Caribbean Insider Blog

A LOCAL CARIBBEAN EXPERIENCE=SUSTAINABLE TOURISM by Lorraine Headley

4/12/2011

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation has just concluded its 12th Sustainable Conference in Bermuda which sought to provide an arena where new and creative ideas about enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the Caribbean tourism product could be generated.

Some critical decision makers and technical experts expressed the importance of sustainability for Caribbean tourism and highlighted strategies for success including establishing a sustainable tourism plan, developing green partnerships, and ways to save money through better resource use.

Premier of Bermuda, Paula Cox, said on opening the Conference on April 4th that “Sustainable development as we all know is development that meets the need of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Another speaker, Costas Christ the Editor at Large of National Geographic Traveller suggested that sustainability boils down to three pillars, “all of which must be met for sustainability success: Environmentally-friendly operations in business…; support for the protection of cultural and natural heritage; and direct and tangible social and economic benefits to local people.”

Of greatest interest to me was the presentation by Judy Karwacki, owner of Small Planet Consulting, who led delegates through a thought-provoking session on Experiential Travel. She explained that experiential travel engages people in a series of memorable events that are revealed over time. And it involves a sixth sense – the heart. She emphasised that this type of travel is all about a relationship with the traveller and the host community on an emotional, physical, intellectual and experience level. And what’s more, experiential travel is a high-value business that delivers significant economic benefit.

She outlined how the experiential economy takes a commodity (like lobster) and elevates it to an experience level (e.g., lobster fishing with Captain Jack), driving its value exponentially. “The market is changing and people want to have experiences. We are living in a commoditized society where everything is similar. In experiential travel, our challenge is to differentiate and draw people back, time and time again. This requires a fundamentally different mindset.”

As a first step in building an experiential travel programme, Karwacki said “identify your assets.” What makes your country, region or town different than anywhere else? she asked. "Is it nature? Culture? Heritage? Cuisine? Art? Dance? Then, make an inventory and brainstorm experience ideas. “The goal is to give people a sense of what it is really like to live in this region.”

Turn back the clock eleven years, I had written a paper presented at a National Tourism Summit in 2000 called “Exploring Our Indigenous Assets for an Authentic Visitor Experience” which considered the service chain in tourism and ways to add experiential value by emphasizing the local and cultural flavour:

“The difference between the Caribbean and other destinations is the specific cultural aspects of the islands found only in the region due to the unique racial and historical backgrounds of these societies. This emphasis on the cultural nature of vacation destinations is a growing trend in tourism where there is a growing desire to experience different cultures in the form of music, dance, food and drink, art and craft, history and interacting with the people of the country through special events and programmes.”

“With the exciting and inviting aspects of reggae, steelbands and calypso music; rum, coffee, exotic fruits and foods, art and craft, interesting and varied historical backgrounds and the friendly and welcoming nature of Caribbean people, our success in increasing tourist arrivals, and in particular repeat arrivals, is in focusing on these attributes of society in the presentation of the destination to tourists.”

“All visitors to our country will experience it from a unique perspective, but what we must now seek to do is actively manage the most prominent experiences encountered to ensure that they are positive in every way. The economy of the future is moving from one based on the demand for services to one based on an ever increasing demand for memorable and more highly valued experiences. We must view every interaction with visitors not as providing a service but providing a memorable experience for our guests which is felt through every sense: sight, sound, taste, touch and smell.”

In fact by emphasizing our Caribbean cultural experiences and traditions we can automatically move towards a more green experience- using coconut shells instead of china soup bowls; banana leafs instead of doilies; sugar cane sticks instead of wooden skewers; sourcing fresh local fish from fishermen in the village rather than frozen imports from Miami; designing cottages the traditional way utilising natural trade winds rather than air conditioning.

Guests want to enjoy the Caribbean experience but don’t want to leave it poorer or damaged.

