tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779Mon, 21 May 2012 12:18:05 +0000http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)Blogger15125CaribbeanNewsByMelanieReffeshttp://feedburner.google.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-6562338755310871863Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:37:00 +00002012-04-24T21:24:22.296-04:00 April 2012 -  Melanie Reffes An annual event, Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) celebrated its lucky thirteenth year in April at the Barceló Bávaro Beach Resort Convention Center in Punta Cana. Sponsored by The Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (ASONAHORES), DATE is the premier trade show in the DR attracting buyers, sellers, movers and shakers from both the publichttp://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-date-in-dominican-republic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-8434139490040811752Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:31:00 +00002012-04-22T20:58:02.450-04:00 March 2012 - Melanie Reffes  Steeped in history and a big draw for tourists, the Maya solar calendar will usher in a new era on December 21.  For centuries, the Mayans have anticipated this cosmic cycle while for the modern world of resort and destination marketing, this significant date means a plethora of deals, discounts, promotions and incentives aimed at enticing vacationers to experience http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2012/04/maya-and-marriott-getting-cozy-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-1611484047471340411Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:23:00 +00002012-03-15T11:23:02.474-04:00If you’re in the mood for vacation but don’t have a lot of extra cash to spend, the Caribbean is ripe with high season bargains that won’t break the bank. From air and hotel packages to gratis room nights and generous add-ons like complimentary weddings on the beach, a reasonably priced winter respite can easily become a reality for couples looking for a break from the blustery winds at home. http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2012/03/dont-break-bank-selling-luxury-for-less.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-2213851530297014067Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:02:00 +00002012-03-07T09:01:11.528-05:00 Setting the stage for what promises to be another stellar conference, the 13th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC – 13) will be held from April 15 to 18 in Guyana.  Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the eco-astute event is the most important gathering on sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean. http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2012/03/reggie-medford-artiste-extraordinaire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-5999651030385219299Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +00002012-02-06T14:09:28.153-05:00 Hosted by The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), Islands Of The Bahamas, MasterCard and Virgin Holidays, Marketplace 2012 was held at the Atlantis on Paradise Island from January 22 to 24.  Renamed’ Caribbean Travel Marketplace’ and marking its 30th anniversary this year, the annual trade show is the largest marketing event in the region where suppliers meet, greet,  network and  http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2012/01/selling-caribbean-marketplace-2012.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-4046470120703404233Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:03:00 +00002011-11-15T12:03:15.677-05:00 Following a soft opening in October, Marriott Frenchman's Reef and adjacent Morning Star Beach Resort in St. Thomas re-opened earlier this month with a grand party attracting the island’s glitterati. With 302 rooms and suites, the newly renovated Frenchman’s Reef is a stunning showpiece of architectural splendour with sweeping vistas of Charlotte Amalie, one of the Caribbean’s most majestic http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/11/frenchmans-reef-morning-star-beach.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-3929811611856126849Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:27:00 +00002011-11-06T10:27:45.578-05:00Blessed with sun-dappled skies, candy sands and tie-dyed sunsets, Barbados is affectionately known as "England in the Tropics" courtesy of its ongoing love affair with cricket games and afternoon tea.  With, Zagat-rated eateries, championship golf courses, classic calypso and swishy resorts; Barbados has earned unrivaled loyalty from savvy travelers and in-the-know travel agents.  Beaches http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/11/fast-track-to-fabulous-elegant-hotels.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-7129500892804893647Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:57:00 +00002011-07-20T17:57:30.714-04:00 Inviting beach at Grand Case Beach Club (photo credit:  GCBC) <!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-CA X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/07/ooh-la-la-at-grand-case-beach-club.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-1018176572540053652Fri, 01 Jul 2011 16:56:00 +00002011-07-01T12:58:41.904-04:00Soaring past the past five million mark, arrivals to the Bahamas hit a high note in 2010 with this year looking just as rosy.  Whether it’s Nassau and Paradise Island, Abaco Islands, Exuma Islands or Harbour Island, a holiday is, indeed, better in the Bahamas. A quick forty-five minute flight from Miami or three hours from New York City, the Bahamas are the perennial favourite of vacationers who http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/07/lucky-in-love-wyndham-nassau-resort.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-5073514231933159074Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:52:00 +00002011-06-13T21:48:53.498-04:00Wowing the big city with Caribbean charm, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) took a bite out of the Big Apple during Caribbean Week in New York City.“This year’s celebration is sure to be our biggest and most exciting Caribbean Week ever, “said Sylma Brown-Bramble, director of marketing, CTO, “the local community will get to experience why the Caribbean is the number one warm-weather http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/06/caribbean-takes-bite-out-of-big-apple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-2607285661126239040Sat, 07 May 2011 14:43:00 +00002011-05-07T10:46:32.458-04:00Organized by The Hotel and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES) and staged at the Hard Rock Hotel, the 12th annual Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) was held in Punta Cana in April. Sponsored by the Dominican Ministry of Tourism, the show affords product providers like hotels, travel agencies, airlines and excursions as well as banks and tour operators from the major feeder countries includinghttp://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-date-in-dominican-republic.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-919589932978261317Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:12:00 +00002011-04-08T10:51:41.860-04:00Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) in collaboration with the Bermuda Department of Tourism, the 12th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC -12), was held in Bermuda in April. Two-hundred business, political and tourism leaders as well as tour operators and travel agents from the Caribbean, Canada and the US gathered at the Fairmont Southampton to discuss green tourism andhttp://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/04/green-economy-caribbean-sustainable.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-1930939977398801208Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:45:00 +00002011-03-31T09:45:08.975-04:00With no shortage of resorts in the Caribbean from all-inclusive on the beach to rustic resorts for the more adventurous, agents can tailor vacations to suit various budgets and requests. However, confirming a holiday means not only booking a hotel but also booking flights, travel protection plans, airport transfers, spa treatments, golf time, tennis lessons and tour options. With access to a http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/03/from-soup-to-nuts-booking-holiday-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-567456937769060950Sat, 19 Mar 2011 20:02:00 +00002011-03-19T16:02:10.272-04:00 Haute & Spicy A Culinary Tour of the Caribbean Melanie Reffes “Ever since I knew myself,” quips Donovan Thompson in his charming Patois or Jamaica-speak,” My Uncle Taric told me never to tell anyone how we make our jerk chicken.” Grilling over an open fire at Mickey’s Jerk Pit in Jamaica’s Boston Bay and zealously guarding the family secret, the Jerk Master who learned the art of jerk fromhttp://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/03/haute-spicy-culinary-tour-of-caribbean.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025069973675403779.post-2793743130851362494Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:20:00 +00002011-02-04T12:14:20.215-05:00Whether it’s rejuvenation for your soul or a massage for your soles, a day in a Caribbean spa is a must-have guilty pleasure. From an apricot pit scrub to a mineral mud bath, welcome to the world of unbridled relaxation where the wise and the weary soak, scour and soothe their way to feeling good. There’s plenty of sensual healing in the Blue Spa at the swank Carlisle Bay in Antigua. With views http://jaxfaxcaribbeannews.blogspot.com/2011/02/spa-tacular-in-caribbean-melanie-reffes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Melanie Reffes, Caribbean Editor)2