with over 10years' coaching expertise. For more information please call ITG Marketing on 01895450 710.
La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico has opened after years of painstaking work and aUS$220 million investment. The property offers Latin chic with warm hospitality andimpeccable service. See www.laconcharesort.com for more information.
Nisbet Plantation, Nevis have recently made improvements by installing an artificial reefsystem. The water is now almost completely seaweed free and an additional 15 feet ofsand has enhanced the beach. The new reef system is also attracting a colourful arrayof marine life for snorkellers to enjoy. For more information please contact ITG Sales &Marketing on 01895 450 710.
Settlers Beach Barbados have advised that their restaurant will be under newmanagement effective February 1st, 2008, offering full service from this date, includingbreakfast. In addition, the sea wall has been completed, and non-motorised watersportsare now all operational. For more information please contact ITG Sales & Marketing on01895 450 710.
Two new developments are set to open winter 2008 in the Turks & Caicos Islands:the Leeward Resort and Marina and the Molasses Reef, a Ritz-Carlton Reserveon West Caicos. This property will be surrounded by unique habitat and rare wildlife.It will boast 125 suites and 60 Ritz-Carlton-branded villas. For more informationplease contact the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board on 0207 222 2669.
Property Update
Welcome New Chapter MembersHotel RepresentationTrue Blue Bay, Grenada,C/o Sharon Bernstein,26-28 Hammersmith Grove 4th Floor, London W6 7BA.Telephone: 08701 442 010
Amended Contact DetailsJulie ClaxtonNevis Tourism Authority,Main Street,Charlestown, Nevis.Telephone: 1 869 469 7550
US Virgin Islands Dept. of TourismMs. Erin Daniel2655 S. LeJeune Road,Suite 907, Coral Gables,Florida 33134Telephone: 305 442 7200
While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, no responsibilityis accepted for any claims or statements made in articles or advertisementsappearing in this newsletter.
Disclaimer
Puerto Rico Golf Open. The first ever official PGA Tour event in Puerto Rico willtake place on March 17th to 23rd at the Coco Beach Golf and Country Club.There will be prize money of $3,500,000 USD to be had. For more informationplease see www.puertoricoopen.net.
St Patrick’s Week of Activities – 10th-18th March 2008 Montserrat is the onlycountry outside Ireland where St Patrick’s Day (17th March) is a national holidayand the event is celebrated with a full week of activities. St Patrick’s Day ismarked both because of Montserrat’s strong Irish heritage (the island wasa safe-haven for persecuted Irish Catholics in the 17th century) and as acommemoration to a slave uprising that took place on St Patrick’s Day in1768. Events during St Patrick’s week include a junior calypso competition,masquerade performances, guided nature hikes, a ‘Freedom Run’ fun run, a‘Slave Village’ serving traditional Montserratian dishes and a tour of the local rumshops, where visitors can sip on a cold Guinness. For further details pleasecontact the Montserrat Tourist Board on 0207 928 1600.
In the waters around the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Whale and DolphinConservation Society (WDCS) will work with local whale watch operators toobtain baseline data of humpback whale distribution and residency. Increaseddevelopment has raised the threats to whales of harassment, acousticdisturbance, vessel strikes, entanglement, and pollution. While these threatsaffect whales everywhere, the Caribbean is an area where more information isneeded. North Atlantic humpback whales migrate approximately 1500 miles eachyear, travelling between their summer feeding grounds and their winter breedinggrounds. Many humpbacks are sighted around the Turks and Caicos Islands,specifically Salt Cay. The WDCS scientists will conduct on-site photographicidentification of individual humpbacks and record their location, behaviour andvocalizations. For more information please call the Turks & Caicos Tourist Boardon 0207 222 2669.
Island News/Events
British Airways will increase the number of flights to St. Lucia from Gatwicknext winter. They will operate three non-stop flights to the island commencingOctober 26th 2008.
Air Turks and Caicos inaugurated flights to Jamaica's capital Kingston inDecember 2007. The airline also offers regional connections to Montego Bay,Port-u-Prince in Haiti, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. In additiona new route to Santo Domingo will be added this year.!
Airline News