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, Robert Curley of About.com suggests taking “the opportunity to experience wildlife reserves, parks and other attractions and lend a helping hand to Mother Nature by patronizing green hotels and eco-resorts -- or even pitching in to help local efforts to keep the Caribbean beautiful.” His article outlines a range of activities to commemorate the day while visiting the region:

Visit a Caribbean Nature Park
The Caribbean is home to some unique and fascinating nature parks and preserves, including the 43-square-mile El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. parks system. El Yunque is home to myriad endangered species and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls and ancient petroglyphs. The Bonaire National Marine Park protects some of the most pristine coral reefs in the Caribbean but also is very accessible to snorkelers and other visitors. Virgin Islands National Park comprises two-thirds of the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is just 20 minutes by ferry from busy St. Thomas; the park includes 7,000 acres of undeveloped beaches and forests as well as 5,000 acres of coral gardens.

Stay at an Eco-Resort
The Caribbean coast of Central America -- particularly Belize and Costa Rica -- is famous for its eco-resorts, many located within pristine rainforests, like the Gamboa Rainforest Resort in Panama. Among the Caribbean islands, Dominica's lush, undeveloped forests are home to a number of eco-resorts, such as the Calibishe Lodge, Papillote Wilderness Retreat, and the 3 Rivers Eco Lodge. On St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the eco-friendly Maho Bay properties include the Maho Bay Camps, which has 114 tent-cottages connected by boardwalks inside the Virgin Islands National Park. The Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge and Tranquility Bay eco-resorts in Belize enlist guests in habitat cleanup efforts as part of their Earth Day activities.

Sleep at a Green Hotel
Green Globe certifies hotels and other travel and tourism related attractions and destinations based on sustainability and environmental stewardship criteria. Organizations may be rated platinum, gold, silver or bronze. The Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism publishes a list of Green Globe certified hotels across the region. One of the region's leading "green" hotels is the Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, which has its own desalination plant, used rooftop solar heaters to generate hot water, grounds up used bath soap to wash employee uniforms, and trains all employees as "Environmental Agents." Another leader is the Tiamo resort in the Bahamas, which has an extensive recycling program and a large solar array for power.

Take Part in Earth Day Activities
Voluntourism centers on the idea of giving a little back when visiting a place that you love, and you can put the concept into practice by joining a local Earth Day event. Taking part in a cleanup effort for a few hours is a great opportunity to meet local residents, who are sure to appreciate your efforts as an island visitor pitching in. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association, for example, organizes tourists and locals alike to take part in beach and underwater cleanup efforts; other Cayman Earth Day activities include free admission to Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and raffles and complimentary appetizers at the Lobster Pot Dive Center, which will donate all proceeds from rental tanks to the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.

Spend Your Vacation Dollars in Responsible Destinations
Not all Caribbean islands are equally Earth-friendly, and even outward appearances can sometimes be deceiving. Visitors to Aruba are likely to notice the plume of pollution streaming skyward from the Valero refinery in San Nicholas, for example, but the island also has set aside 20% of the island for the Arikok National Park, one of the world's most advanced water desalination plants, and plans to eventually generate most of its electricity from sea and wind power.

Neighbouring Bonaire has an equally ambitious plan in place, with a dozen windmills under construction, some little more than a column and a plinth, that stretch out in a colonnade along the shore. By 2010, half of the island's energy will come from the trade winds.

The Caribbean has a way to go and Earth Day helps to increase awareness about the importance of the environment and our role in preserving it. Slowly but surely we will become a region where it will be Earth Day not just on one random day in April, but every single day of the year.

WORLD CUP CRICKET IN THE CARIBBEAN..REVISITED by Lorraine Headley

3/24/2011

I must be honest; I haven’t been too engaged in the Cricket World Cup One Day Fifty Over tournament taking place in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Apparently it is taking me a long time to get over my disappointments and frustrations…four years to be exact. Following the huge hype and years of intense preparation, reflecting on the unprecedented event of a kind - the Cricket World Cup, held in the Caribbean for the first time ever in 2007 - it was a major let down for the people of the Caribbean (if I can speak for them) and I suspect, for many visiting spectators.

Recognised as the world’s fourth largest and fourth most viewed sporting event, the various joint hosting nations (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago) organised, constructed, trained and volunteered like we had never done before in the history of the region.

There was considerable political fallout given the level of investment required; many persons brought to breaking point - both figuratively and literally (I can point to at least 3 people I believe to have succumbed to stress related illnesses leading up to and just after the event... but then I am a conspiracy theorist by nature); and many white elephants (brand new, out of town, little used edifices) litter the Caribbean landscape as we speak.

