Bahamas Gateway

St. Kitts Increases Luxury Appeal With New Tourism Products

2005-09-28T05:39:00.000-07:00

In a strategic move to leverage St. Kitts' renowned beauty, cultural heritage
and natural attractions - product attributes often sought by a more
sophisticated and discerning traveller - St. Kitts is pursuing the development
of more luxurious accommodations and those vacation pastimes associated with
upscale, experienced travellers.

Among the projects currently planned or underway are:

Luxury Development by Auberge Resorts - Previously referred to as Whispering
Head Resort, this as yet unnamed $78 million project is being developed by
award-winning luxury hotel company Auberge Resorts and will be the company's
first Caribbean property. Set on a 1,700 acre peninsula in the Sandy Bank Bay
area of St. Kitts, the project will include a small luxury hotel, world-class
golf course, spa, villas and fine dining facilities. Construction is expected to
commence in early 2006 and the resort is tentatively scheduled to open in the
fall of 2008. www.aubergeresorts.com.

Heritage Plantation - This upscale community will consist of 19 luxury villas in
four distinctive styles ranging between 5,305 sq. ft. and 8,412 sq. ft. and will
be located on 22 acres of premium land at Scotch Bonnet on St. Kitts' Southeast
Peninsula. It will also feature a 6,500 square foot Landmark Centre containing a
fitness centre, full service spa, practice putting green, tennis court, pool,
whirlpool, children's playground and the Flagstaff Café. Construction on the
first residence began in April 2005 and the villas will be ready for viewing in
October 2005. www.heritageplantation.kn.

La Vallee Golf Course - Located in the Sandy Point area of northern St. Kitts
with spectacular views of the Caribbean, neighbouring St. Eustatius and Mt.
Liamuiga from the tees (especially the 12th), this 18-hole championship golf
course is currently in the first phase of development. Aside from the 18-hole
course itself, the first phase will also include construction of a practice
facility with driving range and putting green as well as a club house.
Construction on the club house is expected to begin in January 2006. Projected
completion date for the golf course is November 2005. Plans for the $12 million
course allot for the future development of a marina, hotel resort, villas,
sports complex and possible expansion of the course to 27 holes. This will be
the second premier golf facility for the island following the opening of the
Royal St. Kitts Golf Club in November 2004.

Rawlins Plantation Inn - This boutique plantation inn on the north side of St.
Kitts is undergoing an expansion to provide more options for those sophisticated
guests seeking an ultimate escape. Currently under construction is a new 1,200
sq.ft. two bedroom cottage complete with a kitchenette, plunge pool, full bath
and shower, washing machine and built-in vacuum system so that guests who want
to remain undisturbed never have to leave the privacy and comfort of their room.
The cottage will be fully wired for the Internet and satellite TV, which can be
provided upon request. The cottage will be available in December 2005 and there
are plans for a second two bedroom cottage to open in February 2006. The
property is also planning to add a 3,000 sq. ft. luxury spa in 2007, featuring a
wellness centre, fitness centre and salon. www.rawlinsplantation.com.

'Our goal for St. Kitts is to create a tourism product that can compete on a
level with the finest destinations in the world,' commented Richard 'Ricky' O.
Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture for
St. Kitts. 'With these new upscale developments, we have effectively positioned
St. Kitts to emerge in the coming years as the next luxury destination of choice
for discerning travellers.'

Las Vegas, Caribbean Cruising Rank as Top Destinations in Carlson Wagonlit Travel 2005 Fall Travel Trends Survey

2005-09-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Las Vegas and Caribbean cruises once again top the list of top fall
destinations being booked by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, as the travel
agency announced the results of its 2005 Fall Travel Trends Survey.

The following lists display the top ten domestic and international
destinations for fall 2005, compared to the results from the 2004 survey
conducted one year ago.**

Top 10 Fall Domestic Destinations: 2005

1 - Las Vegas, NV
2 - Orlando, FL
3 - Honolulu, HI
4 - Maui, HI
5 - New York City, NY
6 - San Francisco, CA
7 - Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
8 - Kauai, HI
9 - Miami, FL
10 - Anaheim/Orange County, CA

Note: Alaska cruising was not offered as option for this question in 2005

Top 10 Fall Domestic Destinations: 2004

1 - Las Vegas, NV
2 - Orlando, FL
3 - Maui, HI
4 - Honolulu, HI
5 - Alaska Cruises
6 - New York City, NY
7 - San Francisco, CA
8 - Kauai, HI
9 - Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
10 - Miami, FL

Top 10 Fall International Destinations: 2005

1 - Caribbean Cruising
2 - Cancun, Mexico
3 - Riviera Maya, Mexico
4 - Jamaica
5 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
6 - Mexico Cruising
7 - Rome, Italy
8 - Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico
9 - Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
10 - London, England

Top 10 Fall International Destinations: 2004

1 - Caribbean Cruising
2 - Cancun, Mexico
3 - Riviera Maya, Mexico
4 - Jamaica
5 - Mexico Cruising
6 - London, United Kingdom
7 - Punta Cana, Dominican Rep.
8 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
9 - Rome, Italy
10 - Cozumel, Mexico

Other major findings from the Fall Travel Trends Survey:

• 61% of respondents said that comparing their 2005 bookings so far to their
2004 bookings at this time, bookings are higher. 29% said bookings are even,
leaving 10% saying bookings are lower.

• When asked to name destinations that seem to be new or emerging among clients
as popular for fall travel, Costa Rica and Cabo San Lucas were among the top
destinations named. Cabo leapt from # 17 to # 8 on the international
destinations list. Costa Rica did not make the top 10, but was named by 3.6% of
those surveyed.

• Many of the Associates polled expressed concern over the Western Hemisphere
passport guidelines introduced earlier in the year by the U.S. State Department.
Those guidelines have since been revised.

The passport requirements would have required anyone traveling to the Caribbean
to have a passport by December 31, 2005. That deadline will now be pushed further out. "However, we would urge anyone considering a trip to the Caribbean to apply for their passport now, so as not to face the time crunch later," said Block. "Eventually, travelers to the Caribbean, Mexico and Canada will need passports.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates have easy access to passport applications and are well-versed in document requirements, no matter what corner of the world you're traveling to."

Business Outlook and Travel Trends

Carlson Wagonlit Travel's 2005 Fall Travel Trends Survey asked respondents to identify key 2005 fall travel trends and to forecast their outlook for business in the year ahead. Here are some of the more notable results:

Regarding 2005 bookings to date, what trends have you noticed? (Associates could select as many answers that applied)

Top 5 Answers Percentage Answered

• International travel seems to be on the rebound 59.8%
• The booking window seems to be lengthening56.7%
• Cruising is becoming more popular 54.9%
• Clients are feeling more confident about traveling farther from home53.7%
• Clients are spending more per vacation48.8%

Which of the following do you hear most often from your customers regarding the impact of high gas prices and/or extra fuel surcharges?

