riviera maya - Travel World News

T R AV E L W O R L D N E W S • S E C T I O N T W O • M A R C H 2 0 0 6
RIVIERA MAYA
Splendor & Sports
CARIBBEAN
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
The Riviera Maya to Host Luxury Travel
Show in 2006 and PGA Tour
Championship in 2007
The Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Board aims to strengthen the area’s
position as a leading luxury destination.
By Jennifer M. Lane
PALACE RESORTS
M
r. Dario Flota, Director of the Riviera
Maya Tourism Promotion Board has
announced that Questex Media
Travel Group has selected the Riviera
Maya as host destination for the
Mexico Luxury Travel Expo, to be
held at the Aventura Spa Palace in the Riviera Maya
from June 22 to 24, 2006.
“Mexico has always been steeped
in luxury; however over the last
few years, the growth of the upscale segment has warranted a
show dedicated specifically to the
Mexican luxury market,” remarked John McMahon, Show
Director and Group Publisher,
Luxury Travel Portfolio, Questex
Media Group. “This will be an opDARIO FLOTA OCAMPO
portunity for North American
travel agents to meet, in an intimate setting, with
Mexican upscale travel suppliers and experience the
beautiful Riviera Maya. Launching an international
show was a logical expansion of our already successful
Luxury Travel Expo product. We look forward to presenting this new and exciting opportunity to advisors
and suppliers alike.”
Mexico Luxury Travel Expo will provide an educational program for high-end travel agents, as well as a
trade show comprised of Mexican luxury travel suppliers including hotels, resorts, spa, golf, haciendas, regions and transportation companies.
Over 300 U.S. travel agents who specialize in luxury
and desire more opportunities for their upscale clientele
will attend the event. Other exciting happenings
planned for Mexico Luxury Travel Expo include
evening receptions, networking opportunities, cocktails, and VIP lounges.
"The Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Board and
Questex have agreed to closely cooperate and partner to
ensure that only the highest level of professionalism will
exist for the new luxury trade fair," said Mr. Flota. “We
are delighted to work with our new partner, Questex
Media, which brings a wealth of expertise to help us realize Mexico Luxury Travel Expo, which will be the first
Relax, revitalize and restore mind, body and soul at the Aventura Spa
Palace in the Riviera Maya.
trade fair for the luxury travel industry in Riviera Maya
and in Mexico.”
The Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Board’s
international marketing aim is to strengthen the
Riviera Maya’s position as a leading luxury destination.
“We want to become the No. 1 (reference for the
industry) in Mexico and the Caribbean," said Flota.
Mexico Luxury Travel Expo
Questex Media Group will organize Mexico Luxury
Travel Expo, in conjunction with the Mexico Tourism
CONTINUED ON PAGE
4
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 3
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
PALACE RESORTS
RIVIERA MAYA FROM PAGE 3
Board, and Riviera Maya Tourism Promotion Board.
Questex Media is the organizer of Luxury Travel Expo
Las Vegas. The exhibition and educational program will
be held at the Aventura Spa Palace hotel, a 50 minute
drive from the Cancún Airport and is ideally positioned
in the heart of the beautiful Riviera Maya.
Riviera Maya to Host Mexico’s First
PGA Tour Event
Riviera Maya Tourist Board also announced that the
destination has been selected to host the first ever official PGA TOUR event to be held in Mexico, the
Mayakoba Classic, from February 19-25, 2007.
The tournament will be contested on the 7,067-yard
El Camaleon course at the Mayakoba Resort, the first
Greg Norman designed golf course in Mexico. Managed
by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, the course is a par-72
layout spread across a fascinating mix of scenery that
includes jungle, dense mangrove and oceanfront holes
bisected by limestone canals. The tournament will offer
a purse of $3.5 million.
The field will consist of 132 players and the winner
will take home $630,000.
“We are very honored and pleased that the PGA
TOUR has chosen Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, to host
the first-ever official PGA TOUR tournament in
Mexico,” said Lic. Felix Gonzalez Canto, Governor of
Quintana Roo, Mexico. “The event will give us a perfect opportunity to highlight not only the beauty of the
region, but also our golf courses, since the sport of golf
is a growing and important component of our overall
tourism product.
Also, we have an excellent hotel infrastructure in place
to readily accommodate such a large and prestigious
event.”
“The PGA TOUR is very excited about making golf
history in Mexico,” added PGA TOUR Commissioner
Timothy W. Finchem. “One of our goals is to expand
the reach of golf and the Riviera Maya region of Mexico
has demonstrated a growing passion for the sport. We
are pleased to be able to showcase our players to the destination, and in turn showcase the destination to the
world.”
The Mayakoba Resort features five hotels along with
luxury villas, pristine beaches, spas, golf course and
restaurants, all on a property offering a very diverse
ecosystem.
The PGA TOUR is a tax-exempt membership
organization of professional golfers. Its primary
purpose is to provide competitive earnings
opportunities for past, current and future members of
the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide
Tour; to protect the integrity of the game; and to
4 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
The Aventura Spa Palace is the ultimate in luxury.
help grow the reach of the game in the U.S. and around
the world.
Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board is a company of Majority
State Participation, whose objective the design and operation of the strategies of tourist promotion at national
and international levels.
The Riviera Maya
The 81 mile stretch known as the Riviera Maya is situated in the Mexican Caribbean on the coastline of the
Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo,
Mexico.
Beginning 11 miles south of the Cancun International
Airport in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera Maya extends to
Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a small town near the Sian
Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
The region features uncrowded beaches, a vast
network of underground rivers, over 100 cenotes,
the action of eco-adventure sports including
kayaking, mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkeling,
trekking, bird watching and deep sea fishing, proximity
to many of Mexico's most significant Mayan archeological sites, the varied activities of the eco-archeological
parks, plus golf courses, shopping, gourmet dining and
a range of accommodations to suit every lifestyle
and budget.
