Caribbean Tourism Organization - News

Petit St. Vincent Resort Announces New Management Team

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:31:26 PST

14^th July 2011 – Petit St Vincent Resort (www.psvresort.com), the 115-acre private island retreat in the Grenadines, has appointed Matthew Semark as General Manager of the 22-cottage private island and Anie Ardiani as the Executive Assistant Manager, both effective 1^st August 2011.

Matthew and Anie (who also happen to be married) join PSV at a crucial and exciting time: the private island was purchased in November 2010 by business partners Phil Stephenson and Robin Paterson, and is currently undergoing a major renovation and refurbishment project which will be complete in November 2011.

Matthew was most recently the General Manager at the Karma Jimbaran Resort in Bali, Indonesia, and Anie comes to PSV after serving as the Director of Rooms at The Balé Resort in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.

Previous to these positions they were the Managers of the Fundu Lagoon Resort in Zanzibar. During the couple’s 3 years at this remote property, they considerably increased the resort’s service and quality standards, resulting in regular positive feedback from guests and the travel trade, as well as a substantial increase in room rates and occupancy, with the resort winning an award for being the best beach safari property in Africa – twice!

Matthew & Anie also worked for the renowned Áman Resorts for almost 5 years as part of the management team at the private tented camp, Ámanwana, in Indonesia.

Matthew and Anie will be responsible for leading the PSV team into a new chapter in Petit St Vincent Resort’s history. While PSV has existed since 1968 with one of the highest repeat-guest rates in the industry, the current renovations, additions and improvements to the island and level of service will ensure that PSV will be known as one of the world’s most exceptional private island experiences.

Current rates start at $1050 (approx £650) per night, per couple on a full board basis. To book visit www.psvresort.com or call +001 800-654-9326.

-ends-

For further press information on Petit St. Vincent Resort please contact: Emma Powell, Lucia Roberts, Kathryn Peel or Charlotte Hill: + 44 (0) 207 385 7090 or email Lucia@grifcopr.com; Emma@grifcopr.com; Kathryn@grifcopr.com Charlotte@grifcopr.com.

Dominica Enjoys Increased Ferry and Air Access

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:32:15 PST

Are you thinking of visiting Dominica? The following new options may be useful when planning your next trip to the Caribbean…

- A new year-round ferry service will launch in October, making island hopping between Dominica, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique easier than ever before. Jeans Ferry Service will begin on October 20 and will be operated by L’ Express Des Iles, who currently runs a less frequent service between the islands.
www.express-des-iles.com

- BVI Airways has now launched flights to Dominica from St. Maarten. The carrier operates three evening flights a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, allowing for more convenient same day connections from Europe into Dominica. Introductory prices for a round trip start from as low as $99 each way (plus taxes and fees).
www.gobvi.com

- LIAT is commencing regularly scheduled night landing operations into Dominica this month. The development follows a $50 million upgrade and improvements to Dominica’s Melville Hall Airport, on the northeast coast of the island. Initially the flights will originate from Antigua and they are expected to extend to Barbados shortly afterwards.
www.liat.com

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, lying south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.

For more information about Dominica please call 0800 0121 467 or visit www.discoverdominica.com and www.youtube.com/discoverdominica

A selection of short video guides about the island can be downloaded for free on www.iTunes.com <http://www.iTunes.com> and you can keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/discoverdominica <http://www.facebook.com/discoverdominica> and Twitter www.twitter.com/nature_island <http://www.twitter.com/nature_island>

St. Kitts Tourism Unveils New Branding, Redesigned Website

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:35:09 PST

Signature Logo Graphic, Tagline and Images Foster an Emotional Connection to the Island
Website to Serve as Hub of Destination’s Online Presence

London, UK (July 12, 2011) – To provide St. Kitts with a stylish new look in keeping with the island’s developing destination image, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority has undertaken a brand refreshment. Rolled out via a soft launch, a focal point of this endeavor is the redesigned website, www.stkittstourism.kn, which has just been completed.

Along with new imagery, St. Kitts’ new logo is conceived in an elegant script with a open-heart shaped signature graphic and a new tagline that encourages potential visitors to “follow your heart” to the island. Color schemes for the new branding were inspired by the colors in St. Kitts’ natural landscape. The new branding serves as the basis for the website redesign and has also been rolled out in a new cruise magazine, official social media accounts, e-newsletters, wedding flyers, tradeshow backdrops and banners, and will continue to appear on new materials as they are produced.

“The new branding is intended to capture the emotional connection to St. Kitts that visitors have repeatedly expressed while simultaneously imparting a subtle call to action to the potential visitor,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport. “Actual feedback from past guests supported our belief that visitors are falling in love with our island experience, and this is what served as the basis for this new campaign. To enhance this connection, the redesigned website is intended as a centerpiece to foster greater interaction with the brand and ultimately drive visitors to choose St. Kitts for their next leisure or business trip.”

The www.stkittstourism.kn website is the official website for visitors seeking information about the island as a business and leisure destination. It provides a full range of details including where to stay, activities, dining venues, a calendar of events, meetings & incentives options, details about getting married on St. Kitts and more. Tabs invite website visitors to Explore, Feel, Love and Remember, providing continuity by incorporating the island’s former brand tagline into the refreshed look of the site. A photo gallery offers stunning visual images of the island and a live chat feature is coming soon.

