BARBADOS BOOKINGS REACH NEW HIGH
The number of Barbados bookings is currently at 2019 levels and “in some instances” higher, which “is great for us, because 2019 was the best performing year out of the UK, ever”, said Marc McCollin, senior business development officer at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. The destination is also celebrating a new Aer Lingus flight from Manchester, which will launch on 20 October with a three-times-weekly service in winter. Come 5 December, Virgin Atlantic will begin a twice-weekly Edinburgh-Barbados winter service, while the tourist board is set to host a series of roadshows for the UK trade from 4-9 November.
BAHAMAS CELEBRATES NEW FLIGHTS AND RESORT
Virgin Atlantic is set to launch twice-weekly flights from Heathrow on 20 November, which the Bahamas Tourist Office said makes the destination “newly attractive to the family and budget-conscious market”. A new Margaritaville Beach Resort opened on Nassau Paradise Island in July.
TRADEWIND VOYAGES SET FOR CARIBBEAN SEASON
Golden Horizon, Tradewind Voyages’ square-rigged sailing vessel, is gearing up for its season in the Caribbean next month. The 270-guest ship will offer 7-, 14- or 21-night voyages visiting the region’s various islands between 11 November 2021 and 31 March 2022. The itineraries will feature shore excursions such as city tours, hiking and beach barbecues.
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA STARTING TO ATTRACT NEW DEMOGRAPHIC
“Traditionally we welcome an over-50s market but we’re now seeing a younger, new demographic visiting,” revealed Cherrie Osborne, director of tourism UK and Europe for the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. The destination also said there’s a huge increase in demand for its villa market, and that its September 2021 arrivals are higher than in 2019.
BELIZE TO HOST TRADE EXPO IN NOVEMBER
The Belize Tourism Board will hold a virtual travel expo for travel agents and tour operators from 17-18 November. The event will feature partner presentations, hotel tours and cocktail hours, and be hosted from Belize. The destination also reported while it was once an empty-nester destination, it is now seeing more young people visiting and discovering its adventure activities.
NEW BOND FILM SHOWCASES THE BEST OF JAMAICA
The release of the brand-new James Bond film, No Time To Die, on 30 September has put Jamaica in the spotlight. Port Antonio is just one of many Jamaican locations cinema-goers will see on the big screen as the legendary secret agent seeks to live out his retired life on the island.
BERMUDA TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION
The Bermuda Tourism Authority is set to focus on educating the travel trade and holidaymakers to put the destination firmly on the map. A rebrand planned for April 2022 and a nomad programme are both part of this move, while airlift is set to ramp up from three flights per week from Heathrow to daily.
SAINT LUCIA WELCOMES NEW BOUTIQUE HOTEL
The SoCo House is scheduled to open in Saint Lucia this month. The adult-only boutique hotel in Rodney Bay will offer 76 rooms in four categories to “the discerning customer who requires a modern, high-quality hotel”. Saint Lucia is also celebrating an uplift in Virgin Atlantic flights from 18 December, while British Airways will make its Gatwick service daily from the same month.
