CARIBBEAN: Island by Island
riding, snorkelling, a Segway tour, and whale and dolphin watching. What’s new: This month
(November), for the fi rst time the inaugural international triathlon takes place. Tri Saint Lucia will feature three course levels for competitors and is the culmination of a week-long festival Saint Lucia has over 74 species and
fi ve endemics of birds. The Ministry of Forestry has begun working to develop bird watching tours. Anse Chastanet (
ansechastanet.com) has a fi ve- day bird watching package. Capella Hotels and Resorts (capella.
com) has taken over management of Discovery at Marigot Bay and re- branded as Capella Marigot Bay.
ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
A collection of 32 idyllic islands and cays, St Vincent and the Grenadines offers visitors a taste of the still- unspoilt Caribbean. The nine inhabited islands – St
Vincent, Bequia, Mustique, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Palm Island and Petit St Vincent – each offer their own unique character. SVG is a diver’s paradise with
diverse and unique marine life. The Tobago Cays Marine Park, home to green and hawksbill turtles, is a protected and where visitors can swim freely with the sea creatures. What’s new: The big news for St
Vincent and the Grenadines is the new international airport opening in 2014. The construction of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) runway will be large enough for direct ex- UK fl ights. The Canouan Resort &
the Grenadines Estate Villas (canouan. com) on Canouan Island, formerly a Raffl es Hotel, has undergone a huge re-design The as yet un- named resort will be a collection of bedroom villas. In conjunction with the new villas, the resort is also to launch the Canouan Jet package, which includes transfers by private jet from Barbados for stays of seven nights or longer.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Relatively unexplored compared to other Caribbean islands, Trinidad and Tobago lies just off the coast of South America and are the most southerly islands of the Caribbean. Trinidad offers a unique Caribbean
experience that includes hustle and bustle in inimitable Trinidadian style and is famed for its annual Carnival. Tobago is surrounded by the tranquil Caribbean Sea off its north coast with the wilder Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The island is a relatively well-kept secret and is recognised as a premium eco- destination, with its lush protected rainforests and teeming coral reefs. What’s new: New for this year, stand-up paddle boarding is proving popular as one of the best ways to see Tobago’s diverse mangrove swamp area. The swamps are a vital part of Tobago’s eco-system and act as nurseries for all kinds of species. Visitors can get a bird’s eye view
of the breathtaking beauty at Macqueripe Bay, Chaguaramas at The Macqueripe Bay Zip line (ichaguaramas. com), which promises stunning views from lines 100ft high.
TURKS & CAICOS
The Turks and Caicos Islands are an archipelago of 40 islands, just 575 miles southeast of Miami, Florida. Only eight of the islands are inhabited and range from the upbeat atmosphere of Providenciales, the main tourist hub, to the secluded island of Parrot Cay or to the quaint historic island of Grand Turk. What’s new: The new Key West
Luxury Village at Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages and Spa (
Beachesresorts.co.uk) is now open. Island Global Yachting (IGY) Marinas (
Bluehaventci.com) has opened Blue Haven Resort & Marina, on the leeward side of the island of Providenciales.
Expert advice: “Visitor arrivals from the UK were down 10% last year compared to 2011. However, some destinations, such as Saint Lucia, have noticed a slight increase in traffi c, and those more off-the-beaten- track Caribbean destinations such as Montserrat, Curacao, Belize, and Puerto Rico have already experienced increases in visitor numbers this year. “We are hoping that 2013 is going
to see further uplift and so far feedback from our tourism partners has been positive. “We are currently focusing on promoting the individuality and range of Caribbean destinations whilst also showcasing the great value deals available to the Caribbean.” Carol Hay, Director of Marketing UK and Europe, CTO
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