A NEW BRAND
LOGO and a branding campaign for the Caribbean region were
launched by the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Caribbean
Hotel Association as an outcome of the memorandum of understanding
and cooperation signed by the two groups last fall. The new logo
features the word Caribbean in bright tropical colors, punctuated
by a sea-blue wave swirl underneath. Joining the launch was a group
of Charter Partners from the public and private sectors who were
the first to sign on to promote the logo in their promotions,
advertising and on Web sites. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said
inclusion of the logo should catapult this region to new levels of
awareness and demonstrates a degree of cooperation and coordination
not generally seen in the region. Alec Sanguinetti, CHA director
general and CEO, said member properties had shown a lot of interest
in the branding initiative. Charter Partners include the Islands of
the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, the U.S. Virgin Islands and
Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Additional features of the campaign
will be rolled out during Caribbean Week in New York June 10 to 17.
LODGEPODGE
" The 54-suite
Somerset on Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos announced a Feedback
Rate, valid June 1 through July 31. Guests will get discounts up to
40% during the resorts preview opening period with the caveat that
they sit down with resort manager Karen Whitt for a brief feedback
discussion on their likes and dislikes at check-out. Nightly rates
for the preview period begin at $273 per room, double, excluding
taxes. For details, visit www.thesomerset.com.
" The former
Cormorant Beach Club & Hotel on St. Croix is now the Palms at
Pelican Cove. Double rates through Dec. 14 start at $130 per room,
per night. For details, call (800) 548-4460 or visit www.palmspelicancove.com.
ON THE
HEELS of the National Hurricane
Centers grim forecast for the 2006 hurricane season (up to 16 named
storms with eight to 10 reaching hurricane strength and four to six
reaching Category 3 strength or higher -- meaning sustained winds
topping at least 111 mph), CheapCaribbean.com announced its Free
Your Mind Travel Protection Plan, designed to ease hurricane
anxiety, according to Jim Hobbs, president. The plan is included in
each CheapCaribbean package booked at www.cheapcaribbean.com or via its 24-hour call center
at (800) 915-2322. Features include traditional insurance coverage
from Travel Guard plus the firms own Cancel/Change For Any Reason
One-Time Waiver protection. As long as we are notified at least
three hours before the customers scheduled U.S. departure flight,
the customer will not incur penalties for one-time booking changes
or cancellations not covered by travel insurance, said Hobbs. In
addition, customers receive a credit voucher for the full amount of
their vacation package redeemable for a CheapCaribbean Mexico or
Caribbean package within a year from the cancellation date,
according to Hobbs. For a list of vacation packages and details of
the insurance plan, visit www.cheapcaribbean.com.
TAKEOFFS
" Air Jamaica will
add a fifth weekly nonstop flight between New York (Kennedy) and
Grenada, effective June 29. The new Thursday departure will operate
through Sept. 10. The carrier also will add two extra flights each
week between New York and Montego Bay, Jamaica, and four between
New York and Kingston, Jamaica, from June 26 to Sept. 10. For
schedules, visit www.airjamaica.com.
" Caaribbean Star
wil launch a daily nonstop flight between Trinidad and Curacao on
July 13, bringing to 20 the number of destinations served by
Caribbean Star and Caribbean Sun, its sister airline. For fares and
schedules, visit Caribbean Star at www.flycaribbeanstar.com and Caribbean Sun at www.flycsa.com.
WHOOPS: The name of the new $5.2 million
spa set to open in September at the Radisson Aruba Resort &
Casino is the Larimar Spa. Also, Radissons next Caribbean resort
will open in 2007 on St. Martin. Incorrect information appeared in
the May 18 Caribbean E-letter.
Caribbean
Editor:
Gay Nagle
Myers
Phone: (201) 902-1591
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].