A new training program for agents. Fine culinary offerings. A new five-star hotel on the way. And, yes, more than a few beautiful beaches.
Open Jaw sat down for a chat on 25SEP with St. Kitts Tourism Minister Marsha Tamika Henderson and new St. Kitts Tourism Authority CEO Kelly Fontenelle to talk about what’s new, and what’s about to be new, on a Caribbean island with plenty of stories to tell.
Fontenelle said St. Kitts hasn’t done many fam trips for agents in a while, but they plan on having at least one next year to give advisors a better idea of what the island has to offer.
The authority will soon switch its travel advisor training platform to TravPro.
“We’ll have more information, more itineraries and more initiatives,” she said.
St. Kitts is known for its luxury hotels, including the Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour, The St. Kitts Marriott Resort, Sunset Reef and KOI resort St. Kitts (Hilton).
That makes it a natural fit for Canadian advisors, said Fontenelle, who took over for well-known CEO Tommy Thompson on 01JUL 2024.
“We’re not Cuba or the DR,” she said. “Hotels can arrange packages for groups, but we don’t have any real all-inclusives.”
Henderson told Open Jaw St. Kitts is in talks with the owners of a five-star hotel that could break ground next June on the southeast tip of the island, not far from the Park Hyatt. She’s not able to divulge the name at this time, but it sounds like big news for St. Kitts.
Two new, small boutique hotels also are in the works.
“We have a variety of accommodations and a variety of things to do,” Fontenelle said. “We have more than the beach. That helps set us apart from the sea of sameness in the Caribbean. We are the same, but we are not the same. We have rich history,” including the oldest rum operation in the Caribbean. St. Kitts also was the first European colony in the Caribbean (the Brits came in 1623, 401 years ago), and was home to the first hotel in the Caribbean, The Bath Hotel, on the nearby island of Nevis.
Nevis is a great getaway for visitors to St. Kitts, with amazing hiking, a renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course at the posh Four Seasons hotel, and more. Alexander Hamilton, the American patriot for whom the recent Broadway play was named, was born on Nevis. It’s just six minutes by boat from St. Kitts.
With towering mountains, rain forests, local farms, and, yes, more than a few marvellous beaches, St. Kitts is a great wellness destination, Fontenelle said.
“Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort is one of the gems of St. Kitts that we really need to get out there. It’s definitely an asset for the destination. It’s quite unique. It’s a beautiful location, and it really screams wellness.”
“You can do retreats there, because they’re so much space. And the new spa will open in December.”
Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort is a five-star property perched at 1,000 feet on the edge of a rainforest. It offers superb ocean views and cottages and villas designed to blend in with nature.
Sustainable tourism is a subject many people talk about. Henderson said St. Kitts is taking action.
“This government has a mandate to transition St. Kitts a sustainable island state by 2040,” she explained. “We feel we need to transition to renewable forms of energy, desalination, waste management and other things. We’re working with our partners on sustainable initiatives; hoteliers are constructing their properties to make provisions for those sorts of things.”
There’s also a ban on single-use plastics, and they’re looking at solar power and wind turbines to provide shore power to cruise ships, which would reduce their emissions.
Culinary tourism also is big on St. Kitts, with fine dining spots such as Orchid Bay Beach House (a high-end Italian dining spot helmed by a Canadian chef) and casual spots like Reggae Beach Bar and Grill for Friday Night lobster fests.
Liamuiga Natural Farm offers farm-to-table cuisine and was named a top cultural hot spot for 2024 by National Geographic.
There’s a restaurant week held every July in St. Kitts, with special packages available.
Henderson and Fontenelle also love casual bbq places that serve everything from pork to lobster and grilled chicken with St. Kitts spices.
“You get a cold Ting (a local soft drink) and fresh, tasty chicken wrapped in foil and talk with the locals,” Fontenelle said. “It’s not an experience you see in the brochures but it’s so good.”
St. Kitts also claims the first rum distillery in the Caribbean. Today, visitors can even take a course to become a Kittian Rum Master.
“If you’re in St. Kitts and you have a cold, you drink rum,” Henderson said with a laugh. “If you have a problem on the job, you drink rum. If you have a fever, you drink rum.”
The St. Kitts Tourism Authority on 25SEP announced the launch of its new St. Kitts Yourway (SKY) Travel Agent Program, running from 1AUG 2024 to15DEC 2024. The initiative is designed to provide exclusive benefits and unbeatable rates to travel agents, encouraging them to experience the allure of St. Kitts firsthand and share its adventures with their clients.
Travel agents participating in the SKY program will enjoy exceptional discounts and rewards. The program is tailored for different markets with specific benefits:
Canadian Market
The program will be available to Canadian agents as soon as the direct flight with Air Canada starts on 23NOV. Those flights are expected to be once a week for now, but Air Canada bumped that to two per week for part of the last winter season, and the tourism authority hopes that will happen again. Numbers so far appear higher than last year, so officials are optimistic about getting two flights a week from YYZ again this winter. Of course, they’d also love year-round service from Canada, which is historically their third or fourth-largest international market.
Participating Properties and Rates
During the “Kittitian Explorer” months, travel agents can book directly with each hotel to secure special rates
Our Properties:
Park Hyatt St. Kitts: 70% off Rack Rate
Sugar Bay Club: 40% off Rack Rate (complimentary upgrade based on availability)
KOI Resort St. Kitts: 25% off base Rate (Code: L-TR)
Belle Mont Sanctuary Resort: $245 per night plus tax (includes breakfast, upgrades based on availability)
Timothy Beach Resort: Rates starting at $72.88 per night plus tax
Royal St. Kitts Hotel: Rates starting at $129 per night plus tax
St. Kitts Marriott Resort: $159 per night plus tax
Ramada by Wyndham St Kitts Resort: 25% off their international rate
Golden Rock Resort (Statia): $210 per night, excluding tax
All rates are subject to change, and blackout dates may apply.
Additional Benefits
Site Inspections and Island Tours are available upon request through the form on the St. Kitts Tourism Authority’s website, subject to availability.
Site Inspection Form
Value Card: Upon arrival, agents will receive a value card offering discounts on gift shops, restaurants, and more, enhancing their stay and overall experience on the island.
“We are delighted to introduce the SKY Travel Agent Program, which underscores our commitment to fostering strong relationships with travel agents,” Henderson said. “We aim to provide agents with the tools and experiences needed to effectively promote St. Kitts by offering these exclusive rates and benefits. We believe that once agents experience the beauty and culture of our destination, they will be even more inspired to share it with their clients.
“This program is not just about providing discounts; it’s about creating memorable experiences that will resonate with travel agents and their clients for years to come.”
“St. Kitts delivers an authentic Caribbean experience, steeped in rich heritage and vibrant culture,” tourism officials said. “With stunning views, warm hospitality, delicious cuisine, and a storied history, there is something for everyone. History buffs can explore UNESCO-recognized sites, while adventure seekers can dive into scuba diving, volcano hiking, and ziplining. For rum enthusiasts, the unique Kittitian RumMaster program offers an unforgettable experience.”
The SKY program invites travel agents to explore the island independently, offering exclusive discounts on hotels, restaurants, and attractions. This enhances their firsthand knowledge and service for clients.
To take advantage of these benefits, travel agents (North America/Caribbean) must log their bookings at https://skittstourism.kn/travel-log at the time of booking using the booking code SKY24.
