February 2012 Issue 53 -

Welcome to CTP Issue 53 Your personal update on news from the Caribbean Destination Profile – Tourism Organisation. Edited by Ann-Marie Brooks, CTO London My Favourite Destination by Paula Coull, Broadway Travel I have 31 years of experience in travel. I’ve specialised in long haul/cruise in the latter part of my career and I’ve homed in on the Caribbean as my favourite destination to take my own holidays and as the number one product I truly love to sell. I genuinely thought I had a good understanding of the Caribbean but how wrong was I? It’s so diverse and has so many islands. Turks and Caicos, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are fascinating places I’ve never visited, but really enjoyed Paula Coull, a CTP Platinum Agent the training on them. Another of those islands is which I recently had the opportunity to visit in September 2011. It was fantastic! I was genuinely taken by surprise. It was truly stunning and so friendly; we even got the chance for a Sunday morning off-the-cuff visit to a gospel church and believe me there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was amazing to just have a peek at normal life. The beaches were the best I’d ever seen and the standard of Lush rainforests, rugged mountains, cascading waterfalls, rushing rivers, accommodation was first hot springs and one of the world’s biggest boiling lakes – no wonder why class - so a big thanks to the Dominica is known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean. Dominica CTO for the trip and for all the (pronounced Dom-in-ee-ka) is the perfect destination for outdoor holiday training, help and encourage- lovers. It offers a selection of eco-friendly properties to stay and is a ment it provides to agents. haven for hikers of all levels. The new Waitukubuli Trail has now I feel confident in selling the launched, and is the first and only long distance hiking trail in the Caribbean much more than Caribbean. Named after the indigenous name for Dominica meaning “tall I ever have and it’s all thanks is her body”, the Trail runs for 115 miles and is divided into 14 sections to you. with the option to stay with local families on route. The Nature Island offers the most diverse range of flora and fauna in the whole of the Caribbean – more than 160 bird species have been sighted! A world Educationals leader in sustainable tourism, Dominica is the only Caribbean island with a population of indigenous Carib Indians. Known locally as . Bermuda Department of Tourism – May and September 2012. Essential Detail – June/July 2012 Shopping Basket – all prices are approximate in Eastern Caribbean Dollar. Jamaica Tourist Board Five-O-Mega Fam – June/July 2012 Bottled water: sm – EC$3.00 lg – EC$4.00 Tourist Board – June 2012. Beer: (local beer – Kubuli) EC$3.50 Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Office – April and September 2012. Coke: EC$3.00 Incentives Special Offers for your clients If you have made bookings to any Almond Resorts in 2010 and 2011 Calabash, Grenada – through UK Tour Operators and have not yet reported these on the Book a minimum of 7 nights and receive $500 worth of Food & Beverage ‘Team Almond Rewards Programme’ to claim your free nights stays, credit per suite per stay. Valid in all suite categories for stays completed now is a great time to do so, before 29th February. between 1 to 31 March 2012.

