Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 - (Page 68)

BARBADOS BY JOE PIKE A Caribbean Traveler’s Dream I when travel agent Joyeuce King first visited Barbados. On her way to Trinidad for the annual Carnival festival, her flight was canceled, so she and her friend decided to take a detour to the little-known, most easterly island in the Caribbean. When she arrived in Barbados, her first thought was, “I feel like I’ve been here before.” That’s because, as Travel Agent also discovered during a recent trip there, the island makes any American traveler feel at home. We don’t mean there’s a Starbucks and McDonald’s on every corner. Rather, it is the people, their genuine kindness and hospitality that makes you feel like you belong, that makes you feel like you aren’t a tourist at all, but rather one of their own. More than 30 years later, King, a Caribbean specialist with Tzell Travel in New York, a Signature Travel Network member, has sent thousands of clients to Barbados and plans to retire there someday. But the fact that King found out about Barbados by accident says a lot about how little known it was back then and still is now. You won’t see any TV ads with catchy jingles enticing you to visit nor hear any radio spots urging you to come, which is why Americans haven’t quite caught on yet. But with an aggressive Barbados Tourism Authority marketing campaign aimed at North Americans, and perhaps with a little help from Travel Agent that can change very soon. “We believe that the travel agent community represents the primary focus of the Barbados business thrust in building top-of-mind awareness for the destination,” says Richard Williams, vice president/North America for the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We are working harder to make our travel partners aware of the qualities of Barbados and for them to understand those many unique features, which set the destination apart from its competition and which add exceptional value to the destination experience.” T WAS IN 1976 Where to Stay There are so many great properties in Barbados and you can find a complete listing at the Barbados Tourism Authority’s website (www.barbados.org). These are the properties we had the privilege of visiting. During our stay at Almond Beach Village (www.almondresorts.com/Resorts/AlmondVillage), it was at full occupancy, so we were unable to see any rooms except ours, #7426, a Superior Deluxe Beachfront room that offered a spacious balcony with great views of both the ocean and the pool. Almond Beach Village has a total of 400 rooms in 10 room categories and it is a great fit for families. There are several adults-only swimming pools on the property, as well as a nightclub on the second floor that is open until 2 a.m., so it may be desirable for younger couples, too. However, when we visited in February, it appeared as though the property was occupied overwhelmingly by families, and children were already splashing away in the pool by 9 a.m. So, if your clients are looking for a quiet setting, perhaps this isn’t the place for them. Almond took over the property in 1994. The last major refurbishments were done about two years ago when a fifth floor was added. But expect that to change. During Almond Beach Village’s annual Super Bowl celebration, known as Big Game Week, General Manager Chris Forbes told Travel Agent that plans are in place to add about four treatment rooms to the resort’s spa. Almond Beach Village offers a 10 percent commission. Agents should call Julie 68 | TravelAgent March 17, 2008 AGENTADVICE “I mainly send people to Barbados because of the people there,” says Joyeuce King of Tzell Travel, a Signature Travel Network member. “They are very gracious and educated and have a continental flair to them. Barbados feels very familiar to Americans. This is probably a better destination for someone who has been to the Caribbean before. It’s also great for the first-time traveler, but I think they would appreciate Barbados more after they’ve compared it to other islands.” http://www.barbados.org http://www.almondresorts.com/Resorts/AlmondVillage

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Travel Agent - March 17, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Contributors Africa: Lodges that will Make your African Safari through Tanzania Unforgettable Special Supplement: Honeymoon Specialist Africa News and Briefs Caribbean: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino is a Perfect Choice for all Types of Clientele Hawaii: The Less-Visited Island of Molokai Provides a taste of Old-Time Hawaii Central and South America: Where to Enjoy the Reefs, Rainforest and Ruins in Belize’s Maya Country Hotels: Properties that Cater to the Growing Trend of “Girlfriend Getaways” Cruises: Increasingly, Cruisers are Choosing Outside Companies for their Off-Ship Excursions Barbados: A Caribbean Travelers' Dream Airline Update: Several European Airlines Offer New Nonstop Service Ski/Snowboard: Three New Hotels Hit the Slopes in Wyoming, Utah and British Columbia Multi-Generational Travel: Cavallo Point: the Lodge at Golden Gate is a New “Green” Hotel Outside of San Francisco Agent Profile: Lynda Turley of Alpine Travel of Saratoga in Saratoga, CA Agency Profile: Largay Travel’s Company Retreat Cover Story: Barbados Technology: Open Travel CRM Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Onsite from Jordan Travel Mart Harrah’s Draws Younger Clients to Atlantic City Cruise News India’s New Hotels and Nonstop Flights Saluting Travel Industry Contributors Report from Travel South In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - March 17, 2008

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