NEW YORK --
Martinique launched a $1.2 million branding and promotional blitz
targeted at the U.S. market and tied into the islands new air
service, the debut of a renovated Club Med and the introduction of
tour operator incentives tied to package programs.
Martinique
hoteliers are offering U.S. tour operators an equal euro-to-dollar
exchange rate on their Martinique programs this winter, according
to Muriel Wiltord-Latamie, director, U.S. and Latin America for the
Martinique Promotion Bureau.
The official
currency in Martinique is the euro.
This is a very
clear signal that Martinique is ready and willing to work with U.S.
operators and we want their business, Wiltord-Latamie
said.
On the air front,
American Eagle will launch nonstop service between San Juan and
Fort-de-France, Martinique, on Dec. 15. The flight will operate
Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays using 64-seat Super ATR
aircraft.
The flight will depart San
Juan at 12:42 p.m., arriving in Fort-de-France at 2:47 p.m.; the
return flight leaves Martinique at 3:12 p.m., arriving in Puerto
Rico at 5:22 p.m.
Additional new
airlift includes new Martinique-based Take Air Lines, which, in an
arrangement with Air Caraibes, will offer daily flights from St.
Lucias Hewannora International Airport to Martinique. The flight
times allow connections with flights arriving from the U.S.
mainland.
Meanwhile, Club
Med will debut its $60 million Buccaneers Creek resort Dec. 17, the
same day that its weekly nonstop charter service with North
American Airlines begins from New Yorks Kennedy airport to
Martinique.
The resort, which
underwent a 20-month, from-the-ground-up renovation, includes a
5,000-square-foot infinity pool, a spa, three restaurants and bars
and a range of water sports and activities.
The 293 guest
rooms feature CD players, flat-screen TVs, pillow-top beds and
fully stocked mini refrigerators. Seven-night air-inclusive rates
start at $1,775 per person, double, plus a $55 membership fee. For
details, visit www.clubmed.com.
For information
on Martinique, visit www.martinique.org.
To contact
reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].