Bahamas Flavour is giving away 5 nights all inclusive at Breezes Cap Maison, Saint Lucia – Bahamas to one lucky travel agent. To enter, travel agents must make Book a minimum 5 nights and receive a Free Night. Valid for stays one or more bookings for Breezes Bahamas by 31 March for travel until between now and 6 Apr 2012. 17 December. Cusinart Golf Resort & Spa, Anguilla – Book a minimum 5 nights and receive 2 Free Nights. Valid for stays Bahamas Flavour in conjunction with The Bahamas Tourist Office completed between now – 13 Apr 2012 in all room & suite categories. is holding a Travel Agent Incentive evening. Get a taste of the islands in 3D, plus win prizes. The event will take place at 10 East Winds Inn, Saint Lucia – Chesterfield Street, London W1J 5JL from 6.30-8.30pm on Thursday Stay for 6 nights and receive 7th night complimentary, fully inclusive. 9th February 2012. To register email: [email protected]. Valid for stays completed between: 01– 31 Mar 2012, and 1 May – 31 Oct 2012. Sandals Resorts has launched a brand new incentive for travel agents, Jamaica Inn, Jamaica – ‘Sweets For My Suite’. The Launch will run until 28 February 2012, and Stay 7 Nights for US $5,605.00 per couple including tax and service & offers travel agents the opportunity to win one of six Luxury US $840.00 for each additional night. Valid for stays completed before 15 Included® Sandals holidays for two with Virgin flights. To enter, Apr 2012. complete the Sandals online training at www.sellingsandals.co.uk and register one new ‘Love Nest’ suite booking during the campaign. Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica – Qualifying agents will also be entered into a weekly draw to win an Book a minimum 5 nights and receive 2 Free Nights, excluding meals. indulgent sweet hamper worth an amazing £150. Valid in all categories, for stays completed between now -16 Feb, 26 Feb -15 Mar, 09 Apr-17 Dec 2012. Sign up for the new Turks and Caicos training programme www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk/login and enter the competition Sandals Resorts are offering some fantastic offers: to win a luxury 7 night holiday for 2 including flights to the Turks z Brides-to-be will receive a complimentary wedding ceremony when and Caicos Islands. To enter, complete the training course; and book booking a stay of 6 nights or longer. at least two holidays to any of the following properties (Grace Bay Club, z the Gansevoort, Parrot Cay, the Regent Grand, the Regent Palms, the 50% discount on the third week of a holiday which is combinable with the existing offer of up to 35% off plus one free night. Somerset and the Veranda Resort and Residences) and log these on the training website before 28 February 2012. z When you book a holiday for 6 nights or more at Sandals Royal Plantation, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa or Beaches ‘The Saint Lucia Challenge’ starts from the 28th February to Boscobel, your clients can receive a complimentary Island Routes November 2012 throughout the UK and Ireland. There will be quiz Catamaran Cruise. evening events with travel agents, who will be competing for two members of their team to attend the next stage of the quiz in Saint z Guests staying in Butler suites at Sandals Emerald Bay will receive Lucia. The top prize will be £5000 worth of marketing funds for free unlimited golf at Sandals Emerald Reef Golf Club. Terms and your travel agency! London: 28th – 29 February 2012; Guildford: conditions apply on all these offers. For more details call 0207 590 14th March 2012; Southampton: 21st March 2012. For more details 0210 or visit www.sellingsandals.co.uk. email: [email protected]. Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, Saint Lucia – is offering newly engaged couples a special resort credit of US$1,000 to experience the resort before booking their wedding. For more details contact [email protected]; tel:01372 475783.

Congratulations We are pleased to recognise the following CTP travel agents who have achieved their Silver, Gold and Platinum Certificate in January. Well done everyone for taking the time to enhance your Caribbean product knowledge! Don’t forget to get your friends and colleagues to join the CTP. Email Ann-Marie at [email protected] for more information. Silver Certificate: Lisa Ridley, Cockermouth Travel Ltd; Vicky Gould, Bath Travel Gold Certificate: Peter Davies, Blue Bay Travel Platinum Certificate: Paula Coull, Broadway Travel

To obtain a quotation including our latest Special Offers, or to order brochures. Please call our Caribbean Experts on 01423 531031 Training Agents will be rewarded with 3 FREE nights at Almond Resorts which will be verified once they have completed the training and reported their first Almond Resorts booking. The Bahamas Tourist Office has launched a new Bahamas training programme. For information, contact 0207 355 0800 or email [email protected]. The Bermuda Department of Tourism has re-launched their online training programme with Travel Uni. Complete the training and log your Bermuda bookings to win various prizes each month including a fam trip place. The Grenada Board of Tourism has launched a new travel agent initiative. All fam trips will include a photo competition with agents invited to submit an image that best evokes their Grenada experience. Contact Sola Thomson for details at [email protected]. The Majesty of Tobago Awaits Your Clients The Jamaica Tourist Board has launched two online training modules At This Exciting New Four-Star Resort entitled ‘Getting to Know Jamaica’ and ‘Jamaica the Playground’ offering agents the opportunity to learn more about the island. The training programmes are free to all travel agents and are available through TWacademy. The Saint Lucia Tourist Board will re-launch its online training programme in March 2012. Complete the online training programme to be invited to one of Saint Lucia’s fam trips and log any bookings that you make to Saint Lucia for a chance to win a fabulous prize. Also the Tourist will host webinars for agents during the year; and also conduct training during Saint Lucia Month, from 28th February to 28th March 2012.

