SPECIAL EDITION FRONTLINE
sharon thompson owner, Thompson Travel, Portadown, Northern Ireland
I have been lucky enough to visit the
Caribbean many times over the years. One of my fondest memories was my very first trip, when I visited as a travel agent with the Barbados tourist board. Betty, a local Bajan and
representative of the tourist board, was our tour leader. She was bubbly and informative and had a real passion for her home country which was totally infectious. This memorable trip set the tone for me and I couldn’t wait to discover more that the Caribbean had to offer. I’ll never forget how the sound of reggae music filled the air along the beaches of the lively resorts, yet despite that, there was a feeling of relaxation everywhere I went. I have a feeling that the rum might have added to that sensation too! It is well known that it’s the people in the Caribbean who make it so special. Their smiles, courtesy and unwavering desire to make your trip as wonderful as it can be all make the experience – in addition to the beaches, climate and the rest.
CRUISE BENEFITS
Barbados has long been a big hit with UK visitors to the Caribbean, but cruise ships have changed how customers choose their Caribbean holiday. Customers are increasingly choosing cruising to experience a variety of Caribbean islands, which means they get a
26 28 AUGUST 2025 AGENT
I love the Caribbean but what draws me back most is the
pervading sense of total relaxation
snapshot of several destinations they may want to return to – and I’m finding they’re returning for longer stays after their tasters. And, of course, many major cruise lines now operate their own private islands, which only adds to the wealth of options and experiences on offer for visitors. I’ve visited many Caribbean destinations over the years, travelling both by land and sea. My favourites are Barbados, Saint Martin, Aruba, Curaçao and Haiti. Each has its own special highlights. Another of my most memorable experiences in the Caribbean was volunteering to be part of a
turtle-nesting experience, where I got to watch the females birth their emerging baby turtles. Your clients can book such experiences with their hotels, especially in summer, and I’d highly recommend encouraging them to do so. Other places in the Caribbean I’d
recommend are the Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park, which is an incredible diving spot in Little Cayman; Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico; and Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica.
CARNIVAL BEATS Oh, and of course, you can’t talk about the Caribbean without mentioning carnival. Nothing beats making yourself an outfit from a square metre of material and getting into the party spirit. The atmosphere is electric as vibrant colours adorn the streets and local artists perform to the beat of merengue, calypso and reggae music. A word to the wise, however: I'm no expert on rum but I wouldn’t recommend drinking too much of the stuff and deciding to walk the plank on a pirate ship excursion! That's a story for another day… Whether you choose the
Caribbean for a land-based holiday or to visit several islands on a cruise, you will leave with a huge desire to return. I’m already counting down the days until my next visit.
NELSON’S COLUMN
Horatio Nelson is known for his links with Antigua in the 1700s and, while his views towards the island were somewhat indifferent, it’s a firm favourite with many UK visitors today – myself included! There are numerous fantastic hotels and resorts, but one I highly
recommend is St James’s Club & Villas in Mamora Bay – a
100-acre, all-inclusive resort set on a private peninsula with two beaches. It has six pools, a wide range of accommodation and dedicated zones for kids and adults, with plenty of activities for every age and activity level.
The Royal Suites are exclusive for adults and offer a quiet space for parents while kids enjoy the resort’s entertainment. But no matter where you book your clients, you can’t go far wrong!
English Harbour, Antigua
travelweekly.co.uk
b
AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen diary diary
Sharon Sharon
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Drew Rawcliffe
c
a
r
i
b
e
a
n
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