The Riviera Maya, 877-7GO MAYA, info@riviera
maya.com, www.rivieramaya.com; Mexico Tourism Board,
www.visitmexico.com
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
Cancun, the Riviera Maya and ‘Q.Roo’
Eye a Quick Post-Hurricane Comeback
By Michael Iachetta
T
here’s no business
like no business
which is why the
Mexican state of
Quintana Roo is in
show business, trying to show the tourism world that
the area stretching from Cancun to
the Riviera Maya and beyond is
alive, well and open for business in
the wake of devastating hurricanes
named Emily and Wilma.
“But perception is the reality, and
the perception is that the area is
still reeling from the after-effects of
the late summer and fall hurricanes,
which isn’t the case at all,” said
Lizzie Cole Guerrero. SEDETUR
Director of Promotion for Quintana
Roo, henceforth Q.Roo.
In an exclusive interview with
Travel World News during a recent
fact-finding trip to Cancun and the
Maya Riviera, Lizzie gave the following upbeat professional analysis
of ongoing area recovery efforts
since relatively mild Emily hit in
mid-summer followed by the more
horrendous Wilma in late October.
“Of the 24,000-plus rooms in
Cancun, around 12,000 are already
available with at least 12 major hotels in full operation, with more hotels opening every day – around12
in February alone, and three more
scheduled for March. And most of
the 48 major hotels in the megabeach resort are scheduled to be
open by the summer,” she said.
“A multi-million dollar sand
restoration project is underway to
restore Cancun’s beaches to their
former splendor, with special machines from Belgium pumping up
the sand. Ironically, the hurricanes
enhanced the sand beaches in and
around nearby Playa del Carmen in
the area known as the Maya Riviera.
Local officials and media watch as the first shot of sand is pumped back into Cancun’s beaches.
“New resorts and golf courses are
springing up all around us, with ten
scheduled to open in the next two
years in and around Playa del
Carmen, which has been experiencing phenomenal growth with more
than 20,000 hotel rooms becoming
available in just the past five years
“ And the lure of ancient cultures
in all directions –the Maya ruins at
Tulum, Cozumel, Coba and
Chichen Itza, among them -- is still
intact, as are the ecologically oriented theme parks such as Xel-Ha
and Xcaret.”
Here there is a slight pause, almost
as though Lizzie is trying to see in
her mind what she is about to say
next. “We also have the world’s second longest barrier reef (after
Northern
Queensland’s
Great
Barrier Reef in Australia),” she
says. “Also the famous cenotes (natural wells leading to underwater
rivers making up the largest underwater river system of its kind in the
world), one of the world’s top five
diving sites in Cozumel, great deep
water fishing and beaches, and in
Cozumel alone, a dozen malls with
name-brand and duty free shops,
more than 350 restaurants and
nightclubs. 24,000 plus hotels
rooms, and more.
“ In brief, we have everything
going for us, except for tourists,”
she says. “At least nowhere near the
number of tourists we are used to.”
As Lizzie talks, musicians plays,
tequila washes down tortillas and
optimism brims over all around her
in Playa del Carmen, where the hurricanes have redistributed the sand
to the point where the beaches are
better than ever..
Lizzie a tourism veteran of more
than 25 years with experience rangCONTINUED ON PAGE
6
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 5
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
CANCUN FROM PAGE 5
ing from travel agencies to tour operators to convention planning prior
prior to joining Q.Roo as promotional czarina – mentions that the
first Mandarin Oriental a la carte
all-inclusive resort will be opening
in mid-February right down the
road, as will an upscale Rosewood
property.
She also said around 40 of the 48
major Riviera Maya resort hotels are
open as are about 17 of the 22 major
properties on Cozumel. The Four
Seasons is eyeing property on the
Isla de Mujueres. And seven to ten
golf courses are scheduled to open in
the area within the next two years.
“Ironically, Q. Roo was well on its
way to a record year of $4billion
plus in tourism revenue and more
than three million tourists in
Cancun alone when the hurricanes
struck,” she says. “Now room stays
are way down, which means the
room tax is down, which means
there is no revenue for a promotion
budget to get the word out that
Q.Roo is alive and well in and
around Cancun, Playa del Carmen,
Cozumel and the Maya Riviera.
“We are doing everything in our
power to get that message across to
consumers as well as the travel industry,” she said, mentioning,
among other things:
The rescheduled Cancun Tourism
Institute (originally planned for just
before Wilma struck in late October
last year) in early January designed
to show around 200 major buyers
and about 80 top-notch tour operators that Cancun is operational.
Alsos a major three-day media informational conference in mid-January
showcasing the area’s recovery efforts with on site inspection visits as
well as briefings.
Other attempts to showcase Q.Roo
post-hurricane range from stepped
up media and travel agent FAM
trips to a computer training program designed to make qualified
travel agents into Q.Roo experts.
6 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
A few nights later, Lizzie’s SEDETUR colleague Javier Arana
Pedrero, Q.Roo undersecretary of
tourism, was saying essentially the
same thing at another Playa del
Carmen restaurant as he described
how far Cancun has come since the
days when Mexican tourism computer planners mapped out the area
as an up-and-coming tourism destination site in 1974 in the days
when the area was little more than
sand, ocean and jungle.
That same kind of vision, tourism
savvy and the ability to get things
done no matter what led to Cancun
and the surrounding area growing
from a computer- planning blip to a
world-class destination that is actually an island, a 14-mile sliver of
land connected by two bridges and
separated from it by the Nichupte
lagoon.
During a recent Cancun inspection visit, hotel construction and reconstruction seemed to be going on
up and down Tulum Avenue and
along Highway 307 stretching
down the coast from Cancun virtually all the way to Chetumal. Cranes
of the mechanical variety swayed
virtually ‘round the clock as the ongoing facelift continued at record
pace. The beach was coming back,
sand and landscaping was being replaced, the highways were being
smoothed between the airport and
the various Q.Roo destinations and
the “golden snake” – which is what
Cancun means in Mayan – seemed
well on its way to making Q.Roo
once again a pre-hurricane Garden
of Eden.
All of which this Travel World
News contributing editor observed
first hand during a recent fact-finding trip there thanks to the Lizzies
and Javiers trying to get the word
out that the area is alive, well, ready,
willing and able to provide memorable vacations for those willing to
live the moment and see and experience for themselves what the area
has to offer, without any pre-con-
ceived notions about the lingering
aftereffects of the hurricanes.
