AIR JAMAICA's on-again, off-again Fly Three, Fly
Free promotion is on again. The carrier briefly introduced it
several weeks ago, but pulled it because of technical problems. The
offer entitles passengers who buy three roundtrip Caribbean tickets
from any of the carrier's North American gateways to a free
roundtrip flight. Travel must be completed by Dec. 14. The airline
also hopes to boost membership in its 7th Heaven frequent-flyer
program at the same time, according to a spokesman. Awards may be
redeemed by mailing receipts and boarding pass stubs to Air
Jamaica's 7th Heaven Dept., P.O. Box 565487, Pinecrest, FL., 33256.
For details, visit www.airjamaica.com.
PACKAGE DEALS
• Apple Vacations' new Take Off to the Sun promotion launches Aug.
24 with savings up to 50% on select air and hotel packages to
Caribbean and Mexico destinations booked by Sept 6 for travel on
specific dates in September and October. Sample rates include a
seven-night all-inclusive package with roundtrip charter air from
Chicago to the Ocean Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican
Republic, priced at $649.99 per person, double (reduced from
$1,299.99). For details, visit www.applevacations.com.
• US Airways Vacations extended its Caribbean Sale booking deadline
to Aug. 29 for travel through Dec. 14. Air/hotel package rates to
Bermuda, the Caribbean and Mexico represent savings up to 40%.
Prices cover roundtrip air, accommodations, transfers, hotel taxes
and service charges. Bookings can be made through VAX
VacationAccess, the major GDSs or by calling (800)
455-0123.
THE 19-ROOM Sand Castle on the Beach -- on
Dorsch Beach, to be precise -- in Frederiksted, St. Croix,
completed phase one of a renovation program, thanks to new owners
who renamed the property (formerly called On the Beach). The
renovation added a waterfront restaurant, a beach cafe and a
fitness center; the restaurant now offers a five-course wine dinner
the third Saturday of each month. One-week air-inclusive rates
range from $601 per person from New York to $797 from Los Angeles;
tickets must be purchased by Aug. 29 for travel through
mid-December; commission is 10%. Call (800) 524-2018 or visit www.sandcastleonthebeach.com.
IN THE NEWS
• St. Thomas' longtime arts patron and advocate Rhoda Tillett,
co-founder of Tillett gardens at Estate Tutu, died last month at a
hospital in North Carolina where she had gone for medical
treatment. With her husband, the late Jim Tillett, Rhoda founded
Tillett Gardens in 1959. The arts complex grew into a center for
music, theater, crafts and community events, which included Arts
Alive festivals, Classics in the Garden concerts and annual
classical music competitions. Tillett Gardens remains open for
business, according to son Eric Tillett who manages the property in
the island's center. The annual Arts Alive festival will take place
as scheduled over Thanksgiving weekend.
PENCIL IT IN
• Fifth Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism
Development, Sept. 9 to 12, St. Kitts Marriott Royal Beach Resort,
St. Kitts. Speakers include Norman Girvan, secretary general of the
Association of Caribbean States; Alwin Bully, senior program
specialist-culture, UNESCO; Donald Sinclair, executive director,
Guyana Tourism Authority; Lourdes Diaz, director of product
development, Puerto Rico; and Jeffrey Brisbane, executive director,
Dominica Festivals Corp. For details, visit www.doitcaribbean.com.