Caribbean news round-up (02/07/12)
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A round-up of news from the Caribbean tourism industry.
Puerto Rico partners W&O for salsa campaign
Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) has teamed up with Western & Oriental (W&O) to launch a new national marketing campaign around learning to salsa. The promotion covers details of a ‘learn to salsa’ package with Sir Bruce Forsyth and his Puerto Rican wife Lady Wilnelia Merced Forsyth, who will attend the break between 1 and 8 February 2013. Activity around the campaign started with PTRC’s agent salsa party and last week’s Caribbean Ball, where the Forsyths were in attendance. “We are extremely fortunate that Sir Bruce Forsyth and Lady Wilnelia share such a passion for Puerto Rico – their involvement to help promote the island as the ‘hidden gem’ of the Caribbean is overwhelming,” said Angie Sloan, regional director for PRTC in the UK. “The destination has been opened up significantly to travellers from the UK since the launch of British Airway’s direct flight from London Gatwick and this campaign will showcase the destination as one that invites a mix of Latin, Caribbean and American cultures, particularly in Old San Juan”.
New Barbados-Union Island flights
Mustique Airways has announced it will commence flights between Barbados and Union Island on 1 November. The service will be available exclusively for guests of Petit St Vincent and run daily with a maximum of six passengers at a time. Aircraft will wait for delayed aircraft and will fly to Canouan airport (45 minute boat journey to PSV) if take-off is delayed after Union Island’s airport closes.
New Hamilton Island audio tours launched
A series of audio tour guides have been launched for tourists heading to Hamilton Island. The tours, available in English, Japanese, Mandarin, Italian and German, offer information through the ‘Passage Peak’ looking at flora and fauna and the island’s history in the Village Trail. They have been launched as 70% of the island is considered national parkland.
AM Resorts appoints revenue provider
AM Resorts has signed up to use EasyRMS’ tools to manage its revenue streams across its 30 properties. The resort company, which operates hotels under the Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Now Resorts & Spas and Sunscape Resorts & Spas names, had not previously used a system and will now adopt six modules to monitor sales. “Having all 30 hotels functioning on separate systems and unable to consolidate them together makes strategic planning difficult,” said Delia McCrimon, senior manager of revenue management and distribution for AM Resorts. “EasyRMS was chosen because it has a good reputation and the system is very user-friendly. We’re looking forward to working more efficiently, being able to take time to analyse the data and be able to better respond to market conditions”.
