Travel Agent - December 8, 2008 - (Page 57)

DESTINATIONS CARIBBEAN, THE BAHAMAS & BERMUDA Unlimited-Luxury.® Ramping Up Jamaica A Jamaica Tourism official shares the island’s plans with Travel Agent Travel Agent RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH ZACHARY HARDING, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TOURISM, cruise, marine and attractions for the Jamaica Tourism Board, to discuss everything from casinos to safety to the island’s long-term plan to rebrand itself as a luxury destination. Here are some highlights. Introducing Five new ways toDream Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa • Mexico Casino Regulations A specially designed committee instructed to create rules and regulations behind Jamaica’s new casino policy was expected to complete its report at the beginning of this month. However, there is not an exact time frame for an official ruling on whether to allow casinos in Jamaica. Although licenses have already been tentatively given to two developers, legislation on the casino regulations has yet to be passed, Harding says. If and when it does, there will be certain guidelines that need to be met. “Jamaica will not become a gambling destination,” Harding says, “so that means there will be no stand-alone casinos.” Among other regulations are a 1,000-hotel-room minimum to build a casino in order to prevent someone from looking to disguise a casino as a hotel. A third regulation is that the gaming portion of all total revenue from the hotel/casino should not exceed 20 percent, Harding says. Zachary Harding Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta • Mexico after now,” he says. “We want to continue to build upon our main market [the U.S.], but we are seeking a new type of visitor—the type that will come and spend money—and we certainly have that type of product,” he said, noting that there are several major luxury developments underway. The Ongoing Safety Stigma Travel Agent has found during its time dealing with the Jamaica Tourism Board that it never sugarcoats anything or tries to dodge tough questions, so when we brought the 800-pound gorilla into the room—the subject of crime in Jamaica—it didn’t surprise us that the recently appointed Harding tackled it without hesitation. “I think it’s something that we are always going to have to live with,” Harding said about his destination’s reputation for being unsafe, “but I think what needs to be made clear is that we rarely have any crimes against tourists anywhere in Jamaica.The majority of serious crimes in Jamaica have always been between the citizens.” In fact, to make sure crimes against tourists remain significantly low, the JTB created a new security/tour guide team. It is made up of tour guides who can assist tourists with anything from directions to security issues. They are not armed, and cannot make arrests, but they do have the power to detain someone until the police arrive, Harding told us. —JOE PIKE Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana • Dominican Republic Targeting the Luxury Market With about 1.2 million Americans visiting Jamaica on land in 2007, there really isn’t room for much upside in that market. Instead, Harding says the island is targeting the type of American traveler whose numbers Jamaica is seeking to expand. “The high-end visitors are who we need to go Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa • Mexico CONNECTING YOU To get the latest news on Jamaica, visit www. travelagentcentral.com/caribbean Dreams La Romana Resort & Spa • Dominican Republic Interested? Request #017. December 8, 2008 TravelAgent | 57 http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean http://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean

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Travel Agent - December 8, 2008 Reality Check On the Web Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe: Scotland Begins a Yearlong Heritage Celebration Pacific/Asia: Singapore’s Hotel Scene is Vibrant, Inventive and Luxe Egypt: Building Tourism was the Key Topic at the ATS Fall Conference in Cairo Hawaii: Oahu’s North Shore has a Gentle, Laid-Back Ambiance Special Insert: US Airways Vacations—Universal Orlando Master Specialist Canada: The Hotel Le St-James Offers a Taste of Elegance Las Vegas: Sin City May Not See Deals this Good for a Long Time Florida: The Eden Roc Hotel Re-Emerges after a Major Overhaul Central & South America: Chile is an Emerging Hot Spot Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: Barbados Hotel Undergoes Major Renovation A Jamaica Tourism Official Shares the Island’s Plans Two Little-Known Caribbean Properties are Worth a Look Cruises: 10 Reasons to Love the Ruby Princess Cover Story: Religious Tourism - Faith-Based Vacations are a Growing Niche, and Are Taking Off in Surprising Ways Delta Takes Off: The Delta/Northwest Merger canReshape the Aviation Industry Tours: Traveling in Style with NWA WorldVacations Agent Profile: This Full-Service Agency Turns personalized Service into an Art New Web Trends: Services Aim to Increase Agent Sales Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Celebrity Solstice Hosts Forum for Economic Discussion Cap Juluca to Reopen in Anguilla Hawaii Seeks New Tourism Angles IWV: Scam or Opportunity? In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Special Supplement: South Africa: Your Journey Begins Here

Travel Agent - December 8, 2008

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