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Using technology, log in from anywhere and earn a living. please yourself and make money doing it. | | | | |  | | | | | JANUARY  2 0 0 9
Issue 24
| An online magazine about investing, living, working and relocating to the Caribbean. | |
T O U R I S M T R E A T S |
| TOURISM TIDBITS
CARIBBEAN TRAVEL VISA AND IMMIGRATION CHANGES For those travelling to US islands in the Caribbean such as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, sadly the rules have changed yet again. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a new fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Voluntary ESTA applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States, and Visa Waiver Program travelers are encouraged to apply for authorization as soon as they begin to plan a trip to the United States.
Beginning January 12, 2009, eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain approval through ESTA prior to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Visa Waiver Program Countries
There are currently 34 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program:
* Andorra
* Australia
* Austria
* Belgium
* Brunei
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Estonia
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Hungary
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Italy
* Japan
* Korea, Republic of
* Latvia
* Liechtenstein
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Monaco
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Norway
* Portugal
* San Marino
* Singapore
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
The Department of State (USA) reminds all Americans that travel documents will be required at all land or sea border entry points as of June 1, 2009. On that date, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) U.S. citizens will be required to present a government-approved document that denotes both citizenship and identity when entering the United States.
The U.S. Passport Book and the U.S. Passport Card are the premiere documents that denote both citizenship and identity. A list of other government-approved documents is available at The U.S. Passport Card is a wallet-sized document designed specifically for new systems being installed at land border crossings to facilitate inspections. A Passport Card costs $45 for an adult and $35 for a child under age 16. When applied for in conjunction with a passport book or by a previous passport holder who is eligible for renewal, the Passport Card costs $20.
 The Passport Card is valid only for entry to the United States at land border crossings and sea ports of entry when traveling from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda. It is not valid for international air travel. The U.S. Passport Card is designed for the specific needs of the northern and southern border resident communities. It is not a globally interoperable travel document like the traditional U.S. Passport book.
First-time applicants or those under the age of 16 can apply at any of the more than 9,400 passport application acceptance facilities throughout the United States. Current passport holders, who are eligible to renew, can apply for a passport card by mail. THE CARIBBEAN WINS BIG WITH IN 16 BEST IN THE WORLD AWARDS
For the third year running, the Caribbean was selected to stage the world’s largest and most important international awards for the travel industry. The final of the renowned World Travel Awards – described by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry – took place at Beaches Resort, Turks & Caicos Islands on 2 December, 2008.Senior travel industry management worldwide attended the star-spangled award presentation, culminating in the 2008 Grand Tour of regional ceremonies stopping at the United States, South America, Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia and Europe. The aim of the awards, which this year celebrates its 15th birthday, is to encourage supreme excellence, value, innovation and quality in every aspect of the customer offering. The Caribbean was nominated in 78 categories. And the 16 World Category awards picked up by the Caribbean are:World's Leading All-Inclusive Company.....Sandals Resorts International
World's Leading Beach.....Grace Bay Beach (Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands)
World's Leading Cruise Brand.....Carnival Cruise Line
World's Leading Cruise Destination.....Jamaica
World's Leading Cruise Line......Royal Caribbean International
World's Leading Family All-Inclusive......Beaches Resorts
World's Leading Family Resort.....Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa
World's Leading Golf Resort.....Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
World's Leading All-Inclusive Company.....Sandals Resorts International
World's Leading Beach.....Grace Bay Beach (Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands)
World's Leading Villa.....Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
World's Most Romantic Resort......Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa
World's Leading Travel Destination Website.....Totally Barbados
World's Leading Private Island Resort.....Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
World's Leading Honeymoon Destination.....St. Lucia
World's Leading Green Destination......Costa Rica
EU FUNDS PLAN TO BOOST DOMINICA TOURISM
The Dominica government has embarked on a program designed to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector, which contributed over EC$160 million ($60.8 million) to the economy last year and created more than 2,500 direct jobs. The efforts are being undertaken under the Tourism Sector Development Program (TSDP), a two-year program which is being financed under the European Union’s Special Framework of Assistance to the tune of 2.7 million Euros ($3.87 million).
“The overall objective of the program is to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector through the development of rural tourism and linkages with agriculture; increased destination marketing; and building the capacity of major tourism institutions like the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority,” the EU said in a statement. In the first year of the program, through the Rural Tourism Development component, emphasis will be placed on the construction of tourism centers. A number of groups in rural communities will also be assisted with training in the areas of business development and e-marketing.
