The Week At SLHTA, January 11th, 2013

 

Friday, January 11, 2013  
In This Edition
An Incredible View
On Island Excursion
Caribbean Hotelier of the Year
‘Tri’ St. Lucia
Sandals X-Mas Cheer
Article Headline
St. Lucia Takes Home Over 50 Awards for 2012
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Jade Mountain, Hotel with an Incredible View
TripAdvisor one of the world’s largest travel sites has completed their “10 Hotels with Incredible Views for 2012” list. As highly expected, our refreshing and awe-inspiring Jade Mountain has made the list.
Jade Mountain, captured over 17 awards and recognitions for 2012 and 2013 seems to be another record setting one. A recent tourist to the hotel has stated “Jade Mountain was just wonderful. The view is absolutely breathtaking, and upon entering our room I got goosebumps, it is so beautiful! There’s not a single day the goes by that I don’t think about that view. And I can’t wait to go back again.”

Certificate of Excellence 
TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel sites, is proud to congratulate Cotton Bay Village on earning the prestigious 2012 Certificate of Excellence award.  The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately 10 % of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.

 

“Cotton Bay Village is extremely pleased at TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence,” said Ginette King, Sales Manager, at Cotton Bay Village. “Just when we though ours was not coming, we received notice of our accolade, which is evidence that dedication and hard work from our employees and management does pay off and we are pleased with the results.”

On Island Excursion
Allow your New Year Resolution to include adventure and create memories with stranger-friends or loved ones. One such activity is,
Deep Sea Fishingoffers a chance to explore the great Caribbean Sea through a number of different charters. Guests can choose between whole or half-day fishing excursions. Depending on the time of year, the Catch of the Day may include mackerel, king mackerel, white marlin, barracuda, kingfish or sailfish. For more information visit Hackshaws website

Caribbean Hotelier of the Year 2012
Dear SLHTA Member,
The nomination process for the 2012 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year is now open and we are encouraging all to submit a nomination. Kindly submit nominations by Monday 15th January 2013 for review and submission to CHTA.
Please request a copy of the form from Nikka Swanson and send your completed form, along with any backup material, to Noorani Azeez.
I look forward to receiving your nominations by the stated deadlines.

‘Tri’ St. Lucia
Adam Gobat has been planning the ‘Tri’ St. Lucia event for 23rd November 2013. He has been doing this in conjunction with Daley Thompson (Olympic legend), John Lunt (organiser of the London Olympics 2012 Triathlon), the St. Lucia Tourist Board (UK) and CaribTours (as a preferred partner for booking the event).

 

The event is designed to draw attention to the island’s outdoor activity potential as well as fill airline seats and, most importantly hotel beds, at a time of year (the week before US Thanksgiving) when I am sure we could all do with a little incremental business. This event will not of course work without your support. I would therefore like to invite hotels to participate by providing the following:

 

–          5% override on Tri St. Lucia room sales;
–          For hotels under 50 rooms, 1 free rooms for a Tri St. Lucia staff member for that week on a bed and breakfast basis and a further free room on every 5 rooms sold;
–          For hotels with more than 50 rooms, 2 free rooms for Tri staff on a bed and breakfast basis for that week and a further free room on every 5 rooms sold;

 

I do hope you are excited by the potential exposure and sales value of this event and I look forward to hearing from you in due course. Time is now of the essence and if you wish your hotel to participate please complete the attached form and returnadam@capmaison.comno later than 18t January 2013 as we seek to make use of the current BA and US flight sales.

Sandals X-Mas Cheer
As the Christmas spirit hits the Island by storm, the Sandals Foundation and two of its supporters from England ensured that students at the Gros Islet Primary School are not left out of the buzz. Phillip and Jillian Petchin who have been coming to Sandals for ten years wanted to thank St. Lucia where they have spent several of their best vacations.

