LA CABANA All Suite Beach Resort in Aruba offers a
new cancellation policy that protects both consumers and agents in
the event of war with Iraq or a terrorist incident in North
America. La Cabana will allow penalty-free cancellations within 30
days of the outbreak of war or a terrorist attack. Consumers also
will be able to postpone and reschedule their travel plans for up
to 12 months from the original departure date without penalty.
Agent commissions will be protected; agents will collect their
commissions after their clients travel. "In light of recent world
events, it is imperative for La Cabana and the industry to think
ahead with policies to protect consumers and agents as well as
provide flexibility with rebooking," said Adwina Arends, director
of sales and marketing. For details, contact the resort at (800)
835-7193 or visit www.lacabana.com.
ADD BOLONGO BAY BEACH CLUB on St. Thomas, U.S.
Virgin Islands, to the growing list of resorts with new
cancellation policies. The property's No Penalty Cancellation
Policy allows travel agents and their clients to postpone and/or
cancel reservations without being penalized when their travel plans
are disrupted due to the outbreak of war or a terrorist attack.
Clients choosing to postpone their vacations can reschedule their
trips for up to one year from their scheduled arrival. Nightly
rates will remain the same as the original date of travel.
Commissions are protected and will be collected once the client
arrives at the property. Guests stranded at the resort in the event
of disruptions in air service will be offered a 50% discount if
they are staying on the Continental Plan or a 25% discount if
staying on the All-Inclusive Plan. To book, call (800) 524-4746 or
log onto www.bolongobay.com.
THE STARTING RATE at the new 156-room Wyndham
Martineau Bay Resort & Spa in Vieques, Puerto Rico, is $249 per
night, double, for accommodations with breakfast, valid through
April 30. The resort's new full-service spa and fitness center will
open next month. For reservations, visit www.wyndham.com.
THE PUERTO
RICO Tourism Co. launched its 2003 series of travel agent
seminars, a long-term educational program for agents who want to
become certified experts on the destination. Steps include
attendance at one of 20 GoToPuertoRico one-day seminars, which
begin in New York on March 17 and conclude in San Francisco on May
22. Following the seminar, agents are invited on a six-night
program to the island featuring a seminar, trade show, study
materials and sightseeing trips to major points of interest. The
$149 price covers accommodations, room tax, transfers and most
meals. Air is not covered. Upon completion of the course,
participants are certified as graduates of the Puerto Rico Travel
Experts Program. Benefits include 12 ICTA credits, support from
PRTC regional offices and additional specialized courses, if
desired. For information, e-mail [email protected]
or visit www.gotopuertorico.com/travelagent.
PACKAGED GOODS
• The booking window for the Early Bird Best of Barbados package
has been extended through March 31 for seven-night stays through
April 11. The package features a $300 credit towards air plus free
first-night accommodations with breakfast and value-added discounts
on ground activities. The summer version of the program offers a
$200 air rebate for bookings through July 31 on stays from April 26
through Dec. 14. For details and a list of participating
properties, visit www.barbados.org or call (800) 221-9831.
• Hyatt Resorts' three-night Sunshine on Sale package in Aruba,
Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and Key West, Fla., starts at $555 per
room, double, from April through mid-December. The rate represents
savings up to 55% over winter-season prices. For reservations, call
(800) 55HYATT.
• The Cayman Islands offers rebates up to $150 per person to
American Express cardholders who purchase H2GO! "Find Your Element"
four-night vacation packages in April for travel between May 1 and
Oct. 31. Also included are discounts up to $1,000 for various
ground activities. For details, visit www.caymanislands.ky.