There is plenty to celebrate among the Caribbean stands at World Travel Market (WTM) this year, not least the release of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s handy guide to the region. Head to stand CA6500 to find out more.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is also exhibiting at CA2040, showcasing its members.
The Dominican Republic is celebrating the launch of a twice-weekly British Airways flight with coffee, fair trade chocolate and rum on stand CA8000 on Tuesday November 9 at 2.30pm. Minister of tourism Francisco Javier Garcia will be talking about the move from an all-inclusive charter favourite to an island offering a wide range of options including golf, fine cuisine, arts and culture, and luxury.
New hotels are opening across the island, and the wreck of pirate Captain Kidd’s ship has been found only 70ft off the coast of Catalina Island. In response to these developments, the tourist board has launched an online training programme for agents.
Grenada will also be promoting its new twice-weekly, year-round BA flights at stand CA1095. It will also be talking about new boutique hotels, the opening of Grenada’s first Cricket Museum, garden tours and enhanced diving.
St Lucia’s airlift has also increased, with BA now offering five flights per week. The island’s tourist board will be on stand CA3020 with information on these and much more. The third ICC World Twenty20 men’s cricket tournament will be in St Lucia in May next year, and it will coincide with the island’s jazz festival.
Hotel developments scheduled for next year are extensive, including plans for a Westin Le Paradis on the east coast, and a Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay. The island’s first hotel built within a cocoa plantation opens its doors at the beginning of March. The Hotel Chocolat will allow guests to watch cocoa being processed and sample the results.
On stand CA2030 agents can discover more about the expanded training programme from the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, which will include 25 dedicated agents’ evenings with a rum punch reception, dinner and a quiz, giving attendees the chance to win a place on a fam trip.
Next year, the organisation will be targeting niche operators specialising in diving, culture, cuisine and the weddings and honeymoons market.
A US submarine is due to be sunk off Grand Cayman in April next year to create an artificial reef; 2010 has been named year of culinary culture, with numerous events held throughout; and a website – caymanvows.ky – has been launched to showcase the wide range of wedding product available. Alicia Keys will headline the island’s Jazzfest, running from December 3-5 this year.
Those who prefer sport to music should head to the Trinidad and Tobago stand on CA1025, where Tobagonian footballer Dwight Yorke and Trinidadian cricketer Brian Lara will be promoting next year’s exciting events on the islands.