Joint Statement From CTO And Caribbean Hotel Association Airline Challenges Lead To What Could Become Unprecedented Cooperation Among Caribbean Governments

 

The current economic difficulties facing the airline industry worldwide have provided numerous challenges to the destinations they serve, but have led to at least one positive in the Caribbean region: what could become an unprecedented level of cooperation and coordination among Caribbean governments. The airline challenges have caused many to recognize that they can deliver far more benefits to their citizens by cooperating with other governments than by acting alone.

This coordination level accelerated recently when the Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) had the foresight to call an emergency meeting in Antigua for Ministers and Commissioners responsible for Tourism, Ministers and Commissioners responsible for Aviation, and members of the tourism private sector to find ways to minimize the impact on their economies brought on by rapid increases in airline fuel prices. It soon became clear to every participant at that meeting that by cooperating on the establishment of hubs, on the promotion of the region, on providing revenue guarantees to airlines and on coordinating the establishment of more efficient intra-regional carriers, all Caribbean countries would suffer less than if each country attempted to address the crisis on its own.

The case of Caribbean hubs, and in particular the case of the Puerto Rico hub, was most instructive. The Government of Puerto Rico has come to recognize that by increasing the number of flights and seats connecting through Puerto Rico, they increase the number of flights, seats and flexibility of passengers travelling to Puerto Rico. This point was made most forcefully in a recent meeting in San Juan and many of the governments to the south of San Juan are relying heavily on decisions being made in Puerto Rico for their continued survival.

All governments also understand that with the current structure of the airline industry, it is indispensably necessary to ensure that the flights coming into Puerto Rico can connect easily to the onward carriers such that travellers traveling beyond the hub can connect online or through their travel agent seamlessly. Without those connections many of the southern destinations are invisible in electronic booking systems. It is this interdependence that is forcing discussions between governments at an unprecedented level and at an unprecedented rate.

The same level of cooperation is beginning in the areas of marketing and in providing airline guarantees. In the past few years, an increasing proportion of the funds voted to departments of tourism across the world are being forced into escrow to cover airline guarantees. That leaves far less available for the promotion. This situation has compelled Caribbean governments to aggregate their promotional budgets for greater promotional efficiency and to devise financial arrangements that reduce the cost of these arrangements which also serve to minimize the risk.

“There is a silver lining on every cloud,” according to Allen Chastanet, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). “We believe that this high level of cooperation is being driven by the Governments, the private sector and the people of each territory recognizing that we in the Caribbean are more interdependent that independent,” he emphasized. “Governments now realize that if they do not cooperate to maximize benefits or minimize risk to their countries, they will be called to account by their people asking why they refused to cooperate.”

Peter Odle, the President of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) also commented on this suddenly elevated level of cooperation. Odle noted that, “Even though the cooperation between CTO and CHA has grown over the past several years, I see increased cooperation on this issue even at the destination level where members of the private sector are ensuring that their governments are engaged in these cooperative ventures. I promise you, the private sector gets it. We will achieve much more in addressing this crisis through intra-regional cooperation that we can ever achieve by going alone. I will tell you that those governments that do no cooperate will be seen as pariahs by both their own people as well as by other governments in the region.”

At the meeting in Antigua, four task forces were established, headed by Ministers to examine the four critical issues. These committees will report to the CTO and CHA Board meetings which will be held prior to the inaugural Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit (ACTS) in Washington, D.C. The results of these committees will also be presented to the Caricom Heads at their meeting in Antigua on July 2nd.

Governments have also come to recognize that they need to cooperate in speaking together with one voice to the government of the United States on a number of critical issues and they propose to take advantage of their presence in Washington to begin those discussions. Thus it appears that this unprecedented spirit of cooperation will continue even beyond the current situation.

 

Couples Resort Unveils A Whole New Resort

Miami, FL - Couples Resorts is pleased to announce that upon completion of a $22 million renovation in December 2008, Couples Ocho Rios will reemerge as Couples Tower Isle. The new name is a historical reference to the resort’s beginnings as a private island paradise and a 1950s and 1960s Hollywood hangout.

“With an investment of over $22 million in upgrades, enhancements and renovations, the time has come for a new era for the original all-inclusive resort for couples only,” states Lee Issa, Chairman of Couples Resorts. “To reinforce the storied history and old-world charm and emphasize our focus on the future, we feel the unveiling of our Grand Lady deserves a fresh start to carry on the legacy that is – Couples Resorts.”

Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa, the hotel was originally built in 1949 as the Tower Isle Hotel - Jamaica’s first year-round resort and first beach resort. Tower Isle Hotel became an instant landmark and a haven for movie stars and celebrities in the 1950s and 1960s. Recognizing a market gap in the tourism sector, Issa charted a new course for the resort in 1978 by introducing a groundbreaking concept of an all-inclusive resort for couples only. The resort was then rebranded Couples Ocho Rios.

Couples Tower Isle has undergone extensive and dramatic changes that include the addition of 20 accommodations – four suites and 16 rooms - all with ocean views. All of the resort’s 226 rooms will feature flat screen televisions. Some bathrooms will feature zero edge walk-in showers. Enhancements have been made to the main pool (including leveling the depth to 5.0 feet throughout and creating a new water feature utilizing the 1950’s-style diving board), lobby, piano bar, Le Gourmet, Verandah and Terrace dining rooms, and main bar.

Brand new amenities include a new wedding gazebo, veggie and juice bar, pool grill, spa with 10 treatment rooms, swimming pool with swim-up bar, new dive pool, gym, aerobics room, photo shop, gift shop, games room, and a floating dock at the resorts’ own private island.

Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica, West Indies - Couples Tower Isle (formerly known as Couples Ocho Rios), the first-ever couples only, all-inclusive resort, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril. Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa – “father of Jamaican tourism” – each Couples Resort is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit. For more than 30 years, Couples has delighted guests and refined the Caribbean all-inclusive resort experience by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and exclusive added value inclusions.

New Airlift For Montserrat

Montserrat, W.I. – Montserrat is pleased to announce that Carib Aviation Limited will begin operating new daily air service from Antigua starting July 1, 2008. LIAT, Carib Aviation Limited’s code share partner, will operate a minimum of three return flights between Antigua and Montserrat.

“We are delighted to have Carib Aviation Limited provide Montserrat with the much needed service of airlift,” said Ernestine Cassell, director of tourism. “This new service maintains a vital air link for the people of Montserrat, the islands in the region and encourages a stronger development of international tourism.”

Flights will depart from V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua as early as 8:20 a.m. and return from Gerald’s Airport in Montserrat as late as 5:00 p.m. The new service will utilize its four passenger Queen Air, eight passenger Islander or nineteen passenger Twin Otter aircraft for the 15-minute flight, depending on demand.
One-way, individual adult fares between Antigua and Montserrat will range from $65 USD to $85 USD (inclusive of fuel and insurance surcharges but exclusive of government and airport taxes). Visitors, booked by approved tour operators, who travel to Montserrat for a one-day trip will be offered a round-trip fare of $100 USD (inclusive of fuel and insurance surcharges but exclusive of government and airport taxes).