WEATHER
FORECASTERS are predicting an active hurricane season,
which starts June 1. But will it top last years record number of 27
named storms and 14 hurricanes? Theres no way we could have another
year like last year, said Denis Phillips, chief meteorologist at
WFTS-TV in Tampa. Phillips was one of 150 weather experts who
gathered at the 10th annual Bahamas Weather Conference, held
recently at Our Lucaya on Grand Bahama Island, to look back on the
2005 hurricane season and to look ahead at the 2006 season. The
2006 season will be an active one, with 17 named storms, of which
nine will reach hurricane strength, and of those, five will be
between Category 3 and Category 5 storms, said William Gray, head
of the Dept. of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University.
Gray said he is predicting a greater number of storms than he did
last year. Grays next forecast is due out shortly before the June 1
date launching the 2006 six-month Atlantic hurricane season.
THE BAHAMAS
WEATHER CONFERENCE began with 22 people in Nassau in 1997
and a mission to bring true weather content together with a lesson
in Bahamian geography, according to Vernice Walkine, director
general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Meteorologists have
taken to heart our message of the Bahamas being an expansive
destination that requires accurate reporting with great attention
to geography. The 2006 storm lineup: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby,
Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie,
Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and
William. The World Meteorological Organization uses six lists of
names in its rotation. A name is retired if a hurricane is very
deadly or very costly. Katrina, Rita and Wilma are permanently off
the list.
LODGEPODGE
" Frenchmans Reef
& Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort in St. Thomas forged an
exclusive partnership with Zora the Sandal-Maker, a local crafts
merchant, to offer guests made-to-order leather sandals. The If the
shoe fits... four-night shopping spree package begins at $363 per
person, per night, double, though mid-June and includes two pairs
of handmade Zora sandals, daily breakfast, unlimited water ferry
tickets from the resort to Zoras store in downtown Charlotte
Amalie, tote bags, two pedicures, a welcome drink upon arrival and
taxes. Zoras store opened in 1962; customers can choose from among
20 styles of sandals. Clients select the style, get their feet
measured and have a final fitting during their stay. The finished
product is shipped home three weeks later. For details on the
package, call (340) 776-8500.
" Riu Hotels &
Resorts will open its 28th hotel in the Americas and its ninth in
the Dominican Republic with the April 28 debut of the 612-suite,
all-inclusive Riu Palace Punta Cana in Bavaro Beach. The new resort
is the second Riu Palace in Punta Cana and is part of the
six-resort Riu complex in that area. For details, visit www.riu.com.
WEB
SITINGS
" The Dominican
Republic launched its new Web site at www.godominicanrepublic.com. The user-friendly site
includes a trip-planning section and suggestions for activities and
sightseeing. Luis Simo, vice minister of tourism, said the
destinations recent growth spurt made it essential to develop a
website that will grow with us and our visitors need for
information.
" The International
Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, which will eventually reside on Grand
Cayman, launched an official Web site that enables dive enthusiasts
to research dive destinations. The site, at www.scubahalloffame.com, also includes the
organizations history; biographies of its members; and photos and
videos of the Cayman Islands, as well as dive sites around the
world. Pilar Bush, director of tourism for the Cayman Islands, said
that although long-term plans for establishing a physical location
for the Hall of Fame were initiated in 2000, Hurricane Ivan in 2004
delayed those plans. For now, the Web site provides the Hall of
Fame with a virtual home, according to Bush.
" One&Only
Resorts, which operates the One&Only Ocean Club on Paradise
Island in the Bahamas, introduced its new site at www.oneandonlyresorts.com.
" The official
Bonaire Island Map is now on line at www.bonaireislandmap.com. The map features phone
numbers for tourism-related entities; highlights official dive
sites; and provides information on hotels, restaurants, shops and
car and scooter rentals. One section of the map details the full
island with beaches and main streets identified; the second section
highlights the capital of Kralendijk and other
neighborhoods.