For the second year of the program, beginning next July, consideration is being given to refinancing or rehabilitating existing hotel properties; establishing a Hospitality Institute at the Dominica State College; and promoting a Champion of the Tourism Master Plan among other things. The Tourism Sector Development Program is intended to build on the results achieved in the Eco-Tourism Development Program (ETDP) which ended in June last year. | |  In the heart of this growth-targeted area, perched amid a pristine natural wonderland above Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, sits Lomas Coronado…
And, with lots starting at an incredibly low $8 per square meter, it's an excellent early-in opportunity in an area where more mature developments are already attracting buyers at prices in the $40 to $60 (and up) per square-meter range.
The development is divided into 28 spacious lots of between 1.25 acres to over 3 acres, each offering an aerie view of the surrounding lush mountains and valleys, and ranging in price from $55,000 upwards to $350,000 – the latter with a 270-degree panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean below.
The lots are all titled right now; each is held by a single-purpose corporation (S.A.) so that once you take title of your property you can resell at any time. The developer is also finalizing an agreement with Costa Rica's second largest bank to provide financing for qualified buyers, with 30% down and the balance financed at about 8.25% annually over twenty years. |
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THE HOTEL BEAT
CARIBBEAN HOTELS OFFERING VALUE-ADDED PACKAGES FOR WINTER 2008-2009 SEASON
The Caribbean region is offering a variety of last-minute travel deals with value-added escape packages this holiday and winter season. These market-mindful values are available throughout 2009 for travelers seeking a romantic getaway or a vacation with the family.
“These select hotel values along with the increasing number of new direct flights to the region, make this 2009 winter season the perfect time to enjoy the warm-weather beaches of the Caribbean,” said Hugh Riley, acting secretary general of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “Travelers who are reluctant to forego their vacation considering the current economic climate, should take advantage of these deals being offered throughout the holiday season and beyond.”
ANTIGUA
The Verandah Resort & Spa and St. James’s Club & Villas, two eco-friendly, upscale family resorts, grant parents’ vacation wishes with a new holiday “Kids Stay, Play and Eat Free” program. This program allows up to two children to stay and dine free per room when sharing the same accommodations with their parents, with a maximum of two adults and two children per room. All food, beverages, room accommodations, activities, non-motorized water sports, taxes and gratuities are included and air credit of $2,000 is available Dec. 23, 2008 – Jan. 3, 2009. The credit is available Dec. 21, 2008 – Jan. 6, 2009, when booked by December 1, 2008.
BERMUDA
Elbow Beach, Bermuda offers the “Suite Temptations” promotion now through Mar. 31, 2009. The package includes a complimentary fourth night free when booking a three-night stay with continental breakfast for two, VIP services, a welcome amenity and a $50 voucher for an 80-minute spa treatment. Reservations must be made by Dec. 31, 2008.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Hilton Santo Domingo offers savings of up to 50 percent off on holiday getaways. From Dec. 12, 2008 – Jan. 11, 2009, rates start at $110 per night, based on single or double occupancy. Rates do not include 26 percent tax.
Punta Cana Resort & Club is offering the “Winter Caribbean 3-Day Spa Getaway” Dec. 12, 2008 – Apr. 12, 2009. The package includes deluxe accommodations, fine dining each night at a choice of three of the resort’s restaurants, VIP roundtrip transfers and a lunch at The Grill at the Club House. Rates start at $240 per night. Guests who book will be treated to a luxurious treatment at Six Senses Spa, one of the world's premiere spa destinations.
GRENADA
Grenada True Blue Bay Resort & Villas is offering the “Surf and Turf Adventure Package” Dec. 15, 2008 – Dec. 14, 2009. The package includes seven-night accommodations, continental breakfast buffet, River Tubing and Sulfur Pond Tours and a Sea Fun Adventure Cruise.
Maca Bana’s “Rejuvenate for 2009 Package” is available from Jan. 1 – 31, 2009 and includes a seven-night stay in a one-bedroom villa, airport transfers, daily maid service and stocked welcome fridge.
JAMAICA
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios is providing 60 percent off value rates for guests traveling now through Dec. 26, 2009. Additionally, guests who book seven nights or more in a Great House Premium room category or higher by Dec. 22, 2008 and travel by Dec. 26, 2009, will also be rewarded with a $250 credit to the exclusive Red Lane Spa.
NEVIS
Nisbet Plantation Beach Club is offering guests a free night’s stay on Christmas Day, a bottle of champagne and a massage when booking a seven night getaway.
