Colors: Yellow Color
Colors: Yellow Color

BRITS’ ideal beach is a constant 25C, bans salesmen flogging local crafts, comes with free Wi-Fi, has parasols fitted with phone chargers and MUST be a location that looks good on Instagram.

New research shows nearly 60% of Brits take a beach holiday abroad once a year with more blokes (70%) loving a beach holiday than women (54%) - and when a quarter of Millennials hit the beach they spend over FIVE HOURS a day updating their social media profiles.

But the reality of a holiday by the sea means Brits have a whole range of beach bugbears, including sand getting in your food and phone, other people invading your territory and having nowhere to store your valuables.

So Travel Republic has provided a guide to combating Brits’ beach nightmares that shows why you should never head to the sea without a nappy, talcum powder and a fitted bedsheet.

The survey shows that 18-24-year-olds spend an average of 1.9 hours per day updating social media on the beach while those aged 35-44 are glued to their phones for 1.6 hours – and a third (35%) of Millennials say free Wi-Fi makes the perfect beach

Men on average spend twice as long as women on social media when on the beach, with blokes spending two hours updating their profile compared to one hour for women.

When comparing men and women’s reasons for going to the beach, more men like that it is family friendly (28%), there are lots of sports activities (27%) and enjoy the atmosphere of people around them (18%). More women like the chance to relax and being able to dip in the cool water (60%) and the guaranteed sun (42%).

Women had more gripes about the beach than men, with the top five complaints being: Litter (61%); nowhere safe to leave belongings (46%); people shaking sandy towels over you (40%); other people sitting right next to you even though there is loads of room (40%) and sand in your food (38%).

Whilst a sandy beach is the ideal location for Brits, the sand is also their biggest pet peeve, with 25% grumbling about sand getting stuck on you when you apply sun cream, sand getting too hot to walk on (27%), people shaking their sandy towels at you (29%) and sand going in their food (33%) as their biggest beach annoyances.

Travel Republic’s beach hacks include storing valuables in a nappy – as nobody would think to look in one - removing excess sand from your feet with talcum powder and staking out your territory on the beach using a fitted bed sheet as well as more tips to make your beach holiday as relaxed as possible

Travel expert Frank Brehany said: “The Travel Republic survey certainly rings a lot of bells, in particular people parking themselves next to you when there are so many spaces nearby, to being able to enjoy different zones on the beach to suit your mood! When I go to the beach I also enjoy being able to log-in to a resort’s wi-fi, but for many people, that either only feeds the addiction of being online, or worse, not being able to disconnect from the office.

“My recent trip to a beach certainly delivered many of the bonuses but also some downsides. I was particularly struck by groups of young people in their 20’s, unable to prise their mobile device from their hands, even when they are in the sea!

“Whilst we were surrounded by sand dunes, an azure sea and acres of pine forests, the silent tapping and squinting was all too evident, which led to me to ask; why?

“Whilst it’s great to be connected, my advice is simple; people at home don’t want to be updated every 10 minutes, break the habit and go digital-free for 4/5 hours because your holiday experience will be all the richer for engaging in those delicious surroundings! Who knows, you might be able to strike off something from that holiday bucket list; then you’ll have something interesting to talk about?”

Brits said that, on average, 25C is the perfect temperature at the beach with a quarter saying traditional fish ‘n’ chips is the ideal beach picnic.

When asked to pick an item that they could not go to the beach without, 26% said a hat and glasses, with 17% going for water or snacks – but seven per cent of Millennials said they would forsake all those for a selfie stick.

Brits are most likely to spend their beach time reading (43%) snoozing (43%), people watching (37%), paddling in the waves (34%) and listening to music (23%).

Vietnam Airlines has been certified with a 4-star airline rating by prestigious international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. This is the third consecutive year that Vietnam Airlines has achieved this accolade as the airline continues to deliver an outstanding flying experience for all its customers.