The brand new online agents training for Trinidad & Tobago is due to Tobago Plantations Estate, Lowlands,Tobago, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies go live this month. The Training programme will be interactive and will Represented in the UK & Europe by Bespoke Travel Marketing have new competitions and incentives. The Tourist Office team will also +44 (0) 843.289.0246 • [email protected]@bespoketraavvelmarketing.com be holding various rum and roti sessions. For further information contact wwww.MagdalenaGrand.comw w. M a g d a l e n a G r a n d . c o m [email protected]. Events Training Programmes Come and visit us and our Caribbean Partners at the upcoming consumer shows where you’ll receive a wealth of information and Air Europa www.aireuropaexperts.com special offers: Almond Resorts www.almondtraining.com Tourism Authority www.bajanclub.org z The National Wedding Show: 24 – 26 February, Olympia, London Bahamas Tourist Office www.onlinetraveltraining.co.uk/ z London International Dive Show: nassauparadiseisland/home.aspx 31 – 01 April, Excel Exhibition Centre, London Couples Resorts www.gptrainingacademy.com AM Resorts www.amragents.com z The Bermuda Department of Tourism will be attending the Prestige Elite Island Resorts www.agentelitetraining.com Roadshows in Sandbanks, Belfast, Manchester and London, plus the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines www.focusonfredolsen.com Aspire Luxury Forum in March, held at Edgebaston Cricket Ground, Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts www.grandpineappletraining.com Birmingham. Grenada Board of Tourism www.onlinetraveltraining.co.uk/grenada.aspx z Dominican Republic Tourist Board will be at Destinations Caribbean Group Promotions Training Academy www.gptrainingacademy.com Harrogate - March 20th and Destinations Caribbean East Midlands - Occidental Hotels & Resorts www.occidentalexpert.com 21st March. The Dominican Republic Tourist Board will also participate Puerto Rico Tourism Company www.puertoricotravelexpert.co.uk at the National Wedding Show, Birmingham NEC on the 16th - 18th Rex Resorts www.rexpertsonline.com March 2012. Sandals and Beaches Resorts www.sellingsandals.co.uk z Sandals Resorts will be taking part in a number of Truly Independent Sunset Resorts www.gptrainingacademy.com Professional Travel Organisation (TIPTO) workshops during the months Saint Lucia Tourist Board www.saintluciaexpert.com of February and March: Cheltenham – 8 February; Glasgow – 7 & 8 www.svgacademy.com St. Vincent & The Grenadines March; Belfast – 14 March; Ashford – 20 March; Brighton – 21 March The Crane Barbados www.thecraneacademy.co.uk and Bournemouth – 22 March. There will also be a Virgin Holidays Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Office www.learnTNT.com Sandals day taking place at Lakeside on the 3rd March. Turks & Caicos Tourist Board www.turksandcaicosexpert.co.uk z Trinidad & Tobago team will be attending the Destination Representation speed training in Maidenhead. Travel Uni www.traveluni.com What’s happening in the Caribbean Region Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority 12th Annual Valentine’s Day Cup, Turks & Caicos - 11 February 2012 Aruba Tourism Authority Trinidad & Tobago Carnival - 20th & 21st February 2012 Bermuda Dept of Tourism Saint Lucia Independence - 22nd February 2012 Cayman Islands Dept of Tourism Jamaica Fat Tyre Festival (Biking Festival) - 19th-26th Feb Dominican Republic Tourist Board Turks & Caicos Whale Watching - February through to April 2012 Jamaica Tourist Board Annual Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival - 27-29 April 2012. Jolly Beach Resort Phagwa/ Holi Festival, Trinidad & Tobago - 20 March 2012 Hotel News The Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, Jamaica recently completed $60m worth of renovations to reveal a completely new look. The five star boutique hotel Geejam, on the San San Estate in Jamaica The resort now offers a new Seaside & Ochi Beach Club, white Balinese has announced it will be introducing more properties to its portfolio during cabanas, a winding grotto pool and direct access to Ocho Rios’ most 2012. There will also be additional investment at Frenchman’s Coves’ spectacular beach; 15 gourmet dining options; and the refurbishment of 16 villas and conference centre, owned by the Weston family. the Red Lane® Spa.

