The Week at the SLHTA May 31st, 2013

New York is getting set for the annual invasion of Caribbean vibrancy, energy, cuisine, culture, spirit and spirits. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) New York office is busy putting the finishing touches to preparations for Caribbean Week in New York, a celebration of the sights, sounds and vacation attributes of the Caribbean. 

The Week begins on Saturday 1 June with a Gospel Celebration – will feature some of the Caribbean’s top gospel icons lifting spirits with joyful noises and inspirational messages, and ends on Friday 7 June with the highly anticipated, spirit-filled Rum and Rhythm™; Rum and food lovers will sample top-shelf award-winning Caribbean rums, traditional Caribbean cuisine and rum-infused delicacies prepared by celebrity chefs from the Caribbean.

 

Other “can’t miss” events include the fascinating Students’ Colloquium; the Caribbean Diaspora Forum; Caribbean Media Marketplace; the Media Awards Luncheon; the Avalon Invest Caribbean Now Breakfast; and the Caribbean Marketing Conference & Awards Luncheon  – organized by the CTO Allied members.

 

One event that’s sure to excite potential holidaymakers is the OneCaribbean Vacation Mart and Auction, a One Day Bonanza at which Caribbean vacations will be available at special prices. A Romance Pavilion is being organized as part of the One Day Bonanza to make it easy for engaged couples or those seeking romance in the warmth and hospitality of the Caribbean,

 

For a full listing of Caribbean Week in New York events and how you can participate, please visit www.caribbeanweekny.com

Saint Lucia’s newest line of elegant Suites and one glorious Villa at Paradise Ridge are now officially open at Ladera as of this spring.  Newly constructed on a previously undeveloped parcel of stunning, high-altitude private land immediately adjacent to the resort, Paradise Ridge is surrounded by the naturally lush tropical rainforest and caps a round of luxury developments in the exclusive southern part of the island. Ladera’s new Villa and four Suites at Paradise Ridge offer soaring panoramic vistas of the Caribbean and UNESCO World Heritage Pitons and deliver a standard of service and luxury that are as elevated as the views. 

Paradise Ridge is accessed from the main part of the resort by a beautifully landscaped foot path. Once guests step over the threshold into the new exclusive enclave – through a dramatic archway crafted in tropical hardwood and traditional island design by on-site artisans – the sense of ultimate privacy, design and elevated luxury become evident.

 

Both the new Villa at Paradise Ridge and the Suites at Paradise Ridgehave locally-woven textiles, local tile and masonry and custom furniture pieces from new Paradise Ridge Collection, hand-crafted on site at Ladera, and available for purchase by guests. Designed as an idealized romantic hideaway, as with all of the guest rooms at Ladera, the Villa and Suites at Paradise Ridge includes a private pool and commands the only view on the island that directly faces the Caribbean and the Pitons.

 

“Paradise Ridge is now literally the ultimate height of luxury in Saint Lucia,” says Olivier Bottois, Ladera’s Vice President of Marketing & Operations. The new Paradise Ridge is not simply the latest luxury development to open in Saint Lucia. The iconic rooms, unique views from 1,100 feet above the Sea, the welcoming Saint Lucian staff and exclusive service by Ladera’s new signature Butler Service, combined with Ladera’s lasting commitment to local cuisine, design and handcrafted local décor, is one of a kind and unforgettable experience of Saint Lucia.

The Sandals Foundation has committed to support the C-FISH Fund as one of its acts of commitment to the ‘Caribbean Challenge’, an initiative that calls for protected zones along the region’s coasts by 2020. 

The C-FISH Fund is a private-public partnership with the goal of providing sustainable financial support to fish sanctuaries in the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation will partner to put mechanisms in place to bring in sustainable funding through tourism for the C-FISH Fund. These mechanisms will include tours of artificial reefs and the development of local craft to be sold in Sandals Resorts’ gift shops.

 

Additionally, the Sandals Foundation has committed to meet the following objectives by 2017: Support effective management of the Boscobel and Whitehouse fish sanctuaries in Jamaica; provide financial and volunteer support for turtle conservation in Antigua and Jamaica; and continue to provide support for the Bahamas National Trust’s conch conservation programme.

 

In making its commitment, the Sandals Foundation will be addressing the areas of marine and coastal protection; restoration of marine and coastal resources; sustainable tourism; sustainable fisheries; adaptation to climate change and marine pollution.

From Cocoa house to guest house – La Haut’s scenic serenity and tranquility abounds. This pleasant and family run resort is situated on a lush mountain 770 feet above sea level on the West coast of St. Lucia overlooking the Caribbean Sea, the Pitons and the Soufriere Rainforest. 