• The extra cost isn't a factor 69.9%
• The extra cost has caused some people to scale back on travel 27.0%
• The extra cost has caused many to scale back on travel 3.1%

* 2005 Fall Travel Trends Survey was of 166 CWT agents taken July 20- August 10,
2005.
** 2004 Fall Travel Trends Survey was of 313 CWT agents taken July 8- August 12,
2004.

Online travel sales soars - search engines are the drivers

2005-08-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Revenue at online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity will soar 19 percent to $27.7 billion in the United States this year, according to a report released last week by financial services company Merrill Lynch.

The new estimate is more optimistic than the one Merrill Lynch issued just three months ago, which predicted U.S. growth of 15 percent. One reason for the more bullish forecast is that although consumers have the option of purchasing directly from airlines, hotels, and other direct suppliers, bookings via online agency sites were nonetheless up by 20 percent in this year's second quarter. Consumers also will up their spending with direct travel suppliers on the Web, predicted Merrill Lynch.

The firm forecast that revenues at direct suppliers online will grow by 27 percent this year, to $32.5 billion. Overall, online travel sales will account for an estimated 30 percent of the total travel market this year - up from 25 percent last year and 21 percent in 2003, the report asserted.

By 2007, Merrill Lynch predicts, online travel sales will represent 39 percent of all travel revenue, with growth from direct suppliers outpacing that of online travel agencies. In the report, Merrill Lynch research analyst Justin Post concluded that search engines are driving much of the increase in online bookings. He estimated that travel search technology accounted for $600 million in direct bookings last year.

What's more, he predicts that search-related bookings will double each year through 2007. Of the online agencies, Merrill Lynch expects Expedia to again capture the largest market share, with 44 percent of bookings this year; Travelocity will account for 23 percent of bookings, while 19 percent of online travel agency dollars will go to Orbitz.

The Internet: Consumers' Favorite Travel Destination

2005-08-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

88% of Online Consumers Use the Internet to Purchase or Plan This
Summer's Vacations

Overwhelmingly, consumers are turning to the Internet for their
summer travel planning and purchasing needs, according to
independent research conducted by Feedback Research, a division of
the Claria Corporation, a leader in online behavioral marketing.

By analyzing the actual online traffic and conducting a survey among
a sample of Claria's tens of millions of software users, Feedback
Research was able to gain insight into online travel research and
purchasing habits. Data was analyzed from April 1 through July 1,
2005, in the months leading up to summer vacation travel. A survey
was also conducted among users who viewed travel category sites in
the prior 30 days and also had purchased travel in the prior 12
months.

Results indicated that consumers are still taking a trip to the
Internet for their travel planning and purchasing needs, with 88% of
survey respondents who went or are planning to go on summer vacation
using or planning to use the Internet to research and/or purchase
their summer vacation arrangements this year. 61% of respondents who
went or were planning to go on summer vacation this year purchased
or planned to purchase airline tickets online, +11 pts vs. those who
went on a summer vacation last year. 52% purchased or planned to
purchase hotel accommodations online, a +12 pt increase from last
year.

Further results indicate:

Consumers Travel Online to Compare Prices

Low prices seem to be the key driver for consumers researching and
buying travel for their summer vacations this year:

- When purchasing travel arrangements, 53% of respondents indicated
that they would travel with the brand/company that offered the
lowest price.

- Among respondents who purchased travel online: - 78% chose the
site(s) they typically purchase from because of good prices/rates; -
56% because the site was easy to use; and - 28% because of loyalty
or frequent flyer programs.

- 73% of respondents who purchased travel online have researched
travel at a general site, but then went to a specific company's site
to purchase their travel arrangements. - 52% of those respondents
did so because they found that company sites offered the lowest
prices. - 47% cited special deals and 43% cited better prices at
company sites while 22% wanted to receive frequent flyer credit.

- Consumers, perhaps looking for a low-cost travel deal, seemed to
site- hop between general travel sites and major airline sites: -
Over half of those who viewed Delta.com, United.com or Southwest.com
during research period, also viewed Orbitz.com.

- Site-hopping also seemed to be popular among general travel sites;
Of those who viewed Hotwire.com during the research period, 71% also
viewed Orbitz.com, 67% also viewed Expedia.com and 62% also viewed
Travelocity.com.

- Of all travel category sites, airline only sites seemed to have to
most repeat viewers per month during the research period:
Southwest.com had the most repeat viewers with the average viewer
coming back 9.31 times, this followed by AlaskaAir.com with 9.29
times and NorthwestAirlines.com with 9.19 times.

Internet Eases Procrastination for Travel Planners

- Among respondents who went or were planning to go on summer
vacation this year, 73% started planning 1 week to 3 months before
leaving.

- Travel sites saw their biggest increases in traffic in mid-June.
Hotels.com saw the biggest jump, closely followed by Marriott.com,
Cheaptickets.com and Orbitz.com.

- 50% of respondents typically purchase travel arrangements online 1
to 2 times a year while 27% purchased travel arrangements online 3
to 5 times a year.

Baha Mar Eyes Hotel Partner

2005-08-10T05:23:00.000-07:00

The Baha Mar Development Company is in advanced stages of negotiations for a hotel partner and intends to meet an August 30 deadline to formalize an agreement in this regard, a company official said on Tuesday.

The company, which is carrying out a $1.2 billion redevelopment on Cable Beach, is also seeking a casino partner.

In the meantime, Baha Mar has embarked on a $15 million renovation of its properties on Cable Beach with a key element of the plan being the renovation of the Crystal Palace Casino.

In fact, Mr. Heller said the casino is undergoing "the largest amount of immediate change. If you come into the casino you would see already new slot machines on the floor. I’m sure most people realize that the gaming equipment was very old and we have state-of-the-art slot machines coming," he said.

A section of the casino has been closed off as part of the renovations.

The Baha Mar executive also reported that upgrade of some rooms at the Wyndham has already started. "We are going to be undertaking a major redevelopment programme," he added, noting that the work already taking place is only an interim step in improving the properties during the pre-development stage of Baha Mar.

As it relates to the design of the mega resort, company officials continue to note that there is a lot that has not yet been set in stone. Mr. Heller said, "We are evolving our plans as we discuss with our partners how everything fits together and we will be tearing down some portion of the properties in various stages. Our goal is to keep as much running as long as possible to minimize the impact on jobs and keep as many people as possible employed and transition them all to the overall Baha Mar complex when it opens." He added, "The final design is what you have when you start construction."

Baha Mar executives once viewed the Wyndham, formally owned by Wichita businessman Phil Ruffin, as the most neglected of the properties they bought at Cable Beach.
But Mr. Heller said that is all changing.

Baha Mar has plans to create a commercial village that will accommodate the business and government offices that are presently along the Cable Beach Strip which will be affected by development in the area.