Cancun, www.cancunmx.com, www.
cancun.info; www.cancun.com, www.
go2cancun.com,
www.mexicoweb.
com/chats/Cancun
VISIT THE BEST HOTELS IN ISLA
MUJERES WITH HIM
Isla Mujeres is located in the northeastern
part of Mexico in Quintana Roo, in front of
the Cancun coast.The attractions of the island
include El Garrafon National Park, the legendary hacienda of Pirate Mundaca, the
Sleeping Sharks Cave for divers, the reefs of
Farito, Punta Norte, and the unique
Manchones. Guests can also visit the turtle
farm, watch the dolphins show, and see the
Mayan temple.
The best hotels of Isla Mujeres form HIM
(Hoteles Isla Mujeres Caribe Mexicano), and
each one of them offers its guests all the comfort they need for their vacation, including
clean and comfortable facilities and first class
service.
To get to Isla Mujeres, travelers must first
got to Cancun and from there are three
options: by car from Punta Sam there is a
ferry service that take 45 minutes; by boat
in air conditioned fast boast that leave
from Puerto Juarez every 30 minutes and take
15 minutes to get to the island: or different
boats leave from Playa Linda or Playa Tortugas
piers.
Once on the island, a variety of cuisine
awaits guests.Buho’s Swing Bar is a restaurant
by the sea, offering international cuisine prepared with Caribbean passion. Located next
to Cabanas Maria del Mar Hotel, there is a casual and fun bar next door. Casa Rolandi features Swiss and Northern-Italian cuisine in a
romantic and elegant atmosphere with an
oceanside bar next door. It is located in Villa
Rolandi Gourmet & Beach Club Hotel.
Pinguinos Bar-Café offers grilled meat and
seafood as their specialties. With an oceanview, they are located in the Posada del Mar
Hotel. Zazil-Ha boasts an authentic Maya atmosphere with unique Mayan and vegetarian
specialties. There is live music on Fridays and
Saturdays. They are located in the Na Balam
Hotel.
HIM (Hotels Isla Mujeres Caribe Mexicano),
www.him.com.mx
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
FREE NIGHT AT PARAISO DE LA BONITA
The doors at the Five-Diamond Paraiso de la Bonita Resort and
Thalasso are set to re-open March 31,2006.It has been five months since
the resort closed for renovations in October 2005.New developments include the creation of ‘Sikil’- a terrace bar adjacent to Kaax Restaurant, a
redesigned ‘Chiringuito Beachside Grill,’ design upgrades to each of the
luxury suites and the addition of a new, romantic,‘made for two’ treatment room in the property’s signature Thalasso Center.
According to resort architect and owner Mr.Carlos Gosselin,“We are the
only Five-Diamond resort in the Riviera Maya. We decided to make improvements and enhancements to the property that will add to the quality of vacations our clients expect and the level of service for which we
are known.We will re-open our doors on March 31st better than ever.”
To celebrate the highly anticipated un-veiling, Paraiso de la Bonita is
offering One Free Night with a minimum of a five night stay. This special
offer includes: accommodations in a luxury, ocean view, one-bedroom
suite; a sunset cruise on the property’s catamaran; complimentary round
trip transfers to and from Cancun airport in a Lincoln Navigator; complimentary continental breakfast and daily afternoon tea; complimentary
transportation to the fishing village of Puerto Morelos; complimentary
use of the tennis courts; and complimentary use of the Thalasso facilities
including the sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and 24-hour gymnasium.Offer
valid from March 31-April 30, 2006.
Paraiso de la Bonita Resort, www.paraisodelabonita.com
DELTA LAUNCHES TWO NEW ROUTES TO CANCUN
Continuing its steady expansion to the premier leisure destinations in
Mexico, beginning June 3, 2006, Delta will enhance its roster of gateways
to Cancun with the addition of Saturday service from Boston's Logan
International Airport and Washington's Dulles International Airport, subject to Mexican government approvals.Delta will operate the new service
to Cancun using the 150-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft,featuring both First
and Economy Class cabins.
"Cancun is one of the world's near-perfect leisure destinations providing visitors abundant recreational,historic and architectural interests and
activities," said James Sarvis, Director-Latin America & Caribbean Region.
"This summer's additional flights from Boston and Washington to
Mexico's world-renowned Yucatan Peninsula region are one more example of how Delta is giving its customers convenient access to more of
Mexico's most popular vacation hot spots."
Last fall Delta announced the largest expansion into Mexico in the airline's history.Between February and June 2006,in addition to its new service to Cancun from Boston and Washington-Dulles, Delta plans to offer
customers flights on 12 new non-stop routes from its hubs in Atlanta,
Cincinnati, New York-JFK and Salt Lake City, as well as service from Los
Angeles.
In December 2005, Delta preceded its most recent growth into Mexico
with new service between Atlanta and Puerto Vallarta, another flight
each between Atlanta and Guadalajara (a total of two daily) and Mexico
City (a total of three daily), as well as a third flight that will operate seasonally between Atlanta and Monterrey. Delta also is seeking DOT approval to serve three additional routes by summer 2006: New York-JFK to
Cancun, and Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos.
CANCUN RENEWS; BEACH RECOVERY IS AT
FOREFRONT
The New Year heralds a new beginning for Mexico’s number one tourist
destination as efforts to rebuild and repair following hurricane Wilma
progress steadily and a stream of visitors continue arriving on its shores.
Foremost among Cancun’s renewal and restoration projects is the recovery of nine miles of beach that experienced varying degrees of erosion
as a result of the hurricane.The project is centered primarily on the southernmost stretch of the city’s famous hotel strip.
Visitors are, however, assured that the majority of Cancun’s beaches are
in fact accessible and open to all.Much of the dredging involved in the recovery project will take place approximately 600 feet from the shore and
will not disturb bathers.