In keeping with the latest technological trends, the website also features tools for social sharing on the homepage and throughout sub-pages, including options to “like” the page on Facebook, post it to Twitter, and more. A Twitter feed showcasing Tweets from the island’s official Twitter account is prominently placed on the home page along with links to follow the island’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The home page also displays the current weather, an interactive island map, a booking engine powered by Expedia, video footage of the island, plus Trip Advisor reviews and a global Twitter feed to show “Who’s Talking About St. Kitts.”

Further, the newly redesigned website is fully compatible with popular mobile devices such as the iPad, iPhone and various tablets, making it easier for mobile web users to interact with St. Kitts from anywhere in the world. Download speeds have been optimized and tools for tracking website metrics, such as Google Analytics, have been employed that will provide St. Kitts with data from which to continually grow and improve the site. In addition, content management tools have been expanded, allowing both the St. Kitts Tourism Authority and local tourism stakeholders to keep the site updated with their latest deals, specials and facts.

In recent months, St. Kitts was named a top destination for 2011 by both AOL Travel and British Airways. Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s former sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, gourmet dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches. Accommodations range from intimate plantation inns to larger hotels or resorts.

For more information about St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube.
Editor’s Note: For information and high resolution images of St. Kitts, contact Deirdre Cumberbatch (Deirdre@river-communications.com or 020 8504 4009).

CTO UK Chapter welcomes over 40 journalists to the sixth ‘Host and Reward the Media’

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 02:26:34 PST

9 November 2011 – On Monday 7 November, the UK Chapter of the CTO welcomed over 40 media to the fourth pan-Caribbean media awards event at the renowned West Indian restaurant ‘Caribbean Scene’ in London’s Royal Victoria Dock.

The Caribbean Travel Journalism Awards 2011 were presented during a networking evening after the first day of World Travel Market and the function was attended by almost 100 guests, comprising visiting ministers and their delegations, UK Chapter members and an array of consumer and trade media, national and regional newspaper journalists and a number of freelancers.

The awards consisted of seven different categories: best broadcast, TV and radio feature; best consumer feature; best national newspaper feature; best online feature; best piece of photojournalism; best regional newspaper feature and best travel trade feature. The winners were given Panasonic mini camcorders.

Carol Hay, the CTO’s director of marketing for the UK and Europe, said, “It’s good to have the support from our friends in the media, which is very much appreciated amongst all our Caribbean representatives. We would like to reward and thank all travel writers for their continued support in maintaining the colourful and charismatic reputation that the Caribbean region enjoys in the UK, with so many inspirational editorial pieces written each year’’.

CTO Travel Journalism Awards winners:
1. Best broadcast, TV and radio feature
• Publication: Songlines Podcast
• Piece: ‘Drumming up the dead’, Carriacou
• Journalist: Simon Broughton

2. Best consumer feature
• Publication: Wanderlust
• Piece: ‘Green for go’, Dominica
• Journalist: Mark Stratton

3. Best national newspaper feature
• Publication: Daily Telegraph
• Piece: ‘How I hiked up and down Dominica and survived’, Dominica
• Journalist: Suzy Bennett

4. Best online feature
• Publication: thesundaytimes.co.uk
• Piece: ‘Celtic charm in the Caribbean’, Montserrat
• Journalist: Nigel Tisdall

5. Best piece of photojournalism
• Publication: Sunday Times Travel Magazine
• Piece: ‘Green party’, Montserrat
• Photographer: Steve Davey

6. Best regional newspaper feature
• Publication: Manchester Evening News
• Piece: ‘A view with a room in an island paradise’, Saint Lucia
• Journalist: Stephanie Nelson

7. Best travel trade feature
• Publication: TTG
• Piece: ‘Holidays that give back’, Jamaica
• Journalist: Pippa Jacks

- ends –

For further information contact Nina Derham, Richard Rigby or Helen Coop at Four bgb
+44 (0) 870 626 9000 • cto@fourbgb.com
Alternatively, contact the Caribbean Tourism Organisation on +44 (20) 8948 0057.

What’s new in the Caribbean?

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:51:16 PST

HOTELS AND RESORTS

Magdalena Grand Beach Resort welcomes visitors
The Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, Tobago’s newest hotel, is now welcoming visitors. The hotel boasts 200 deluxe rooms, all facing the ocean. The former Vanguard Hotel has undergone a $25 million transformation, and now benefits from feature floodlit tennis courts, a kids club, three restaurants and a bar, offering rates on a bed and breakfast basis with an option for all-inclusive. Pre-bookable dive, golf and wedding packages are also available. www.magdalenagrand.com

Sleep School to open in Grenada
LaSource has launched the first overseas Sleep School in partnership with leading UK insomniac specialist Dr Guy Meadows, and Kuoni. The two seven-day workshops (the first one was held in December 2011 and the second one will run in June 2012) are free of charge to guests. It is the first time Dr Meadows has taken his unique approach to insomnia overseas, and The Sleep School at LaSource is exclusive to the Grenadian resort. The approach is 100 per cent non-drug based and prop-free. www.theultimateholiday.com

