Issue 30 – February 08
AgentsNews
Caribbean Training Programme Newsletter
www.caribbean.co.uk
Welcome to Issue 30 of the CTP E-News
Your personal update on Caribbean news from the Caribbean Tourism Organisation.
Edited by Sonja Rogers, CTO London
CTO Website
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.
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.
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
Congratulations!
Montserrat you may call 0207 928 1600 or visit www.visitmontserrat.com.
Caribbean Training Programme agent Janet
Shopping Basket
Dining Out – Local Restaurant
Brimble, Chew Valley Travel is the latest winner
Bottle of beer 330ml – £0.75
Bottle of beer – £0.90
of an educational place, on the Take Some
Canned drink – £0.40
Glass of wine – £1.80
Time Out Trip, to Trinidad & Tobago!
Local bottled water 500ml – £0.40
Soft drink – £0.75
Ice Cream (8oz) – £0.75
Bottled water – £0.75
Starter up to – £3.50
Main Course £6.25 – £11.50
Dessert – £1.75
Chapter Member Highlight
Every 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
[email protected].
Your Guide to the Caribbean
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.
News from…
Aruba Tourism Authority reported an impressive 70% growth in
British visitors to the Dutch Caribbean island in 2007, over 2006.
They attributed the growth to the continued support of their UK tour
operator partners and growing consumer awareness. Increased flight
capacity was also named as a key factor. First Choice Holidays
introduced a new direct service from Manchester, in addition to
the existing London Gatwick route to Aruba from the UK.
Butterfly Beach Hotel, Barbados
won the coveted British Airways
Holidays Award for Independent
Hotel of the Year, beating 1,700
other properties worldwide.
SuperClubs year-long commitment
to elevate the Breezes Resorts
to a higher plane has been
accomplished! The completion of
their newly refurbished accommodation and upgraded amenities at
the super inclusive Breezes Resorts in Curacao, the Bahamas and
the Dominican Republic has been completed.
Educationals
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])
Anguilla Fam Trip
Training Update
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 including
Caribbean cruises. See pages 4 to 8 in your Travelfax for more details or call Sonja
on 0208 948-0057 or email [email protected].
The Aruba Tourism Authority has launched their new on-line travel agent training
programme with Travel Uni. Please visit www.arubaacademy.co.uk for more
information.
You can now have a virtual tour of the Cayman Islands by visiting a newly
launched micro site. Visit www.caymanislands.co.uk and immerse yourself with an
interactive experience that brings the three Cayman Islands to life. In addition, the
Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism will launch their new on-line travel agent training
programme in conjunction with Travel Uni. Please e-mail [email protected]
to register your interest.
Group Promotions has developed a new on-line Training Academy. Agents are
able to do short study courses on all properties resulting in complimentary stays for
those successfully completing the course. Plus the newly developed Ambassadors
Club enables registered Agents to receive details of exclusive special offers, staff
rates 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 training
programme soon. Please register your interest by going to the website
www.learnTNT.com.
Here Gabi Birbeck, of Rendezvous Travel Group, tells us about her recent
Fam Trip to Anguilla.
Having travelled extensively in the Caribbean, I was really looking forward to my
trip, 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 and
offshore islands, my favourite being Scilly Cay where we enjoyed a wonderful Sunday
lunch of lobster, cray fish and chicken combos. Privately owned by Eudoxie and
Sandra Wallace, the island is found just off Island Harbour and a free boat service
takes 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 narrow
shape. Its Carib name was Malliouhana, which means sea serpent, and which now
gives its name to one of the luxury hotels on the island. Other properties of note are
Cap Juluca, Desert Rose Estate, Paradise Cove Resort, Altamar, Cove Castles, Villa
Indigo, 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!
Other Fam Pics…
Complete the Turks & Caicos Islands on-line training programme and become
eligible for fam trips and other treats. Please visit www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk.