ST. KITTS
Golden Lemon Inn is offering the “All-Inclusive Winter Special” from Dec. 16, 2008 – Apr. 15, 2009. The package includes the choice of a spacious room in the romantic Great Hour or a one-or-two bedroom Beach-side Villa with private plunge pool, full American breakfast served in the Great Hour Pool-side Garden or Front Gallery, complimentary lunches, gourmet dinners nightly, bar well drinks, airport transfers and a half-day sightseeing tour.
ST LUCIA
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is offering vacationers 50 percent in “Sun Dollars” savings now through Apr. 19, 2009. Sun Dollars are valid for exciting activities and amenities such as spa treatments at the resort’s Serenity Spa; fine wine; a room upgrade; Zip Lining through the Rainforest and horseback riding. This new increase gives travelers half back on their vacation dollars in resort credit. Sun Dollars are not refundable or redeemable for cash, and are credited to the guests’ bill upon check-in and are applied toward resort purchases.
TURKS & CAICOS
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa invites the entire family to take advantage of its exclusive “Beaches Resorts’ Family Reunion Package” with a discounted rate of up to 55 percent off. The package includes a private Caribbean cocktail reception, Caribbean-inspired family reunion activities, a family portrait session courtesy of Beaches Resorts’ Snap Shots studios, a complimentary 5 x 7 family photograph, private check-in for the entire family, a special farewell cake and nightly group gourmet dining.
Seven Stars Resort is offering complimentary nights now through May 31, 2009. Guests who book a three or more night stay get one night complimentary. Guests who book at least seven nights get two nights free. Guests also receive a 20 percent resort discount on all food and beverage, spa treatments and boutique purchases.
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort offers the “Holiday Celebrations Special” featuring a savings of 20 percent off the resort’s European Plan (EP). The package is available on all EP bookings of five nights from Dec. 15, 2008 – Jan. 15, 2009. The Westin St. John Resort & Villas is offering value-driven deals with its “Sunsational Savings” program now through Dec. 31, 2009. The program offers a fifth night free to guests who book a four night stay, a sixth night free plus a $150 resort credit to guests who book a five night stay. ELITE ISLAND RESORTS ROLLS BACK TIME AND VALUE FOR DEPRESSED U.S. FINANCIAL STOCKS WITH DEAL OF A LIFETIME!
Award-winning Elite Island Resorts -- the second-largest independently owned luxury Caribbean hospitality group – announces what could be for many the deal of a lifetime: the opportunity to roll back to the higher value of their currently depressed stocks in this recessionary time! Elite Island Resorts will accept up to a maximum of $5,000 per room transaction in stock, utilizing the stock’s higher value from July 1, 2008!
The stock will be accepted as payment upon transfer to Elite Island Resorts from December 5, 2008, to January 31, 2009, and will be valid for payment of Caribbean vacations now through December 20, 2009. The “Roll Back Your Stock’s Value” promotion is subject to space availability and does not include air transportation. Elite Island Resorts has set aside $10 million in resort accommodations toward this program.
The Caribbean all-inclusive resorts featured include on Antigua: The Verandah Resort & Spa; St. James’s Club & Villas; Galley Bay Resort & Spa; in St. Lucia: Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa, The Village Inn & Spa; In Nevis: Nelson Spring Beach Villas & Spa; in the Grenadines: Palm Island Resort; and on Tortola: Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, which features a choice of dining plans.
Booking and Redemption Process Example:
The all-inclusive rate for a family of four starts at $635 per night this December holiday season at The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua. If one transferred American Express stock, which closed at approximately $20 on December 1, 2008, toward the purchase of their vacation, Elite Island Resorts will value the stock at $40 per share in resort credit. So a seven-night vacation worth $4,445 can be “purchased” with only 111 shares. Approximately 100 stocks are featured in this one-of-a-kind promotion.
AIR TRAVELLIAT ANNOUNCES FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN FUEL SURCHARGES
LIAT has announced that it will be reducing its fuel surcharges further. The latest reduction of US$7 per one-way journey will return the airline's fuel surcharges to Easter 2008 levels – before aviation fuel prices rapidly increased during the summer.The airline said the anticipated reduction has been made possible by the substantial drop in world oil prices that now appear to have settled below US$50/barrel.
Mark Darby, CEO of LIAT commented, “At the time we had increased the fuel surcharge, we made a commitment to reduce it as soon as oil prices declined. It appears that prices have stabilized – but all projections indicate that we can anticipate increases in the not too distant future as OPEC seeks to manage oil output and increase prices. 
