A CALL TO
ARMS to embrace the concept of one Caribbean region with
the goal to becoming the premier tourism destination in the world
was the message sounded by Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, secretary
general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and Allen Chastanet,
CTO chairman, to the more than 630 delegates attending the opening
ceremony of the 30th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference Oct. 21 at
the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan. Delegates comprised
of Caribbean tourism ministers and officials, hotels, cruise lines,
travel agents, tour operators, strategic partners and media
representatives heard an optimistic message for the industry's
future growth, but also were challenged by both Vanderpool-Wallace
and Chastanet to help continue the development of the tourism
sector. "Let us take what we do in the name of our individual
countries and put it aside and instead let us begin thinking about
what is best for the entire Caribbean." said
Vanderpool-Wallace. The key to a successful tourism product for the
region is the design of plans "that understand both the perspective
of the Caribbean people and the perspective of our customers. We
don't want to build walls that impede our customers from
experiencing our region, but instead speak with one voice and build
a bridge to our customers," said Chastanet. Terestella Gonzalez
Denton, the PRTC's executive director, said that the conference "is
the chance to unify for a common regional perspective. We feel
certain that if we must face an increasingly competitive global
market, we must face it together." The proceedings of the
conference are being streamed live at www.insidethecaribbean.com and at www.onecaribbean.org.
CHASTANET also said that the countries of
the Caribbean region are tied to one another in terms of air space,
air lift and marketing. He pointed to the creation last year of the
Caribbean Tourism Development Council, a joint effort of the CTO
and the Caribbean Hotel Association, and said that recent meetings
with the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association could lead "to a
tripartite agreement within six months of the three organizations,
speaking with one voice on the future of one Caribbean
region." Regarding the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative,
Chastanet said that the passport requirements "have affected the
whole of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin
Islands, where passports are not required of U.S. citizens. The
consequences of the WHTI on any one nation have consequences on all
us."
LODGEPODGE
" The 248-room La Concha, A Renaissance Resort, located
in the Condado section of San Juan, will open on Dec. 8, following
a massive renovation of the 50-year-old property. A second phase of
condominium rooms, now under construction, is scheduled to open in
2009. Rooms feature iPod/MP3-ready alarm clocks, flat-screen TVs
and high speed Internet access. Facilities include two infinity
pools, an interior courtyard, five restaurants, a cafe, a lobby
bar, a casino (opening in the summer of 2008), a fitness center and
meetings facilities.
" The 200-room all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa
in Antigua opened Oct. 19 on Dian Bay on the island's northeast
coast. Guest rooms have unobstructed water views; flat-screen,
wall-mounted TVs; Internet access; large verandas; bathtubs built
for two; and microwaves, coffeemakers and refrigerators. Facilities
include a spa, a kids' club with a splash pool, a freeform pool
with cascading waterfalls, swimming areas on the beach and water
sports. Both all-inclusive and EP rates are offered. The Verandah
Resort & Spa is a member of Elite Island Resorts with 11
properties on six Caribbean islands. For details, visit www.verandahresortandspa.com.
" The Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis is
boosting its image as a high-end destination with the announcement
of a large scale development on St. Kitts that will be anchored by
resort hotels managed by Mandarin Oriental and Auberge Resorts. The
2,500-acre development, called Christophe Harbour, will also
include residences, a marina and a golf course designed by Tom
Fazio. Kiawah Development, the company behind Kiawah Island in
South Carolina and the Doonbeg Golf Club in Ireland, is the lead
partner. The 75-room Auberge and 125-key Mandarin Oriental
properties will be on sandy bays on opposite sides of the
development, with the Auberge scheduled to open first, breaking
ground later this year. The Mandarin Oriental is expected to be
completed in 2010.
ST.
LUCIA, which legalized gambling late last year under the
previous administration, has granted three licenses to casinos, the
first of which is scheduled to open by 2009 on the north end of the
island, according to Marie Fowler, director of tourism. The casinos
will be stand-alone facilities not connected to or attached to
existing or new resorts and will not be open to local
residents.
Caribbean
Editor: Gay Nagle Myers
Phone: (201) 902-1924
[email protected]
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