“We are excited to see the beach restoration underway, but most importantly, we are thrilled to see Cancun returning to its old self –
sparkling, vibrant and energized,” said Artemio Santos Santos, Executive
Director of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).“We will
soon move from restoration and renovation work back to ongoing projects of expansion and enhancement that will make Cancun more alluring than ever.”Signs that life is returning to normal in this Caribbean resort city abound:many marinas and snorkeling and scuba companies are
operating as normal; an everyday greater number of hotels,clubs,restaurants and attractions have reopened; new palm trees have been planted;
patches of greenery are sprouting throughout the Hotel Zone; and much
of the heavy machinery used to repair hotels and other infrastructure has
been removed.The $20.33 million beach recovery project was kicked off
on January 16, 2006, and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2006.
In addition, as of February 3, American Airlines will resume all flights to
Cancun. Construction has also begun on the second runway and a third
terminal at the Cancun airport.Among other future enhancements
planned for Cancun once immediate post-hurricane needs are taken care
of are new gardens and sidewalks for the hotel strip’s main thoroughfare,
Kukulkan Boulevard;a new park designed to conserve 2.5 million acres of
land that will house a zoo and a botanical garden among other attractions; and a bridge designed to alleviate traffic along Kukulkan.
Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.cancun.info
Delta Air Lines, delta.com
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 7
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
MO BAY PACKAGES AT
SUPERCLUBS RESORT
This winter, escape to the newly renovated
Breezes Montego Bay.
“Breezes Montego Bay offers unbeatably affordable vacation getaways without compromising on quality,” said John Issa, Executive
Chairman of Breezes Montego Bay’s parent
company, SuperClubs Resorts. “Located on
MoBay’s hip Doctor’s Cove beach, the beach
that made Jamaica famous, our piece of tropical heaven is an effective antidote for the winter doldrums.”
Vacationers eager to take advantage of the
new and improved Breezes can reserve a spot
saving more than 40 percent off rack rates
with all-inclusive packages from $149 per
person, per night, for travel through April 16,
2006 (based on double occupancy; landonly).
All of the resort’s 124 air-conditioned guest
rooms and suites have been rejuvenated.
Guests in oceanfront suites can unwind on
new leather sofas, while the soundproofed
sliding balcony doors can be opened to let in
the sounds of the ocean.
A key refurbishment is evident in the complete overhaul of the resort’s trademarked
rooftop Jacuzzi, a favorite site for guests. Two
of the resort's popular restaurants have also
been upgraded. Jimmy's Buffet, the air-conditioned main dining room, has been spruced
up with colorful interior furnishings, while the
covered Terrace has been refurnished and
pool deck resurfaced. Meanwhile,the Pool Bar
and Grill has been re-tiled. Guests looking to
work off some of their vacation dining can put
themselves through the paces on the new
and upgraded equipment in the resort’s onsite gym.
Breezes Montego Bay, www.breezes.com;
SuperClubs, 800 GO SUPER (800-467-8737),
www.superclubs.com
GRAND SIRENIS RESORT RIVIERA
MAYA WELCOMES VISITORS
Toll Free US & Canada
800.532.8536 or 800.804.950.2862
All Other Locations: 604.519.8630
[email protected]
8 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
The Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya and the
Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach are the firsts of a
four hotel complex, situated on the Mayan
Rivera, 20 miles from Playa del Carmen, and
one hour from the airport at Cancun. The
property has several Mayan Ruins, “cenotes”
two natural wonders, and five beaches.
The hotels have 500 and 450 twin rooms all
with Jacuzzi. All the rooms have independent
air conditioning, ceiling fan, private bath,
satellite TV, minibar, safety deposit box and
private furnished balcony.
Facilities include public areas; indoor and
outdoor lounges; air-conditioned buffet
restaurant; seven “à la carte” air conditioned
theme restaurants; a gourmet French
Restaurant; snack-bar; bars; a free form swimming pool; separate children’s pools; sun terraces; entertainment area; mini club (4-12
yrs); game area for children; meeting facilities;
internet access; mini-market and shops; and
medical center.
Sports and activities include a gymnasium;
table tennis; darts; tennis courts; tennis
lessons; beach volleyball; and beach football.
Water sports include canoes; windsurfing;
snorkeling; catamaran; diving center for deepsea diving (PADI center) and other motorized
water sports and excursions are available. Day
and evening entertainment; dancing lessons
and a wide variety of shows are also offered.
All inclusive rates include buffet meals,
house wine, a-la-carte themed dinners, one
Gala Dinner, snacks and bar, domestic and selected international premium liquors and soft
drinks, free pool towel service, non-motorized
water sports, tennis, gymnasium, pool aerobics, introductory diving lesson, concierge,
and room service.
Honeymooners receive a basket of fruit, bottle of sparkling wine and tequila, romantic
dinner, superior room category, surprise gift,
and one Wedding breakfast.
Their Children’s Clubs cater to all ages and
feature a ?7-day program offering varied daily
activities. There are up to five hours activities
every day, a weekly show with participation of
the children, gift pack, supervised children’s
lunches and evening meals, and a children’s
playground.
Grand Sirenis Resort Riviera Maya,
[email protected], sirenishotels.
com
RENOVATIONS AT THE REEF
PLAYACAR HOTEL
The Reef Playacar Hotel underwent a renovation during the last few months of 2005 to
upgrade the hotel into a 5-star all inclusive
boutique style hotel. The hotel now offers
guests even more personalized service and
dining and drinking options. They offer a
lounge bar overlooking the sea with relaxing
music and top shelf drinks.
For an afternoon coffee with some ice
cream, guests can enjoy the ice cream parlor
facing their natural “cenote.” At night, they
offer two very exclusive a la carte restaurants,
a Mexican Grill and one featuring Italian cuisine. Guests can enjoy spa services directly on
the beach and enjoy live music in the different
bars at night. The Reef Playacar is the hotel to
feel at home and welcome at, with great service and many options to entertain, relax and
enjoy gourmet food.
The
Reef
Playacar
Hotel,
[email protected],
www.thereefplayacar.com
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
Update on Dominican Republic Resorts
Renovation time is all the time.
By D. O. Christian Rieger IV
VILLA TAINA
T
he small, beachhugging, barefootvacation,
resort
town of Cabarete,
on the Dominican
Republic's
north
coast, is becoming increasing popular. It is a small-town resort that cannot become big and spoiled because it
is on a five-block long, one-and-a-half
block wide narrow strip of land between Cabarete Bay and a wilderness-protected lagoon. It is more
than a lagoon, it is a cross between a
rain forest and the Everglades - with
trails and caves to explore.