Training Programmes
Barbados Tourism Authority
Tel: 020 7636 9448
Barbados Specialist
Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Tel: 020 7590 0210
SABTA
Turks & Caicos Tourist Board
www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk
Travel Weekly Academy
Couples Resorts
Elite Island Resorts
St Lucia Tourist Board
Sunset Resorts
www.travelweekly.co.uk/academy
Travel Uni
Aruba Tourism Authority
Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Office
Bahamas Tourist Office
Bermuda Dept of Tourism
Cayman Islands Dept. of Tourism
Elite Island Resorts
Grenada Board of Tourism
Jamaica Tourist Board
www.traveluni.com
Travel Trade Gazette – The Knowledge
Occidental Hotels & Resorts
SuperClubs
www.ttglive.com/Knowledge
Wedding & Honeymoon Certification Fam to Antigua & Barbuda.
First Choice Travel Agents in the Dominican Republic, on the
'Outback Jeep Safari' tour.
Property Update
Angsana Resorts are set to open their first Caribbean hotel on the Turks & Caicos
Islands. 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 in
Playa Dorada. The sprawling 582-room resort has eight restaurants and two bars. It is
being renamed the Barcelo Puerto Plata Hotel and has been re-branded as a Barcelo
Premium 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 the
Occidental Allegro Punta Cana that has also been re-branded. Barcelo is now the largest
hotel chain in the Dominican Republic, operating properties in Punta Cana, Juan Dolio,
Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata. For further information please contact the Dominican
Republic Tourist Board on 0207 242 7778.
Breezes Curacao Spa & Casino has enjoyed a US$1.3 million enhancement, namely
the 65-room Flamingo wing which now boasts 32-inch LCD TVs, freshly painted rooms
and re-appointed bathrooms. US$10 million was spent to upgrade the Breezes
Bahamas located on Cable Beach in Nassau. Brand-new offerings such as mahogany
furnishings, plasma screen TVs and electronic safety deposit boxes are among the
upgraded amenities. The Breezes Puerto Plata Resort, Spa & Casino has had new
flat screen 27" TVs, new mattresses and linens and bathroom fixtures which were
carefully selected and installed with guests' comfort in mind. For more information
please call SuperClubs 0208 399-4150.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St.Lucia, have newly refurbished premium ocean
view rooms at the Adults Only section. These rooms now have flat screen TV's, stocked
minibar, leather sofas, upgraded furnishings and king size beds, all with fabulous views
of the ocean. They will also feature two new themed evenings weekly which are Pirates
Night and Carnival Night. For more information please visit www.cbayresort.com or
contact Group Promotions UK on 01582 792 260.
Cap Maison, St. Lucia will open for business in July 2008. There will be a soft opening
in May and June and special rates and promotions will be available shortly. For further
information please contact Essential Detail on 0208 874 9534.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, St. Maarten has introduced nine newly converted luxury
one-bedroom suites and one three bedroom 'Presidential Casita'. A further twelve
one-bedroom and four two-bedroom oceanfront suites also became available on
January 30th 2008. Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, Aruba have opened one
hundred luxury golf villas, with another 52 scheduled to be completed by December
2008. A fine dining restaurant overlooking the 9th hole of the golf course will also be
part of the new development. Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort will double the
size of the resort by adding 140 suites, scheduled to open in December 2008. For
more information please call High Profile Marketing on 0161 929 8612.
Island News/Events
Puerto Rico Golf Open. The first ever official PGA Tour event in Puerto Rico will
take 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 information
please see www.puertoricoopen.net.
St Patrick’s Week of Activities – 10th-18th March 2008 Montserrat is the only
country outside Ireland where St Patrick’s Day (17th March) is a national holiday
and the event is celebrated with a full week of activities. St Patrick’s Day is
marked both because of Montserrat’s strong Irish heritage (the island was
a safe-haven for persecuted Irish Catholics in the 17th century) and as a
commemoration to a slave uprising that took place on St Patrick’s Day in
1768. 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 rum
shops, where visitors can sip on a cold Guinness. For further details please
contact the Montserrat Tourist Board on 0207 928 1600.
