PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos -- Royal West Indies Resort here
is enlisting agents' help to boost bookings by offering up to 20%
commission.
Agency performance and volume are the incentives that can up the
standard 10% pay to 20%, according to manager Ellen Namkoong.
Although Royal West Indies is not tied to a reservations service
or a CRS, a U.S. marketing office assists with bookings.
The 43-suite resort is located on Grace Bay beach.
Connolly Zahm Properties, which manages the resort, promotes
Royal West Indies as a high-end, four-star resort.
"We are high-end in terms of service, but our pricing makes us
available to a larger market," said Gary Greenwood, senior resort
management consultant.
Occupancy has averaged approximately 65% since the resort's
opening last fall, with the majority of the market share coming
from the U.S, Namkoong said.
"Leisure and family travel are the big draws," she said. "Our
beaches are uncrowded, and we offer activities for the kids."
Royal West Indies, which will open 20 more units by Dec. 18,
offers accommodations in studios and one- and two-bedroom suites,
all with water views.
The resort's design is "classic Caribbean colonial," according
to Namkoong; the grounds are surrounded by gardens, fruit trees and
a freshwater pool.
Guests have use of snorkeling equipment, kayaks, two hobie cats
and two bicycles.
The Mango Reef restaurant offers Caribbean fare that includes
fresh fruit salsa, rum butters and foods indigenous to the
area.
The property's Web site, at www.royalwestindies.com, features rates, room layouts
and package information.