TWO
POWERHOUSES in the gaming and hospitality fields have
partnered with Bahamas-based developer Baha Mar to create what is
billed as the largest single-phase development in the Caribbean,
located in the Cable Beach area of Nassau, Bahamas. Harrahs
Entertainment and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, together
with the developer, will offer a 1,000-acre, mixed-use resort
project, whose first phase represents an investment of $1.6 billion
and a room count of 3,550 units. Construction will begin in 2007
with the first phase scheduled to open in 2010. Plans call for four
hotels, including the only collection of four Starwood brands at a
single resort, and the debut of the first Caesars Hotel project
since Caesars was acquired by Harrahs last June. The hotels
comprise a 300-room W, including 100 condo units (W Hotels first
Caribbean venture will open next year on Vieques, Puerto Rico, a
total renovation and upgrade to the former Wyndham Martineau Bay
Resort); a 300-room St. Regis, also with 100 condos; a 700-room
Westin; and a 700-room Sheraton. In addition, there will be a
1,00-room Caesars Resort Hotel and a 95,000-square-foot casino,
both to be managed by Harrahs Entertainment. A planned renovation
to the existing Wyndham Nassau Resort also will add 350 rooms,
bringing the total number of on-site hotels to six. Starwoods Bliss
and Remede luxury spas are planned at the W and St. Regis
properties, respectively. Also in the plans will be extensive
sports facilities, a 20-acre water park, a Jack Nicklaus-designed
18-hole golf course and a Caribbean Village with restaurants,
shops, entertainment venues and 200,000 square feet of meetings
space. For details, visit www.bahamar.com
IN THE BRITISH
VIRGIN ISLANDS, a new resort development, marketing
initiatives, a redesigned Web site and a continued commitment to
preserving the eco-systems and environment marked the launch of the
British Virgin Islands' new branding campaign. The BVI's slogan of
"Nature's Little Secrets" remains unchanged. "This was introduced
as our position in 1991 and we haven't changed it. It will remain
the foundation of our marketing efforts, while we share the secrets
of our destination with the world," said D. Orlando Smith, BVI
chief minister and minister for tourism. Plans for a $65 million
luxury resort on Scrub Island, a 230-acre site just off shore from
Roadtown, Tortola, also was unveiled. The developers, Mainsail
Management Group, based in Tampa, along with Scrub Island
Development Group, broke ground on the resort in October; opening
date is targeted for the fall of 2007, according to Joe Brown,
Mainsail's vice president, sales and marketing. The property will
include hotel rooms, condominium units, and a 150-slip marina. Beef
Island also is expected to anchor a luxury resort, although details
were not revealed. Smith said the BVI will continue to market and
promote the BVIs dominance in the sailing world as well as focus on
its water sports offerings, including diving, snorkeling, fishing
and surfing. For details, visit www.bvitourism.com.
OPERATOR
OFFERINGS
" Delta
Vacations expanded its Caribbean product line with the
addition of air-inclusive packages to Antigua and Barbados. Antigua
programs go on sale Dec. 31 for travel beginning Jan. 4; Barbados
programs went on sale Nov. 8 for travel beginning Dec. 8. The
increase brings to 13 the number of destinations served by Delta
Vacations. All packages pay 15% commission. In addition to the new
packages, Delta Vacations will further expand with the launch of
new Delta services to destinations, already offered by the
operator: Atlanta-St. Maarten, daily service, Nov. 25;
Atlanta-Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, daily, Nov. 25; Atlanta-St.
Lucia, service will expand to daily, Dec. 1; Atlanta-Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic, service will expand to daily, Dec. 1.
" Gogo Worldwide
Vacations and American Airlines offer discounted
air-inclusive packages to more than 200 properties with savings of
up to 35% on programs booked by Nov. 30 for travel Jan. 2 to March
10. Four- and five-night packages start at $599 per person, double,
and cover roundtrip air from New York/Newark, accommodations, taxes
and transfers. For details, visit www.gogowwv.com
TAKEOFFS
" Spirit
Airlines will start nonstop daily service from Fort
Lauderdale to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, beginning Dec.
10. Introductory fares start at $49 each
way but must be booked on www.spiritair.com by
Nov. 21 for travel Dec. 10 through Feb. 9.
"
Bahamasair will offer a daily flight from Fort
Lauderdale to Marsh Harbour, Abaco in the Bahamas, effective Nov.
17. For fares and schedules, visit www.bahamasair.com.