According to Claudia and Frank
Schwarz, the owner/managers of
Villa Taina, "Cabarete has changed
quite a lot, even in the last year. It is
becoming a more hip destination
than ever. Lodging gets more sophisticated and there is a new top of the
notch Sushi restaurant. There are
160 new apartments in a new residential area called Ocean Dream,
next to Hotel Caracol, one of the kite
surfing centers of this kite surfing
and wind surfing Mecca. The next
kite surf world cup is taking place in
Cabarete from June 6th through
June 11th."
Villa Taina, the small hotel, with a
five star personality, has boosted
Oceanside at the Villa Taina, Cabarete,
Dominican Republic.
small, affordable hotels into another
category. Had it been almost anywhere other than in Cabarete, already they would have been a highend, expensive boutique hotel. But
its rates remain reasonable even
though Cabarete's tourism has
grown.
It is right on the beach with an intimate bar and restaurant terrace.
Breakfast is included in all the rates,
now so is free Internet in all the
rooms, as well as the computer in the
lobby for vacationers who do not
want to trek a work-related laptop
with them.This year sees the addition of two penthouse suites, for a
total of three. They each have an awesome view of Cabarete bay and an
enormous private penthouse sun
deck.
They also opened a small day-spa,
massage center, the Tranquil
Massage Center. It offers five different types of massages and a program
to spoil the guests: facials, manicure,
and pedicures by its professional day
spa therapists.The mini-resort now
has 57 units, up from its former 53.
But they are important additions.
There are now three penthouse, 17
spacious comfort rooms, on apartment with an ocean view, one
Comfort Deluxe Studio with kitchenette, and 35 Standard rooms. Also
new this year is a small, air conditioned conference facility for 10-12
persons.
Winter rates, to the end of
April, range from an unbelievably
low of $87for garden-view rooms,
up to $145 for the suites.
Unbelievably, because they are clean,
airy, bright, have good beds and
many of the rooms include ocean
views. The rate includes breakfast
and tax. The small and intimate
Villa Taina offers agents a 12 %
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10
W H O L E S A L E R S S P E C I A L I Z I N G I N S T K I TT S & N E V I S
ALKEN TOURS
AMERICAN AIRLINES VACATIONS
APPLE VACATIONS
CLASSIC CUSTOM VACATIONS
GWV
GOGO WORLD WIDE
ISLAND RESORT TOURS
MARK TRAVEL CORP.
TNT VACATIONS
TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS
US AIRWAYS VACATIONS
800-221-6686
800-321-2121
800-727-3400
800-221-3949
800-CALLGWV
888-520-4646
800-251-1755
800-225-7678
800-284-0044
800-455-0123
718-856-7711
800-321-2121
610-359-6500
408-287-4550
781-449-5460
201-934-2996
212-476-9451
414-228-7472
617-262-9200
631-845-8000
407-857-8533
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
Fax:
718-282-1152
800-901-9151
610-359-6524
408-292-9138
781-449-3473
201-760-0331
212-476-9452
414-934-1589
617-638-3445
631-845-8095
407-857-9764
For Additional Information, Call: 800/582-6208 • 212/535-1234 or Fax 212/734-6511 • email [email protected] • www.stkitts-tourism.com
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 9
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
DOMINICAN FROM PAGE 9
commission for any bookings.
Grupo Piñero Hotels
By the end of the 2006-2007 winter season , Grupo Piñero will inaugurate four luxury hotel complexes in
Bahía de Samaná, also on the north
shore. Under their Bahía Príncipe
brand are the Gran Bahía Príncipe
Cayo Levantado (grand luxury five
star), Gran Bahía Príncipe Cayacoa
(five star), Gran Bahía Príncipe
Samaná (five star) and Gran Bahía
Príncipe El Portillo (five star).
The first three hotels are located between Bahía de Samaná and Bahía
Escocesa, two of what management
believes to be the most beautiful locations in the world because of their
great natural appeal. It is one of the
places where vacationers can catch
sight of the famous humpbacked
whales that mate in these waters
from December to March.
The hotel Gran Bahía Príncipe
Cayo Levantado will have 191
rooms, including superior junior
suites located in 12 villas with 8 bedrooms; Villas Playa rooms, located
right next to the beach and with an
outdoor jacuzzi on the porches overlooking the sea, and standard rooms.
Optional butler service is available
for all suites. This establishment will
have four restaurants, four bars, two
tennis courts, a paddle tennis court
and a heliport.
Gran Bahía Príncipe Cayacoa will
have around 223 rooms, including
junior suites with sea views, suites
with sea views and standard rooms.
The hotel also has two panoramic elevators to access the beach.
The Gran Bahía Príncipe Samaná,
located opposite the island of Cayo
Levantado, will have around 103
rooms with all the services and facilities people now expect from Bahía
Príncipe Clubs & Resorts.
The chain currently has two hotel
complexes in the Dominican
Republic: Bahía Príncipe San Juan,
at Playa Grande, in the north of the
country and Gran Bahía Príncipe
Bávaro Resort, in the east, which includes two five-star hotels (Gran
Bahía Príncipe Punta Cana and Gran
Bahía Príncipe Bávaro).
Extensive Refurbishing at Lifestyle
Hacienda ResortsLifestyle Hacienda
Resorts, formerly Hacienda Resorts,
announced a multi-million renovation at their well-known properties
Lifestyle Vitalis Garden Club,
Tropical Beach Resort & Spa,
CrownResidence Suites, and Crown
Villas.
All four Lifestyle hotels enjoy a
unique location of nearly 250 acres
at Cofresi Beach, with lush vegetation, a mile of sandy beach, and surrounded by mountain ranges gently
sloping to the ocean, and it just a
short distance from Ocean World
Adventure Park.
Herbert Schoderboeck, CEO and
partner of the recently founded
Lifestyle Hacienda Resorts, announced that $5.7 million are being
invested in this first stage.