Smugglers Cove to launch Bootcamp holidays in Saint Lucia
Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa has revealed plans to launch a series of Bootcamp holidays in 2012 to expand upon its ‘active all-inclusive’ holiday experience. The property will hold a number of Bootcamp breaks across the year run by fitness and nutritional experts that will be balanced, encouraging and motivational and encompass physical activity, food guidance and lifestyle seminars. The Bootcamp activities – mental, physical and spiritual - will be supported by the hotel’s already extensive range of both water and land based sports, activities and classes. www.smugglersresort.com

Radisson Resort, Casino & Spa, Aruba
The Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa finished its $26 million (£16.2 million) renovation project in October 2011 and is now welcoming guests to see the results. All 355 guest rooms and suites have been completely refurbished, in addition to the property’s inviting open-air lobby, casino and meeting facilities. www.radisson.com/aruba

Sandals unveils $500m expansion and refurbishment programme
In celebration of its 30th anniversary Sandals has announced enhancements to seven of its resorts in Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas. The renovations form part of a $500 million plan to expand and enhance the company’s offerings in the Caribbean over the coming decade. The programme includes luxurious upgrades to rooms and bathrooms, as well as the addition of new restaurants and bars to resorts. Many of these refurbishments are due for completion in early 2012. www.sandals.co.uk

Puerto Rico receives $1 billion for hotel development
Puerto Rico is set to encourage further UK visitors with its USD $1 billion (approx: £622 million) hotel development plan which aims to deliver 15,000 bed spaces on the island during 2012 by upgrading and opening a total of 20 properties. The hotel upgrades will include hotels such as the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, as well as the Condado Vanderbilt, the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, the Ramada Ponce Hotel and the Caribe Hilton also receiving substantial facelifts and renovations. New hotels include the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado Beach Resort & Spa, set to open in late 2012 in the former setting of the renowned Laurance Rockefeller property in Dorado Beach.

Barceló Bavaro Beach in Dominican Republic reopens
Barceló Hotels & Resorts has recently opened the renovated Barceló Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana. The five-star property has an adults-only policy, making it ideal for honeymoons. The all-inclusive beachfront property features 391 rooms, three restaurants and two bars. Guests also have access to all the resort’s facilities, including the Barceló Bavaro Deluxe with seven a la carte restaurants and 13 bars. www.barcelo.com

St Kitts and Nevis target kids with new booklet
St. Kitts and Nevis have launched a new Kids ‘r’ VIPs booklet which is now available from the new St. Kitts website. An initiative introduced in 2010, Kids ‘r’ VIPs offers a year round family programme developed in partnership with activity companies, hotels and restaurants across both St. Kitts and Nevis. Encompassing heritage, culture, sports and adventure, Kids ‘r‘ VIPs provides stimulating and fun activities for kids aged 2 to 15 years which, together with hotel and restaurant discounts, offer exceptional savings for families. www.stkittstourism.kn/kids-r-vips

FLIGHT NEWS

Air France starts two weekly services from Paris
On 4 November 2011, Air France launched two weekly services from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to Guadeloupe and Martinique. The airline is also increasing flights to the French Caribbean from Paris-Orly this winter, with up to 26 flights a week to Guadeloupe and Martinique. Air France also offers a wide range of flights from the UK – including London City and Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen - and connections on Caribbean flights. www.airfrance.com

Virgin Atlantic increases flights to Grenada
The number of flights each week from London Gatwick to Grenada increased from four to five in December 2011 when Virgin Atlantic added a second weekly service. www.virgin-atlantic.com

Thomson Airways and KLM increase flights to Aruba
Due to increased demand, Thomson Airways flights to Aruba from Gatwick flights will begin earlier than usual in 2012, starting in March instead of May. www.thomson.co.uk

In November 2011 KLM increased flights to Aruba from two to five times per week. Direct flights to Aruba now depart from Amsterdam Schipol on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. UK travellers can catch flights to Amsterdam Schipol from 19 UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. www.klm.com

British Airways to increase flights to Antigua in March
British Airways is set to increase the number of flights flying direct to V.C Bird International Airport in Antigua from Gatwick Airport by one to seven per week. These changes will begin on 27 March 2012, bringing an all year-round daily service to the destination. www.ba.com

New VIP Departure Lounge Opens at Kingston Airport, Jamaica
A new 5,000 sq. foot ‘Club Kingston’ passenger lounge has opened its doors at Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. The lounge offers facilities that rival some of the finest airport lounges worldwide, as well as access to an exhibition, ‘Jamaica.....a Journey’, which highlights the island’s cultural icons, historical events, musicians and politicians through audiovisual displays and artefacts. Club Kingston will be offered free of charge to business and first class passengers of partner airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Berlin and Condor. www.vipattractions.com

DESTINATION NEWS

New to 2012: Digital detox in St Vincent and the Grenadines
St Vincent and the Grenadines has recently launched a brand new de-tech (digital detox) holiday package in 2012 in conjunction with Black Tomato. The holiday is designed to completely wean people off their technology – it includes a guide to ‘de-teching’ and a session with a life coach www.createyourself.co.uk before jetting off to the idyllic islands that have no TVs in the rooms and discourage the use of technology on their stunning beaches. Join in the conversation at www.twitter.com/discoversvg using the hash tag #detechsvg. For more information about the de-tech campaign visit www.discoversvg.com/index.php/en/home/latest-news/565-digital-detox-in-svg