The creation of the village will pave the way for the diversion of the West Bay Street, which officials say is slated to begin January 2006. Baha Mar has asked Bahamian architects to submit proposals for this aspect of the project.

Fishermen Warned To Obey Rules As Crawfish Season Opens in the Bahamas

2005-08-03T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Bahamas crawfish season opened yesterday after a four-month ban.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, V. Alfred Gray, urged fishermen to observe all of the rules and regulations or face prosecution. As in previous years, the Department of Fisheries is gearing up to fight poachers and illegal fishing.

It is believed that most poachers are commercial fishermen, primarily from the Dominican Republic, who habitually fish in the southern Bahamas. The maximum penalty is a fine of up to $50,000 or a one-year term in prison... or both.

The Department is warning against the trapping of undersized crustaceans and the use of unlicensed apparatus.

All crawfish caught must be at least five-and-a-half inches in tail length and three-and-one-quarter inches in jacket length.

Fishermen who are interested in using air compressors and traps to harvest lobsters need to obtain a permit from the Department of Fisheries. Compressors can only legally be used between the depths of 30 and 60 feet of water.

$55 Million Contract Signed For Atlantis Conference Centre

2005-07-29T05:44:00.000-07:00

Kerzner International, which operates the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, and Cavalier Construction signed a $55 million deal on Wednesday for the expansion of the resort’s conference center.

Chief Operations Officer at Kerzner International Nan Pallmer said in the past the company has been restricted because there was insufficient space to host various large groups.

"With the expansion, Kerzner International could cater to a broader market attracting larger groups who will eventually turn into return guests seeking to experience the full experience of the resort," she said.

The current conference center features a 25,000 square foot grand ballroom which can accommodate 2,700 persons.

The expanded facility will feature a 50,000 square foot imperial ballroom, the largest in The Bahamas and the Caribbean region, and 30,000 square feet of pre-function space.
In addition the center will have 30 break-out rooms, a boardroom, a large staging area and a new banquet kitchen with additional pantries.
The new conference center will have the capacity to accommodate 5,000 guests.

Learning the language of the travel industry

2005-07-26T04:12:00.000-07:00

I came across this article by Bill McGee. It is well worth a read for a good chuckle!

Learning the language of the travel industry

The travel
industry has a language all its own. Unfortunately, this can mean trouble for
consumers who aren't fluent.

Every year, millions of passengers request a "direct
flight" when what they really want is a "nonstop flight." This isn't their
fault; it's the airlines that have twisted a nice simple word like "direct" to
mean "an en-route stop without a change of airplanes."

Similarly, many hotel guests request "adjoining rooms"
when what they really want is the private door found in "connecting rooms."

Travel can be confusing, and not speaking its language
can make it even more confusing. The glossary below is designed to make it just
a little easier to understand.

A travel dictionary for the 2000s

No-show n. a hotel guest who is charged for
a stay due to his or her failure to cancel. See also mo-show n.
the double revenue a hotel earns by booking the no-show room.

CDW n. optional car rental coverage that is
unnecessary for most consumers; alternately known as "collision damage waiver"
or "completely disregard whenever."

Code-sharing n. a practice that allows two
or more airlines to cross-sell each other's flights using their own airline
codes; extensive research has shown the primary benefit is confusing passengers
who want to file a complaint.

Family plan n. a rate offered for a family
member to travel at a discount or for free; however, the travel industry's
definition of "family member" may exclude grandparents, grandchildren, siblings,
aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, parents, children or spouses.

Force majeure n. an Act of God (bad
weather, etc.) that absolves an airline from compensating passengers after a
delay or cancellation. See also force maneure n. an act of airline
management that is later denied by that airline.

Froot Loops, stale n. see complimentary
continental breakfast.

Non-revenue n. passengers, guests or
customers who do not contribute to a travel company's profits (note: this
applies to all passengers aboard United and US Airways flights).

Open jaws n. 1) airline tickets that allow
you to fly into one city and fly out of another city; 2) Las Vegas hotel patrons
after crab claws are added to the $5.99 buffet.

Paperless travel n. the printed
itineraries, confirmations, and receipts that were supposed to be rendered
obsolete by the elimination of airline tickets.

Shoulder season n. term used by resorts to
charge the high rates of peak season while still offering the skeleton staff of
low season.

Spoke n. a city served by an airline from
its hub, in which the last two flights of the evening are routinely cancelled.

Yield management n. a sophisticated
technological mechanism used by airlines and other travel companies to determine
fair pricing; also known as dart board.

Coining New Terms

Many frequent travelers speak in shorthand and have
devised their own terminology to explain the peculiarities of life on the road.
At Consumer Reports WebWatch, we've coined our own term — "fare-jumping"
— to describe the phenomenon of airline rates that suddenly increase right in
the middle of the booking process. Now it's catching on and is starting to be
used throughout the industry.

What follows are additional suggestions to expand the
travel lexicon.

Bin-itis n. a chronic condition caused by
falling baggage from an airplane's overhead storage compartment.

Deck shoes n. the sandals used for a
10-hour period to "reserve" a prime lounge chair on the deck of a cruise ship.

Ignition artery n. the blood vessel in
one's inner ear that bursts upon starting a rental car with a radio adjusted to
the maximum volume by the cleaning staff.

Jackson gallon n. a unit of measurement
used to describe topping off a gas tank by a car rental firm (named for the U.S.
President on the $20 bill).

New York minute n. the accepted length of
time to use the lavatory on a shuttle flight from Washington.

One-and-a-half n. a cruise ship's gym
(named for the number of adults who can fit in it).

Shine-ons n. the shoe mitts one finds at
the bottom of a carry-on bag that were stolen from a hotel on the last trip and
never unpacked.

Taxi-neck n. the traffic logjam that occurs
¾ of a mile from an airport terminal and causes one to miss a flight.

Virtual victuals n. an airborne meal
comprised entirely of crumbs found in the seatback pocket underneath the
ditching card.

Visa freeze n. the frightful stage of an
online travel booking when this message appears: "We are processing your credit
card data."

Undoubtedly you've probably minted a few travel terms of
your own. Feel free to

pass them along and perhaps we can share them with other readers.

Read previous columns

Bill McGee, a contributing editor to Consumer
Reports and the former editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, is an
FAA-licensed aircraft dispatcher who worked in airline operations and management
for several years. Tell him what you think of his latest column by sending him
an e-mail at USATODAY.com at

travel@usatoday.com. Include your name, hometown and daytime phone number,
and he may use your feedback in a future column.

Hotel internet marketing - inhouse or outsource?

2005-07-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

by Richard Walsh

Recent research statistics show that 20 to 25% of the average hotel’s reservations originate from some interaction by the guest through the Internet. This interaction is either as a part of the selection process or a direct online reservation. This percentage is based on actual bookings and it does not consider the telephone bookings that are generated from Internet searches and references. In the months ahead, hoteliers will realize more than half of all their reservations are a direct result of Internet searches and information.

