CARIBBEAN OFFICIALS mounted a proactive stance in
the face of the war in Iraq to help stem cancellations and ease
consumers' misgivings about travel. In a statement to CTO members,
Jean Holder, secretary general, said that "peace of mind, security,
the perception of safety and the investment of our customers" must
be guaranteed. Hugh Riley, CTO's director of marketing, Americas,
described the task at hand as that of "promoting hospitality in a
time of hostility." The region "must offer travelers access to
information and flexible cancellation policies and, at the same
time, assure them that our Caribbean resorts are close to home,
safe and welcome U.S. citizens," said Gordon "Butch" Stewart,
chairman of Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Simon Suarez, Caribbean
Hotel Association head, warned members to brace for cancellations
and a drop in demand and call volume. He said he expects
destinations to follow the lead of the Dominican Republic where the
government already declared a "federal emergency" for its tourism
industry, which qualifies hotels to benefit from lower rates for
fuel and other operational supplies.
MEANWHILE, more hotels, operators and airlines
joined the already long list of companies offering revised
cancellation and rebooking policies. The complete list can be
viewed at Travel Weekly's Web site as well as at CTO's site and at CHA's
site.
MONTSERRAT PEDALS its wares with the debut next
month of Imagine Peace Bicycles, a bike rental operation that
offers trail bikes for $15 a day or $75 a week. Limited guide
services will be expanded if demand warrants it, according to James
Naylor, owner/operator. For details, call (646) 492-1707.
Information on additional activities on Montserrat is available at
www.visitmontserrat.com.
LODGEPODGE
• The Lodge, billed as the Caribbean's first vegetarian resort,
opens next month in St. George's, Grenada. The old-style plantation
house, built in the late 1800s, offers two double rooms with rates
from $310 per night, double, including room and board. Visit www.thelodgegrenada.com for details.
• Families get a rate break at Half Moon resort in Montego Bay,
Jamaica, this summer. Stay and pay for seven nights; every night
after that up to the next seven is free, or stay three weeks and
pay for two. Another plan offers the last night free on a
four-night package plus a $50 food and beverage credit per adult.
Two kids under 12 stay free in parents' room and get 50% off meal
plans. In addition, teens from 13 to 17 now have their own daily
activities program, offered on a complimentary basis. To book, call
(800) 626-0592.
• Boutique Hotels & Resorts International, headquartered in
Miami Beach, added The Reef in Grand Cayman to its Caribbean
roster, which also includes The Enclave at Cinnamon Reef in
Anguilla. Properties in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico likely will
join the firm's 20 member hotels in the near future, according to
Allan Wayne Kronberg, COO.
NEW APPOINTMENTS
• Viva Resorts named Massimo Carugati general manager at Viva
Dominicus Palace and Viva Dominicus Beach, both located in La
Romana-Bayahibe, Dominican Republic. Renzo Chiapello, former gm at
the two properties, has taken over Carugati's former post at Viva
Fortuna Beach, Grand Bahama Island. Viva's six inclusive properties
in the Bahamas, DR and Mexico offer agent rates from $42 per
person, per night from April 20 to Aug. 20 and continue to pay 12%
commission.
• Club Med appointed Mark Wiser to the post of vice president,
marketing at its North American headquarters in Coral Gables.
Fla.
• Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club in Puerto Rico
appointed Andy Papoutsis, a former Wyndham International executive,
vice president and managing director. Papoutsis replaced Reinhard
Werthner who joined the Tishman Hotel Group in Washington.