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destination report Caribbean
cabin seats on its charters. “People are weighing were devastated by the swine flu outbreak. Strong sellers, clockwise from left:
it up and saying they can’t afford it,” said Another island that did not fare so well last Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic;
Shona Swain, general manager, long-haul year was Antigua, following a spate of bad Jamaica; Havana, Cuba; and Barbados
product for Thomson and First Choice. publicity over the double murder of a British
honeymoon couple in 2008.
WINNERS AND LOSERS However, the island seems to be enjoying an
It has not been the same story for every upturn in its fortunes this year with increased
destination. Carol Hay, the Caribbean Tourism demand from customers, helped by the reopen-
Cruise highlights
Organisation’s UK and Europe marketing ing of one of its flagship hotels, Jumby Bay,
director, said despite the economic downturn, after an 18-month £16 million refurbishment. Royal Caribbean International’s newest
swine flu and APD increases, not everyone had Aruba is enjoying strong demand from the ship Oasis of the Seas is sailing in the
been as badly affected. UK after notching up a 42% increase in British Caribbean, while NCL’s Norwegian Epic,
“A range of destinations, from Cuba and arrivals from January to September last year, launching in June, will have seven-night
Curacao to Guyana and Jamaica, had actually taking the total to 10,265. It is the first time the Caribbean itineraries from Miami through
experienced year-on-year increases in visitors by island has broken the 10,000 visitor mark from to April 2011.
September,” she said. the UK in a single year.
Caribtours reported that major islands such Cuba reported a performance to be pleased Star Clippers is basing two of its ships in
as Barbados and St Lucia held their own – about last year with 2.4 million arrivals – a the Caribbean next winter. Star Clipper
helped by new hotel openings on the latter. 3.3% rise on its record total of 2008 although will reposition to St Maarten in November
St Kitts was also on a roll. Tourism chiefs big discounts and shorter stays meant tourism to undertake seven-night cruises and
expect its new British Airways service, which revenue was down. Royal Clipper is being used for 15-night
started in January 2009, to have brought a Jamaica saw a 4-5% rise in visitors last year to cruise and spa holidays with LaSource.
record 10,000 passengers in its first year. 1.8 million and it claims the current winter
The Dominican Republic, for so long the season has seen the strongest start in years. Princess Cruises has upgraded its
cheap and cheerful charter capital of the Caribbean fleet so that all eight ships
Caribbean, is now enjoying a more upscale NEW DEVELOPMENTS based there now offer Movies Under the
image thanks to new BA flights and more No matter how bad the market outlook, no one Stars and a Sanctuary spa.
exclusive hotels. could accuse the Caribbean of standing still.
Thomson and First Choice found that Cuba Despite the doom and gloom of last year, the Carnival Dream, which launched in
steadily increased in popularity while business region pushed ahead with an impressive array September 2009, now sails on alternate
to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic did of new developments that have given it a good seven-night eastern and western
well as both countries picked up bookings from grounding to start 2010 in confident mode. Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral.
Cancun and other Mexican Riviera resorts that One of the most important Turn to 6
TTG Knowledge – February 2010
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