Caribbean Vacation and Travel Digest

Caribbean travel - Bahamas to spend $26m on tourism

2007-06-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is proposing to spend an estimated $26.6 million on marketing and promotions of the islands of The Bahamas, and a further estimated $4.1 million on airlift development. Neko Grant, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, said.

He also stated the ministry has an “aggressive” programme for tourism development. “As we move forward with an aggressive programme for tourism and economic expansion in the islands of The Bahamas, including new investments over the next several years,” said the Minister, “the industry will require a matching increase in the quality and capacity of our scheduled airlift in New Providence and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands."

He added, “Our strategies then will be focused on ensuring that airlift capacity keeps pace with our growing resort inventory.”

The Minister also said efforts will be made to woo Canadian tourists. “Our overall strategy is to reinforce the recent introduction of the islands of The Bahamas to the Canadian marketplace as a multi-island destination with multiple vacation experiences all rolled into one. “The emphasis of my ministry will be on the development of the growing markets in Western and Eastern Canada," he said.

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Caribbean Travel - Anguilla celebrates 40 years...

2007-06-12T10:20:00.000-07:00

As part of an ongoing celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Caribbean island’s secession from St Kitt’s, the Anguilla Tourist Board last week honoured key travel industry partners with the “Anguilla 40 Awards.”

The awards were presented as part of a gala dinner event at the Pierre Hotel and celebrated the rise of Anguilla to its position as one of the premier island destinations for the world’s most discerning travelers.

“The transformation of our island, which began in the late 70’s and accelerated during the 80’s and 90’s, has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Anguilla Director of Tourism Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch. “We enjoy one of the highest standards of living and per-capita incomes in the Caribbean, we have full employment, and most importantly, through it all, we have retained the unique and distinctive character of our island.”

Without doubt Anguilla is a fantastic success story for the Caribbean.

Caribbean Vacation and Travel

US temporaily relax passport rules to Caribbean

2007-06-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

The United States will temporarily relax rules requiring passports for US citizens traveling by air to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean because of a huge processing backlog, US officials said last week.

Through to the end of September, US citizens going to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean may exit and enter the United States with government-issued identification and a State Department document showing they have applied for a passport, the officials said. The State Department has been bogged down by a wave of passport applications, threatening summer travel plans by thousands of people, after a decision by Congress to tighten border security by requiring Americans going to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean to carry passports.

One US official, speaking on condition that he not be named, said the decision to relax the rules reflected a desire to allow people to keep their holiday plans and give the US government time to reduce the backlog.

Caribbean Vacation and Travel

Caribbean Travel - New flights from St Lucia to Barbados...

2007-06-03T04:15:00.000-07:00

American Eagle, the Caribbean regional affiliate of American Airlines, announced on Friday its plans to expand its presence in the Caribbean with a new inter-island flight between St Lucia and Barbados beginning September 5. The flight will operate each Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday using a 64-seat aircraft.

The new service will provide improved inter-island connections for the many visitors who travel to the Caribbean and would like to experience the wonderful beaches, the excellent food, and the sounds and rhythms these destinations have to offer.

www.carribean-vacation-travel.com

Time for a discount visit to the Caribbean?

2007-06-02T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just a thought for those of us who live north of the equator and for whom the temperatures are starting to rise...

You can almost guarantee that between now and December the time is ripe to find some great vacation bargains in the Caribbean. The prices can drop by up to 50-60% and the hotels can offer some great deals, including room upgrades, bonus nights and free activities.

With that in mind it could be the time to take advantage and grab the holiday of a lifetime...

http://www.carribean-vacation-travel.com/

Caribbean - Virgin Atlantic adds Jamaica flights...

2007-06-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Virgin Atlantic Airlines will double flights between London and Jamaica after the Caribbean country's national carrier decided to stop flying to the UK.

Virgin Atlantic will add a twice-weekly service between London's Gatwick airport and Kingston starting in October 2007 - Virgin Atlantic already flies twice a week between London and Montego Bay.

As part of the deal, Virgin Atlantic will take over Air Jamaica's slots at London's Heathrow airport and code-share on the Montego Bay and Kingston flights. A Virgin Atlantic executive also stated that the company will be looking to build up connecting traffic via Jamaica, to other areas within the Caribbean.

Virgin Atlantic will use 451-seat Boeing 747-400 planes to fly the new route. The service will double the carrier's capacity between London and Jamaica to 190,000 seats a year.

http://www.carribean-vacation-travel.com/