By Guy Britton

ATLANTA — The Caribbean was well represented at one of the longest running and largest travel agent educational events of the year last week: Delta Vacations University, which took place at the Georgia International Convention Center and showcased over 200 destinations, hotels and product representatives. The event was sold out again this year drawing over 1,300 delegates from the US and Canada.

The event showcases Delta Vacations, which is managed by MLT Vacations, one of the largest vacation providers in the United States, making it a major force in the Caribbean travel industry in particular.

The educational seminars were well attended in fact some were standing room only. Comprehensive destination information was presented by professionals in the seminars and several Caribbean tourism offices attended sessions.

More importantly, the Caribbean was clearly one of the more popular areas of the trade show.

So what’s next for Delta Vacations in the Caribbean?

Caribbean Journal had the opportunity to sit down with senior executives and discuss Delta Vacations’ plans for growth in the Caribbean and just how important the Caribbean is for them.  Jennie Ho, President, Elizabeth Moriarty, VP of product development, Eric Fandek, Senior Director of Product Development shared insights and discussed plans with us in the interview below.

Why are Travel agents more important today than ever before?

Jennie Ho:  In our line of business as the vacation package provider, our travel agent partners are in a position of trust and are focused on the customer. Travelers are investing in high-value vacation packages for their families and their loved ones. Even though there is so much information available in so many channels, customers count on agencies for important, all-encompassing services.  That human connection is so important and at the core of what we value.

What are Delta Vacations’ plans for new Caribbean destinations?

Elizabeth Moriarty:  Overall we continue to grow capacity and are bullish on the Caribbean region.

Eric Fandek:  We try to match inventory with demand. Right now we are seeing growth in a number of areas including multi-generational family travel and demand for all inclusive product. When new inventory or newly-renovated product comes available there is great interest in those destinations. We are seeing more Demand in Nassau Bahamas due to interest in Baha Mar and renovations at Atlantis.

Overall we continue to grow capacity and are bullish on the Caribbean region.”

In what ways does Delta Vacations support destinations?

Elizabeth Moriarty:  The number one way we support destinations is by flying our planes to the destination. Nobody is driving to the Caribbean. We also support new service and work with governments to understand and support the need grow service.  We also work with out hotel, destination management companies to market the destination and sell product.

What are Delta’s and Delta Vacations’ largest growth destinations in the Caribbean? 

Elizabeth Moriarty:  That does vary year to year but what we are seeing right now is growth, particularly in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.  We are also seeing good growth in Nassau and Aruba. For us as a company, the Caribbean continues to be a strength destination and the Caribbean continues to be very important to us. One of the great things about the Caribbean right now is the refreshing of the product offering. Great things are happening in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and we continue to be bullish on the region.

Which Caribbean Destinations might see see additional bookings because of Irma and Maria?

Elizabeth Moriarty First of all, our hearts go out to all the people in the affected areas. What we are seeing right now is a slight shift to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic

How will technology change travel in the coming months and years? 

Elizabeth Moriarty   There is so much information out there that the customer can become confused. So we are working on ways the customer can quickly identify what they are looking for, improve the customer interface and customer experience to make it easier and more intuitive to book. We are also working in many cases on direct connectivity with out partners so we have access to booking and inventory control in real-time.

Jennie Ho:  We only sell Delta so our customer benefits from all the investments Delta is making in things like mobile check-in and testing of new technologies like retina scanning for faster boarding, security and a better customer experience.

The post Delta Vacations’ Caribbean Plans appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

American Airlines has resumed its flight service to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the carrier announced in a release.

Flights to Providenciales resumed on Saturday, Sept. 23, according to the company, with flights from both Miami and Charlotte hubs arriving and departing safely.

Flights had been suspended during the passage of Hurricane Maria through the British Overseas Territory.

Most of Providenciales’ resorts are planning to quickly return to operation.

The post American Airlines Resumes Turks and Caicos Flights appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The highly anticipated Park Hyatt St Kitts is “still on track” for a November 2017 opening, the property said in a statement.

The news comes after the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which largely spared the twin-island federation of St Kitts and Nevis.

“Sadly, not all communities in the Caribbean are reporting the same story and our immediate thoughts and hearts go out to those who have been impacted,” the property said.

The property, which will be set in the Christophe Harbour development on St Kitts’ southeastern peninsula, will include 78 rooms and 48 suites, each with a private balcony or terrace, along with three dining concepts and a 7,000-square-foot event space.

It will be the first Park Hyatt hotel in the Caribbean region.

The post Park Hyatt St Kitts “Still on Track” for November Debut appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The government of the United Arab Emirates has announced the gift of $10 million to Caribbean nations and territories that were impacted by recent severe hurricanes.

“The UAE is honored to stand by our friends in the Caribbean, working together to recover and rebuild,” Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs told Caribbean Journal in a statement. This is a reminder for all of us to address and be concerned of climate change issues.”

The gift was announced as part of the United Arab Emirates’ intervention at the high-level meeting on Hurricane Irma on the sidelines of UNGA72.

The UAE has been an increasingly significant investor and supporter in the Caribbean, funding a number of energy and hospitality projects, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean.

The post United Arab Emirates to Give $10 Million for Caribbean Recovery appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

 

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The island of St Barth was pummeled by Hurricane Irma, but it’s making a strong recovery so far, according to initial reports.

One hotel calls it “St Barth 2.0.”

All roads have been cleared, while the commercial port and airport are already back to operations.

Bakeries and food shops are already open, while restaurants and bars are gradually reopening their doors, according to a newly-released statement from the St Barth Tourism committee.

Further, the island aims to begin welcoming its small-ship cruise passengers as early as Oct. 30, the committee said.

“The island of St Barthelemy is in full effervescence,” the committee said. “With extraordinary solidary.”

The island’s flagship hotel, the Eden Rock St Barths, had another word for it: St Barth 2.0, with plans to welcome guests to its private villas in December and to its hotel in the summer of 2018.

“The best things in life are worth waiting for and St Barths 2.0 is underway,” the hotel said in a statement.

Or as the island’s Le Toiny hotel said, “Paradise will be regained.”

Here’s hoping that happens very soon.

The post “St Barth 2.0” Moving Ahead As Island Continues Recovery appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico