NEW YORK -- Add Bonaire to the growing list of Caribbean
destinations to implement initiatives in an attempt to attract U.S.
visitors.
On Sept. 27, Tourism Corporation Bonaire and several of the
island's hotels joined together to launch the "We Are Here For
You," an islandwide promotion featuring hotel deals and travel
incentives.
The packages include discounted rates, free nights, the addition
of trip cancellation and interruption insurance or extensions or
waivers of ongoing cancellation policies. The plans are in effect
for travel this fall and winter.
In other Caribbean news:
• Tourism officials, members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism
Association and other members of the tourism sector held a strategy
meeting Sept. 28 to focus on marketing plans and incentives. At
press time, details were not announced.
• A meeting of the Netherlands Antilles' commissioners of
tourism and government officials convened in St. Maarten on Sept.
27. The focus was on marketing initiatives for attracting visitors
to Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.
Officials hope to have a plan in place by Oct. 8.
• The Antigua & Barbuda tourism sectors held a conference
call late Sept. 28 to discuss any initiatives that may be
undertaken.
Earlier in the week, members of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist
Association scheduled a meeting with Prime Minister Lester Bird to
present a proposal to match St. Kitts & Nevis' offer of free
trips to rescue workers involved in the terrorist attacks.
• The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism launched a consumer
advertising campaign in South Florida on Sept. 24 and New Jersey,
New York and Philadelphia on Sept. 30. The campaign focuses on the
ongoing American Express Getaway promotion, bookable only through
travel agents. The ads also will appear in Toronto beginning Oct.
14.
• The Dominican Republic Tourism Board is "under no
circumstances pulling out of the U.S. market or modifying marketing
or promotional plans," said Ramon Bordas, minister of tourism.
In addition, the board will "provide whatever support is needed
to the tour operators, airlines and travel agents and continue to
encourage travelers to visit through a variety of special programs
currently being developed."
• The Caribbean Tourism Organization is orchestrating a meeting
with all tourist offices in CTO member nations, as well as many of
the hotels in the region, for Oct. 2 in New York.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and create a collective
strategy on behalf of the region.