Why the discrepancy between the theoretical benefits of hosting such a major event in the Caribbean and the actual stunning underperformance. The attempt to impose a different culture and modus operandi on the region especially in hindsight could, should and would never work.

I have admitted before that one of my rather flippant reasons for re-locating to the Caribbean over 20 years ago was as a result of watching Test Match cricket on the television in England. Watching the antics on BBC TV of comedians in the Antigua Recreation Grounds (Antigua was the pioneer of Carnival Cricket), the dancing of spectators and local celebrities (a la Gravy) at the boundary edge between overs, and the commotion created for a six or a catch, I vowed that I would be in the middle of that crowd one day. By April 1991, I had made it into the Double Decker stand of the Antigua Recreation Ground for the Australian tour of the West Indies, a member of Chickie’s Hi-Fi posse with its all inclusive arrangement, where a pot of seasoned rice passed among former strangers; unlimited liquor flowed, and there was music galore - ah, cricket heaven. And the partying did not stop at the end of the game. Everyone gathered in the “Party Stands” until way into the night to celebrate, regardless of whether their team was winning or not.

Unfortunately, although the 2007 World Cup organisers recognised the potential pull of this Caribbean style of watching cricket which equally emphasised the actual game along with the food, the drinking, the vendors, the iron bands, dancers, socialising with friends and the budding comedians heckling the fielders from the stands, coupled with the touristic elements of gorgeous weather, fabulous accommodation, beautiful beaches and enticing history – the goose that laid the golden egg was no more once the over-commercialised approach took hold. Added to this, the extreme security restrictions in areas ranging from not allowing food from outside (no more pot of seasoned rice!) to not wearing clothing that could be viewed as ambush marketing (we had better go naked!) to not allowing us to take our musical instruments (we might as well all go home!) And go home (or didn’t bother to turn up) we did - both locals and visitors, resulting in small crowds and little atmosphere.

The authorities were said, according to cricket journalist Mike Selvey, to have run cricket and the cricketing traditions out of town, then sanitising it out of existence.

Tim DeLisle, journalist and former editor of Wisden, added “Cricket in the Caribbean has a flavour of its own. It's about passion and vivacity, spontaneity and laughter, food and dancing. The International Cricket Council is not about any of these things. It's about making money, having rules, and siding with narrow commercial interests…” (his words, not mine).

The high ticket prices charged were untenable. We are a people accustomed to coming to the match at mid morning when we should be at work, and returning to the office just before closing time to put in at least one hour to warrant our salary - so everything is last minute depending on whether the boss has gone to the match as well. We are prepared to pay only $20 (whatever currency, be it Jamaican, Eastern Caribbean, Barbados) for our last minute ticket. Other than that we would rather watch it for free from a nearby tree, prison (Antiguan reference!) or apartment block - I kid you not!

As for security concerns, we are not going to throw our steel drums, conch shells, bugles and tin cans on the field… they are, after all, instruments of art, not weapons of “match” destruction. Caribbean people would never let anything stop a good fete and will report any potential threat not only due to a moral responsibility but to avoid their $20 ticket money going to waste.

Overall, the ICC tried to shift our organisational and customer service approach towards quality customer service, excellent in both procedural and personal service, suggesting a “We care and we deliver” approach. A good thing on paper and possibly achievable in the hectic lead up to the event, but perhaps they didn’t study the various dimensions of customer service recognising the interactions of procedural and personal service which contributes to the overall experience in the context of the Caribbean.

There is the “freezer” provider which is low in both personal and procedural service, emanating a “We don’t care” approach. There is the “factory” provider which is good in procedural service but low in personal service suggesting a “You are a number, we are here to process you” approach. And there is the “friendly zoo” which is bad in procedural service but good in personal service, emitting “We are trying really hard, but don’t really know what we are doing” approach.

The ICC’s emphasis on procedural aspects of the event resulted in us losing the personal aspect of the event. The Caribbean ended up like a “freezer”. We should have been allowed to remain a “friendly zoo”... we are great at that. We certainly care and try to deliver as best we can. People often minimise procedural problems once they are happy and are having a great time... as long as they are safe and get what they came for and paid for. We should have been trusted to deliver what we do best…the best cricketing experience on earth.