Dominica launches the longest hiking trail in the Caribbean
Launching officially in early 2012, Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Trail is the first and only long distance hiking trail in the Caribbean. Named after the indigenous word for the island meaning “tall her body is” in the local language spoken by the Kalinago, the Waitukubuli National Trail will run for 115 miles from the south to the north of the island and will be divided into 14 sections offering levels that vary from easy to advanced and it will take two weeks to cover the entire trail. The trail passes through forest reserves, national parks, old slave routes, small farms and country villages where hikers can stop off for meals and fruit snacks. Those looking to relax along the way can stop off at the hot springs at Wotton Waven, Laudat and Soufriere. www.waitukubulitrail.com

Bermuda to host PGA Golf Grand Slam
The PGA of America has chosen Bermuda to host the Grand Slam of Golf in 2012, the season-ending showcase and the most difficult event to qualify for. The Grand Slam will be held at the Port Royal Golf Course which was designed by the late architect Robert Trent Jones Sr and underwent a $13.7 million renovation in 2009. The Fairmont Southampton will be the official hotel for the event in 2012. www.GoToBermuda.co.uk

Grenada Sailing Festival 2012
Camper & Nicholsons - one of the oldest internationally recognised yachting business names - will be taking the title role in the Grenada Sailing Festival 2012 when the Camper & Nicholsons Racing Series will be run from the company’s Port Louis Marina between 27 - 31 January 2012, the island’s newest world-class marina. The four-day event, now in its 19th year, will provide challenging top quality racing plus an early Regatta Season ‘Tune-Up’ to the international yachts visiting the Caribbean for the winter and the highly competitive crews based in the region. www.grenadasailingfestival.com

Saint Lucia hosts 21st Jazz Festival
Saint Lucia Jazz returns for its 21st year in May. The 2012 festival is expected to attract a wealth of famous acts and a variety of events will take place all over the island, rather than just focusing all the action in the Rodney Bay area. A must-see event for all jazz fans. www.stlucianow.co.uk

Aruba’s historic centre gets a face lift
Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, is in the process of urban renewal, with extensive work being done to restore the island’s historical centre to its former glory. Oranjestad is known for its pastel-coloured, gingerbread-house style architecture. More than £6 million is being invested to build a National Historic Centre that will house artefacts and data about Aruba’s history. Works are also underway to pedestrianise some of the main streets, restore historic buildings and complete the second phase of the Aruba Linear Park. www.aruba.com

FERRY TRAVEL

L’Express des Iles launches year round service
Until November 2011, the four Lesser Antilles islands of Dominica, Saint Lucia, Guadeloupe and Martinique, were connected by a service that meant island-hopping could be difficult. Owing to its immense popularity with locals and visitors alike, L’Express des Iles has decided to extend their service to a daily, year-round basis, making connections between the four islands easier than ever before. www.express-des-iles.com

AGENT INCENTIVES

Smugglers Cove launches travel agent reward programme
Smugglers Cove Resort & Spa on Saint Lucia has launched its new travel agent rewards programme in partnership with MyBookingRewards.com to thank agents for their support. Agents will receive £10 for every booking they make up to and including their 10th booking when their cash reward will then increase to £20 per booking for all further bookings in a 12-month period. All bookings must be for a minimum of seven nights. Agents can join the reward programme via the Smugglers Cove website www.smugglersresort.com/travel-agents.

Bermuda Reward$ scheme
The Bermuda Department of Tourism has introduced an awards programme to encourage travel agents to book holidays to the UK’s closest Caribbean destination. ‘Bermuda Reward$’ will be made on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis with the agent who makes the most bookings over the course of the year winning a trip for two to Bermuda.

Bahamas Travel Agent Evening
Bahamas Flavour in conjunction with the Bahamas Tourist Office will be hosting a travel agent evening on 9 February 2012 at Bahamas House, 10 chesterfield Street, London, W1J 5JL. Agents will experience the islands in 3D, sample some Caribbean Cuisine, with lots of prizes to be won.
Agents must confirm their attendance at info@bahamasflavour.co.uk.

– ends –

GATEWAY TO THE NATURE ISLAND: DOMINICA UNVEILS NEW WEB SITE

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:47:39 PST

New Site Offers Improved Navigation, Leverages Social Media Networks
and Reflects New Marketing Campaign

Roseau, Dominica - (February 2012) - When was the last time you visited www.discoverdominica.com? Now is the perfect time to make a return trip!
Dominica recently unveiled a new web site that brings the Caribbean island's natural beauty to your desktop, making a virtual visit more exciting than ever and making it easier to plan your next trip to the Nature Island!

The new site offers in-depth information on Dominica as well as photos and videos to bring the beauty of the Nature Island to life. The site has the latest information on island activities, accommodations and current promotions.

Travel professionals have their own area of the site to help better serve clients who are interested in visiting the island. The travel trade area lets travel professionals keep up on the latest news, request specific information or sign up for the island's new trade newsletter.

