BWIA tapped two longtime executives as the
carrier's general managers in a move that divided the top
management roles formerly carried out by ex-CEO Conrad Aleong, who
recently resigned. Nelson Tom Yew, former general manager of Tobago
Express, was named general manager, corporate, while Paul Schutz,
BWIA's former chief financial officer, takes over as general
manager, operations. Capt. Fitzroy Wellington replaced Yew at
Tobago Express. BWIA is the largest single shareholder of Tobago
Express.
ALPHABET SOUP
• CHIC, or the annual Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference, opens
Sunday at the Barcelo Bavaro Convention Center in Punta Cana,
Dominican Republic, sponsored by the Caribbean Hotel Association.
Dubbed the "Unconventional Convention," this year's confab explores
the challenges facing tourism in a series of workshops and general
sessions moderated by industry representatives and led by keynote
speaker Sir Ian Prosser, chairman of InterContinental Hotel Group
and head of the World Travel & Tourism Council. Casual attire,
rather than business attire, is the fashion order of the day and is
part of CHA's effort to bring Caribbean R 'n R into the mix. Male
delegates are urged to shed more traditional jackets and ties in
favor of the guayabera open-necked shirt. For conference details,
visit www.caribbeanhotels.org.
• CTO, or the Caribbean Tourism Organization, established a task
force to work with the West Indies Cricket Board in planning for
the Cricket World Cup, set for April and May, 2007 in various
Caribbean venues. Representatives from CTO, CHA, FCCA (Florida
Caribbean Cruise Association), airlines, travel agents and 12
cricket-playing CTO member countries are involved in the task
force. Among the many challenges for the organizers will be
arranging transportation and accommodations for the estimated
100,000 visitors and 16 cricket teams.
• CCF, or the Caribbean Culinary Federation (an arm of CHA), will
host the Taste of the Caribbean regional culinary competition Oct.
2 to 5 at the Renaissance Jamaica Grande Hotel in Ocho Rios,
Jamaica. Seven national culinary teams already have confirmed their
participation: Anguilla; the Cayman Islands; Curacao; the Dominican
Republic; Jamaica; Puerto Rico; and Trinidad & Tobago. For
information, contact Wanda Pina-Ramirez at CHA via e-mail at [email protected].
GRENADA'S 300-year-old Belmont Estate
plantation, south of the island's capital, St. George's, recently
opened its doors to visitors. The 400-acre house and grounds still
produce nutmeg and cocoa. Visitors can have a tour, a Creole-style
lunch and a donkey cart ride. For estate information, e-mail [email protected]. For Grenada links, visit
www.grenadagrenadines.com.
LODGEPODGE
• The 21-suite Grace Bay Club in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos,
will add 38 condominium villa units as part of a $35 million
refurbishment. Also planned are a new spa and fitness center, a
pool, a new reception area and a second restaurant and poolside
grills. Villa construction begins this summer, with completion set
for December 2004. The deluxe property was acquired by a team of
developers who also own Esperanza resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Grace Bay Club will remain open during construction.
• Viva Resorts, with six all-inclusive properties in the Bahamas,
the Dominican Republic and Mexico, is paying 12% commission plus a
$10 bonus for each direct booking on stays of four or more nights
through Dec. 23. Agents must complete a Commission Bonus tracking
form, available from the Viva Reservations Center at (800) 898-9968
or via e-mail at [email protected] to receive the $10
bonus.
• Harbour Village Beach Club in Bonaire remodeled its 30 rooms and
suites, extended its summer package specials through 2004 and
offers free dives for the second diver in a party arriving in
September. For details, visit www.harbourvillage.com.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
• Ross Stevenson will step into the role of general manager at
Cobblers Cove in Barbados next month, with the endorsement of
Hamish Watson, the resort's 15-year host, who moves over to the
Crane Beach Hotel, also on Barbados. Stevenson, formerly general
manager at Royal St. Lucian Resort & Spa on St. Lucia, will
immediately oversee Cobbler's annual refurbishment and enhancement
program.
• Sheldon Suga is the new general manager of the Wyndham Condado
Plaza Hotel & Casino in San Juan. Suga replaced Ronald DiNola,
who left to join WMS Gaming in Chicago. Suga formerly was Wyndham's
Atlanta area director of operations and general manager of the
Wyndham Atlanta.