 

Sandals Grande’s General Manager Carl Beviere was very grateful for the generosity shown by the loyalty customers, who have made St. Lucia their second home.

New Year Address from the Minister of Tourism, Heritage and the Creative Industries, Hon. Lorne D. C. Theophilus

Oh what a year 2012 has been! Saint Lucia as a destination faced challenges with airlift from our major source market (US), and at the end of the year from the region, in addition to those brought on by mother nature in one form or another; like Hurricane Sandy that threatened to deal a death blow to visitor traffic from our key corridor in the North-east USA, to general economic crises in Europe.

As a destination, we sought to plot new strategic directions and maintain our competitive edge in an environment of tough regional and global competition. We sought to streamline our operations administratively and create greater fiscal responsibility through more targeted marketing endeavors, thus making us a more progressive and productive outfit.

We were able to end 2012 diffidently. This is noteworthy given all of the uncertainties we faced. As we forge ahead in 2013 we intend to announce early in the year, a series of initiatives we believe, will not only invigorate industry partner but the entire population and indeed the marketplace.

One of the more exciting initiatives will be the launch of the ‘New Creative’ for the destination. This has become necessary as we strive to redefine our position in the marketplace as a true leader in destination marketing. We expect to see a new tagline for our destination, one we think that will resonate with locals and visitors alike.

Another is the complete makeover of our flagship special event ‘Saint Lucia Jazz.’  Again, we believe the changes to that event, to be announced in January, will reignite passion and excitement amongst potential patrons from around the globe.

Many plans are in the making for all of the marketing and promotional activities scheduled for 2013 which speak to achieving our goals and objectives which will be presented to you in January. It is going to be a fantastic but busy year and we look forward to seeing much more of the team spirit we saw in 2012. I believe closer collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association will be the catalyst to success as we strive to maintain and sustain our position as a leading tourism destination.

Together, we won well over 50 international accolades last year. As we gear up to surpass that this year, let me take this opportunity to wish all involved in the business of tourism a very productive and enterprising 2013.

St. Lucia Takes Home
Over 50 Awards for 2012

The island of Saint Lucia ends the year with a record 50-plus awards, most recently tapped as Travel Weekly’s 2012 Readers Choice for Best Caribbean Destination. “We are honored and very proud of the awards received this year and do not take them for granted. For an island of our size to be recognized with the most hotels within the Caribbean on both Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels with four properties and Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Top 100 Hotels with two properties, is an accomplishment. Each award is a testament of the hard work and commitment of the government, hotel and tourism partners and the workers in the industry,” said Louis Lewis, Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.
Destination Awards:
  • Travel Weekly’s 2012 Readers’ Choice for Best Caribbean Destination
  • Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination for the 4th time at the 2012 World Travel Awards Caribbean & The America’s Ceremony in September
  • Best Caribbean Port from PortholeCruise Magazine
  • Voted number #3 on the list of The World’s Top 20 Honeymoon Destinations by Brides magazines
  • Castries Market ranked #3 on National Geographic Magazine’s Top Food Markets in the World
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards rated Saint Lucia #6 on the list of Top Islands in the Caribbean & Atlantic
  • Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers’ Choice for Most Romantic Destination
  • Sexiest Romance/Honeymoon Destination by Recommend Magazine Readers’ Choice Award
  • TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Destinations in the Caribbean, Castries ranked #13 and Soufriere ranked #23
Tours Operator Awards:
  • Barefoot Holidays DMC Saint Lucia, which offers assistance with accommodations, tours and excursions and more, was named Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator at the 2012 World Travel Awards; Americas ceremony.
Noted Property Awards/Recognition:

Anse Chastanet:
  • AAA 4 Diamond recognized property
  • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012
  • Condé Nast Traveler Top 270 Spa
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World
  • Travel + Leisure’s 2012 Top 25 Caribbean Resorts
Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa:
  • Expedia’s 2012 Insiders’ Select List
  • Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels Award for Fun for All Ages
  • Virgin Holidays Silver Award for Best Small Hotel in the Caribbean
  • Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
The BodyHoliday LeSport:
  • Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels Award for Best All-Inclusive
  • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
  • SpaFinder’s Readers’ Choice Favorite Spa in the Caribbean and Top 10 Best for Watersports
  • Best All-Inclusive Resort in the Caribbean by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
  • Tied for Best Spa in the Caribbean by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
Boucan by Hotel Chocolat:
  • Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels Award for Local Experience
  • Island’s Magazine Best Resort for Romantic Getaways
  • Travel + Leisure’s 2012 “It List”
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 “Hot List”
Cap Maison:
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 30 Hotels in the Caribbean and the Atlantic
  • TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
  • 2012 Fodor’s Choice property by Fodor’s Travel
  • Honorable mention, Cigar Aficionado Magazine Best Resort or Hotel, Any size
Coconut Bay Resort & Spa:
  • TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Hotels for Families in the Caribbean
Coco Palm:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
Crystals:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
Discovery Marigot Bay Hotel:
  • AAA 4 Diamond recognized property
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award for Fine Dining (Boudreau Restaurant)
East Winds Inn:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Traveler’s Choice Award for All-Inclusive Hotel in the Caribbean
Fond Doux Holiday Plantation:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence
Jade Mountain:
  • Best Resort or Hotel Island by Island by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
  • Best Small Resort or Hotel in the Caribbean by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
  • Caribbean’s Top Honeymoon Resort by Bride’s Magazine
  • Caribbean Travel + Life’s Readers’ Choice for Best Romantic Resort
  • Caribbean Travel + Life’s Readers’ Choice for Best Luxury Resort
  • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012
  • Condé Nast Traveler Top 270 Spa
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Top 100 Hotels & Resorts in the World
  • Fodor’s Top 100 Hotels Award for Trip of a Lifetime
  • Island’s Magazine Best Resort for Romantic Getaways
  • Saint Lucia’s only AAA 5 Diamond property
  • Top 10 Adults-Only Vacation Spots by Shape Magazine
  • Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Service List
  • Travel + Leisure’s 25 Top Caribbean Resorts
  • TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
  • TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 10 Hotels for Romance in the World
  • Wine Spectator Award of Excellence
Ladera:
  • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 30 Hotels in the Caribbean and the Atlantic
  • Saint Lucia’s Best Restaurant (Dasheene at Ladera) by Cigar Aficionado Magazine
  • Travel + Leisure’s 25 Top Caribbean Resorts
The Landings:
  • AAA 4 Diamond recognized property
  • TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
  • TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Hotels for Families in the Caribbean
Sandals:
  • Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort named Saint Lucia’s Leading Resort by World Travel Awards
  • Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa and Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort recognized as an AAA 4 Diamond property
  • Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa named Saint Lucia’s Leading Spa Resort by World Travel Awards
  • Received Five Star Diamond Award by American Academy of Hospitality Sciences for Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa and Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort
  • Received Five Star Diamond Award by Received Five Star Diamond Award by American Academy of Hospitality for Sandals La Toc Restaurant at Sandals La Toc Golf Resort & Spa in St. Lucia
St. James’s Club Morgan Bay, Saint Lucia (Formerly Morgan Bay Beach Resort)
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards in the Beach Resort/Hotel Category
Stonefield Estate Resort:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (Formerly Jalousie Plantation):
  • AAA 4 Diamond recognized property
  • Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012
  • Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 30 Hotels in the Caribbean and the Atlantic
  • Island’s Magazine Best Resort for Romantic Getaways
  • Saint Lucia’s Leading Hotel by World Travel Awards
  • TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
Ti Kaye Village Resort:
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
  • TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in the Caribbean
Windjammer Landing:
  • About.com‘s 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for Favorite All-Inclusive Caribbean Resort
  • TripAdvisor’s 2012 Certificate of Excellence Award
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