Will these reservations come through a hotel’s proprietary website, the brand website or a 3rd party website? The answer is yes! Yes, online reservations will be made through all of these channels from travelers, travel planners and secure extranets that are connected to various Internet channels. How you market your hotel on each of these channels and probably some new ones, such as the meta search engines is crucial to your business. Successful hotel marketing requires a solution for each.

Gone are the days when hotel marketing was a bold listing in a directory, a 4 color brochure and a connection to the GDS. The amazing shift in sales channels and buying patterns over the past five years has turned the hospitality industry upside down. I would use the term “paradigm shift”, but that is way too trendy.

Now is the time to re-evaluate marketing strategies! Hotel sales are up, room rates are up and the percentage of guest booking through the Internet is escalating at a record pace. The battle of the heavy weights for the guest bookings is on between the brands and the 3rd party merchant sites. The hotelier has to decide what level of inventory and rates will generate the best return from the brand’s Internet and GDS bookings compared to giving away half of their rate to a 3rd party merchant because they do drive sales volume. Mr. Hotelier, remember when the concern was whether to pay a 15% commission to the travel agencies?

There is no doubt that the sales channel for today and even more for tomorrow is the Internet. Hospitality marketing has changed significantly and it will continue to change as the Internet and search engines change. It doesn’t matter anymore whether your hotel is a five star deluxe in Manhattan or a two star at interstate exit 25 or whether you are a mountain resort or an urban conference center. Your website content, search engine position and link affiliations are part of the selection and reservation process by your future guests.

The strategic business decision facing most hoteliers today is whether to take on the personnel and related overhead that is required to manage an effective Internet marketing program, to rely on their brand or to outsource and manage the relationship with a professional Internet marketing agency. There are clearly a growing number of new online marketing tools that can help enable an in-house Internet marketing effort. And, the number of marketing agency choices is overwhelming.

For an effective in-house Internet marketing program, you will need a marketing staff, the demands far out weigh what one marketing manager can do. One person is needed to focus their efforts on managing your traditional marketing programs. Another person, possibly a webmaster, is needed to keep your website current, fresh and appealing. Add an eCommerce manager to manage your daily organic and paid search campaigns as well as interacting with the Webmaster and directing email promotions and broadcasts. And finally, someone has to analyze the Internet data to determine and define the changes and updates that are required so senior management can make an informed decision.

Then there is always the risk of a key marketing person leaving the company. This immediately creates an urgent need for replacement by someone who is proficient with the same Internet programs used by their predecessor or you will have a transition delay in your marketing until the new Internet services are implemented, not to mention termination of existing licenses and contracts. Today’s web-based tools and on-line services are great, but they all require a certain technical aptitude, along with time and talent for creative design, system monitoring and interpreting results. Doing your own Internet marketing in-house definitely gives you control.

On the other hand, your delays, mistakes or distractions will cost you significantly over time.
One alternative to an in-house eCommerce Department is to rely on your brand to market your property through a page or two for your hotel on their site. We all know the risk factor here. The brand’s marketing priorities focus on selling the brand and not your specific property or market. The strategy with most brands does not take into consideration such property specifics as location, local events and attractions, groups, supplemental services (dynamic packaging) or other factors that are unique to the property.

The brands are clearly improving in their Internet marketing efforts, but their values do not change. Their priority is to generate sales volume across all hotels based on the value perception of the brand, brand specific promotions, brand frequent stay programs and other brand specific programs. The brand is an essential element in any successful marketing plan much like and equal to the benefits from the 3rd party sales channels. But, it can be a mistake to assume the brand is your Internet marketing solution.

Another alternative is to outsource your Internet marketing to an Internet Services Agency. But only when there are clearly defined expectation between you and the agency and a measurable set of benchmarks included in the service agreement.

You need to keep in mind, that the basic requirements for a good Internet marketing service are quit different from those that are generally available from traditional advertising agencies. The primary requirement, in addition to a definitive agreement, should be that their core competency is rooted in the hospitality or travel industry. Only those of us in the hospitality industry understand the challenges presented by the variable demands of owners, management companies and the day to day property level business operations. A service as critical as your Internet marketing demands that your supplier(s) clearly understand the unique demands from your guests and the value of each sales channel, including non-Internet channels.

The fundamental nature of the Internet, unlike traditional image or value marketing, is rooted in its ability to enable comparison by the shopper as well as its ability to search for customer/shopper/prospect relational criteria. This is why the importance of the Internet search engines and their peripheral services are so important. The search engines capitalize on the pure nature of the Internet’s ability to empower the customer/shopper to select a hotel based on key marketing factors (keyword or phrases) other than the brand name and to compare their findings.

The marketing factors include location, personal preferences, price, special promotional offers, property specific dynamic packaging and other property specific services and amenities. To implement a successful search engine marketing program either organic or paid requires elements that are not provided by most brands, marketing services that require constant updates of rich optimized website content, page updates, relevant links and more as the search engines change their algorithms on a daily basis. To create and maintain an effective Internet marketing program requires man-power with experience, an aptitude for automated systems and time or redundancy.

The true bottom line for every hotel’s Internet marketing program is measured by its conversion rate. This is the ratio of sales to website traffic and it has a direct impact your true benchmark of success . . . REVPAR and ROI results! In conclusion, Internet marketing is strategic to your overall marketing efforts. Whether you manage hotel Internet marketing in-house with online tools, depend on your brand or you outsource, if you are not getting a minimum return of five to one on your invested time and cost, it is time to re-evaluate your strategy. You need a clear strategy with defined measurable expectations as well as some flexibility in your plan to accommodate unexpected changes resulting from new Internet services and opportunities.

Richard Walsh is V.P. of Business Development for Lodging Interactive, Atlanta.

Planes, Trains and ... Laptops?; Recent Survey Reveals 34 Percent of U.S. Adult Computer Users Have Vacationed with a Laptop PC

2005-07-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

Say farewell to paper maps that refuse to fold up, calling cards that run out at the worst possible moment, and fight-inducing games of 'I Spy'. Today's savvy vacationers are going high-tech to stay informed, in touch and entertained.

A recent survey of U.S. adult computer users, commissioned by Intel Corporation(R) and conducted by Harris Interactive(R), reveals that 34 percent of respondents or their families have taken a laptop PC with them on vacation(1) and half (51 percent) of all respondents are likely to take a laptop PC on a future vacation(2). Ahead of checking and sending work-related email (43 percent), the three most popular uses of a laptop PC for those who say they have taken one on vacation were checking personal e-mail (72 percent); enjoying entertainment such as movies, music and games (56 percent); and gathering trip information online (45 percent).

