NEW YORK, February 12, 2009 – TripAdvisor has announced its annual "Traveler's Choice" Awards for 2009 and select properties in the Caribbean have ranked among the world's best for value, romance, family, all-inclusive and luxury vacations. The annual honors are a representation of the unbiased opinions of real travelers, awarded by the world's largest online travel community. The awards are given based on the consumer feedback of TripAdvisor's more than 10 million members. Inclusion is reflective of the quantity and quality of reviews a hotel or resort receives. A wealth of Caribbean destinations were represented in 2009 including Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Martin and Turks and Caicos.
"TripAdvisor's 'Traveler's Choice' Awards are of particular importance to the Caribbean as they reflect the unfettered opinion of our guests without provocation or persuasion," said Hugh Riley, interim secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. "We want to impress our guests with an authentic Caribbean experience that can't be duplicated elsewhere in the world, whether they are looking for the perfect family, romantic or luxury getaway. This recognition proves that we are doing that and we thank our loyal guests for making their voices heard on our behalf."
The Caribbean's 2009 TripAdvisor "Traveler's Choice" Award winners are:
Top 100 Best Bargains in the World:
27) Deep Blue View Intimate Resort (Safir, Bonaire)
33) Peach and Quiet (Christ Church, Barbados)
47) The Inn on the Bay (Marigot Bay, St. Lucia)
52) Catcha Falling Star (Negril, Jamaica)
Top 10 Best All-Inclusives in the World:
1) The Caves (Negril, Jamaica)
2) Mopan River Resort (Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize_
6) Royal Plantation (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)
8) Sunset at the Palms (Negril, Jamaica)
10) East Winds Inn (Gros Islet, St. Lucia)
Top 10 Best for Families in the World:
9) FDR Pebbles (Falmouth, Jamaica)
Top 10 Best for Romance in the World:
3) The Caves (Negril, Jamaica)
8) Golden Tulip Bucuti Beach Resort & Tara Beach Suites (Oranjestad, Aruba)
Top 100 Best Luxury in the World:
5) The Caves (Negril, Jamaica)
9) Seven Stars Resort (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)
18) Little Arches Hotel (Christ Church, Barbados)
32) Chabil Mar Villas (Placencia, Belize)
37) The Tuscany (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)
44) Jamaica Inn (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)
48) Rock House (Harbour Island, Bahamas)
57) East Winds Inn (Gros Islet, St. Lucia)
69) Villa Renaissance (Providenciales, Turks and Caicos)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Tourism takes blows in French Caribbean
The tourist industry in Guadeloupe and Martinique has been hard hit as revolts in the French departments have forced tourists to cancel trips and hotels to close doors.
Reports are that Guadeloupe has been experiencing three weeks of general over low wages and the rising cost of living. As a result, there have been water and food shortages and power cuts.
According to the Guardian about 15,000 French tourists have cancelled their holiday plans and Club Méditerranée has shut its main hotel.
The nearby island of Martinique, the report said, has joined forces and staged a week of protests, with demonstrators storming supermarkets and forcing them to close.
Reports are that Guadeloupe has been experiencing three weeks of general over low wages and the rising cost of living. As a result, there have been water and food shortages and power cuts.
According to the Guardian about 15,000 French tourists have cancelled their holiday plans and Club Méditerranée has shut its main hotel.
The nearby island of Martinique, the report said, has joined forces and staged a week of protests, with demonstrators storming supermarkets and forcing them to close.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Bad Carnival advisories for T&T
Uh Oh...with less than two weeks before it's biggest event, Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago has received a potential blow with negative advisories for tourists travelling to the islands.
A Trinidad Guardian story said T&T received negative advisories from the UK, Australia, the US and Canada. The advisories warned of an increase in serious crimes such as rapes and murders, and robbers following unsuspecting victims from the airport to their places of residence.
With over 80 murders for the year so far, T&T is battling a serious crime problem and this will no doubt continue to impact on its tourism product. Tobago, which saw a yet to be solved murder of a Swedish couple last year as well as other crimes against tourists, is said to be suffering as a result with only 30% occupancy levels in what is supposed to be a peak period.
A Trinidad Guardian story said T&T received negative advisories from the UK, Australia, the US and Canada. The advisories warned of an increase in serious crimes such as rapes and murders, and robbers following unsuspecting victims from the airport to their places of residence.
With over 80 murders for the year so far, T&T is battling a serious crime problem and this will no doubt continue to impact on its tourism product. Tobago, which saw a yet to be solved murder of a Swedish couple last year as well as other crimes against tourists, is said to be suffering as a result with only 30% occupancy levels in what is supposed to be a peak period.
Delta adds new Caribbean routes
Delta Air Lines Inc. is adding flights from New York to the Caribbean, including its first flights to Haiti in about 50 years.