"Visitors to our new web site will find it even easier to plan a trip to visit us in person," explained Colin Piper, director of tourism for Dominica. "We offer easier navigation, regular updates and enhanced images of our beautiful island to make travel planning easier for individuals and travel professionals."
Those interested in hiking and diving now have their own areas of the site to keep up on the latest information. Social media enthusiasts will be excited to see that Facebook and Twitter are playing a larger role on the new site.

Visitors to the web site will notice the island's new I Am Dominica marketing campaign. Fans of the Nature Island are invited to adopt the wonderful way of life embraced by the residents of the island. Enthusiasts of the Nature Island are invited to share their own Dominica memories or join in conversations about the many reasons to visit the Nature Island.
About Dominica: Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures.

Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean.

More information is available by visiting www.discoverdominica.com, contacting a travel professional or calling Discover Dominica Authority toll-free from the U.S. and Canada at 1-866-522-4057.

Aruuuuba! Festivals and Events For 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:50:38 PST

Have you started making travel plans for this year? If the Caribbean island of Aruba is on your wish list, why not coincide a visit with one of the great festivals and celebrations taking place…

The 58th Grand Carnival Parade (19 February)
The largest carnival parade is the Grand Parade through the capital Oranjestad, held on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. This parade is filled with unforgettable music, spectacular floats and original costumers decorated with colourful stones, sequins and feathers, creating a unique display. Aruba’s main event starts at midday in Oranjestad and continues well on into the evening.

Soul Beach Music Festival (23-28 May)
Held on the last weekend of May, the Aruba Soul Beach Music Festival is a two-night concert, which has featured such artists as Sean Paul, Chaka Khan, Wyclef Jean, Boys 2 Men, Lauren Hill and Alicia Keys. This year, the festival headliner is Grammy award-winning R.Kelly with other great acts to be announced.

Dera Gai (24 June)
Dera Gai or St. John’s Day originated as Aruba’s harvest festival. It is now a cultural celebration featuring traditional song and dance. The symbol of the rooster and bright yellow and red costumes are central to events held at various locations including Oranjestad, the island’s capital.

International Film Festival (22-28 June)
During the International Film Festival, Aruba is host to a brilliant cinematic brigade including award winning actors, producers and directors. Now in its third year, this glittering event features glamorous red carpet premieres, screenings of an eclectic collection of international and Caribbean films, and lively interviews with stars. Past guests have included Richard Gere and Kim Cattrall.

19th Annual Reef Care Project (7-8 July)
Growing in popularity every year, this clean-up of the island’s most popular beaches, dive and snorkel sites helps keep the island looking beautiful and raises awareness for a clean marine environment. With over 800 participants including local residents and visitors from around the world, the clean up is the island’s largest volunteer initiative and a great way to find out more about Aruba whilst meeting locals.

6th Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival (5-6 October)
This annual outdoor festival promises an impressive line-up of local and international musicians at Cas di Cultura, Aruba’s main theatre. Headliners from the past festivals include Michel Camilo, Praful and Randal Corsen, Ploctoons, David Sandborn and Isaac Delgado.

Aruba In style (November, date TBC)
This annual international fashion and lifestyle event includes dazzling runway shows, celebrity cocktail parties, insider collection-reveals and famous designers from around the world. Aruba In Style is managed by global group IMG Fashion, whose portfolio includes the Fashion Weeks in both New York and Milan.

For more ideas and information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com.
-Ends-
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
High-res images of Aruba are available upon request.

For media information please contact:
The Saltmarsh Partnership
Tom Panagos tom@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2794
Chloe Buchanan chloe@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2797

Dominica Events: What’s In Store For 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:53:29 PST

Have you started making travel plans for next year? If the Caribbean island of Dominica is on your wish list, why not coincide a visit with one of the great festivals and celebrations taking place…

Carnival (20 - 21 February)
Carnival, or 'The Real Mas', is a pre-Lenten festival, and is unquestionably the most festive season in Dominica. From January and into February, Dominicans and visitors alike are invited to join in Carnival activities taking place across the Nature Island including parades, Calypso, Junior Monarch, Teen and Queen Pageant, carnivals and much more, climaxing on 20-21 February.

Tourism Awareness Month (May)
The Tourism Awareness Month is organised in an effort to increase awareness of the tourism and hospitality industry’s economic, cultural and social contributions to Dominica. It will be celebrated for the fifth consecutive year in 2012, under the theme, ‘Tourism is Everybody’s Business, Let’s Play Our Part’. Many activities are planned throughout the month including clean up and beautification projects, a Health & Wellness Expo and Paint-a-Thon to revive some of the older buildings.

Hike Fest (12, 19, 26 May)
Lace up your boots! Hike Fest celebrates some of the best hiking the island has to offer and welcomes hiking enthusiasts from across the globe. This year, Hike Fest will focus on the newly launched Waitukubuli National Trail, the first and only long distance walking trail in the Caribbean, running for 115 miles from the south to the north of the island, traversing forest reserves, national parks, old slave routes, ruins of plantations, small farms and country villages.

