NEWS FROM the just-concluded Jamaica Product
Exchange (JAPEX) travel-trade show in Kingston includes the launch
of the Jamaica Tourist Board's agent-friendly www.visitjamaica.com site, is replacing its www.jamaicatravel.com. Paul Pennicook, director of
tourism, described VisitJamaica.com site, which cost $400,000 to
develop, as "easily the best brochure Jamaica's ever had." Despite
all the bells and whistles--music, movies and interactive maps--the
new site shuns online booking capabilities in favor of listing its
Jamaica Travel Specialists. Consumers have the option of popping up
an agent in their immediate area by performing a zip code search;
searches using other criteria will be available soon.
THE JAMAICAN government increased its minority
stake in flag carrier Air Jamaica, which was privatized nine years
ago and has since been led by majority shareholder and chairman
Gordon "Butch" Stewart, owner of the Sandals and Beaches resort
chain. Aloun Ndombet Assamba, Jamaica's minister of industry and
tourism, confirmed that the government now holds 45% of the shares
in the airline, up from 25%. Air Jamaica, which lost $90 million in
2002, reportedly swapped $300 million in debts it owed the
government for the stock shares. Assamba said Air Jamaica will
remain in private hands. "This is not a move toward
re-nationalization. Air Jamaica is important to us; it is going
through difficult times, and we're doing what we can to ensure it
keeps flying," she said.
PACKAGED GOODS
• Gogo Worldwide Vacations' companion-flies-free deals to Casa de
Campo in the Dominican Republic must be booked by May 31 for travel
through Aug. 31. The inclusive rate on American from Miami for $989
per person, double, includes roundtrip midweek air for one and free
air for a buddy; accommodations based on a five-night minimum stay;
all meals and drinks, activities and transfers. Airline taxes are
not included.
• Another Gogo offering includes savings on five-night stays
including room, transfers and taxes at Puerto Rico's Wyndham El
Conquistador Resort & Country Club (for travel in June, rates
start at $499 per person, double); Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel
& Casino (for July bookings, from $479 per person, double); and
Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort (for travel through
Oct. 30, from $285 per person, double). There are no booking
deadlines on the Puerto Rico packages. For details, visit www.gogowwv.com or
call (800) 229-4999.
• Incentives on United Vacations' Puerto Rico is Fun program
include the fourth night free on stays of four or more nights;
daily breakfast for two; a room upgrade; tickets to the LeLoLai
cultural entertainment program with folkloric and salsa shows; and
a 20-minute rechargeable phone card. Per-person double rates on
Saturday departures through Dec. 6 from Washington start at $954 at
the Park Plaza Normandie San Juan (airline taxes are not included).
To book, visit www.vaxvacationaccess.com or call (800) 328-6877.
NEWSMAKERS
• Air Jamaica's executive restructuring move that took effect
Monday put John Lewis into the chief revenue officer slot (he was
formerly executive vp) and David Banmiller into the executive vp
and COO position. Banmiller held senior posts with American, Sun
Country and Pan Am.
• Air Jamaica Vacations, which is Air Jamaica's in-house tour
division, named Kevin Froemming as its new president. Froemming,
who replaced Mark Adams, was formerly the COO and corporate
development head of the Mark Travel Corp. and served as vp and
general manager of US Airways Vacations.