With a wireless-enabled laptop PC -- such as those based on Intel Centrino(TM) mobile technology -- travelers can surf the Web and connect to the Internet to do things such as check and send e-mail, download movies, play games and create a travel blog(a). All around the world, wireless "hotspots" are popping up at family-friendly vacation destinations and businesses, including:

• Nearly 1,000 Holiday Inn hotels in North America;

• More than 100 U.S. KOA campgrounds and 85 California state parks;

• Eleven commercial airlines that offer or plan to offer Connexion by Boeing(b) in-flight Internet access service, which is currently available on more than 100 routes daily to and from U.S. and international destinations;

• Cruise lines such as Carnival, Holland America, Norwegian and Princess;

• Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks;

• Tourist attractions such as Universal CityWalk Hollywood;

• Events such as the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, Calif. and Bumbershoot in Seattle; and

• More than 6,000 McDonald's restaurants around the world.

Analyst firm IDC estimates that there are likely to be more than 130,000 wireless hotspots worldwide by the end of 2005(3). Travelers can locate wireless hotspots using Intel's hotspot finder at http://intel.jiwire.com.

"The survey results show that mobile technology is making it easy for travelers to research destinations, be entertained and stay in touch with family and friends while away from home," said Ralph Bond, Intel consumer education manager. "Whether it's traveling retirees e-mailing their grandkids vacation notes and photos, families downloading movies and music to enjoy on the road, newlyweds creating Web logs of their honeymoon and reading reviews of romantic restaurants, or out-of-towners researching and buying tickets to local attractions and events, leisure travelers are finding laptop computers useful as all-in-one communication and entertainment devices."

Whether they have or have not taken a laptop on vacation, computer users would find laptop features specifically designed for mobility to be of value when vacationing. Survey respondents said long battery life (62 percent), lightweight design (58 percent) and the ability to surf the Internet wirelessly (55 percent) are the most valuable features of a laptop for vacation use.

(1) "A Study about Laptops & Vacations," an Intel-sponsored online omnibus survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) in June 2005. Note: Based on the 2004 U.S. Census Current Population Survey, there are approximately 288 million people in the United States, of which about 214 million of them are adults ages 18 and older. Of those adults, a 2005 Harris Poll shows that 74 percent are online, which translates into 163 million people. The Harris Poll(R) was conducted by telephone by Harris Interactive in February and April 2005 among 2,022 U.S. adults aged 18+. Sampling error is +/-2 percentage points.

(2) Fifty-one percent of respondents indicated they are "very likely," "likely" or "somewhat likely" to take a laptop computer with them on a future vacation.

About the Survey

Harris Interactive(R) fielded the online survey on behalf of Intel between June 23 and 30, 2005 among a nationwide sample of 2,547 U.S. adult computer users aged 18 and older, of whom 911 have taken a laptop computer with them on vacation. The data were weighted to be representative of the total U.S. adult computer user population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity and amount of time spent using a computer per week. Though this online sample is not a probability sample, in theory, with probability samples of this size, Harris Interactive estimates with 95 percent certainty that the overall results have a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Sampling error for the results of those who have taken a laptop with them on vacation is plus or minus 5 percentage points.

(3) Source: IDC Worldwide Hotspot 2004-2008 Forecast and Analysis, Dec. 2004.

Cancun Escapes the Brunt of Hurricane Emily

2005-07-20T05:22:00.000-07:00

Cancun Is Up And Running And Ready For National And International Tourism After Hurricane Emily

Cancun's local government, The Municipality of Benito Juarez, reports no injuries or mayor structural damage after Hurricane Emily. The hurricane swept over the south coast of the State of Quintana Roo, at least 80 miles away from Cancun Hotel Zone, during the early morning of Monday, July 18.

Tourists who braved the hurricane in Cancun, the most important tourist destination in Mexico and Latin America, were moved to comfortable shelters located throughout the hotel zone and main downtown area. All of them will be returning to their hotels throughout the day in order to continue enjoying their vacation or will depart as scheduled. In fact, local weather forecasts are predicting plenty of sunshine within 12 hours. Hotel zone services such as electricity, water, communications and local transportation, are working normally. Hotels have reported minimal property damage, mostly downed posts, signs and trees.

The Cancun International Airport began regular operations today at noon, after massive departures on Saturday and Sunday. 'Cancún and all its services providers are ready to serve national and international tourists during this very important summer season', informed Artemio Santos Santos, Director of the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Gerald Moore a tourist from Dallas, Texas how was traveling with his wife and stayed at the Convention Center shelter declared, 'Everything was very well organized here at the shelter. We felt very secure and were continuously updated throughout our stay. We were even invited to leave Cancun, but we didn't accept the offer as we felt everything was planed perfectly.' Phil Marwood, from Toronto, Canada traveling with Sunquest said, 'We want to thank everyone here because we felt really secure at all times.'

Ing. Artemio Santos General Director Cancun CVB

Soaring Temperatures - Take Care

2005-07-20T04:26:00.000-07:00

The average daily temperature for July is 89 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Department of Meteorology, but this July it has been averaging 91 degrees.

The Department also reported that a temperature of 96 degrees was recorded on July 2, the highest temperature recorded on a July day in decades. Forecasters also say that the humidity level makes the temperature on some days feel well over 100 degrees.

It’s perhaps easy to see why experts are quick to send warnings about the heat. Dr. James Iferenta, clinical director of emergency services at Doctors Hospital, said on Tuesday that it is very important to keep the body hydrated.

"There are a number of things that we advise our patients to do to avoid heat-related illnesses," he said. "The first is to drink adequate amounts of water and not necessarily juices or sodas, but actually water." Dr. Iferenta explained that during this time of year, the body loses a lot of fluid from the surface of the skin.

The second thing to do would be to protect the skin from the sun, he said. "The sun can cause burning and it can cause rashes and irritations," Dr. Iferenta said. "You can actually over a number of years develop skin cancer so it is important to wear sun block to protect the skin from harmful radiation."

Experts say on hot, humid days, increased moisture in the air slows the evaporation of sweat. When sweating is not enough to cool your body, they say, the body temperature rises, and you may become ill.

Even short periods of high temperatures can cause serious health problems, experts advise. They point out that two of the most common types of heat-related illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature. As the body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat strokes can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment, according to experts, who say if heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to a heat stroke.

Overexposure to the sun can also lead to a number of skin problems including sunburns, sun rashes, and in some cases dry skin and psoriases, according to the experts.

Bridgette Barry, a local esthetician, recommends that before going outside, individuals should clean their skin properly, and then apply sun block to the skin and sun cream to the face.
Ms. Barry said that there are certain times during the day when the sun is at its hottest. She recommends staying inside during those times.

"From noon to about 3pm is the worst time for sun exposure during the day," Ms. Barry said. "The sun that comes into your car is at times worse than standing outside because the car also blocks the natural safeguards, and leaves the body with intense heat."

Experts agree that skin tones have very little to do with heat-related illnesses. In fact, they say in many cases, persons of darker skin tones burn much faster that than persons of lighter skin tones.

Other tips for dealing with the heat include: Plan to do more summer activities in the morning, when it’s cooler; Wear hats that keep the sun off your face and neck and Try to schedule all meetings in your office.

