GO...UP & AWAY - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
GO...UP & AWAY - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
GO...UP & AWAY - JAXFAX Travel Marketing Magazine
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CO<strong>UP</strong>LES RESORTS<br />
CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA<br />
Jamaica is Jammin’ in 2010<br />
Melanie Reffes<br />
With more flights from the U.S. than in previous high seasons,<br />
and new partnership with Expedia.com, and the International<br />
Association of Golf Tour Operators Carribean “Golf<br />
Destination of the Year” award, Jamaica is anticipating<br />
record arrivals in 2010. “Despite the challenging economic<br />
environment, Jamaica continues to discover innovative ways<br />
of diversifying its product in time for the winter season,”<br />
said John Lynch, director of tourism. “Our tourism infrastructure<br />
has continued to undergo a series of developments,<br />
from an increase in room stock to a boost in our appeal<br />
through improvements to our attractions and entertainment<br />
sectors.” In addition to flights via Delta, US Airways, American<br />
Airlines, Continental, United, Spirit and Northwest, Jet-<br />
Blue starts service from Orlando on February 8 and AirTran<br />
will begin nonstop flights from Atlanta, Baltimore and Orlando<br />
on February 11. Apple Vacations operates seasonally<br />
from Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, St. Louis and Milwaukee<br />
and Funjet sells charters from St. Louis, Minneapolis and<br />
Milwaukee.<br />
Hotel Horizon<br />
Room stock has also<br />
increased due to the grand<br />
resorts on the north coast, and<br />
with booking discounts and<br />
add-ons like massages and golf<br />
lessons it’s a buyer’s market.<br />
As part of the realignment to the Breezes brand, Lido<br />
Negril Resort is now Breezes Grand Negril, Grand Lido<br />
Braco Resort has been renamed Breezes Rio Bueno and the<br />
family-friendly Starfish Trelawny is now known as Breezes<br />
Trelawny with “kids stay free” and “single parent supplement”<br />
waivers remaining intact. Visit www.breezes.com.<br />
Sandals has dropped Dunn’s River Villaggio from its portfolio<br />
effective May 31, 2010, however they will operate the<br />
Ocho Rios resort and take bookings through July, 2010 in<br />
order to accommodate existing bookings. Sandals Whitehouse<br />
European Village<br />
reopened in December 2009<br />
with the debut of Neptune’s, a<br />
Mediterranean-themed eatery.<br />
“While we regret the inconvenience<br />
of the closing, the wait<br />
was worth it and we are thrilled<br />
to share the improved Sandals<br />
Whitehouse with our guests,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart,<br />
chairman. In Montego Bay, 52-room Sandals Carlyle, formerly<br />
Sandals Inn reopened with a new name and butler<br />
service starting in April. Visit<br />
www.sandals.com.<br />
Next to Sandals Royal<br />
Caribbean, 681-room RIU<br />
Montego Bay is the fourth RIU<br />
in Jamaica and easy to spot<br />
with its signature lavender<br />
SANDALS WHITEHOUSE<br />
RIU MONTE<strong>GO</strong> BAY<br />
DREAMER CATAMARANS<br />
With departures from Cornwall Beach on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay ,<br />
Dreamer Catamaran Cruises is a licensed attraction by the Jamaica Tourist<br />
Board and popular with tourists not staying at a seaside resort.<br />
exterior. Visit www.riu.com.<br />
Available at all four Couples Resorts, Conception-Moon<br />
add-on includes $75 gift shop credit and $100 certificate for<br />
a return booking. Visit www.couples.com.<br />
In Montego Bay, Half Moon introduced ‘Select Online<br />
Training’ to familiarize agents with the fifty-five year old<br />
resort. Benefits include FAM trips, upgrades and gifts for<br />
clients accessible via the agent-exclusive website<br />
www.halfmoon.com/agents.<br />
Get off the Beach Chair<br />
There are 150 licensed attractions in Jamaica which is the<br />
highest number in the Caribbean. “Soft adventure is one of<br />
the fastest growing segments,” said John Lynch, director of<br />
tourism, “providing an ideal option for visitors to spice up<br />
their vacation, no matter their skill or physical level.” Visit<br />
www.attractions-jamaica.com.<br />
In Montego Bay, Dreamer Catamaran Cruises sells a<br />
three-hour Sail and Snorkel cruise from Cornwall Beach for<br />
$65, which includes foot massages for the ladies and dance<br />
lessons from a spirited crew. Visit www.dreamercatamarans.com.<br />
Chukka Caribbean, the largest tour provider, has<br />
bolstered its roster with Flight of the White Witch in Montego<br />
Bay and Bird of Paradise Zipline Canopy above the<br />
White River valley. www.chukkacaribbean.com. In Negril,<br />
two tours celebrate the second anniversary of the Kool Runnings<br />
Water Park. Kool Culinary Heritage is a palate-pleasing<br />
excursion and Kool Kanoe Swamp Adventure is a scenic<br />
ride through the canals of the Great Morass, one of the<br />
island’s protected eco-systems. Visitors can stay and play all<br />
day for $28 per person. Visit www.koolrunnings.com. Mystic<br />
Mountain is the first eco-attraction in the Caribbean to<br />
stay open at night with an illuminated Sky Explorer ride and<br />
gourmet dining overlooking the lights of Ocho Rios. Agent<br />
commissions are given for bookings confirmed on the website.<br />
Visit www.rainforestbobsledjamaica.com.<br />
Rastaman Libations<br />
The island’s most famous culinary export is also a new tour<br />
guaranteed to tempt the foodies in the crowd. Culinary Jerk<br />
Trail celebrates spicy venues including Boston Jerk in Port<br />
Antonio and Ultimate Jerk in Discovery Bay. “We invite travelers<br />
to sample this dish the way it was meant to be, which is in<br />
our laid back and tropical environment,” said tourism minister<br />
Edmund Bartlett. Visit www.visitjamaica.com/jamaica-jerk.<br />
Appleton Rum Tour includes a visit to the distillery south of<br />
FEBRUARY 2010 WWW.<strong>JAXFAX</strong>.COM CARIBBEAN & BERMUDA 15
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