CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Citing a "difficult economic environment and
low-booking levels," Club Med will close 15 villages in 10
countries, including two in the Caribbean. The Caribbean properties
are the 264-room Club Med Columbus Isle on San Salvador, Bahamas,
and the 256-room Club Med St. Lucia.
Club Med Columbus Isle closed Oct. 28 and set a winter 2002-2003
reopening. However, the property could open sooner, a spokeswoman
said. Club Med St. Lucia, which has been closed since summer 2000
for renovations and was originally slated to reopen Oct. 26, will
reopen in time for the winter 2002-2003 season.
Clients booked at either of the closed villages have three
options, two of which are commission protected. The first option is
to revise the date or location of the vacation at no fee. For
land-only options, up to $100 of the change fee is waived.
Clients also will receive $50 per adult and $25 per child in
future travel certificates. The second option allows clients to
cancel the vacation but apply the cost of the original package
toward a future package. The same future travel certificates also
are offered.
The third option allows clients to cancel the vacation outright
at no penalty. However, commission is not protected in this option.
Other Club Med villages in the Caribbean are Club Med Buccaneer's
Creek in Pointe du Marin, Martinique; Club Med Caravelle in
Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe; Club Med Paradise Island in the Bahamas;
Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Club Med
Turkoise in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. For more information,
call (800) CLUB-MED or visit www.clubmed.com.