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Harlequin opens second property in Saint Lucia


Harlequin Hotels and Resorts


says its second hotel in the Caribbean, BLU in Saint Lucia, is on course to open on April 1 2012. Formerly the Village Inn, Harlequin


has transformed the property into a four-star accommodation with facilities that include tennis, HQ coffee, and cuisine prepared by executive chefs who have worked at Buccament Bay Resort in St Vincent. www.harlequinhotelsandresorts.com


Maldives looks to locals


Chicago back in tourism game


BY STEVE HARTRIDGE The Chicago Convention and


Tourism Bureau was in the UK last month to spread the word that the Windy City is stepping up its efforts to court the UK trade and consumers. Chief Marketing Officer Warren Wilkinson admitted that UK visitor numbers fell by 22% between 2009 and the start of this year but said there was a ‘city-wide commitment’ to reverse the trend. “We took our eye off the ball and


forgot just what tourism means to us, however in 2012 and beyond we have planned a number of training programmes and fam trips to ensure agents and operators have up-to-date product knowledge,” he said. “You won’t find a friendlier, more


A Funway to spend summer


BY JENNA ANGEL The summer edition of Funway Holidays’ ‘DEALS’ brochure, available from March 26, features a range of holidays from family beach breaks to city and spa stays. Family holidays include seven


nights at the four-star Paradise Point, San Diego, for £2349pp and flights with United Airlines A city break in Dubai starts from £485pp, with accommodation at the three-star Arabian Peak hotel and flights with British Airways. www.funway4agents.co.uk


BY ALAN ORBELL At a time when the Maldives is experiencing a rapid expansion in visitor numbers from China and India, the islands are keen to retain their traditional European markets, according to the Indian Ocean destination's newly- appointed Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor. “Our developmental strategy is in line


with current global travel trends but we recognise the need to diversify. We are working hard to further develop our existing market segments, whilst exploring new avenues and tapping into new sectors of consumer demand in major source markets. “This includes re-positioning the images of the Maldives as a world-class destination offering more than just a beach holiday. This will go hand-in-hand with product diversification to fit the changing market trends.”


Following the opening of an increasing


number of upscale resorts, the minister added that the government is looking at the development of more affordable three- and four-star resorts, more charter flights and community-based tourism, allowing visitors to meet with the local people in their own environment on the islands where they live. Also planned is an ecology park. The Maldives PR offensive comes on


the back of recent negative publicity following political upheavals in the islands which saw the departure of the previous President, the islands’ first to be democratically elected. Rooster PR has been appointed to handle the Maldives’ PR in the UK in a year when the islands are expecting to receive their one millionth visitor in November. www.visitmaldives.com


appealing city than Chicago. We’ve got over 40km of lakefront, 25km of sandy beaches, a bike path that runs round the city, dozens of parks such as Millennium Park and Lincoln Park, plenty of architectural wonders and fabulous live music,” added Wilkinson. Chicago is also known for its vibrant


restaurant scene and to emphasise the fact chef Stephanie Izard, a winner of Top Chef, the USA’s version of MasterChef, travelled to the UK with the CCBV to stress the gastronomic delights on offer in the city. Reasons to visit this summer include


the Chicago Blues Festival (June 6-10), the world's largest free Blues festival, and golf’s Ryder Cup, at the Medinah Country Club (September 25-30). www.choosechicago.com


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