The Atlanta-based airline will start new nonstop daily service between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on June 20. The new flights are the first Delta service to Haiti since the 1950s when Delta flew from New Orleans to Port-au-Prince.
Delta also will bring back daily nonstop service between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Bermuda beginning May 22.
"Delta's long-standing commitment to the Caribbean basin is now reinforced as we provide the growing population of Haitians in the tri-state area with more options to visit friends and loved ones in their native country," said Gail Grimmett, Delta senior vice president, in a news release.
The Atlanta-based airline will start new nonstop daily service between John F. Kennedy International Airport and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on June 20. The new flights are the first Delta service to Haiti since the 1950s when Delta flew from New Orleans to Port-au-Prince.
Delta also will bring back daily nonstop service between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Bermuda beginning May 22.
"Delta's long-standing commitment to the Caribbean basin is now reinforced as we provide the growing population of Haitians in the tri-state area with more options to visit friends and loved ones in their native country," said Gail Grimmett, Delta senior vice president, in a news release.
St Kitts promotes on Facebook
At least one Caribbean island has realised the power of social networking site Facebook.
The St Kitts Tourism Authority has established a fan site on the uber-popular networking facility called My St Kitts.
Fans joining the page in the first two weeks are eligible to win a St Kitts hamper as part of the authority's special trade promotion.
The page utilises images, video clips, event invitations, blog feeds, discussion boards and information about island attractions, among other features.
Users will be invited to take part in a special interactive feature allowing them to post their own photographs and holiday snaps, offer reviews and travel tips and enter discussion panels.
St Kitts Tourism Authority CEO Rosecita Jeffers said “St Kitts selected Facebook to target prospective visitors because of the more than 150 million active users and the St Kitts Facebook fan page hopes to attract the attention of the discerning and technology savvy audience engaged in this form of social media.
“Our fan page promotes St Kitts as the next special upmarket destination in an extremely innovative, yet cost-effective manner and we especially look forward to having the travel industry join us in this exciting venture.”
The St Kitts Tourism Authority has established a fan site on the uber-popular networking facility called My St Kitts.
Fans joining the page in the first two weeks are eligible to win a St Kitts hamper as part of the authority's special trade promotion.
The page utilises images, video clips, event invitations, blog feeds, discussion boards and information about island attractions, among other features.
Users will be invited to take part in a special interactive feature allowing them to post their own photographs and holiday snaps, offer reviews and travel tips and enter discussion panels.
St Kitts Tourism Authority CEO Rosecita Jeffers said “St Kitts selected Facebook to target prospective visitors because of the more than 150 million active users and the St Kitts Facebook fan page hopes to attract the attention of the discerning and technology savvy audience engaged in this form of social media.
“Our fan page promotes St Kitts as the next special upmarket destination in an extremely innovative, yet cost-effective manner and we especially look forward to having the travel industry join us in this exciting venture.”
Can Trinidad find it's niche with business tourism?
When it comes to tourism plans, Trinidad and Tobago's has been through several incarnations. It seems that with the dawn of each administration, the tourism plan changes and the twin island seems to be constantly struggling to get out of the starting blocks. Some years ago, there was an attempt to sell the twin island as a two in one package with Trinidad for fun and parties and Tobago for rest and relaxation. These days, the emphasis in on marketing Trinidad as the perfect destination for conferences and other international business events.
I recently came across this article in which the author questions Trinidad's advantage in marketing itself as a business destination.
The author wonders why, in this time of economic uncertainty, the tourism officials are pegging their hopes on business tourism. Yes, Trinidad has secured two major conferences for 2009, the Summit of the Americas in April and the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in October, but despite assurances from the government that there will be benefits, no one is really sure in what form such benefits will take.
The article makes it clear that what is needed is a focused plan. Trinidad and Tobago has more resources than most Caribbean islands yet the country lags behind everyone else when it comes to marketing, promoting and establishing a real brand.
I recently came across this article in which the author questions Trinidad's advantage in marketing itself as a business destination.
The author wonders why, in this time of economic uncertainty, the tourism officials are pegging their hopes on business tourism. Yes, Trinidad has secured two major conferences for 2009, the Summit of the Americas in April and the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference in October, but despite assurances from the government that there will be benefits, no one is really sure in what form such benefits will take.
The article makes it clear that what is needed is a focused plan. Trinidad and Tobago has more resources than most Caribbean islands yet the country lags behind everyone else when it comes to marketing, promoting and establishing a real brand.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Carnival tourism threatened?
Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival is undoubtedly the largest income earner for the country when it comes to tourism, but with the recession in the US and UK, it's left to be seen if Trinis abroad will be flocking home for the annual festival due to culminate in the next two weeks.
Trinidad Guardian columnist Lisa Allen-Agostini wonders the same in her column today entitled Staying, to get away
Trinidad Guardian columnist Lisa Allen-Agostini wonders the same in her column today entitled Staying, to get away
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