The Skytrax rating is based on comprehensive evaluation programmes conducted across Vietnam Airlines services. The flag carrier has been undergoing a significant transformation to develop every aspect of the business- from on-ground to inflight services. Achieving Skytrax 4-star international rating places Vietnam Airlines in esteemed company alongside many of the world's premium airlines, including Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, KLM and Qantas. The thorough Skytrax evaluation provide the airline a foundation to continue to invest and meet customers' expectations throughout every aspect of the business.

This year, Vietnam Airlines is taking great strides to focus on service quality as the core feature of the business, in order to meet the increasing requirements of customers. Vietnam Airlines also prides itself on the cultural touchpoints which are deeply embedded in all the flag carrier's products and services. From the celebrated national dish, “Pho”, to distinctive seasonal fruits such as lychee and longan, Vietnamese cuisine is a hallmark on all Vietnam Airlines flights. Additionally, newly-designed Business Class tableware for Japanese meals on all Japan routes represents a harmonious combination of Japanese and Vietnamese culture, with the familiar “Lotus” brand image and pink Lotus appearing on each piece.

Earlier this year, Vietnam Airlines appointed celebrity chef, Luke Nguyen, as its Global Cuisine Ambassador. Together with Vietnam Airlines' culinary team, Luke will reimagine the in-flight menus, drawing inspiration and influences from the rich Vietnamese culture and cuisine around the world. Luke will create eight regional dishes for the Business Class menu inspired by his travels across Vietnam. This partnership comes from a shared ethos of respecting cultural values by designing, preparing and presenting authentic Vietnamese flavors in harmony with on-board dishes.

Vietnam Airlines also continues to provide enhanced service standards across all cabin types, and dedicated check-in counters for priority passengers. The airline has implemented separate check-in counters for Business Class and Premium Economy passengers and LotuSmiles members. Premium Economy is available on routes between Vietnam and Japan, Australia and Western Europe, while Business Class is offered on international flights to the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Russia, with new pajamas, blankets and bed linen, providing extra comfort and a luxurious experience for long-haul journeys. Enhancements to the airline's duty free shopping have also contributed greatly to improving the customer experience.

Customer satisfaction is Vietnam Airlines' greatest source of pride. The airline's efforts to enable innovation and development have been recognized by international and national communities through a series of prestigious awards. In 2017, Vietnam Airlines was awarded the 'Asia Pacific Airline of the Year' by CAPA; as well as 'World's Leading Airline – Premium Economy Class' and 'World's Leading Cultural Airline' in the World Travel Awards.

Boeing and Goshawk Aviation Limited. announced an order for 20 737 MAX airplanes at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow. The order, valued at $2.3 billion according to current list prices, marks the first time the aircraft lessor has purchased jets directly from Boeing.

“Placing direct order is a critical part of Goshawk’s overall growth strategy and we are pleased to have finalized our order with Boeing. The 737 MAX family is one of the best-in-class, modern and in-demand narrow-body aircraft with latest technologies which fit well with our focus,” said Brian Cheng, Chairman of Goshawk Aviation Limited and Executive Director of NWS Holdings Limited. “We believe the MAX’s double-digit fuel efficiency improvement, combined with longer range and market-leading reliability, will strengthen our portfolio and help us continue to deliver world-class, tailored solutions to our customers.”

The airplanes, previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website, are sold to Goshawk Aviation Limited. Goshawk is based in Dublin, Ireland, and is expected to have an owned, managed and committed fleet of over 220 airplanes, including the direct order placed with Boeing.

“We are delighted that Goshawk, with their world-class aircraft leasing team, has selected to expand their portfolio and business model with the 737 MAX. This is a great validation for our Boeing team and the 737 MAX family,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president, Commercial Sales & Marketing, The Boeing Company. “With rising demand for narrowbody jets, we are confident that the unmatched economics and capabilities of the 737 MAX will position Goshawk for success and growth.”

Goshawk selected the MAX 8 variant. In a standard two-class configuration, the airplane carries 162 to 178 passengers and flies up to 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 kilometers). The airplane provides a 14-percent fuel efficiency gain compared to its predecessor, and 8 percent better than its competition.