Dive Fest (6-15 July)
Dominica boasts one of the most fascinating diving experiences in the region, and fans of the underwater world are invited to take part in the Caribbean’s longest running dive festival. Experienced and beginner divers are invited to take part, with a number of taster sessions available throughout the week for both adults and children. Other activities include whale watching, a children’s treasure hunt, the annual and hotly contested Kubuli Carib canoe race, and the climax to Dive Fest, the Soufriere Kubuli beach party on July 15 – one not to miss!

World Creole Music Festival (26-28 October)
This year Dominica will host the 16th annual World Creole Music Festival, one of Dominica’s most popular events. The World Creole Music Festival started life in 1997, providing a platform for Creole music and culture and to showcase the island’s own talent. Local acts are now joined by performers from across the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the US, as the festival has grown in reputation; expect three nights of pulsating rhythm.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, lying south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique.

For more information about Dominica please call 0800 0121 467 or visit www.discoverdominica.com and www.youtube.com/discoverdominica

A selection of short video guides about the island can be downloaded for free on www.iTunes.com and you can keep up to date with the latest news on Facebook www.facebook.com/discoverdominica and Twitter www.twitter.com/nature_island

-Ends-

Notes for editors:
High-res images of Dominica are available upon request.

Montserrat Festival Highlights: What’s In Store For 2012

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:55:01 PST

Have you started making travel plans for next year? If the Caribbean island of Montserrat is on your wish list, why not coincide a visit with one of the great festivals and celebrations taking place…

St Patrick’s Festival – March
Montserrat is the only country in the world (apart from Ireland) that celebrates St.Patrick’s Day as a bank holiday. The weeklong celebration highlights Montserrat’s local culture and Irish heritage that culminates with St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, a date that also commemorates the slave uprising on the island in 1768. There will be local festivals with live music and you’ll be able to see the masquerades perform: these are masked street dancers in colourful costumes, with tall head dresses and whips, dancing to the lively sounds of fife and drums, a blend of African and European elements forged out of slavery.

Cudjoe Head Festival – July/August
The island’s rich cultural heritage is on display every year on Cudjoe Head Day at the end of July, as Montserratians celebrate their African ancestry with revelry and fun, in a street festival that includes live music and delicious food. There will be masquerades, a steel band performance and goods produced in the village of Cudjoe Head, named after a runaway slave who was caught by his masters, beheaded and as a warning to others his head was hung from a silk cotton tree in Cudjoe Head.

Volcano Half Marathon & Fun Run - November
The 4th Annual Volcano Half-Marathon & Fun Run/Walk will take place on the Caribbean island of Montserrat on 24 November 2012, organised by the Montserrat Running Club. This strenuous event – the only one of its kind in the world – is designed to give participants a course that passes some of the key tourism sites on Montserrat, particularly the active Soufrière Hills Volcano and some of the attractions it has created. After lying dormant for over half a century, the volcano rumbled back to life in 1995 and has been active ever since!

The Montserrat Festival – December/January
The Montserrat Festival runs from mid December until New Year’s Day, and for decades this has been the climax of the year, when hundreds of Montserratians living overseas return to the island to reunite with families and friends. There are calypso competitions, the Festival Queen contest, beauty and talent shows, a parade and costumed troupes on New Year’s Day. At night the streets come alive with live music and dancing, an experience not to be missed.

For more information about Montserrat visit www.visitmontserrat.com

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES NON – STOP FLIGHTS TO TRINIDAD NOW OPEN FOR SALE!

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 02:51:33 PST

On June 15th 2012, Caribbean Airlines will launch four weekly non - stop services from London, Gatwick to Trinidad and Tobago, on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 11:50am. This will be followed shortly by thrice weekly services to Bridgetown, Barbados and onward to Trinidad thus facilitating a daily service to Trinidad. The Barbados flight will be launched in the summer of 2012. Both services will be operated by a 767 – 300 ER aircraft with a two class configuration of Business and Economy.

Caribbean Airlines has an extensive route network and this will further facilitate onward connections to Georgetown, Guyana and Paramaribo, Suriname. The airline also offers wide coverage of North America via New York, Miami, Toronto, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, and has been twice voted the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airline’ by International Travel Agents at the World Travel Awards.

Caribbean Airline’s flexible pricing system and one way fares will allow both agents and customers the ability to fully utilize its extensive route network and to further avail themselves of its natural Caribbean warmth, ethnic gourmet cuisine, frequent flyer programme and complimentary bags.
For more information please email cto.uk@caribbean-airlines.com or visit www.caribbean-airlines.com

Ritz Carlton To Open In Aruba In 2013

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:49:58 PST

Luxury hotel brand Ritz-Carlton will open its exclusive oceanfront resort on Aruba’s famed Palm Beach in October 2013. The seventh property of the brand in the Caribbean, the Ritz-Carlton, Aruba will add a new level of elegance in accommodation and amenities to the island.

The 320-room resort will offer several restaurants, a luxurious spa, two swimming pools and a 24-hour casino. In addition to spacious rooms and suites, the hotel will include The Ritz-Carlton Club Level, a private floor accessible only by elevator key, offering light fare and dedicated concierge service throughout the day.

Palm Beach was voted earlier this year as No2 in the annual ‘Top Beach Destinations In The World’ by TripAdvisor’s users, the world’s largest travel review site. It boasts pristine white powder sandy beaches, idyllic turquoise sea waters and exotic palm trees, with lush tropical surroundings and a balmy temperature that allows for swimming, sunbathing and relaxation by the water all year round.