There, it is finally off my chest. I hope that India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are retaining all their cultural nuances while providing a quality experience for its locals and visitors.

We should never forget in seeking to attract visitors to our shores, whether for major sporting events or ongoing marketing to attract tourists to our hotels, that what makes the Caribbean special is something very intangible .. perhaps called West Indian style and flair…often mistaken for disorganisation and haphazardness…but remarkably everything always falls into place with great passion and gusto.

CARIBBEAN UPRISINGS by Lorraine Headley

3/13/2011

Like everybody else around the world, we have been watching the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and other Middle Eastern countries. The growing interconnectedness with the rest of the world through social media and its resultant increase in personal expectations and demand for freedom and employment is a stunning phenomenon to observe.

In watching one of the many news reports, I wondered to my 13 year old son whether these experiences could occur in the Caribbean, especially reflecting on the past when there were a few more authoritarian leaders in the Caribbean who had been in power for 20 and 30 years. He laughed and said, it could never happen in the Caribbean as Caribbean people just love to talk and complain, especially on the radio, but are too content and laid back to take any action.

No…surely not. But perhaps so.

What factors may differentiate the people of the Caribbean and those of the Middle East?

We in the Caribbean are blessed to enjoy democratic governments, with the exception of Cuba. And despite a few hiccups with the process on occasions, most elections pass peacefully with the results accepted with some measures of disgruntlement, but recognising that another election is just four to five years around the corner.

Although not prosperous countries, many Caribbean nations have performed relatively well. The list of countries by GDP per capita (data from the International Monetary Fund in 2010 for 182 countries) rates The Bahamas at #35, Barbados at #41, Trinidad and Tobago at #43, Antigua and Barbuda at #50, with other Caribbean countries rated between #65 (St. Kitts and Nevis) and #99 (Guyana). In some Caribbean countries there are pockets of poverty but there always seems the ability for people to eat and survive, or emigrate to other Caribbean countries where prospects may be better.

As a comparison, Kuwait is rated #13, The United Arab Emirates at #15, Bahrain at #33 and Oman at # 34. However, of those affected recently by the uprisings, Libya is rated at #59, Tunisia at #83, and Egypt at #103.

Another poignant factor is the religious, racial, ethnic, and political diversity of the people of the Caribbean and the extensive integration of various groups, resulting in a large proportion of bi-cultural and bi-racial residents of the region. The history of Caribbean countries has been based on the importation and immigration of a wide variety of people, from African to European, Chinese to Indian, Portuguese to Syrian. In most countries, especially Trinidad, Guyana and Jamaica the cultural and racial diversity is extensive and most interesting is that the level of integration amongst families leads to an amazingly beautiful culture of people reflected also in the music, food, art and literature.

This type of multiculturalism is seen by its supporters as a fairer system that allows people to truly express who they are within a society, that is more tolerant, and that adapts better to social issues. Tariq Modood, a well known British based professor of sociology argues that in the early years of the 21st Century, multiculturalism "is most timely and necessary, and we need more not less", since it is "the form of integration" that (1) best fits the ideal of egalitarianism, (2) has "the best chance of succeeding" in the "post-9/11, post 7/7" world, and (3) has remained "moderate [and] pragmatic".

The historical and widely accepted multiculturalism existing in the Caribbean has enabled these countries to develop without the dichotomy that could lead to major conflicts between religious, political, racial, ethnic or even social and economic groups that may have led to the uprisings being seen in the Middle East.

But not to be flippant, I can’t help but sense that the fact that most Caribbean countries spend at least six months of the year preparing for a national period of fun, must be a major factor in the level of peace and anticipated future stability in the region. How can you ever get riled up enough to ‘uprise’ about anything when you are thinking about building costumes to compete among your peers, expressing political dissatisfaction through calypsos, and generally getting fit to culminate in two days of collective letting off of steam? Coming on the heels of Trinidad’s and Dominica’s carnivals which ended last week, where the biggest controversies were who deserved to win the Party Monarch title, and with preparations heightening for the throng of Summer festivals from March (Jamaica), July (St. Lucia) and August (Antigua, Barbados, Anguilla, and Grenada) many countries around the world could take a leaf out of the Caribbean’s book on how to foster harmony.

