IN A SHOW of support for U.S. troops, Sandals and
Beaches Resorts on May 9 will launch Operation Relax, a program
that offers free vacations to active members of the armed forces.
The resort chain will donate $1 million worth of free three-night
trips to its Caribbean properties while an additional $1 million
will be available via bookings through agents. When consumers book
and pay for a stay of six or more nights in a premium room, the
participating agency receives a three-night land-inclusive trip,
valued at approximately $2,000, to distribute to a local member of
the military. Gordon "Butch" Stewart, chairman, initiated a similar
effort after the 1991 Gulf War. To become members of the program,
agents should contact (800) 48-SPECIAL or visit www.sandals.com or www.beaches.com.
ALTHOUGH NO SARS cases have been reported in
the Caribbean region, nine Caribbean nations instituted
preparedness plans in case an outbreak occurs. They are: Antigua
and Barbuda; Belize; Dominica; Jamaica; Montserrat; St. Maarten;
Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Bermuda has cautioned its residents against nonessential travel to
affected areas.
LODGEPODGE
• News from Curtain Bluff, Antigua: The 73-room resort, which
completed a two-year renovation project, will pay full commissions
on its all-inclusive rates, beginning with the 2003 winter season
(previously only the room rate was commissionable) and will extend
that season to July 24 (prior closing was May). The resort, now
affiliated with Virtuoso, inked a partnership with Classic Custom
Vacations, tripled the size of its wine cellar to 25,000 bottles
and unveiled the Morris Bay and Grace Bay suites, each 1,900 square
feet. The 2003-2004 season opens Oct. 18 with inclusive rates from
$595 per night in fall/spring and $850 in winter. For details,
visit www.curtainbluff.com.
• Dominican Republic inclusive resort chain Victoria Hoteles will
use Inter Island Tours' Puerto Plata Holidays site [www.puertoplataholidays.com], which is set to launch
this month, as a conduit for U.S. bookings. Victoria Hoteles
operates the 190-room Victoria Resort and the 506-room Gran Ventana
Beach Resort, both inclusive properties on Playa Dorada near Puerto
Plata. There is no booking capability on the Victoria Hoteles site
at www.victoriahoteles.com.do.
• Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica became SuperClubs' second resort
to earn the World Travel and Tourism Council's Green Globe 21
certification for the resort's commitment to preserving the
environment. The first resort was Grand Lido Negril, also in
Jamaica.
• To celebrate the second annual Puerto Rico Travel Agent Month in
September and in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Hotel &
Tourism Assn., the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort & Golf Club in
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, will offer discounted rates to agents from
$69 per room, single/double. Agents who are members of the Puerto
Rico Tourism Program for Travel experts qualify for rates from $59.
For details, visit www.westinriomar.com.
ANGUILLA Hotel and Tourism Assn. launched its
new auction Web site [www.anguillaauctions.com]. It features donated
prizes from member establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, car
rental companies, watersports operators and local attractions. The
first auction lot to be featured is a five-night stay in a
one-bedroom beach house at Covecastles Resort on Shoal Bay West
with daily breakfast, taxes and service charges. The starting bid
was $300; the package will be featured on the site through May 12
when bidding closes. For Anguilla details, visit www.anguilla-vacation.com.