Ritz-Carlton is the latest luxury hotel brand to expand in Aruba. The island is already home to some of the world’s most prestigious and well trusted hotel chains, including Hyatt, The Westin, Radisson and Marriott.

The property is scheduled to open in October 2013. Ritz-Carlton Chief Operations Officer Herve Humler, together with Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike, inspected recently the construction site.

For more information on visiting Aruba please go to www.aruba.com. For more information on the Ritz-Carlton brand please go to www.ritzcarlton.com.

-Ends-

For media information please contact:
The Saltmarsh Partnership
Tom Panagos tom@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2794
Chloe Buchanan chloe@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2797

CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANISATION ELATED TO HAVE FORMER GUYANA PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT STC-13

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:46:36 PST

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (2 April, 2012) – Hundreds will converge in Guyana in the next few weeks for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation's 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism.

The packed four day event is being hosted by the Government of Guyana, and is expected to bring together delegates, media and other stakeholders and government officials from the tourism sector.

Guyana's former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, will keynote the region’s leading and most important gathering on sustainable tourism development.

The former president has gained international recognition and has developed a strong reputation globally for his relentless advocacy for action to avert the worst extremes of climate change.

In 2008 he was named Times Magazine “Heroes of the Environment and in 2011 he was again recognized, this time as GoodwillAmbassador for Global Tropical Forest by the Leader of theAmazonian, Congo and Borneo- Mekong basins.

As part of the plan to combat climate change, then President Jagdeo established an Office of Climate Change within the Office of the President, and a Low Carbon Development Strategy was developed, outlining Guyana’s approach to promoting economic development while combating climate change.

The former leader, whose term as head of the Guyana Government ended last December, has also served on the UN Secretary General’s High Level Advisory Group on Climate Finance, and most recently, he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy by the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) University in New Delhi, India.

Sustainable tourism product specialist at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Gail Henry says the organisation is eagerly anticipating a dynamic and highly relevant keynote presentation from him.

For more information on the event log on to: http://www.caribbeanstc.com

About the Caribbean Tourism Organisation

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), with the headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 governments and a myriad of private sector entities.

The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organisation provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology, advocacy and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.

The CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad St., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA: Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511; E-mail: ctony@caribtourism.com; CTO’s London office is located at The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, England. Tel: 011 44 208 948 0057; Fax: 011 44 208 948 0067; E-mail: ctolondon@caribtourism.com; CTO Headquarters is located at One Financial Place, Collymore Rock, St, Michael, Barbados; Tel: (246) 427-5242; Fax: (246) 429-3065; E-mail: ctobarbados@caribtourism.com. For more information, please visit www.caribbeantravel.com or www.onecaribbean.org. Get the latest CTO updates on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ctotourism. Connect with CTO on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CaribbeanTourismOrganisation.

GUYANA TOURISM OPERATORS DEVELOPING MARKETING MAGAZINE AHEAD OF CTO’S 13TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CONFERENCE

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:48:15 PST

Guyana’s hosting of the STC-13 a boost to its Tourism Product

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (25 March, 2012) – Guyana’s acting Tourism Minister has reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Thirteenth Annual Sustainable Tourism Conference is a success.

Minister, Irfaan Alli says preparations are in full swing for the hosting of the April 15-18^th event, which will place Guyana in the international spotlight.

The Tourism Ministry has established a conference committee, which he says is working to ensure all arrangements are in place. The ministry is also looking to capitalize on opportunities outside of the core benefits.

Alli says the leverage and coverage would enable Guyana to advance their products and would bring more awareness, about their resources and all that the country has to offer.

Those attending the conference would get an opportunity to network with leaders in the Caribbean tourism industry in Conference Sessions and at social events, hear what the youth and local stakeholders feel about key sustainable tourism issues.

There would also be a chance to explore first-hand Guyana’s rich history, multi-ethnic culture and amazing scenic beauty on exciting study tours.

For more information on the event log on to: http://www.caribbeanstc.com

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), with the headquarters in Barbados and marketing operations in New York and London, is the Caribbean’s tourism development agency and comprises membership of over 30 governments and a myriad of private sector entities.

The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology, advocacy and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.

SIX COUNTRIES VYING FOR THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANISATION SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARDS

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 04:50:24 PST

To be presented at the STC-13 in Guyana on April 18^th 2012

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (2 April, 2012) – Eight countries will vie for awards and certificates at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s TravelMole Sustainable Tourism Awards 2012.

The CTO for the first year since hosting the awards; has added more categories, a step up from the solo award of “Caribbean Excellence in Sustainable Tourism (CEST).”

The new categories are: Sustainable Accommodation, Community Benefit, Heritage Protection, and Biodiversity Conservation.

Host country Guyana is among the finalists, which also include Barbados, Jamaica, Curacao, Dominica and Bahamas.

The official Awards Ceremony would be held on April 18^th 2012 in Guyana. The ceremony is the penultimate event at the 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC-13) being hosted by the Government of Guyana from April 15-18, 2012.