Lea Ann Fessenden of examiner.com describes well the history of carnival and suggests that “Although celebrated worldwide, Carnival is quintessentially Caribbean. There is no other annual event that encompasses as many facets of Caribbean culture as does Carnival where food, music, language, politics, artistry and history are all beautifully and irreverently represented.”

No..there will be no uprising in the Caribbean in the near future..I suspect the closest we will get will be many carnival troupes this summer making presentations for mas called “Uprising”! Let’s see who spots the first one.

CYCLING IN THE CARIBBBEAN by Lorraine Headley

2/21/2011

I have a confession to make. I can’t ride a bike. I never had a bike as a child (I blame my parents…) and was too terrified to learn as I got older. That is possibly why I enjoy spinning classes so much, as I can imagine how it would feel to ride across the ever changing landscape and freewheeling in the fresh air, although I don’t know if I could manage without the pulsating motivational music of the group class.

The cycling season has started in Antigua and I suspect for avid riders, there is no better place to ride than on a tropical flat island with year round temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius. The island has a vibrant Cycling Association and hosts plenty of competitive races. It is also a regular sight to see scores of hotel guests and even cruise ship guests traversing the island on bikes in large groups.

Another Caribbean island of similar landscape, Barbados according to www.Barbados.org is a great place to plan a holiday incorporating bicycle riding. They also emphasise that race cycling as well as mountain biking is very popular amongst locals on the island with a history of successful competitors as well as a number of excellent bike routes and tracks.

The website suggests that “The beauty of the landscape through which one cycles is unbelievable. No matter whether one is cycling high above the east coast with the Atlantic Ocean always in sight, or climbing up the steep hill to St. John's Church, or riding down the roads framed by lush, tropical vegetation into a "surfer's paradise", Bathsheba, or cruising along the East Coast Road, or climbing the "almost mountains" up to Cherry Tree Hill or Apes Hill, there is always something to catch the eye. It's breathtaking!”

Geographia.com reports that because of Bonaire's unique topography, cycling around the island is both interesting and invigorating. “At first glance, the predominantly flat terrain lulls you into thinking there is no challenge, but the hilly northern region will tax even the strongest legs.

Miles of paved roads, all suitable for comfortable cycling, meander along the island's sparsely populated coast. To the south are Bonaire's stunning solar salt pans and salt mountains, historic slave huts, and Willemstoren Lighthouse. On the north road cyclists can find majestic ospreys, secluded coves perfect for snorkeling and picnicking, the ancient limestone bench marking the sea's level over 100,000 years ago, and historic Karpata, a restored plantation house.

Bonaire's arid, semi-desert interior, with its unpaved roads, lends itself to adventuresome mountain bike touring. Off the beaten path are ranches and agricultural areas, unique bird subspecies like the endemic yellow-shouldered parrot and flamboyant pink flamingoes, fascinating geological formations, and mysterious Caiquetio petroglyphs. Goats, wild donkeys, and the camouflaged iguana live among the prickly cacti and aloe along the way to Rincon, an historic inland village.”

One of the most touted of Caribbean islands to visit by bike is Cuba. The CycleActive Tour was selected by the UK Daily Telegraph newspaper as one of their “Top 20 Adventures for 2011”. The 15-day tour of Cuba has been carefully researched to combine beautiful rides with minimal vehicle transfers, while offering time to mix with the locals and discover this colourful, cultural and beautiful Caribbean island. A cycle tour in Cuba means spinning through UNESCO World Heritage sites and breathtaking scenery, discovering rural villages and historic towns, and meeting many Cuban people as you travel. The combination of a qualified British guide and a local expert guide means extra safety, flexibility and an insight into local life. The tour takes in Havana, Trinidad, fields of tobacco crops for Cuba's world famous cigars, the rainforests and the wild terrain of the Escambray Mountains, Soroa, La Guira National Park and the beautiful northern coast with its many beautiful beaches.

http://www.holidayrentalhomes.com/ reports that cycling is becoming more popular year on year in the Caribbean, with many islands now catering for serious trail and mountain bikers, as well as the holidaymakers wishing to take a relaxing ride. Cycling is a great way to view the untouched interiors of many of the islands with many mountainous routes and trails dating back to when invading armies cut through the forests and when island traders forged paths from market to market. Take a guided tour to learn more and get the most out of your cycling experience providing a good way to learn about the islands as well as to take in the great views. Knowledgeable guides will be able to point out any local history or fauna that individuals may miss.