The 737 MAX family achieves superior fuel efficiency and range through the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, and other improvements. The jet also features the signature Boeing Sky Interior and large flight deck displays.

This fall, take a break in Kissimmee where thrills await around every corner, festive traditions take center stage, and home never feels too far away. While the crowds calm and the weather cools, here are all the fear-inducing adventures, family-friendly happenings, and newest additions coming this season to sunny Kissimmee.

Halloween Happenings

Only treats await at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, taking place select nights from Aug. 17 - Oct. 31 at Magic Kingdom Park. This happy haunting is full of special sweets, grinning ghosts, eerie entertainment, and Disney Characters in their spookiest garbs. This year's special-ticket event will feature a few surprises, as special lighting and effects give a new spin to the Mad Tea Party and a new soundtrack and special effects transform Space Mountain. Plus, the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular show at Cinderella Castle will return— just in time for the film's 25th anniversary.

Scream through scenes from classic horror movies and cringe-worthy TV shows, and even original concepts, at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. Taking place select nights from Sept. 14 - Nov. 3, the world's premier Halloween event will spotlight horrors of the '80s, including a haunted house inspired by Netflix's sci-fi thriller “Stranger Things.” In its 28th year, the event will feature scare zones, live shows, access to some of the resort's most popular attractions, and 10 haunted houses—more than ever before.

Weekends from Sept. 22 - Oct. 28, enjoy an ocean of Halloween fun for the whole family at SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular. During this daytime event meet everyone's favorite Sesame Street friends and whimsical sea creatures, enjoy spectacularly spooky live shows, and trick-or-treat throughout the park.

For friendly Halloween hijinks head to LEGOLAND Florida Resort for Brick or Treat, select nights Oct. 6-31. This spooky, and a little kooky, event features trick-or-treating, seasonal Halloween shows, giant LEGO models, special meet-and-greets with LEGO Halloween characters, and a special firework spectacular.

A ghoulish good time awaits at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center during Goblins & Giggles Getaway Weekends. During select weekends in October, the resort will offer plenty of Halloween fun and frights for the whole family.

Brighton's vibrant streets provide a huge range of amazing places to explore.

There are the family friendly arcades, beaches and museums, the Brighton pier, which has been a favourite attraction in the seaside resort since the Victorian era and the towering i360 providing a panoramic view across the county and the hustle and bustle of Brighton city centre.

One great way to uncover the hidden secrets of all these locations and have a lot of fun at the same time is with a self-guided Treasure Trail.

Designed for all ages from six to 106, there are 3 Treasure Trails to choose from in Brighton with exciting locations like 'Brighton Lanes & North Laine', 'Brighton Seafront' and 'Brighton Cultural Quarter'.

Explore the Brighton seafront on the Treasure Hunt Trail taking in the Palace Pier. Solve the whodunit on a Murder Mystery Trail in the Cultural quarter from the Pavilion Gardens and through the Regency heritage sights of the City or crack the code and complete the Spy Mission Trail which takes you through the Lanes – the arty, funky side of Brighton following the bustling grid of streets.

Jade Mountain resort is the number one hotel in St. Lucia, according to readers of the influential Travel + Leisure (T+L) magazine, which also placed its sister hotel Anse Chastanet in the top five on the island.

According to the magazine's 2018 World's Best Awards, the renowned resorts took the first and third place, respectively, on the island of St. Lucia, and second and sixth spots, respectively, in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas category. Additionally, Jade Mountain was ranked among the Top 100 Hotels in the World.

Respected travel editor Jacqueline Gifford explained that every year for the World's Best Awards survey T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe - to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food and overall value.

This year's list spans 12 countries and territories, including St. Bart's, Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda and Anguilla. "But St. Lucia took home the most winning hotels," she explained, five to be exact, including honeymoon mainstays Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet Resort, whose open-air rooms wowed visitors. "The service, private beach, and views were incredible," remarked one honeymooner of Jade Mountain, which sits higher up on the hill from Anse Chastanet. "We hope to go back for our 10th anniversary."