Online travel sales up 53%

2005-07-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Online sales were up 29% for the week ending June 26 over the corresponding week a year ago, reaching $1.32 billion from $1.02 billion, comScore Networks Inc. reports.

By comparison, total retail sales for the week ending June 25 were up 6.9% from the same week a year ago, reports ShopperTrak’s National Retail Sales Estimate.

Online travel sales for week ending June 26 were up 53% to $1.2 billion from $792 million in the corresponding week a year ago, comScore reports

Bahamas Mailboats

2005-07-19T04:32:00.000-07:00

These are slow boats that leave from Nassau and travel to the Out Islands.

Mailboat journey times can vary from 5 hours to 21 hours, depending on which island you're visiting. For example: Nassau to North Eleuthera and North Andros takes approximately 5 hours, and costs $30-$40; Nassau to Abaco takes approximately 12 hours, and costs 40; and Nassau to Long Island takes 15 hours and costs $45. The long-distance trips show an interesting side of the Bahamas that few visitors see.

The Commonwealth of Bahamas publishes an updated mailboat schedule with sailing times and fares. http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/bahamasweb2/home.nsf/vContentW/2E1DC89CDD0A70FB85256FF800561DD2!OpenDocument&Highlight=0,mailboat

Ouch Mon! Gas Prices to Top 4 Dollars

2005-07-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Leslie Miller was quoted in the press on Thursday 14th July as saying that the price of gasoline in New Providence is expected to go up $4.05 within two weeks and may well hit five dollars per gallon by the end of the summer. At present the Nassau Guardian reports that gasoline which is price controlled sells at Esso $3.59 per gallon, Texaco $3.64 per gallon and Shell at $3.69.

The price hike has been the subject of some controversy out of the Ministry of Trade because the Minister has been saying that through co-operation with Venezuela he would like to start an Energy Corporation which would intervene in the market to lower the price of gasoline. This is not something which this column approves of.

The market price of gasoline is what it is, and maybe this will force the public away from its over reliance on the automobile. Somehow, despite the rise in the price, neither on the fiscal side nor the monetary side does there seem to be any cause for concern to the economy. Demand is as brisk as ever.

Redevelopment plan Port of Nassau

2005-07-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Perry Christie addressed Bay Street stakeholders at a meeting to update them on the status of EDAW'S proposal for Bay Street. As part of the redevelopment plan in the area The Port of Nassau and support facilities may be moved from the current downtown location to South-West New Providence.

Mr. Christie stated that assurances have been provided to his Government that the relocation of the Port will be environmentally sound. The project will include five phases and is expected to extend from Arawak Cay to Montague, while dividing the area into three districts consisting of "The Garden District" that will encompass Arawak Cay to Armstrong Street, "The Heart of Nassau" which will be the downtown area and the "Living Waterfront".

Conrad Hotels Announces Conrad Bimini Bay Resort Its First Hotel in the Caribbean

2005-07-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

Conrad Hotels signed a management agreement with the Bahamas-based RAV Bahamas Limited to operate and manage Conrad's first hotel in the Caribbean, a luxurious 250-room hotel, spa and casino resort, located on the island of Bimini.

Clem Barter, President of Conrad Hotels, said, "We are honored to have been selected for this exclusive project in one of the most prestigious locations in the Bahamas. This will be an extraordinary property and it will fit our plan to expand in the Americas, as well as in other strategic parts of the world." Gerardo Capo, Chairman of the Board of The Capo Group, owners of the hotel said: "We are pleased that Conrad, one of the world's finest hotel brands, is joining us to operate the hotel component of our Bimini Bay Resort. Our luxurious development, coupled with Conrad Hotels' experience, sets the stage for a success story in the Bahamas." The Conrad Bimini Bay Resort and Casino, is part of an overall new seaside village, the Bimini Bay Resort.

The hotel, which will be built in the second phase of the development, will offer 250 luxurious guest-rooms, several fine restaurants, an elegant marina, a spa and a casino. An additional wing of 160 residences will be constructed adjoining the hotel. In a first phase, The Bimini Bay Resort will comprise 320 residential units, 150 marina berths, assorted retail and several restaurants.

The subsequent phases will also include an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones golf course and residential villas. Overall, the resort will have 1,590 residential units spread over 700 acres, 500 marina berths, and five miles of white-sand beaches. The Conrad Bimini Bay Resort and Casino, located 48 miles east of Miami on the island of North Bimini, Bahamas, is a 15-minute air flight or a 90-minute boat trip away. It will be completed during 2008.

Bimini is the most beautiful island in the Bahamas. Seven miles long, it is the most western island in the Bahamas and the closest foreign island to the US mainland. Acting as a gateway to the Bahamas, Bimini is internationally known as the fishing capital of this region. More on Bimini - http://bahamasgateway.com/bimini.htm

Other Conrad management agreements are in various stages of negotiation in the United States and opportunities are being evaluated in Europe and in the Middle East.

Details on these projects will be announced as plans are finalized. Besides Bimini Bay, new Conrad hotels are scheduled to open in Indianapolis, USA, and Phuket, Thailand in 2006; Las Vegas, USA and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2007; and Beijing in 2008.

Caribbean Culture Should Lead Tourism Charge, Says CHA President

2005-07-14T05:46:00.000-07:00

Berthia Parle, the President of the Caribbean Hotel Association, wants Caribbean governments to place arts, culture and music at the top of their tourism agenda.

Speaking at the recent Caribbean Hotel Industry Conference in Miami, the Caribbean hotelier said people around the world love Caribbean culture, and stakeholders ought to get serious about promoting the region's offerings to international audiences.She called on governments, ministries of tourism and tourist boards to engage Black Entertainment Television as the region's premier promotions vehicle given the results the network has delivered to her native St. Lucia and other island nations through the production of jazz and music festivals over the years.

"I really want to thank BET for raising the profile of the Caribbean and of St. Lucia. I know our jazz festival is as successful as it is (through) the involvement of BET from a production standpoint and also from the added visibility that we have received from the television channel."She said visitors to St. Lucia have credited BET and the jazz festival for their decision to vacation on the island. "That kind of publicity I don't think we can ever afford to pay for," said Parle, who runs the successful Bay Gardens Hotel in Rodney Bay. She also thanked for the network for producing a recent documentary on the small hotel sector in St. Lucia.

"The culture of the Caribbean is infectious and well known the world over," responded Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BET Digital Networks. Thanking Parle for the "endorsement," Brown also a St. Lucian, announced that the network will re-double its efforts to capture the spirit of regional festivals and share it with audiences throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Bahamian Recipes (E-book) - Now Available

2005-07-13T05:07:00.000-07:00

Bahamian Recipes (E-book) - A Taste of the Bahamas

Over 50 Simple-To-Cook Recipes now available to Bahamas Gateway readers for Only $6.95 US in MS E-book format.