The extensive renovations include
all the rooms, redecoration in a colonial contemporary style. There are
new restaurants and bars like the
Caribbean Seafood and Grill, a TexMex restaurant, and completion of a
full service spa. Also, a new beach
club and a helicopter pad have been
added.
"For this winter season we are offering our guests, fresh, stylish and elegant rooms, a superb cuisine and the
most attentive and experienced staff
available in the area," said
Schoderboeck, "but best of all,
Lifestyle Hacienda Resorts is ready
to offer every possible amenity in a
very comprehensive 24 hour, all-inclusive program with more ways to
enjoy the good life."
Remodelling at Ocean Bavaro Spa
& Beach ResortOcean Hotels by H10
& Hodelpa has introduced new facilities and services at Ocean Bavaro Spa
& Beach Resort and Ocean Cana
Beach Club. When they are all finished, this complex will boast 120
spacious refurbished rooms, luxuriously decorated, each with A/C, balcony and marble bathroom.
Management says, "To welcome
guests the way they deserve, the
lobby area has been expanded, adding
a lobby bar. Also new, is the convention center which offers beautiful facilities and a highly professional and
trained staff. They have group packages available for corporate incentives, meetings, reunions, and all
types of banquets."The new facilities
also highlight a modern sports bar
designed from the ground up for
sport fans, a coffee shop to enjoy savory teas and coffees, and an large
casino where you can try your luck.
Villa
Taina,
877-584-5053,
[email protected],
www.vil lataina.com; Grupo Piñero Hotels,
[email protected],
www.bahia-principe.com; Lifestyle
Hacienda Resorts, 809-586-1227;
Ocean Hotels & Resorts, www.ocean hotels.net
10 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
SIVORY PUNTA CANA OFFERS GOOD LIFE AND
CARIBBEAN ROMANCE PACKAGES
The newest luxury boutique resort to open on the Gold Coast of the
Dominican Republic, Sivory Punta Cana celebrates its grand opening by
offering year-long package deals that include up to 40 percent in savings
on suite rates and deluxe amenities.Packages are available now through
December 21, 2006.
Situated on a private beach, this 5-star luxury property features 55
suites, with most offering ocean views and personal plunge pools. All
suites offer a separate living area with surround-sound plasma screen
televisions with satellite channels, CD and DVD players, complimentary
mini-bar, and a wine cooler stocked with a sampling of the Wine Cellar
vintages.
The “Good Life Package” is designed to offer guests a taste of a lavish
lifestyle with three-night deluxe accommodations and a host of superior
amenities.“The Good Life Package”includes:
three nights in a Deluxe Junior Suite; private ground transportation to
and from Punta Cana International Airport; private check-in; daily breakfast; daily selection of house wines in each suite; one premium cigar box
of Arturo Fuentes per room;55-minute aromatherapy treatment per person/per stay at the hotel’s Aquarea Spa & Wellness Center; and one
gourmet dinner for two. Packages start at $1,595.
The “Caribbean Romance Package” is designed for couples seeking a
getaway to a tropical paradise.This three-night packageincludes special
guest services and amenities for both to enjoy. The
“Caribbean Romance Package”includes:three nights in a Deluxe Jr.Suite,
ocean
view;
private
ground
transportation
to
and from Punta Cana International Airport; private check-in; daily
American breakfast, including one breakfast served in bed; caviar hors
d’oeuvres and a bottle of Champagne upon arrival; one couple treatment per stay at Aquarea Spa & Wellness Center; one candle lit dinner on
the beach for two, with selected premium wine; daily bed turn down
with chocolate dipped fruit; and a 10 percent discount on all further spa
treatments. Packages start at $1,858.
Sivory Punta Cana, 809-552-0500, [email protected],
www.sivorypuntacana. com
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 11
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
NEW GM APPOINTED AT DIVI
FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT &
CASINO
Sara Matera, a
hospitality
and
restaurant industry
veteran with experience in the U.S.,
Aruba and Bonaire,
has been appointed
as the new General
Manager of Divi
Flamingo
Beach
SARA MATERA
Resort & Casino.
After nearly six months as interim General
Manager of Divi Flamingo,Maarten van Wijk relinquished his position on January 16, 2006.
An accomplished restaurateur in Bonaire and
recent Director of Events and Project Manager
at the Aruba Renaissance Beach Resort, Mrs.
Matera is charged with overseeing the Divi
Flamingo staff and the day-to-day operations of
the resort and will focus on augmenting customer service and implementing physical improvements.
Alex Nieuwmeyer, Managing Director of
Divi Resorts in charge of overseeing all Arubian
operations as well the Divi Flamingo said, "We
are excited about the new and permanent
change; Sara's background will bring an extra
dimension to the guest experience at Divi
Flamingo and will enable her to focus on the
great Divi staff and physical improvements.”
Located on Bonaire, the beachfront
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino features
129 guestrooms including 89 hotel rooms and
40 timeshare units each with private balconies
or patios; Divi Dive Bonaire, the on-site full service PADI Gold Palm and National Geographic
Dive Center equipped for handicapped divers
with 24 hour access to tanks and five custom
dive boats; two freshwater pools; two restaurants; two bars; a state-of-the-art fitness center;
on-site car rental and activities desks; beauty
salon with spa services;sundries and gift shops;
and Bonaire’s famous and recently expanded
“Barefoot Casino.”
The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort &
Casino, 800-367-3484, www.diviresorts.
com
PUNTACANA RESORT AND CLUB
RECEIVES AWARDS
Seven major U.S. media have selected
PUNTACANA Resort & Club for their highest
awards for 2005 and 2006. Included are:
American Airlines’ Celebrated Living Magazine,
ranked 9th among Top 20 International Golf
Courses (Readers Choice Platinum List); PGA
Magazine, Best Golf Resorts of the World,
Caribbean category; Caribbean World News 1st
International World Property Award: Best Spa
Development of the Year, 2005; Luxury Golf
Homes & Communities, Luxury Award Winner;
The Golfer Magazine,Best of Design,Real Estate,
La Cana Golf and Beach Clubhouse; Links
Magazine, Premier Golf Properties of 2005-6;
and Wedding Channel, Top 5 Caribbean
Destinations.
