There is a buzz about the Caribbean at the moment, despite the recession, and this is thanks to “new flights and sustained investment,” according to Caribtours managing director Paul Cleary.
A major factor in the region’s success is that it never goes out of fashion, according to Cleary. “It’s dependable and that’s what people are looking for in the current economic climate. People know that they can get good quality accommodation, service and food. The Caribbean does luxury incredibly well, too. It has an informal charm you can’t get elsewhere,” he said.
The range of luxury products and services available is on the up. Virgin Holidays is offering clients private transfers and Antigua now has an exclusive VIP lounge service on departure for British Airways passengers. Clients bypass the main terminal completely and get driven out to the aircraft – a service previously reserved for government ministers and private jet passengers.
Another of the region’s strengths lies in the depth of its offering, with lots of product aimed at the budget-conscious. Angus Bond, Virgin Holidays head of USA and Caribbean product, says: “We have definitely seen the return of the all-inclusive. Families looking for some sun are keen to know the full cost of a holiday up front and all-inclusive lets them do just that. It is also a week of luxury where travellers can have one more pina colada or an hour of yachting without having to worry about the costs.”
While Bond has seen customers booking their trips later, sales remain strong for the region, with Antigua and Barbados selling particularly well.
Developments of note in the latter include the 10-bedroom boutique Atlantis Hotel, which opened its doors at the end of 2009. A former 19th-century grand private home, the colonial-style property is situated in the beautiful Tent Bay area and boasts an opulent and historic feel.
Island updates
In the air
Caribbean destinations don’t get much hotter than Jamaica right now. Sales to the island are soaring thanks to improved airlift and investment in infrastructure.
BA’s decision to introduce two flights a week into Montego Bay last October has been a major catalyst for growth, adding to Virgin’s twice-weekly services and helping to ensure airfares remain competitive.
On the accommodation front, the iconic Goldeneye estate will reopen in October after extensive refurbishment. The Island Outpost property boasts beach cottages and villas on the former ocean-front home of James Bond author Ian Fleming. In Ocho Rios, Sandal’s all-inclusive, all-suite resort, Royal Plantation, has introduced a personal butler service for all guests.
Since new BA flights started servicing St Kitts and Nevis early last year, Cleary tips these lesser-known islands to increase in popularity in 2010, saying they are ideal for clients already familiar with the Caribbean.
“Barbados, Antigua and St Lucia are well known, but the quiet charm of the plantation house accommodation in St Kitts and Nevis, with their verandahs looking out across the hillsides, offer a unique experience and colonial charm.”
Another island set to benefit from the BA effect is Grenada. On March 28, the carrier will increase its flights to Grenada to twice-weekly, departing Tuesday and Sunday from Gatwick, via Barbados.
Sovereign Holidays and Hayes & Jarvis have both added Grenada to their Caribbean programmes this year. The island’s Kalinago Beach Resort, with 29-beachfront rooms, also opened in February. Set on Grenada’s most popular and picturesque beach, Morne Rouge Bay, it offers double rooms from £48 per person per night – certain to be popular with budget-conscious travellers.
On the ground
Meanwhile, over in St Vincent, the 1,200-room Buccament Bay resort is due to open in July. Its facilities are set to include a casino, a performing arts academy with workshops and masterclasses for children and adults, and a Pat Cash tennis academy.
The exclusive Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands, featured by Caribtours, has also introduced butler service, plus beach service for guests. The pool has been upgraded, too, and new Ayurvedic treatments and iridology (studying the eye to gauge a person’s state of health and wellbeing) have been added to the spa menu at this island resort.
St Lucia is a good bet for families this year, according to Kelly Jones, Thomas Cook Signature scheduled product manager. Jones says: “Almond Smugglers Cove has introduced great value family rooms for two adults and up to three children.” Seven nights costs from £4,629 for a family of five, including flights.
Katie Parsons, product and contracts manager for the Caribbean for Hayes & Jarvis, is convinced that the island’s Rendezvous Resort will be a runaway success for the operator this year, following its $15 million refurbishment.
“This couples-only resort is ideal for the growing weddings and honeymoons market,” she says. “It’s been one of our most popular hotels over the years. The refurbishment has resulted in some superb new rooms. We expect it to be hot in 2010, especially as it is a genuine case of luxury for less, with five-star exclusivity at four-star prices.”
Cleary agrees, saying: “It is a sign of the times that people don’t want to limit their choices. And island hopping in the Caribbean is so easy to do. Clients can go into Barbados on a Tuesday with BA and fly out of St Lucia on the following Thursday with Virgin. There are also lots of internal flights, so it is quick and easy to get around.”
Jones is tipping Thomas Cook’s twin-centre holidays in Cuba for 2010. It gives holidaymakers the chance to combine vibrant Havana with the beaches and nightlife of Varadero.
Virgin Holidays has added Anguilla as a new destination to its Tropical Getaways Brochure for 2010. This small island, just 16 miles long by just over three miles wide, has friendly islanders and an exclusive laid-back feel.
Reached by a connecting flight from Antigua, Anguilla is an ideal choice for a twin-centre holiday when combined with the bigger, livelier island of Antigua. In terms of island hopping, almost anything is possible, depending on what the customer wants. For instance, Barbados
and Palm Island make another popular combination.
“Anguilla will satisfy customers looking for white sandy beaches and transparent waters that offer excellent scuba diving,” says Hayley Webb, Virgin Holidays Caribbean product manager, adding, “It’s a top pick for a 2010 Caribbean holiday.”
