WITH FIREWORKS
AND A FULL MOON as the backdrop, the largest [and most
expensive] convention center in the Caribbean opened here Nov. 17,
attended by government leaders, tourism officials, and a global
invitation list that included several ambassadors, heads of state,
international press and meetings planners. Before pushing the
button to ignite the Grucci Brothers-type fireworks, Gov. Acevedo
Vila forecast that the new $415 million Centro Convenciones de
Puerto Rico will catapult Puerto Rico into a new era by broadening
the islands tourism industry with increased group and business
travel.
THE
580,000-SQUARE-FOOT center is able to host groups of up to
10,000 delegates and allows Puerto Rico to compete not only in the
convention markets of the Americas, but also in the international
markets, Vila said. Currently, the new Puerto Rico Convention
Center has more than 70 events scheduled to take place through
2008, including the Caribbean Hotel Association annual Marketplace
set for Jan. 15 to 17 next year. Vila expects the new facility will
generate more than $300 million annually for Puerto Ricos local
economy. To see all about the new convention center, visit www.prconvention.com.
THE NEWEST
RESORT ON DOMINICA is the Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, a
55-acre tropical rainforest retreat on the southeast coast
bordering Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the only UNESCO World
Heritage Park in the eastern Caribbean. The resorts 35 elevated,
oceanview cottages were built by unemployed farmers displaced by
the islands banana crisis. They used wood and discarded stone from
an old mining quarry. Owner/developer Sam Raphael said Jungle Bay
is an example of how we can develop guest accommodations and not
adversely impact the natural environment. For rates and details,
visit www.junglebaydominica.com.
TAKEOFFS
* Continental
Airlines launched daily nonstop service Nov. 17 between
Newark and Ponce, Puerto Rico, the islands third-largest city and
Continentals 25th Caribbean destination. On Puerto Rico,
Continental also offers daily nonstop service to San Juan from
Newark and Houston as well as daily nonstop service between Newark
and Aguadilla. The new flight departs Newark at 11:55 p.m.,
arriving in Ponce at 4:45 a.m. The return flight departs Ponce at
6:15 a.m., arriving in Newark at 9:15 a.m.
* TNT
Vacations will offer seasonal nonstop charter flights from
Boston to Barbados on Sundays from Dec. 25 to April 23 with service
provided by Xtra Airways. For details, visit www.tnt.com.
LODGEPODGE
* The 64-room
Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, which reopens Dec.
15 following a multi-million-dollar rebuilding project after
Hurricane Ivan in 2004, will introduce the Nutmeg Pod supervised
childrens program, the only one of its kind on Grenada. The
complimentary program, open daily, will cater to kids from ages
three and up. For details, visit www.spiceislandbeachresort.com.
*
Westin will enter the Dutch Caribbean market with its
310-room Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, slated for
a fall 2006 opening. The facility also will include a 99-unit condo
complex, a spa, a casino, and meetings and event venues. Westin
currently has Caribbean resorts in the Bahamas, Grand Cayman,
Puerto Rico and St. John.