In the waters around the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Whale and Dolphin
Conservation Society (WDCS) will work with local whale watch operators to
obtain baseline data of humpback whale distribution and residency. Increased
development has raised the threats to whales of harassment, acoustic
disturbance, vessel strikes, entanglement, and pollution. While these threats
affect whales everywhere, the Caribbean is an area where more information is
needed. North Atlantic humpback whales migrate approximately 1500 miles each
year, travelling between their summer feeding grounds and their winter breeding
grounds. Many humpbacks are sighted around the Turks and Caicos Islands,
specifically Salt Cay. The WDCS scientists will conduct on-site photographic
identification of individual humpbacks and record their location, behaviour and
vocalizations. For more information please call the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board
on 0207 222 2669.
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa formerly known as Sunscape The Beach Punta
Cana, will open in December 2008 in the Dominican Republic. The resort will feature the
largest free-form swimming pool in the country, which will wind its way from the lobby
down to the beach, complete with waterfalls and swim-up bar. For more information
please call the Dominican Republic Tourist Board on 0207 242 7778.
Flamboyant Hotel, Grenada have added a new poolside Jazz Lounge with
air-conditioned indoor seating and ocean/pool view terrace. For more information call
High Profile Marketing on 0161 929 8612.
Glitter Bay, Barbados will re open after a vast refurbishment taking it from the
renowned gem that it was to the luxurious property it is today, still sitting on the best
beach of Barbados. The property will boast luxurious 1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments
with fabulous views either over the manicured grounds down towards the beach or full
stunning ocean views. The resort will also be equipped with a new beach restaurant
area and an extended glorious beach. For more information please call Essential Detail
on 01582 792 260.
Half Moon Golf Academy, Jamaica will offer a variety of programmes tailored to fit the
needs of all, from complete beginners through to experienced professionals. The
recently appointed Director of Golf, Ewan Peebles, is a PGA professional with over 10
years' coaching expertise. For more information please call ITG Marketing on 01895
450 710.
La Concha Resort, Puerto Rico has opened after years of painstaking work and a
US$220 million investment. The property offers Latin chic with warm hospitality and
impeccable service. See www.laconcharesort.com for more information.
Nisbet Plantation, Nevis have recently made improvements by installing an artificial reef
system. The water is now almost completely seaweed free and an additional 15 feet of
sand has enhanced the beach. The new reef system is also attracting a colourful array
of 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 new
management effective February 1st, 2008, offering full service from this date, including
breakfast. In addition, the sea wall has been completed, and non-motorised watersports
are now all operational. For more information please contact ITG Sales & Marketing on
01895 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 Reserve
on 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 information
please contact the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board on 0207 222 2669.
Welcome New Chapter Members
Hotel Representation
True Blue Bay, Grenada,
C/o Sharon Bernstein,
26-28 Hammersmith Grove 4th Floor, London W6 7BA.
Telephone: 08701 442 010
Airline News
British Airways will increase the number of flights to St. Lucia from Gatwick
next winter. They will operate three non-stop flights to the island commencing
October 26th 2008.
Air Turks and Caicos inaugurated flights to Jamaica's capital Kingston in
December 2007. The airline also offers regional connections to Montego Bay,
Port-u-Prince in Haiti, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. In addition
a new route to Santo Domingo will be added this year.!
Amended Contact Details
Julie Claxton
Nevis Tourism Authority,
Main Street,
Charlestown, Nevis.
Telephone: 1 869 469 7550
US Virgin Islands Dept. of Tourism
Ms. Erin Daniel
2655 S. LeJeune Road,
Suite 907, Coral Gables,
Florida 33134
Telephone: 305 442 7200
Disclaimer
While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, no responsibility
is accepted for any claims or statements made in articles or advertisements
appearing in this newsletter.