According to Paola Rainieri de Diaz,Director of
Marketing for the 15,000-acre resort, the new
Six Senses Spa opened in the award-winning
Clubhouse in December. “We are delighted to
have an amenity of such high quality to offer our
resort guests and residents,” she said. “Their
treatments and materials blend in perfectly
with our philosophy of celebrating the environment.”Although the golf awards were given because of the acclaimed La Cana seaside golf
course designed by P. B. Dye, the resort will be
opening a new Tom Fazio course next year.
“We are calling the course Corales,”said Frank
Elias Rainieri, Director of Real Estate
Development, “after both the beautiful coral
reefs offshore, and the Corales residential enclave, where many of our most honored
members live.”
Also recently opened is the new Tortuga Bay
boutique hotel.Located near the Golf and Beach
Clubhouse, Tortuga Bay’s 15 beachfront villas
offer “unrivalled luxury, privacy, security and 5star service to people who expect the exceptional,”Rainieri de Diaz commented.
The villas’ interiors were designed by de la
Renta. Every two villas have their own Villa
Manager (a.k.a. butler), who attends to guests
every need, including dinner reservations, teetimes, horseback riding lessons, a Spa appointment, shoe shine or cleaning. Tortuga Bay’s
restaurant, Bamboo, also decorated by Oscar, offers an extensive Dominican menu as well as
daily room service.
PUNTACANA, 888-442-2262, www.punta
cana.com
15 % COMMISSION ON
CARIBBEAN SALES
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12 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
BWeeVacations offers U.S. Travel Agents
15 percent commission for sales completed
by March 31,2006.BWeeVacations,the in-house
tour product of BWIA Airways, offers Caribbean
travelers a selection of over 60 hotels and resorts
in
eight
Caribbean
destinations:
Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana,
St. Lucia, St.Vincent & Grenadines,Trinidad and
Tobago.
BWeeVacations, 877-FUN-BWIA
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
BONAIRE HOTEL & TOURISM
ASSOCIATION ELECTS NEW
PRESIDENT
The Bonaire Hotel
& Tourism Association (BONHATA) recently held its elections for the 2006
Board of Directors
and elected Mr.
Boudewijn “Bous”
Scholts from Plaza
Resort Bonaire as
“BOUS” SCHOLTS
President.
A hospitality industry veteran with more
than 10 years experience and an active member of the Bonaire hotel industry, the 44 year
old Mr. Scholts has been Director of Sales &
Marketing of Plaza Resort Bonaire since 1995.
As a Consultant to Plaza Resort Bonaire’s
shareholders, Van der Valk International BV in
The Netherlands, Mr. Scholts is also involved in
the company’s charter flight operations between Europe and the Dutch Caribbean.
Furthermore, Mr. Scholts acts as a Sales &
Marketing Consultant to Van der Valk Tour
Operating in The Netherlands and Plaza Hotel
Curaçao, another property owned by the Van
der Valk Family.
Also elected to the BONHATA Board of
Directors for 2006 were Corine Gerharts
(Bonaire Tours & Vacations) Vice President, and
Dirk Jan Methorst (Budget Rental Car),
Secretary/Treasurer.
tion from sugar production, it is critical that
government approach the Tourism Industry
with even greater care and planning,” said
Ricky Skerritt, St. Kitts’ Minister of State in the
Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture.“Thus
we have implemented an eight point shortterm Tourism Plan for 2006-2007. Details of a
revised National Tourism Policy and Strategic
Plan for the medium term will be developed
during the first six months of 2006.”
Based on these assets the St. Kitts Tourism
Authority has developed an eight point
tourism plan. First it will promote the national
assets to attract more upscale travelers. Next
it will introduce a wider variety of accommodations and attractions, including luxury hotels and villas, world class golf courses, marinas, spas and wellness centers, a
thoroughbred race track, gourmet dining and
high-end shopping; and improve and upgrade
the existing tourism infrastructure. They will
then expand the training for the front-line and
other service providers to ensure they have
the tools to enhance the visitor experience
and provide a globally competitive service
product. They will maximize the destination’s
status as a host nation for the ICC Cricket
World Cup to position St. Kitts to be a significant player in the world of Sports Tourism and
Events Tourism in general. They will facilitate
the economic empowerment of small- and
medium-sized local enterprises and help to increase awareness within the communities of
the opportunities that the tourism sector provides. They will give full respect to the principles of sustainable tourism in the development project planning.
Lastly they will improve the ability to track
the source of tourism arrivals and the details
of tourism expenditure with the objective of
assessing performance and impact of the sector on government revenue and the national
economy.
St. Kitts Tourism Authority, 800-5826208, [email protected], www.stkittstourism.com
Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association, visit
www.ilovebonaire.com
ST. KITTS PRESENTS TOURISM
PLAN FOR 2006-2007
Pursuant to the cessation of sugar production on the island of St. Kitts, the Tourism
Authority has developed an eight-point
tourism plan for 2006-2007 that emphasizes
the important role the tourism industry must
play in the island’s economy. In an effort to
broaden its marketplace appeal and accentuate its natural assets, the short-term plan focuses on the product attributes which set the
island apart from the competition, while also
outlining various ways in which the destination will expand its tourism offering and infrastructure.
“With the emphasis and urgency that has
been placed on the closure of and transformaMARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 13
C a r i b b e a n Tr a v e l
PROMOTIONS, NEW HIRES, AND SPRINGTIME
SPECIALS AT THE HOLIDAY INN SAN JUAN
The Holiday Inn San Juan is proud to announce the promotion of
Gerardo Leguillow to Guest Services Manager. Mr. Leguillow has been
with the hotel since pre-opening and is now responsible for all Rooms
Division - Front of the House areas. His background includes experience
in the Activities Departments at the Palmas del Mar Resort and in Guest
Services at the Wyndham Old San Juan Hotel and Casino.
