Canadians’ love affair with the Caribbean is continuing apace, and lucky us: More lift, more options mean more Canadians are enjoying those sunny, tropical climates.
Which was the message at the 2nd One Caribbean Canada Media Awards, hosted at the elegant Old Mill in Toronto. Best Feature in an Online Trade Publication was won by Ignite Magazine; Best Feature in an Online Consumer Publication was won by Dine; while Bold Traveller took home the honours for Best Feature article in a Print Consumer Newspaper or Magazine.
Present were some 50 members of the media who were treated to first hand updates from the tourist boards and PR firms of our Caribbean friends.
“At One Caribbean Canada, we’re now up to 26 member countries,” founder Nancy Drolet told Open Jaw. “We like to say we are a total resource for advisors. We don’t sell anything: we are in the information and inspiration business.” One Caribbean is in its third year and clearly providing an invaluable way to islands to connect with trade, with consumers – and with each other.
Sure to be super-useful to advisors is the latest enhancement to the One Caribbean site: a calendar that outlines events by month or by category (such as music, culture, food & drink or sporting events - including, of course, cricket!)
Open Jaw spoke with a number of island reps at the event to get up-to-the-minute insights into recent developments and news.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines – 32 islands and cays – loves that AC has weekly service in summer (all routes mentioned in this article refer to YYZ departures), double that in the winter. “We’re a great destination for the hiker, diver, sailor,” said Shelly John, Director of Sales/Canada for SVG. No doubt the new 350 room Sandals resort is doing its bit to raise awareness of the destination. “And clients looking for a 2-destination vacation love combining us with Barbados.”
Both French and Dutch “sides” of St. Martin (or Sint Maarten, if you wish to be authentic about the Dutch side’s name) were represented at the event. “We recommend renting a car to really experience the destination, partly because the food scene is so amazing,” Cari Marotta, repping the Dutch side said. “We’re also a great choice for a long-stays thanks to our selection of self-catering options and our reputation for safety and friendliness.” (Licence plates even read “The Friendly Island”.) Great lift helps too, with WS offering 3 flights weekly and AC weekly service all summer, more in winter.
Brent Carnegie was happy to wave the flag for Nassau and Paradise Island – especially now that PD has had daily service since last November, and will be adding YOW as a gateway for the winter season. “And starting in November, Porter will be featuring packages, with Transat putting together the land. It’s now in the system and so easy to book!”
Over in Grenada, the big news is the opening of the InterContinental, slated for November. Add that to generous lift (AC twice weekly in summer, 3 times weekly starting in November) and December to April service on WS (the island has its fingers crossed that that will extended and it’s sure to be a hit.
Meanwhile the Cayman Islands are celebrating the opening of the ONE GT, a boutique independent hotel which opened in Georgetown, on Grand Cayman. Though not beachfront, every unit is kitchen-equipped and there are 3 restos. Sounds like it might be ideal for the business traveller – after all finance (insurance, banking) is the Islands’ number one industry.
In speaking of trends with Nancy Drolet, Open Jaw learned that like a lot of destinations, the Caribbean is seeing solid bookings in the short term window (30 to 60 day) as well as bookings towards the end of the year and into 2027. It’s the time in between that travellers’ anxieties (fuel, the world situation, or as she put it “external pressures”) that have them sitting on their wallets.
But overall “We are broadening our appeal and improving air connectivity.” Certainly a lot of destinations are very pleased to see Porter’s expansion into the region. “We are positive that we will remain one of the world’s most desirable warm weather destinations.”
And one appealing to Canadians now more than ever.
