| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 03/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 44 |
| Copyright: Other |
Island update by Helen Arnold
Operators widen product options to St Lucia
Market moves beyond all-inclusives to cater for a whole spectrum of holiday tastes
Jalousie Hilton: finding a growing market for room-only salesST LUCIA has traditionally relied heavily on all-inclusive resorts to attract holidaymakers to the island and their appeal has not dimmed.
Caribbean product manager at Thomas Cook Holidays Mac Campbell said the all-inclusive resort, Club St Lucia, was by far its most popular property.
However, according to the St Lucia Tourist Board there are fewer all-inclusive beds than there are non all-inclusive – around 1,800 against over 2,000 – and the island is seeing an increase in new types of accommodation from five-star resorts to self-catering villas and smaller hotels.
A spokeswoman said: “This is partly due to the growth of seat-only with the introduction of Virgin’s flight two years ago. There is also a general trend towards independent travel.”
TCH has just introduced the four-star Windjammer Landing to its St Lucia programme for next year.
“St Lucia is now our most popular Caribbean destination, having overtaken Barbados for the first time this year,” explained Campbell. “We have taken on this new property to widen the range of accommodation we offer.”
The Windjammer Landing offers traditional hotel rooms as well as two, three and four bedroom self-catering villas on a hillside overlooking the hotel.
Lead-in prices for seven nights in a standard hotel room start at £813, while the villas attract an additional £125 per night supplement.
Distant Dreams is another tour operator experiencing increased demand for non all-inclusive options.
Managing director Peter Traynor said: “We currently offer the five-star Jalousie Hilton Resort and Spa on room only basis. Based on its popularity, we will be offering an increased range of room only properties in our next edition brochure.” Seven nights room only costs £889 per person flying with BWIA.
At the top end of the scale, upmarket operator Caribtours is planning to include a new property in St Lucia to its Caribbean Escapes brochure next year.
Managing director Catherine Leech said the new Hyatt Regency St Lucia was almost definitely going to be included in the company’s portfolio for next year.
“It is a sophisticated resort on a good stretch of beach and I think it will particularly appeal to UK visitors.,” she said.
“St Lucia is our fastest growing island and is now only second in popularity to Barbados.”
Another attraction of the new Hyatt is that the hotel chain generates a certain degree of loyalty from guests, she claimed.
Caribtours best selling product is the Windjammer Landing. “The villas have a particular appeal to families with small children,” said Leech. “They have small kitchenettes and also a shop on site, which means that families are able to prepare their food but also have all the benefits of a good hotel on their doorstep.”
Le Sport is also among Caribtours’ most popular resorts, thanks to the trend towards ‘healthy’ travel. The facilities at Le Sport include free water sports, as well as activities such as tai chi and yoga. The weekly rate of £1,300 includes two treatments a day, on an all-inclusive basis.