Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 - (Page 84)

NEWS IMPACT Industry and Resort Update From the Caribbean A plunge pool at a Million Dollar Suite at the Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia Joe Pike RESORT NEWS SEEMED TO DOMINATE CARIBBEAN happenings since our last issue, from our visit to Sandals’ new suites in St. Lucia to the opening of Riu’s first Montego Bay property. But news of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) second interim secretary general since the departure of Vincent VanderpoolWallace tops our list. position. Riley previously served the CTO as Director of Marketing for the Americas. Sobers became Interim Secretary General at the beginning of July when the standing Secretary General, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, returned home to become minister of tourism and aviation of the Bahamas. the official unveiling of the new Millionaire Suites with Private Pool & Whirlpool at Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa. The four villas are situated above the resort’s highest point and feature a plunge pool, private whirlpool and a full, 180-degree view of the Caribbean. See page 52 for more details from Travel Agent’s recent visit to St. Lucia. entertainment and a nightclub. We recommend pitching this resort to families, as there are several amenities for children, including a children-only pool, a mini-club and a playground. At an additional cost, guests can take advantage of the property’s full-service spa. The hotel also offers a game room with slot machines, a gift shop and an Internet café. All rooms have a balcony or patio, and suites feature a lounge area, a balcony and bathrooms with a hydro-massage bathtub. St. Lucia Resort Completes Expansion, Renovation Villa Beach Cottages (www. villabeachcottages.com), located in the Castries area of St. Lucia, recently completed a nearly oneyear renovation and expansion program. The additions include 10 new villa suites to the property, including six deluxe one-bedroom suites and four deluxe twobedroom suites. The villa suites include living and dining rooms and large, furnished balconies overlooking the Caribbean. The deluxe one-bedroom suites include bathrooms featuring in-room Jacuzzi tubs with an ocean view. — JOE PIKE CTO Names Riley Interim Secretary General After the August 14 passing of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Interim Secretary General Arley Sobers, CTO Chairman Allen Chastanet named Hugh Riley to the Sandals Extends Fly Free Promotion Sandals Resorts (www.sandals. com) is extending its already immensely popular “Fly Free” promotion, which offers travelers a $550 air credit per person for a minimum three-night stay. The promotion will be extended until October 23 for travel through December 20, 2009. The announcement of the extension comes just days after Travel Agent was on hand in St. Lucia for Riu Opens First Hotel in Montego Bay Riu Montego Bay (www.riu.com) opened in late August, becoming Riu’s first property in Montego Bay and fourth property in Jamaica. The North Coast property has 681 rooms, three specialty-themed restaurants, five bars and a conference room. (Riu now offers 2,373 rooms in the Caribbean.) Riu Montego Bay also has a swimming pool, day and nighttime CONNECTING YOU For the latest updates from the Caribbean, visit www.travelagentcentral. com/caribbean 84 | TravelAgent September 15, 2008 http://www.villabeachcottages.com http://www.villabeachcottages.com http://www.sandals.com http://www.riu.com http://www.sandals.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008 Online Now Contents Agent Insider From the Editor Hawaii Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas US Airways Vacations - Atlantis, Paradise Island Specialist Central & South America Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: Merge Mania France by Rail Weddings & Honeymoons Gay & Lesbian Travel Tours Agent Profile Triptailor Vacations Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Vegas Week Insights on Singapore Travel Leaders Builds New Alliances The Latest from the Caribbean A Sneak Peek at a New Ship Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Special Supplement: Thailand Travel Planner

Travel Agent - September 15, 2008

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