We constantly monitor our fuel costs and will seek to reflect changes in any surcharges going forward.”Darby added: “Our customers have understood the need for us to vary our prices because of the fluctuations in oil prices, but we are anxious to keep the cost of air travel down; and so, we are making this announcement now, as it appears that there is some stability in world oil prices.” It should be noted that the reduction in surcharges will take effect from January 5, 2009 but are subject to regulatory approval which LIAT anticipates receiving by January.
AIR JAMAICA WILL NOT FADE AWAY
Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett has assured Jamaicans in London of the government's commitment to Air Jamaica, noting that the national carrier would not "fade away." Responding to a newspaper story, which said that there was no clear plan for the future of the airline if the divestment process failed, Mr. Bartlett said Air Jamaica would remain an important part of the travel industry.
"The headlines gave a much distorted position as to Air Jamaica's future and the impression given was that if the divestment was not completed in March, Air Jamaica would fade away. I just want that point to be clarified. This government has absolutely no intention of having Air Jamaica not remaining an important part of the landscape of our travel industry," Bartlett said.
The Minister was speaking at the second of two community meetings hosted by the Jamaican High Commission during his visit to the United Kingdom, while leading Jamaica's delegation to the World Travel Market trade show. "The point is that we have never enjoyed having to bear the burden of carrying the losses of Air Jamaica. The strategy therefore is to move towards removing Air Jamaica from the budget and to make it a viable concern on its own and that project is being driven by the need to divest a substantial portion of Air Jamaica. It may very well be that we may have to retain a portion of it, but the intention is to ensure that it is privately operated but it remains Air Jamaica," he assured the large audience.
Meanwhile, Air Jamaica's Senior Director, George DeMacardo, reiterated that the decision to remove Air Jamaica from the London route was due to the heavy losses that could no longer be sustained. He gave the audience a glimmer of hope that the airline may some day return. "Is Air Jamaica ever going to come back to London? Never say never because it is not impossible," he said. CRUISE NEWSCARNIVAL CORPORATION TO SUSPEND FUEL SURCHARGES
As fuel prices continue to decline, Carnival Corp. suspended its fuel supplements for its six North American brands effective for all voyages departing on or after Dec. 17, 2008. The fuel supplement suspension applies to Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.
A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after Dec. 17, 2008. All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after Dec. 17th will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement, and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.
The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corp. brands is currently $9 per person, per day, for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126, per person, per voyage) and $4 per person, per day, for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56, per person, per voyage).
Seabourn’s fuel supplement is $15 per person, per day, for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person, per day, for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56, per person, per voyage).CRUISE SHIP PIRACY INCIDENT LEADS TO CLIENT WORRIES
The Nov. 30th pirate attack on Oceania Cruises’ Nautica in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia has spurred ongoing concerned phone calls from clients. “Clients are calling asking about the pirate incident and what cruise lines are doing to prevent these kinds of things,” said Bill Knight, president of All Cruise Travel in San Jose, Calif. “They’re even calling if they’re booked to sail in Europe and other parts of the world.”
He said one client cancelled a $45,000 booking that is scheduled to sail through the Gulf of Aden in May, 2009. “Travel is discretionary – if you don’t feel comfortable you don’t have to go,” Knight noted. The Gulf of Aden is generally transited when ships sail the Suez Canal and Red Sea between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Meanwhile, Cruise Lines International Association addressed the piracy issue with the following statement: “While piracy involving cruise ships at sea is extraordinarily rare, the Cruise Lines International Association and its members take this issue very seriously and are in close consultation with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and others to ensure the safety of their passengers and crew.
Fortunately, in the recent incident involving Oceania Nautica, due to crew alertness and security protocols executed by its trained and professional crew, the Oceania Nautica kept the incident involving two small boats from escalating into a more serious situation. As Oceania has stated, no one was hurt and the ship has maintained its voyage.
Among the IMO recommendations are extreme maneuvers of the ship, which can cause “bow waves” and “wash” that can make it difficult for pirates to attach poles or grappling irons to a ship. In addition, water hoses with pressure of 80 pounds per square inch can repulse attackers.
Other cruise lines have ships scheduled to sail through the Gulf of Aden in upcoming months. Silversea has such a cruise, from Dubai to Athens, scheduled for March, 2009. “We’re monitoring the situation, but no changes are planned at this time,” Silversea spokesman Brad Ball said. | 
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