Bernardo Vazquez joins the Sales and Catering team as Director of
Sales and Marketing. Graduate of the Cornell University – Puerto Rico
campus – School of Hotel Administration, his 28 years of work experience include many of the prestigious Hotels in San Juan as well as the
Regional Sales Director for United Airlines. Mr.Vazquez has also participated in the Marketing Committee of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism
Association and the Hospitality Committee of the Puerto Rico Tourism
Company for the Grand Regatta Colon ’92.
Angel Luis Marrero,recently appointed Revenue Manager,brings to the
Holiday Inn San Juan over 15 years of experience in the hotel industry at
major destination properties in Puerto Rico. His background and proven
success make him an excellent choice to move the hotel forward, combining market knowledge with pricing and tactical strategies. According
to Mr. Marrero “we share our successes with everyone, reaching a goal is
a team effort.”
A number of dining options await visitors of the Holiday Inn San Juan
including: Vinsanto Café, which takes its inspiration from the
Mediterranean; J.H.Yee’s Asian Bistro whose menu is an unique blend of
Asian foods; Fantasia Terrace Restaurant,featuring lunch and dinner prepared with an award-winning Puerto Rican flair; and David’ Cookies, located in the Lobby, which offers pastries, coffees and an ice cream bar.
The Springtime Package requires a 2-night minimum stay at the
Holiday Inn San Juan. Starting at $200 for single or double occupancy,
with two children under 12 staying free, this offer runs from Sunday,
March 19 through Sunday, April, 30, 2006 based on availability. A daily
$20 Fantasia Food Credit,surprise gift,government tax and the resort fee
are all included.
Get the fourth night free, when booking the “Caribbean Free Night”
offer at the Holiday Inn San Juan for three nights. A Superior room, complimentary use of the pool recreational areas, Internet and WIFI access,
Borders Books discount and dining choices are included.
Holiday Inn San Juan, 800-625-0312, 800-HOLIDAY,
[email protected], www.hisanjuan.com, www.holidayinn. com/sanjuanpr
AMERICAN AIRLINES INCREASES SERVICE TO
ST. KITTS
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority announced that the American Airlines
winter service to St.Kitts of five round-trip,non-stop flights per week between Miami, Florida and St. Kitts will continue through September 4,
2006, then again from October 29, 2006 onward. The five flights will operate on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From
September 5 to October 28, 2006 American Airlines will operate three
round-trip non-stop flights per week, operating on Wednesday, Friday
and Sunday.
Prior to Daylight Savings Time, which takes effect on April 2, 2006,
American Airlines flight #2299 departs Miami at 11:10 a.m. arriving into
St. Kitts at 3:00 p.m. The return flight #2280 departs St. Kitts at 4:14 p.m.
arriving into Miami at 6:37 p.m. Beginning April 2,2006,flight #2299 departs Miami at 11:02 a.m. arriving into St. Kitts at 1:53 p.m., while flight
#2280 departs St. Kitts at 3:19 p.m. arriving into Miami at 6:30 p.m.
American Airlines uses a 142 seat, 737-800 aircraft with 16 first class
seats and 126 economy seats for these flights.
“We could not be more pleased that American Airlines will offer five
non-stop flights per week through the summer,” said Richard O.“Ricky”
Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports & Culture for
the Government of St.Kitts & Nevis. “With five non-stop flights per week,
visitors will have more flexibility in planning their trip to the island during the times that we will be hosting major events, such as the India vs.
West Indies cricket One-Day International Match on May 24, the cricket
Test Match from June 21-26 and the St. Kitts Music Festival June 29-July
2.There will be more flight options available for event attendees.”
St. Kitts Tourism Authority, 800-582-6208, [email protected],
www.stkitts-tourism.com
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COVER PHOTO CREDIT: Palace Resorts, Aventura Spa Palace in the Riviera Maya
14 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • MARCH 2006
CARIBBEAN
resource directory
Alta Bella Hotels
[email protected]
www.altabellahotels.com
Hotel InterContinental San Juan
800-468-9076
www.intercontinental.com
Anthony's Key Resort
800-227-3483
www.anthonyskey.com
Bahia Principe Clubs and Resorts
www.bahiaprincipe.com
Hotetur Caribbean Division/
Blue Bay Resorts
Fax: 305-534-7679
[email protected]
www.catalog.hotetur.com
www.hotetur.com
Coral Gardens Beach Resort
800-950-2862
[email protected]
www.coralgardens.com
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
809-221-9898
Fax: 809-552-9995
www.majesticcolonial.com
Costa Bonita Resort Villas
787-742-3000
www.costabonitaresort.com
Mayaguez Resort and Casino
888-689-3030
[email protected]
www.mayaguezresort.com
Courtyard by Marriott
800-791-2553
[email protected]
The Flamboyant Hotel and Villas
473-444-4247
[email protected]
www.flamboyant.com
Ghost Tour of Old San Juan
787-721-5709
Fax: 208-493-9425
[email protected]
www.sanjuanghosts.com
Holiday Inn San Juan
800-HOLIDAY
www.holidayinnpr.com
Ocean Hotels
888-403-2603
www.oceanhotels.net
Osprey Beach Hotel
649-946-2666
[email protected]
www.ospreybeachhotel.com
Paradise Cove Resort
[email protected]
www.paradise.net
Peter Hughes Diving
www.peterhughes.com
Point Village Resort
877-764-6852
[email protected]
www.pointvillage.com
Punta Cana Resorts
888-442-2262
[email protected]
www.puntacana.com
Rincon Beach Resort
866-589-0009
www.rinconbeach.com
Riviera Maya Tourism
Promotion Board
[email protected]
www.rivieramaya.com
St. Eustatius Tourism
Development Foundation
Tel/Fax: 599-318-2433
[email protected]
www.statiatourism.com
St. Kitts & Nevis
800-582-6208
www.st.kitts-tourism.com
Sivory Punta Cana
sales @sivorypuntacana.com
www.sivorypuntacana.com
Sun Village Resort & Spa
888-446-4695
www.sunvillageresortsandspa.com
True Blue Bay Hotel
[email protected]
www.truebluebay.com
Turinter
888-240-8284
www.turinter.com
For additional listings please visit the online resource directory: www.travelworldnews.com/agent
MARCH 2006 • TRAVEL WORLD NEWS • 15