As of January 2012, Elite Island Resorts have acquired the four star all Set to be completed by March, Sandals Royal Bahamian will offer an inclusive Morgan Bay Saint Lucia, formerly an Almond property. It will entirely new experience, as all 144 rooms in the Manor Block will have continue to offer clients the same fantastic service that they previously undergone a complete transformation both inside and out. The rooms received. and suites in the newly-renamed “Balmoral Tower” will feature brand new furnishings and amenities. True Blue Bay Resort, Grenada now offers guests a range of spa treatments from renowned therapist Joanne Davison at the newly opened With $14 million in upgrades invested in Beaches Boscobel Resort Le Conch Spa. Enjoy a manicure, pedicure, and a range of massages and Golf Club, guests will be treated to expanded restaurants, brand- and facial treatments, non-surgical face lifts, body wraps and waxing. new entertainment areas and updated guest rooms and suites. The main pool area has received extensive developments including expanded pool Maca Bana, Grenada offers one-to-one art lessons from owner and artist Rebecca Thompson from just £140. The seven villa property boasts decks, additional pool-side lounge areas and an upgraded observation an unrivalled position overlooking Grand Anse Bay and capital St deck ideal for wedding ceremonies and private dining. George’s and their neighbour’s leading beachfront restaurant The Aquarium. The first phase of the US$2.5 million renovation at the Comfort Suites Airline News Resort, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands has just Harlequin Air is providing inter-island transfer service from several completed. All 39 west wing rooms also benefitted from upgraded international airports in the Caribbean for guest staying at Buccament bathrooms and new furniture. The second phase of the renovation project Bay Resort, St. Vincent. For further details visit www.harlequinair.com is scheduled to commence in August 2012 and be completed by the end of October.

From April 2012 guests staying at Buccament Bay Resort, St. Vincent can include a few days stay at the Hotel Nouveau in Rodney NEWS from… Bay, Saint Lucia and enjoy a free visit to The Marquis Estate. The Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort on Grand Bahama Island has changed its new full-size, real grass, premiership-approved football pitch is scheduled name to Grand Lucayan. for completion in spring 2012. Bahamas Balearia express ferry commenced its service on December The 4 star Bougainvillea 16th 2011 taking passengers from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Bahama Beach Resort in Barbados Island daily except Wednesdays. For more information visit has appointed Escape www.ferryexpress.com. Marketing as its exclusive UK and European Marketing Bermuda is a member of Travel Weekly’s Luxury Travel Club, Aspire. Representative. Bougainvillea Agents travelling to Bermuda should download their free App which gives is featured by all major tour details of hotels, beaches, nightlife, restaurants, sightseeing and popular operators. activities on the island. Contact Gemma Lewis on [email protected] The Grenada Board of Tourism has appointed Sola Thomson as its or tel: 07545315664 for more new Sales and Training Manager in the UK. Sola contact details are information. [email protected] and 020 8328 0644. The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and The Millennium Resort and responsibletravel.com have created a brand-new insiders' travel Spa is the newest boutique guide to the Cayman Islands. The guide is packed with authentic insights hotel to open in the resort celebrating the island's culture, beaches, history and includes video and community of Cabarete, in the podcasts from local people telling their stories. To learn more about the Dominican Republic’s north brand-new travel guide visit www.responsibletravel.com/Cayman-Islands- coast. The facility offers 60 Travel-Guide/. rooms, as well as a kite school, spa, mini-market, swimming The Liverpool FC Academy Soccer School at Buccament Bay pool, two bars and restaurants Resort, St. Vincent will deliver a dream team of football legends, elite and a business center. It is managers and coaches during the main UK school holidays 2012. located 20 minutes from Puerto Courses are available to children aged 5-16 years of all abilities. Every Plata’s international airport. child will receive a certificate of attendance signed by Ian Rush. To book contact Harlequin Travel on 01268 24 24 63. Sandals Resorts continues to undertake renovation projects at several resorts across the company, as part of its $500m investment plan to To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Sandals and Beaches Resorts is expand and enhance the company’s offerings in the Caribbean over the delighted to announce the launch of a new fleet of 200 branded taxis coming decade. across the United Kingdom. Disclaimer While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, no responsibility is accepted for any claims or statements made in articles or advertisements appearing in this newsletter. Produced by GST email [email protected]