This completely new regional Electronic-Book features Fritters and more fritters, Bahamian Ham & Banana Mix, Island Minced Pie, Rumball Cookies, Boiled Fish, Johnny Cake, Goombay Smash, and many more favorites ''from the islands of ocean blue where Columbus landed in 1492.''

To order see - http://bahamasgateway.com/bahamas_recipe_book.htm

The Bahamas - Getting There & Away

2005-07-12T05:44:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to numerous requests for getting to and getting around in the Bahamas, I thought this post might help.

The Bahamas is well served by plane from north America. Its proximity to Florida means regular, relatively inexpensive flights from Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Orlando, as well as other East Coast gateways like New York and Boston. Bahamasair, the national airline, flies between Miami and Nassau and Freeport; West Palm Beach, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale and Nassau; and West Palm Beach and Marsh Harbour. Air Canada flies between Nassau and Toronto and Montreal. British Airways flies directly between London and Nassau or Freeport. American Airlines, Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic connect the UK and The Bahamas via Miami, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.

From within the Caribbean, Air Jamaica flies four times weekly between Nassau and Montego Bay. Cubana has flights between Havana and Nassau. Travellers pay a 15.00 departure tax when leaving The Bahamas (18.00 from Freeport).

The Bahamas is by far the most popular port-of-call in the Caribbean for cruise ships; they anchor at Nassau and Freeport. The sheltered waters of the 1200km (750mi) archipelago attract scores of yachties each year. There are ports of entry on every island.

The Bahamas has seven international airports, including the two major hubs: Nassau International Airport and Freeport International Airport. Some flights also land at Paradise Island Airport, Marsh Harbour (Abacos), North Eleuthera and Governor's Harbour (Eleuthera), and George Town (Exumas). Even on the more remote Out Islands, a taxi usually shows up to meet incoming flights (if not, someone at the airport will radio for a taxi on your behalf).

Getting Around

Travelling by bus will cost a bomb, except for Nassau and Freeport, where private 'jitneys' (minibuses) operate within the city (but not to the airport), and there is no public transport on any of the Family Islands. This leaves car rental as the best transportation option. Several major international car rental companies have outlets in Nassau and Freeport, supplemented by small local firms.

On the Family Islands, there are few established agencies. Although the minimum age to obtain a driver's license in The Bahamas is 17, renters must be 21 (some companies only rent to those 25 or older). You can drive on your foreign license for up to three months; an International Driver's License, required for longer stays, can be obtained from the Road Traffic Department in Nassau or the AAA office in the USA or UK. Remember to drive on the left.

Other transportation rental options include motorcycles, scooters and bicycles (usually only one gear), which are available primarily in Freeport and Nassau.

There's no shortage of taxis in Nassau and Freeport, where they can be hailed on the streets. Taxis are also the main local transportation on the Family Islands, though you'll need to summon one by radio or telephone.

Intra-island flights offer the only quick and convenient way to travel between islands. Bahamasair serves Grand Bahamas and the larger Out Islands. The schedules change frequently and at short notice (no attempt is made to notify passengers with advance reservations of schedule changes). The airline operates on a hub-and-spoke system, to and from Nassau. Thus, if you want to fly between adjacent islands, such as Cat Island and Long Island, you'll have to return to Nassau.

If you plan on a lot of island-hopping, you begin to feel like a yo-yo. Worse, you may need to stay overnight in Nassau between flights. You can also charter a small aircraft - which, if you plan to do a lot of island hopping and can get a few people together, is cost effective and time saving.

Inter-island ferries are not as ubiquitous as you may imagine, but there are a few. Water taxis, for example, ply between Nassau and Paradise Island. Bahamas FastFerries is the only high-speed ferry in the islands; it links Nassau and Eleuthera. Government-run ferries also link islands that are a short distance apart, such as North and South Bimini; Mangrove Cay and South Andros; and Crooked and Acklins Islands. Mail boats leave Potter's Cay Dock in Nassau, usually on twice-weekly trips, serving all the inhabited islands under government contract. They traditionally sail at night for journeys lasting six to 24 hours. All the vessels are slow and notoriously unreliable. Marinas are strewn about the islands like confetti at a wedding, and yachts for hire are not hard to find.

Bahamians Celebrate Rake and Scrape

2005-07-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

Arthur's Town, Cat Island - If the cultural heritage of a nation is where its heart beats, then for the Bahamas that must be here in the land of rake and scrape music. In honour of legendary rake and scrape artist, the late Tony 'The Obeah Man' McKay, Bahamians from Grand Bahama through Acklins thronged this town last weekend the seventh annual Cat Island Rake and Scrape Festival. It brought together some of the country's finest artists, musicians, performers, and culinary connoisseurs in a dynamic expression of things Bahamian.

From the religious to the secular, from the humorous to the serious, from toddlers to seniors, all found room for expression and appreciation here at one the nation's foremost cultural events. "Culture is very important but, more important is heritage," said Cat Islander Winston Saunders, chairman of the National Cultural Development Commission. "If you preserve your heritage, you're in good standing because culture changes almost daily. "When you have the heritage, you have the grounding which allows all the various cultures to flow over you but you're still grounded in your rake and scrape...in your old story telling...even in the old rock oven here. You will never forget it even though you have a microwave."

Cat Island natives are unique. Genetically they are a mixture of the English loyalists, African, Spanish and French peoples. The predominantly racial feature is African. The influence of these cultures is evident in the music, dance, stories, games and foods. The original rake an' scrape band consists mainly of persons playing the accordion of concertina (European in origin), the drum (African) and the carpenter's saw (a European surrogate for the outlawed African gambee or grooved wood), history shows. Many native musicians created music from whatever indigenous materials that were available - coconut shells, bottles, wash board, tubs, and animal skins.

Rake and scrape band is traditionally used to accompany the Bahamian quadrille and the heel-and-toe polka all relics of the initial mixture of Africa and Europe. Although mainly secular, rake an' scrape music is fast making its way into religious expression as was evident during the religious night. And all this has caught the eye of the Ministry of Tourism whose senior director for Family Islands affairs, Mrs Angela Cleare, lauded the work of the festival committee headed by Allworth Nigel Rolle, assisted by Yvonne Woods, manager of Heritage Tourism.

"These festivals are very, very important because visitors come to the Bahamas not just for sun, sand and sea but to learn about the destination they lived in," she said. "That is why the Ministry of Tourism has been working with the various committees to showcase the local culture on every island. "We try to come up with a signature event on each island which can be promoted on our web site so visitors can have a reason to come other than to lie on the beach. "These festivals mean a lot to all of the local people who make money from them. They mean a lot to visitors who get to learn about our heritage. It means a lot to the Bahamians many of whom have come from the other islands to enjoy themselves here."