Challenging routes and trails include the Sierra Maestra Mountains in Cuba, The Quill in St Eustatius and Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic. For something a little bit different, a dawn climb to the top of the Blue Mountain Peak in Jamaica is highly recommended, you can experience some fantastic views on clear mornings.

Reportedly the best places to cycle in the Caribbean include Bahamas, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. For those cyclists out there, give me your first hand feedback on these cycling destinations.

THE BEST SIX HOTEL GYMS IN THE CARIBBEAN by Lorraine Headley

2/13/2011

A lot of my friends and acquaintances seem to be taking their fitness goals seriously for 2011. With one cousin, now a newly certified instructor, offering twice weekly cardio blast sessions at a local gym, and another friend turning her long time yoga passion into a profession, and others all gung-ho signing up for new zumba classes, bootcamps, circuit training and core conditioning at two new gyms that have recently opened locally.

There is no reason to get off your fitness programme when you visit the Caribbean on vacation. I had the pleasure of visiting a well equipped Sandals Resort gym during a tour and started to immediately strategise on how I could work out a special membership with the management.

Some hotels in the Caribbean are renowned for their fitness facilities:

Cap Juluca in Anguilla, a top five star property, features a fully equipped fitness center with Cybex equipment for upper and lower body workouts. The separate cardio room offers treadmills, elliptical trainers and stationary bikes each equipped with personal televisions. They have full-time fitness staff with personal trainers available for private training sessions as well as outdoor activities such as bike riding, golf, tennis clinics, yoga, pilates and beach fitness cardio sculpting classes offered daily. They aim to provide as many options as possible to help achieve balance between personal fitness goals and time spent relaxing on the beach.

Sugar Ridge in Antigua is a two year old trendy property featuring a well equipped glass walled gym with 30 pieces of Cybex equipment overlooking the swimming pool. With an intimate Pilates and yoga studio there are also daily classes for toning.

Seven Stars Resort in Turks and Caicos features a gym with a range of cardiovascular equipment and resistance training machines. A personal trainer is also available for private sessions.

Carlisle Bay in Antigua provides a fully air conditioned gym with state of the art Technogym equipment with great views overlooking the hills and rainforest. Personal trainers also offer personalised programmes, external cardio sessions and individual or group yoga and fitness classes.

Sandy Lane in Barbados, a five star resort has, in addition to their world-class golf, tennis and water sports facilities, a 2,500 square foot gym and training area supervised by qualified personal trainers. The Fitness Centre has a full range of LifeFitness aerobic equipment, Concept II rowers, a range of free weights, a Vibrogym and an exercise studio. They also offer complimentary classes daily, including Pilates, spinning, circuits and yoga.

The Four Seasons Resort in Nevis provides a fully air-conditioned Sports Pavilion with a fitness room with state of-the-art workout equipment, including cardiovascular machines and free weights. Personal trainers and aerobics classes are also available.

Of course don’t underestimate the heath effects of a jog in the soft powdery sand which is said to use 1.6 times more energy than jogging on hard surfaces, burning 20-30% more calories. According to Sportsandrunning.com, it is a great way to strengthen the legs and the lower body in general, with a lot less impact than jogging on other surfaces yet a lot more strenuous. It also engages your upper body as you struggle to maintain your balance thus giving your core abdominals, back and shoulders a workout as you move through the shifting terrain. Writer, Dav Davis, suggests that over time, this results in more strength and fluidity of motion, giving you better control over your body.

Widely believed to be one of the best running workouts you can get, regularly running in sand will transform your body and increase your coordination. But most of all whether your run along the beach at the dawn of the day or at sunset, running in sand provides you with the most stunning Caribbean scenery which you just can’t get on a treadmill no matter how great that hotel gym is. Combine the two and return home in the best physical shape of your life.