SHOW REPORT CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE


Tourism update Caribbean Tourism Organisation


Region ups efforts to amend ‘unfair’ APD


As we enter the second month of the ‘New Year’, have you managed to keep those resolutions that you made? The Caribbean Tourism Organisation would like to offer a resolution that is easy to keep and very rewarding – Join the Caribbean Training Programme! Agents work through the


programme, starting at Bronze and continuing on to Silver, Gold and finally Platinum. Each level is gained by undertaking a variety of activities: making bookings, attending training sessions, visiting the Caribbean and completion of Caribbean quizzes. Not only will you gain valuable knowledge on how to sell the Caribbean but you will also have the opportunity to be listed on the CTO website (www.caribbean.co. uk) as a specialist agent, upon reaching the Silver level of the programme. This interactive website allows members of the public to access the nearest Caribbean specialist travel agent in their area; this is just one of the many advantages. So, what are you waiting for?


Join now by calling Sonja Rogers on 020 8948 0057 or email srogers@caribtourism.com. Over the coming months, The Caribbean Tourism Organisation is planning some exciting events and activities – so stay tuned.


IN BRIEF


Jamaica’s supersize port Falmouth Port, in Jamaica, will become the largest port in the Caribbean when it’s completed next month. Big enough to entertain the Oasis of the Seas (7,000 visitors), the port will offer arriving passengers a walking tour of its 18th and early 19th-century buildings, listed as some of the world’s most endangered monuments. www.falmouthport.co.uk


Half Moon joins Rock Resorts Jamaica’s Half Moon Rose Hall has joined Rock Resorts, which offers ‘luxury resorts in iconic destinations’ and is also looking at resorts in Dom Rep and Costa Rica. Parent company Vail Resorts is to spend $80 million improving the resorts. We apologise for incorrectly referring to Half Moon as ‘Blue Moon’ in our last issue. www.halfmoon.rockresorts.com


Cayman has new dive attraction An ex-US submarine rescue vessel, the Kittiwake, was sunk last month in the Cayman Islands to create a new dive and snorkel attraction. A joint initiative between the government and the private sector, the submarine is positioned in the middle of Seven Mile Beach,15 metres below the surface. www.caymanislands.co.uk


Spring offers in Barbados Guests who book a break for stays between March 17 and April 22011 can now receive one night complimentary when booking a seven-night stay at either Coral Reef Club or The Sandpiper in Barbados, including breakfast. This special offer also applies to guests who book a 14-night stay during this period. www.caribtours.co.uk


The Caribbean is determined to


maintain its pressure on the UK government to reform the Airline Passenger Duty (APD), which continues to cast a dark cloud over the region’s tourism prospects. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, the Hon.


Edmund Bartlett, said that more consultations will take place after the UK Budget (March 23) at which the Caribbean would advocate change to two bands for APD – one for long haul and one for short haul – rather than the


current four. He said that he had been encouraged by ‘the information he had received’ and that there was global groundswell support for such a change. Virgin Holidays’ Amanda Wills said


that APD increases had affected mainly the ‘lates market’, adding £100 to each holiday, making them less attractive. Jamaica continued to see overall


growth in 2010. The UK market, which was described as ‘flat’ last year, performed better than Europe as a whole, where numbers were down 13 per cent.


Reefs and Nisbet hotelier is the best David Dodwell, who owns Nisbet


Plantation Beach Club, Nevis, and The Reefs Hotel & Club in Bermuda, has been recognised as the ‘Caribbean Hotelier of the Year’ by the CHTA. Dodwell received the award ‘for


demonstrating excellence in all areas of hotel and resort operations, as well as a commitment to the training and development of staff, to the community, and to sound environmental practices.’


The Reefs includes 19 luxury two- and three-bedroom beachfront suites while Nisbet Plantation Beach Club has 36 rooms. Dodwell is proactive in the local community and has organised programmes in schools as well as eco- initiatives such as an artificial reef to provide a habitat for sea life, and eco- initiatives to save palm trees by preventing beach erosion. www.nisbetplantation.com


Interview Jamaica Tourist Office


JOHN LYNCH DIRECTOR OF TOURISM FOR JAMAICA


What does hosting Marketplace mean to Jamaica? It is vitally important as there is nothing like having tour operators and the press ‘touch and feel’ the product. We have gone through lots of changes so want to show it off.


How do you position Jamaica? We have the best product in terms of hotels, 169 attractions (more than the rest of the Caribbean combined), a brand new airport (MBJ) and good roads to the main resort areas Ocho Rios and Negril. We had a 14 per cent increase in arrivals in the first 15 days of January, which equates to 10,000 people. We are increasing our product offerings, growing our traditional markets, expanding air lift, developing further partnerships and increasing our range of attractions.


How important is the UK market? It is very important as UK visitors stay longer than other visitors. There is a long relationship between Jamaica and the British, with lots of Jamaicans in Britain.


What message do you have for the UK travel trade? Jamaica is very easy to get to, with lots of airlift from British Airways and Virgin. Also that we have a state- of-the-art product. There is plenty to do and see and many happy people going home from Jamaica!


www.sellinglonghaul.com • February 2011 15


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