The Caribbean has long been considered value for money, with plenty of options to suit every type of client. However, over the years, the region has come under pressure from traditionally less-established destinations, such as the Middle and Far East.
And, with a banded Air Passenger Duty (APD) coming into force in November, with big increases planned for the following year, operators and airlines claim travel to the Caribbean will be hit particularly hard.
Hoteliers and operators are fighting back, with some value-added extras to woo holidaymakers – as well as offering some interesting agent incentives. We take a look at just some of the great offers available.
Jamaica
Couples Resorts has added experiences worth £339 to its all-inclusive product. A Dunn’s River Falls tour, horse riding, a catamaran cruise, scuba diving course, and a trip to a local bar at sunset, are all included in the price. Massages and champagne have also been included for honeymooners.
Seven nights at the Couples Tower Isle, all-inclusive, costs £1,419 per person, with Virgin Holidays, in August. virginholidays.co.uk, 0844 557 3860; couples.com, 01582 792 112
The Caves has introduced a five-night romantic package, including champagne, fruit and cheese platter, massage for two, breakfast in bed and candle-lit dinner. The package costs $3,190 per couple. islandoutpost.com, +1 876 960 81 34
Half Moon Montego Bay is offering free nights and upgrades for stays between October 25 and December 14. Bookings of seven to nine nights will receive one night free, while bookings of 10-14 nights will receive two nights free. halfmoon.com/agents, 0800 051 3893
Carrier offers seven nights’ bed and breakfast, twin-share, in a superior room, from £1,255 per person. The price includes British Airways (BA) flights to Montego Bay, transfers, and a room upgrade. Up to two children under 12 can stay free when sharing a room with two adults. carrier.co.uk, 0161 491 7620
Sunset Faraway Holidays is offering 10 nights for the price of seven at the Half Moon, Jamaica, until October 31. The package costs £1,399 per person, room only, including flights. sunset.co.uk, 020 8774 7100
Barbados
Under 12s stay and eat for free at Tamarind Cove and Colony Club, Barbados, when booking three or more nights, until September 30. Bookings must be made by July 31. eleganthotels.com, 0800 917 3534
Barbados Beach Club has extended the closing date for its competition to win a holiday for two at the property, until August 31. Agents need to fill in a form, with details of bookings. The person who has made the most bookings will win the holiday, including flights. Email charlene@itgmarketing.co.uk for a form.
St Lucia
Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa, St Lucia, has extended its group and Grandparents Go Free offers for another month. Grandparents go free when booking interconnecting rooms for stays in September. Seven nights for four adults and two children costs £4,592, a saving of £1,350.
In addition, if you make a group booking for two rooms, you can get a third free, saving £1,000 on a seven-night stay. Valid until July 31. cbayresort.com, 020 7749 9284
Jetlife is offering seven nights for the price of five, and 14 nights for the price of nine, at the four-star Bay Gardens Beach Resort, St Lucia, until November 30. Prices start at £895 for seven nights, including the discount. jetlife.co.uk, 0871 902 7877
Harlequin Holidays is offering free room upgrades, spa treatments, car hire and $550-worth of drinks credit (worth a total of £1,250 per person) at Cap Maison, St Lucia, until September 1. A week in a garden-view room costs £1,645 per person, full board, including flights. harlequinholidays.com, 0845 277 3397
Agents can earn one free night at Discovery at Marigot Bay for each seven-night booking made with Sunset Faraway Holidays until December 31. A minimum of three bookings (equating to three free nights) must be made. sunset.co.uk, 020 8774 7100
Cotton Bay Village is giving away a high-street shopping voucher worth £25 for every apartment booked, and £50 for every townhouse or villa booked, with Kuoni. Bookings must be for at least seven nights, and made before September 30. To qualify, send booking references to: agency@kuoni.co.uk by October 1.
Nevis
All-inclusive Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Nevis, is offering two family rooms for the price of one for stays up until August 9. nisbetplantation.com, +1 869 469 9325
Golden Caribbean offers a seven-night family holiday at Nisbet Plantation from £1,759 per adult, and £889 per child. The price includes two superior rooms, breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner, BA flights and return boat transfers. goldencaribbean.co.uk, 0845 0858080
Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is giving away a bottle of champagne for each booking made. Email details to gemma@itgmarketing.co.uk to claim.
Bermuda
The Bermuda Hotel Association and the Bermuda Department of Tourism is giving a $400 credit package to guests booking a four-night minimum stay until March 31 2010 at selected hotels including 9 Beaches, Elbow Beach, Fairmont, The Reefs and Tucker’s Point Resort. experiencebermuda.com; bermudatourism.com
Grenada
Kuoni offers seven nights for the price of six at Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada, on an all-inclusive basis in a Seagrape suite, including flights with BA from Gatwick. Prices for October start from £2,271 twin-share, saving £204 per person. To book, quote reference CG0004. kuoni.co.uk, 01306 747008
Other incentives
SuperClubs is rewarding bookings with points that agents can put towards accommodation. Bookings can be made through any operator, for travel until December 31. Agents receive up to five points per seven-night booking, depending on the resort, and need to gain 20 points for a three-night stay, and 35 points for a seven-night stay.
Rex Resorts and British Airways are to host a seven-night fam trip in November to St Lucia and Antigua. To qualify, agents must provide proof of a Rex Resorts booking with British Airways flights made between April and the end of August.
Bookings made at Turtle Beach by Rex Resorts will get priority. All bookings must be logged at rexpertsonline.com. The more bookings made, the greater the chance of winning a place. rexresorts.com,020 8741 5333
Almond Resorts is offering a 45% discount off room rates at its five properties in Barbados and St Lucia, until October. Valid until July 31. almondresorts.co.uk, 0871 871 2828.
