THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, as well as the
territories of American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana
Islands, will be the focus of an Investment Development Conference,
set for Sept. 8 and 9 in Washington, hosted by Dept. of the
Interior secretary Gale Norton. The conference plan emerged from
Norton's visit to the U.S.V.I. in April in which she noted during a
press conference that the local economy had been hurt by the
drop-off in tourism since Sept. 11. To help ease the situation,
Norton said she wanted to create a forum to bring together
investors and businesses. The Investment Development Conference,
Norton said, "will showcase the opportunities that the territories
offer investors." Government and banking officials will meet with
territorial representatives and business owners.
LODGEPODGE
• Costa Bonita Resort, the newest property in Culebra, Puerto Rico,
will open its doors in late fall. The 164-unit waterfront resort,
equally divided between studio rooms and one-bedroom suites, is
located on Ensenada Honda, 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.
• The 118-room Rincon Beach Resort, on Puerto Rico's West Coast,
pays 15% commission to agents. The year-old property offers a
variety of water sports and excursions and features a restaurant, a
bistro, a wine bar and a pool. Nightly rates through mid-December
start at $118 per room, double. For details, visit www.rinconbeachresort.com or call (866) 589-0009.
• Sun Vacation Properties of Nevada recently purchased its first
Caribbean property, Chenay Bay Beach Resort in St. Croix. Peter
Locke, former owner/operator and general manager of the 50-cottage
Chenay complex, will remain at the property through a transition
period.
AMERICAN AIRLINES will begin nonstop weekend
service between San Juan and Los Angeles Dec. 19, using 767
aircraft. Phil Olivieri, American's regional managing
director-Puerto Rico, said the new route "will spotlight San Juan
as a prime destination and the gateway to the entire Caribbean
basin."
PACKAGE DEALS
• The BodyHoliday at LeSport, St. Lucia, offers 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. Call (800) 544-2883 to
book.
• Classic Caribbean offers savings up to 30% at Hyatt Regency Aruba
& Casino, Hyatt Regency Grand Cayman Resort & Villas and
Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Country Club, Puerto Rico, on
bookings made by Aug. 29 for travel through Nov. 3 (Aruba) or Dec.
19 (Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico). For rates, call (800)
221-3949.
PENCIL IT IN
• Second Annual Sandals and Beaches Travel Agent Golf Tournament,
Sept. 18 to 21, Beaches Boscobel Resort & Golf Club and Royal
Plantation Spa & Golf Resort, Sandals, both in Ocho Rios. Call
(800) 48-SPECIAL for details.
• Fifth Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx V,
Almond Village resort, Barbados, Dec. 4 to 8. The deadline for
applications to the conference is Sept. 1. For information, contact
Samira Cherrouk at [email protected] or Lorraine Ortiz at
[email protected].