Master musician, producer and director Fred Ferguson, entertainment consultant at the Ministry of Tourism, hailed Cat Island as "the hub of the rake and scrape music. There is no better place than here to hold such a festival. "Cat Island has laid claim to the birth place of rake an' scrape music. It is the only place that you can get the true sound of rake and scrape - Boar Hog and the Rooters, Offie and the Web Sites. They play it with the most passion." The preponderance of foreign cultural expressions in the Bahamian society "is of major concern to me," said Ferguson, leader of the Tingum Dem band. "That's why I work so hard with anyone who is interested in preserving our culture.

"But, we need the leaders to take charge and understand what it is and how important it is to the country and the people. Until we recognize that then we are on a spiraling path to cultural hell." Among the features at the festival this year was Bush Doctor Emily Rolle of Arthur's Town, now living in the Lot. Her specialty is the 21-gun salute, the efficacy of which she swears by. "This medicine is good for people with various complaints," she said. "If you have pain around your waist...if you're tired...if you can't have babies..."

In former days when natives did not have access to modern medicine, they relied on various potions drawn from special leaves, roots and barks. Bush medicine as it came to be known was passed on to succeeding generations. Mrs Rolle learned it from her grand father Sam Web of Arthur's Town, farmer Rupert Stubbs in Dumfrey's and Ernest Black, a friend in San Salvador. They are all deceased. "Some of the people I gave this bush medicine to produced twins on the first go," she beamed. Her 21 gun salute includes lignum vitae, man root, Madeira bark, love wine, strong back and five fingers.

"We call it the 21 gun salute because it is so good, the men say when they use it, they salute," she said. "It increases their energy. It gives you a little bit more pep in your step at bed time." Martha Smith and Christine Lightbourne featured native teas - fever grass, five finger, dill seed, strong back, gamalamee, pear leaf and others all of which are touted as beneficial in some way. Princess Styles from Old Bight showed off her assortment of straw hats, mats, bags, with decorative styles like hole in the wall, the lace and the sour sop.

Mike Halkitis chairman of Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) was pleased with the handicraft. BAIC recently completed a training course here in the art of straw work. "We are happy to continue playing our part in promoting the local handicraft industry," he said. "There is renewed interest among Bahamians in the straw work. "Bahamians come from other islands to events such as this to patronize the local artisans. Tourists come here to enjoy things uniquely Bahamian and we need to have as many of these things available to them.

Courtesy of Bahamas Information Services

CARICAD Celebrates Milestone

2005-07-11T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Barbados-based Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD) celebrates a significant milestone on Friday, June 10, when it convenes its 25th Annual Board of Directors Meeting in Basseterre, St. Kitts.

Happy Independence Bahamas

2005-07-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

Thirty-two years ago this country gave birth to a nation. On July 10, 2005 the occasion will be celebrated in grand style.

Yesterday's Incident In London

2005-07-08T06:15:00.000-07:00

The Prime Minister of Britain, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, has confirmed that a number of explosions in Central London was a terrorist attack and there are a number of fatalities. It is not confirmed who is responsible.

The explosions took place around 8.00am in Edgware Road, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street, Russell Square, Aldgate East and Moorgate underground stations and on a bus in Tavistock Square.

Statement From VisitBritain

The police have not indicated who has caused these explosions so VisitBritain will therefore not speculate at this stage what impact, if any, there could be on the visitor economy.Our main concern is for the people who have been affected by this incident and we will monitor the situation and update our overseas offices as required.

At this stage there is no reason for people to cancel their trip to Britain or London. However, they should be aware that there is major transport disruption in Central London.

Starwood to Develop Cotton Bay Villas in Eleuthera, Bahama

2005-07-07T04:33:00.000-07:00

Starwood's First Luxury Collection Property in the Bahamas Will Feature Resort Villas and Private Estate Residences

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced that it has signed an agreement with Eleuthera Properties, Ltd., a company chaired by prominent Bahamian businessman, Franklyn R. Wilson CMG, to develop Cotton Bay Villas, an exclusive new resort that will be a member of Starwood's prestigious Luxury Collection. Evoking images of a nostalgic and bygone era, the magnificent 1,500-acre project will be unveiled in two phases with Phase I comprising of two and three bedroom villas, 114 estate lots and a spectacular 26,000-square foot Clubhouse.

The soft opening is scheduled for December 2006 with 25 premier beachfront units and Clubhouse with full amenities and services and a private marina. Completion of the 73 guestroom resort is scheduled for December 2007. Future phases will include an 18-hole championship golf course, wellness center/spa, additional real estate development and expansion of the marina.

Eleuthera is approximately 100 miles long and less than one mile wide. The island is a destination for an elite clientele and home to many international celebrities with access to the island from Nassau and south Florida by commercial air carriers and private jets. Cotton Bay derives its name from the term "to cotton," a local term that refers to a "place where people befriend one another while being at peace with nature.""We are thrilled to have our first Luxury Collection property in The Bahamas located on Eleuthera - considered one of the most exclusive addresses in the world," said Stephen Alden, senior vice president of The Luxury Collection. "The island's natural scenic beauty and lush vegetation make Cotton Bay Villas an ideal destination for the discerning leisure traveler looking for the ultimate vacation experience.

Cotton Bay Villas will evoke a casual elegance, combining simplicity with island style to create a distinctively elegant atmosphere along with the impeccable service that is the hallmark of The Luxury Collection."Cotton Bay Villas will feature a spectacular octagonal enclosed pavilion situated on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, the perfect venue for weddings and social events.

The Clubhouse will include a Bahamian-fusion restaurant featuring a well-renowned island chef. Guests at the resort will have access to two small, private islands which feature a 20-acre bird sanctuary and a seven-acre secluded beach. Owners and guests at the resort will have preferred access to the resort's private marina in Davis Harbour, accommodating yachts up to 70 feet. Only minutes away, guests will enjoy world-class fishing grounds and phenomenal scuba-diving, snorkeling and other recreational water sports.

This spectacular new resort is currently part of the Audubon International Signature program, which acknowledges environmentally-friendly developments. As a member of this program, Cotton Bay Villas will be home to a plant nursery and an on-site horticulturist dedicated to nurturing the property, saving trees and other foliage from cleared land for replanting throughout the development. Environmental integrity as well as economic viability will ensure that the island's unique ecological systems and scenic landscapes will be preserved for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

To sophisticated travelers worldwide, The Luxury Collection delivers the finest hotel experiences through their unparalleled attention to their guests' needs and preferences, their exceptional and distinctive properties and seamless integration of the customs, culture and environment of each property's locale. Members of Starwood's Luxury Collection include such world-class hotels and resorts as the Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice; The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Hotel Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy; and, Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, French Polynesia.

Guests staying at Cotton Bay Villas will also be able to earn their way toward free travel through the Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program, consistently rated the best hotel frequency program in the world. With more than 700 participating hotels and resorts around the world, the program is the industry's most global and offers a structure focused on simplicity and flexibility in redemption options and inclusion of all Starwood's brands.