"We would like to extend special thanks to Travel + Leisure's readers who have once again recognized that small, luxury, sustainability and top St. Lucian service make a formidable combination," said Karolin Troubetzkoy, the resorts' executive director, who recently recognized her own team for their consistent pursuit of excellence in the hospitality industry.

Troubetzkoy congratulated St. Lucian hotels Ladera Resort, Cap Maison and Marigot Bay Resort & Marina for making the Top 25 list as well as Frangipani Beach Resort in Anguilla for taking the top spot in the region.

Jade Mountain was named number 56 in the world while Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, in Indonesia ranked in first place.

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has celebrated the first anniversary of its service to Manchester Airport, after operating the route for just over a year.

 

Following the success of the route, Oman Air started operating a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the Manchester-Muscat service as of 1 July. The Dreamliner offers guests travelling from Manchester more space and equally more comfort, whilst onboard. Oman Air’s outstanding aircraft provides state of the art in-flight entertainment systems, individual seatback screens, audio and video on demand and live satellite TV.

 

To mark the celebration, Oman Air UK management including Kelpesh Patel, Oman Air Interim Country Manager, and Feysal Nagi Oman Air District Sales Manager as well as key members of Manchester Airport held celebrations at the Oman Air gate. The festivities also marked Manchester Airport’s 80th anniversary.

 

Guests were welcomed to branded cupcakes, entertainment and balloons. Speeches were made by Kelpesh Patel (Oman Air) and Nicola McMullen (Manchester Airport) before flight WY106 headed to Muscat’s award-winning passenger terminal.

 

With the route operating for over a year, the Manchester service connects business and leisure travellers from the region to a myriad of destinations. This includes the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Indian subcontinent providing guests with more choice and easy connections, via the airline’s hub in Muscat.

 

Julian Carr, Aviation Director for Manchester Airport, said: “It’s fantastic to see Oman Air celebrating their one year anniversary at the airport.  Their flights to Muscat and their connections beyond to Africa, Asia and India have proved hugely popular with 22million people in our catchment area.  We’re looking forward to working with them to build on their successful first year.”

 

Kelpesh Patel, Interim Country Manager UK & Ireland, Oman Air, said: “Oman Air has had a fantastic year flying on the Manchester-Muscat service and we couldn’t be happier with the support Manchester Airport has shown to Oman Air. I look forward to cementing our partnership with Manchester Airport, and working together to further establish Oman as one of the airline’s key destinations from the North of England.”

 

Oman Air is currently undergoing an exciting fleet and network expansion programme, which will see the airline operate up to 62 aircraft to around 60 destinations by 2022. Oman Air’s fleet currently consists of four Boeing 787-8, three 787-9 Dreamliners, six Airbus 330-300s, four Airbus 330-200s, five Boeing 737-900s, 21 Boeing 737-800, four Embraer 175s, and three Boeing 737 MAX.  By the end of 2018 Oman Air will have taken delivery of five new MAX aircraft and three 787-9s. By 2022, Oman Air’s total fleet size is expected to be around 70.

The 105th Tour De France kicks off this weekend and is one of the most gruelling sporting events in the world, covering more than 2,000 miles through France. However, you don't have to be an elite athlete to cycle through this wonderful country. AmaWaterways offer plenty of opportunities for guests to explore on two wheels and are currently offering savings of 25% off selected Summer 2018 itineraries - meaning keen cyclists can explore for less.

AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to add a fleet of bicycles on their European Ships, enabling guests to independently explore the historic Normandy coast, the rolling hills and vast vineyards of Bordeaux or picture-perfect landscapes of Provence.

For a more structured day, complimentary cycling excursions are offered to suit a range of fitness levels. Favourites include cycling past fairy tale chateaux in the Gironde Estuary, following in the footsteps of the Santiago Pilgrims & exploring the Saint Emilion and Pomerol vineyards.

Back on-board, guests can cool off in the whirlpool, enjoy a massage or simply relax and watch the world go by – while the ship transports them to their next cycling adventure.

