CHARLESTOWN, Nevis -- Little Nevis, the 14-square-mile sibling to
its larger, better-known sister island of St. Kitts, is growing up.
A code share launched by US Airways with Nevis Express makes it
a whole lot easier -- and faster -- to connect to Nevis from San
Juan.
Nevis Express services, operated with 19-seat Beech 1900
aircraft, link with US Airways' daily flights serving San Juan from
Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia as well as with weekend flights
from Pittsburgh.
The code-share deal is a component of US Airways' Go Caribbean
initiative, designed to bring more efficient air service to the
region through commuter and regional air connections to the smaller
islands.
Visitors to Nevis will have another air option Dec. 7, when US
Airways introduces St. Kitts service from its U.S. hubs.
Connections to Nevis will be available via a six-minute Nevis
Express flight or a 45-minute ferry ride.
To commemorate the new air link with US Airways -- as well as
expanded flight schedules to Nevis offered by Caribbean Star, LIAT
and Winair -- a 24,000-square-foot terminal building opened this
month at Newcastle Airport, said Helen Kidd, chief executive
officer of the year-old Nevis Tourism Authority.
"The runway was extended to 4,020 feet two years ago," Kidd
said. "With our new terminal, we are now in the big leagues."
Howard Taylor, general manager for the Nevis Air and Sea Ports
Authority, said the goal of the new facility "is to provide our
visitors with a positive experience at their arrival and departure
point in Nevis."
He said the airport improvements signal a focus on major
improvements in the tourism sector "as Nevis moves forward in the
21st century."
Taking advantage of the new air services and facilities, the
tourism authority plans joint marketing and sales promotions with
US Airways this summer in the carrier's key U.S. markets.
Other developments on Nevis:
• An islandwide road upgrade will be completed this summer,
including the 21-mile road that rings the island.
• The first phase of the 26-unit Villa Paradiso opens in
September near the Four Seasons Resort Nevis and Pinney's Beach.
Three four-bedroom Balinese-style villas will feature
air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a full kitchen, maid service and
Internet and fax access.
Long-term plans include a great house and restaurant, a music
bar and lounge, a library, a health club, two tennis courts, a
beachfront cafe and a private dock. Although the villas will be
individually owned, they will be placed in the island's hotel room
inventory when available.
• The 17-room Montpelier Plantation Inn, on the slopes of Mount
Nevis, was bought by an American couple who plan to keep the inn's
name as is.
The property will close from August through Oct. 12 for
renovations and upgrades, including the addition of e-mail access
for guests.
• The 32-room Mount Nevis Hotel & Beach Club, north of
Pinney's Beach, added a small business center and a meeting room
that can handle up to 80 people for corporate gatherings.
• A 35-villa property 10 miles from the airport is slated to
begin construction later this year. The first part of its
three-phase opening will be in 2004.
Nevis has 460 rooms available in hotels and villas, and Kidd
said "a ceiling of 900 rooms islandwide is envisioned."
Visitor figures for Nevis for 2001 were down prior to Sept. 11
due to the economy, lack of airlift and the high fares on air
services that were available, she added.
"We were pleasantly surprised with the visitor numbers for the
first quarter of this year," Kidd said. "Late bookings boosted
occupancies, which helped the slower periods."
The U.S. market "is our bread and butter, and the Northeast area
is the strongest," Kidd said. An up-and-coming market for Nevis is
Atlanta, which Kidd described as an "emerging market that tourism
officials want to encourage."
'Nevis...Naturally!'
Phone: (866) 55-NEVIS
Web:www.nevisisland.com