The awardees are individuals, groups, organizations or companies in any of CTO Member Countries which have developed unique and attractive tourism products, which embrace sustainable tourism concepts and core values, and which help to enhance the country’s tourism product offerings.

The Barbados Harrison’s Cave and Guyana Surama Village Eco-Lodge were last year’s winners of the CTO/ TravelMole Sustainable Tourism Awards.

For more information on the event log on to: http://www.caribbeanstc.com

About the Caribbean Tourism Organization

The CTO’s mission is to provide to and through its members, the services and information needed for the development of sustainable tourism for the economic and social benefit of the Caribbean people. The organization provides specialized support and technical assistance to member countries in the areas of marketing, human resource development, research and statistics, information technology, advocacy and sustainable tourism development. The CTO disseminates information on behalf of its member governments to consumers and the travel trade.

St. Kitts becomes first Caribbean destination to use audio visual technology for TV broadcast and mobile engagement.

Wed, 16 May 2012 06:53:54 PST

In partnership with British Airways and Telegraph Media Group in innovative
Multi-media campaign

15 May 2012: An exciting new multi-media Campaign, incorporating advanced audio recognition technology, was launched by the St. Kitts Tourism Authority on 12 May 2012, in partnership with British Airways and the Telegraph Media Group (TMG). This joint campaign will run key activities in May, June and September incorporating broadcast, mobile, online and print.

With the focus on driving bookings and sales through special British Airways Holidays offers, the campaign’s highlight in May will be the TV broadcast of a 30-minute programme on St. Kitts. Using audio recognition technology, users of iPhone, iPad and Android phones will be further engaged with added value content via the St. Kitts Experience mobile app.

Representing TMG’s first commercial augmented reality campaign,’ St. Kitts Experience’ explores the island through its heritage & culture, food and drink, leisure activities, sports and Kittitians themselves. Broadcast commences on Saturday 12 May on Sky 231 and freesat 402 - and is weekly until 23 June. Viewers who download the ‘St Kitts Experience’ app will receive additional content directly to their iPhone or iPad, which can be shared on social media (Twitter, Facebook and Google+ 1). In addition, users can request more information on the destination or check out the fantastic offers on ba.com/stkitts. Sky+ customers will additionally be able to record the programme for viewing later.

Rosecita Jeffers, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, said, “in today’s increasingly social media and mobile environment, this year’s campaign with British Airways and TMG offers an innovative way to bring the destination to life like never before, while also offering the potential to drive bookings from the UK market. The on-going partnership with these two strong UK brands offers a huge kudos to the St. Kitts brand and confirms this destination’s embracing of the global tourism trends.”

James Lancaster, Director, Specialist Sales, TMG said: “We are delighted to be pushing the boundaries and incorporating augmented reality into an extensive client campaign. Working with St. Kitts Tourism Authority, British Airways, Aurasma and Information TV has been a truly collaborative partnership and we look forward to seeing how this resonates with our multi-platform audiences.”

Claire Bentley, Managing Director, British Airways Holidays commented "We are delighted to be working alongside both St Kitts Tourism Authority and TMG on this exciting campaign. This is a great opportunity to really inspire holidaymakers to go discover St Kitts and show-case this gem of an
island in a new light."

Complementing the TV broadcast in May will be a series of print adverts and advertorials in the Daily Telegraph Review, Travel supplements and Sunday Telegraph’s Discover supplement where the use of augmented reality will allow readers to watch a preview of the TV programme by holding their phone (iPhone, iPad and android) over the ads. The advertorials will focus on various aspects of the destination including its heritage and culture, its diverse activities and also its range of food and drink.

In September 2012, the campaign continues with the launch of an online element.

St. Kitts and Nevis is currently served twice-weekly on Saturday and Tuesday from London Gatwick by British Airways, the first scheduled carrier to provide regular airlift to the island. The BA aircraft uses a three class, 280 seat Boeing 777 aircraft holding 40 Club World seats, 24 World Traveller Plus and 216 World Traveller seats. For more information about St. Kitts, e-mail uk@stkittstourism.kn, visit www.stkittstourism.kn, or connect on Facebook, Twitter and/or YouTube.

###
Notes to Editors
About the Campaign
The 2012 St. Kitts British Airways Telegraph Campaign follows on from the success of the 2011 Campaign with TMG, focusing on destination awareness. In 2012, TMG has partnered with Information TV, in collaboration with Aurasma, to create the first commercial augmented reality campaign via a digital watermark embedded in the video's sound (inaudible to the human ear).

The Campaign focuses on driving sales to St. Kitts via special holiday offers and supported by TV, mobile, print and online activity.

About Information TV
Information TV is one of the UK’s leading providers of broadcast TV services with its flexible turnkey solutions for businesses, organisations and brands aiming to establish an independent broadcast presence on the UK’s largest digital TV platforms - BSkyB and Freesat, digital terrestrial (Freeview) - and via broadband on the internet.

About Aurasma
“Aurasma is the world’s leading augmented reality platform that merges the physical with the virtual and has over 4000 commercial partners worldwide. It is a free app that uses the camera in smart devices to recognise images and objects in the real world and overlays digital content on them. The “St Kitts experience” has Aurasma’s technology inside it and harnesses it to great effect in this innovative campaign.”