ivi Resorts has taken
the plunge into the dive package market at all nine of its resorts
on six Caribbean islands.
Programs will be available Dec. 22 through Dec. 21, 2004 and
will include accommodations with daily breakfast, diving and use of
dive equipment, transfers, tax and service charges.
Additional features will vary by resort. Divi has three
properties in Aruba, two in Barbados and one each in Bonaire,
Cayman Brac in the Cayman Islands, St. Croix and St. Maarten.
For details, visit www.diviresorts.com.
• • •
Aruba's tourism numbers are up, according to the Aruba
Tourism Authority.
Figures increased 3.6% to 270,123 visitors from January through
July over the same period a year ago.
In June and July, U.S. visitors were 14% over the same two
months last summer, due in part to new on-island events, new
Continental service from Houston and additional seats on US
Airways' flights, said Edison Briesen, minister of tourism and
transportation.
• • •
In response to the growing market for singles travel,
Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas on Tortola,
British Virgin Islands, named October Singles
Month and launched a "Singles Sale" with a 50% rate
discount.
Prices for solo travelers heading to Long Bay will start at
$77.50 per night, single. For single friends traveling together in
search of some R&R and a possible love connection, the rate is
$155, double.
Long Bay's two restaurants will offer Singles Tables for those
who would rather not dine solo, and a "Matchmaking Concierge" will
help unattached guests partner up.
For details, visit www.longbay.com or call (877) 906-2525.
• • •
A new Secret Rendezvous program, available
through Sept. 30 at the three inclusive Couples
Resorts in Jamaica, offers 40% discounts -- if travelers
are willing to let Couples select which resort they visit.
Discounted nightly rates start at $130 per person.
Guests will be notified seven days before departure whether they
will be at Couples Ocho Rios, Couple Swept Away or Couples
Negril.
To book, call (800) COUPLES.
• • •
The musical groups Crosby, Stills & Nash and Chicago will
headline the second annual Aruba Music Festival
Oct. 10 and 11 at the Aruba Entertainment Center.
General admission tickets are $35 for each night and can be
purchased at the gate or through several tour operators.
For information or details, visit www.aruba.com or call (800) TO-ARUBA.
• • •
Red Sail Sports unveiled a Web site at www.redsail.com that
includes information on its three scuba and dive locations in
Aruba, Grand Cayman and Hawaii.
Visitors to the site can download brochures, fact sheets, color
images and scuba and dive tips. A special section on the site
allows travel agents to research group booking discounts, arrange
group activities in advance and obtain online quotes and
bookings.
Users can ask questions online with answers provided by a Red
Sail Sports specialist.
• • •
Building on the success of last year's program, Puerto
Rico has again designated September as Travel
Agent Month -- and added lots more goodies to sweeten the
pot.
"Our travel agent partners play a vital role in making Puerto
Rico a leading vacation destination," said Jose Suarez, executive
director of Puerto Rico Tourism Co. "We want to keep bringing them
back to experience our activities and culture."
Incentives this year include discounted rates at lots more
hotels and paradores (family-owned inns), special Hertz rates,
reduced fares on Spirit Airlines, American and United and a chance
to win a three-night stay at the Ritz Carlton San Juan Spa &
Casino.
For details, visit www.gotopuertorico.com.
• • •
Prices are falling up to 50% this autumn at the 65-room
Bolongo Bay Beach Club on St. Thomas.
Rates range from $79 per room, per night, double, European Plan,
to $299 on the all-inclusive plan. Prices are valid for new
bookings made through Bolongo's reservations center at (800)
524-4746 or via e-mail at [email protected] through Oct. 1 for travel
through Nov. 15.
• • •
US Airways will introduce nonstop weekly
service between Charlotte, N.C., and La Romana, its third
destination in the Dominican Republic, beginning Dec. 13.
The carrier also serves Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. The
carrier is offering an introductory special of double frequent
flyer mileage on the new route between Dec. 13 and March 31.
Another new weekly nonstop route is Washington Dulles-San Juan,
which begins Nov. 1.
• • •
Costa Bonita Resort, the newest property in
Culebra, Puerto Rico, will open in late fall.
The 164-unit waterfront resort, equally divided between studio
rooms and one-bedroom suites, is located on Ensenada Hondo, five
minutes from the capital (and only town) of Dewey.
Facilities include kitchenettes in each unit, ocean views, a
pool with a swim-up bar, a main restaurant and cafe, and a souvenir
shop.
Details and rates will be available shortly at www.costabonitaresort.com.
• • •
Elsewhere in Puerto Rico, the year-old, 118-room Rincon
Beach Resort on the island's west coast pays 15%
commission on nightly rates that start at $118 per room, double,
through mid-December.
Rincon Beach offers a variety of water sports and excursions and
includes a restaurant, a bistro, a wine bar and a pool. For
details, visit rinconbeachresort.com.
• • •
The BodyHoliday at LeSport, St. Lucia, features
five- and seven-night scuba plans that include boat dives, use of
scuba equipment, a dive video, accommodations, all meals and
drinks, spa treatments, taxes and tips.
Rates start at $1,475 per person, double, through Nov. 1 for
five nights.
For more information or to book, call (800) 544-2883.
• • •
Paradise Beach Resort on St. Kitts has
officially changed its name to The Angelus.
Scott Ward, senior vice president of sales and marketing, said
the name "comes from sailing folklore and refers to a mystical
woman of the sea who guided tall ships to peace and good
fortune."
The resort's first 72 suites opened in July and overlook the
ocean or the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course.
When completed, the 144-room resort will include facilities such
as a restaurant and pool.
For information, call (800) 466-6224 or visit www.angelusstkitts.com.
To contact reporter Gay Nagle Myers, send e-mail to [email protected].