This calm and awe-inspiring view as well as outstanding customer service has caused La Haut to receive the 2013 Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor®. 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.

 

La Haut’s General Manager, Ms. Cindy Charles stated with great enthusiasm, “We are so ecstatic to be awarded TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. We strive on providing exceptional customer service to our guests and this award is proof that our hard work is reaping great rewards. The management and staff of La Haut Plantation would like to thank all guests for their wonderful reviews and support.”

Saint Lucia announced its intention to move towards a clean energy future by becoming the next pioneering economy to join the Carbon War Room’s Ten Island Challenge at the Caribbean Conservation summit held on Necker Island, hosted by the Virgin Group of Companies CEO Richard Branson, British Virgin Islands Premier, Orlando Smith and Prime Minister of Grenada, Keith Mitchell. 

Launched at the Rio+20 Summit last June, the Ten Island Challenge is working with pioneering island economies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels through the acceleration of commercial opportunities on island, attracting expert engineering firms and investment.

 

“Solving the energy challenge and marine conservation challenge in the Caribbean go hand-in-hand. I am very pleased that Saint Lucia has decided to join the Challenge – and hope more neighbouring islands will follow,” stated Sir Richard Branson.

 

“We are joining the Ten Island Challenge because it is consistent with the goals of our government to develop a renewable energy sector and transition to a Green Economy,” said James Fletcher, St. Lucia’s Minister of Sustainable Development and Energy.

 

St. Lucia is focusing its efforts to transition off fossil fuels through a range of initiatives from renewable energy as well as waste and water efficiency. Although sustainability and low carbon plans aren’t new to island economies, successful implementation is.

This week a number of insightful Sectorial Meetings were held at the SLHTA Secretariat with representatives from the Independent Restaurants Sector, The Destination Management Companies, Travel Agents, Tour Service Providers and Boat Charters Sub-Sectors and on Monday June 3rd, 2013 a meeting will be held with representatives from the Small Properties Sector. 

The purpose of these meetings is to gain feedback and knowledge from members as it relates to the impact of the proposed V.A.T. rate on their establishments and to deliberate the strategy for engaging the Government on the concerns of the SLHTA, as establishments, many of which are reporting reduction in business volumes and profit margins, may be faced with a change to the V.A.T. rate on accommodation of9.5% and 15% on other related services including tours, food & beverages from April 2014.

Accela Marketing Company Limited is a one-stop full service agency that provides Integrated Marketing Solutions, Marketing Research, Public Relations, Print Advertising, Radio and Television Production & Programming, Public Relations, Full Scale Web Development, Media Solutions and Event Planning & Execution. 

The 10 year old company’s main hub of operations is in Saint Lucia with affiliate offices in the OECS. In the region, many manufacturers, distributors and companies go directly to a production house or print shop, thinking it cheaper than an ad agency. However, clients – large and small – who walk through their doors are pleasantly surprised by the superior cost effectiveness of custom-fit advertising and marketing solutions with measurable results. They experience, sometimes for the first time, an agency that does more than simply take orders for jobs in a one-size-fits-all, volume-based model.

 

Accela Marketing seeks to develop a relationship. They ask pertinent questions and analyze all marketing challenges from a 360° perspective. Their ability to integrate research, PR, advertising, promotional and marketing ideas that have been focus-group tested truly sets them apart and they always recommend the smartest solution even if it means scrapping your more costly campaign for a simpler solution that earns us less profit. Accela maintains the highest standard of integrity and responsibility to their clients and maintains that intimate, approachable “small agency” feel professionals that in their region just love!

Thinking about success and prosperity tells the Universe to send you success and prosperity, regardless of the pessimism in the daily news. 

The Universe loves you and prospers you when your thoughts sincerely rejoice for, cheer on, congratulate, and get excited for successful and wealthy folks in our wonderful world, where we are all connected. Note: envious thoughts or jealous comments about wealthy people and their fortunes tell the Universe you are not interested in becoming rich!

 

Select five eminently accomplished men and women who have attracted success and millions of dollars. You may know them personally, have seen them on TV, or read about them in magazines. Maybe they are celebrities or scions of an influential family. Be thrilled for them. Now wish them much more success and wealth. You have just told the Rich, Infinite Energy that there is enough for him, her, and YOU! And you have done this solely with your thoughts!

 

Notice you are feeling abundant. Feeling abundant creates abundance. Thoughts Make You Wealthy. Wealth and success start with what you choose to think and talk about most of the day.