The Eden Project will be hosting the ultimate space adventure holiday this summer (July 21 to September 2) starring a mission to Mars, mini-golf on Mercury and a daring slide down the surface of a moon.

Expedition Space is an all-new programme of intergalactic activities taking place across Eden throughout the school summer holidays with plenty to do in all weathers.

Everyone will have the chance to go on an extra-terrestrial holiday of a lifetime including planet-hopping, meeting alien friends and enjoying out-of-this-world fun such as moon buggy driving and a mind-blowing new virtual reality experience.

A big highlight will be Mission to Mars, where space explorers can climb aboard a rocket and blast into orbit while enjoying spectacular views of the Moon en-route.

The journey takes off from the Stage and will showcase the wonders of our stars and galaxies before culminating in a dramatic landing on the Red Planet.

Passengers can see the majesty of Mars and find out from a resident Martian expert what it would be like to live in this barren landscape.

The planet-hopping continues with a bucket list of activities including mini-golf on the cratered surface of Mercury, caving on Saturn's rocky moon Titan, and a lunar driving test on a Renault Zoe slot-car buggy. These activities will all take place in Eden's Arena, Orchard and outdoor gardens.

Thrill-seekers of all ages can bump, bounce and whizz down the icy slopes of Jupiter's smallest moon Europa on a daring slide located on the Arena hillside.

Back on Earth, in a new family show, visitors will be able to 'meet a local' in the form of a friendly alien who will give everyone the lowdown on space travel.

There will be daily space storytelling by Eden narrators and space-themed entertainment shows in the Mediterranean Biome.

A bespoke new virtual reality experience will take intrepid visitors on a thrilling trip across the fiery surface of Venus. Participants wearing headsets will have their real-life steps tracked and replicated in both virtual and augmented experiences while they traverse the planet's volcanic surface.

Gordon Seabright, Chief Executive of the Eden Project, said: “We're so excited to be launching our all-new adventure programme Expedition Space at Eden this summer.

“If you've ever wondered what it would be like to go on holiday to space, then climb aboard our Mission to Mars, try your hand at golf on Mercury or whizz down our huge slope from Jupiter.

“Expedition Space is going to be a fabulous celebration of our solar system with extra-terrestrial activities taking place throughout Eden - including in our stunning outdoor gardens - to suit sunny days, rainy days and every kind of space traveller.”

All activities, with the exception of the virtual reality experience, are included in the standard admission price. The virtual reality experience will cost £5 per person. For more details or to buy tickets, see www.edenproject.com.

Expedition Space is part of Invisible Worlds, a major new permanent exhibition that reveals the world beyond our senses. Its centrepiece in Eden's Core building is ∞ Blue (Infinity Blue), a spectacular new 8.5m sculpture that blows vapour rings.

This summer, holiday makers can take advantage of a new promotion from the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

Launching this week and running until 30 September, the Summer of Discovery is the island's biggest and most interactive summer promotion ever. A prize draw of £7,500 is up for grabs for anyone visiting Saint Lucia this season. 25 iconic sites and attractions have been chosen and to enter, holidaymakers need to capture a selfie at one of the locations.

Tropical sun seekers can also save up to 60% on their holiday accommodation in Saint Lucia. With 12 tour operators taking part, including Tropical Sky, Trailfinders, LetsGo2, Caribtours, Elegant Resorts, The Villa Collection, Inspiring Travel Company, The Holiday Place, Tropic Breeze, Caribbean Warehouse, BestAtTravel and Luxury Holidays Direct, there is a range of holidays on offer to suit all budgets and tastes.

To participate in the Summer of Discovery prize draw, visitors must follow @travelsaintlucia on their Instagram and Facebook feeds; visit a minimum of five out of the 25 locations and capture a selfie at each location. The photos must be posted with the hashtag #summerofdiscovery, plus the hashtag for each location. Finally, they need to tag @travelsaintlucia in the photo. One of the selfies must be at the property where the guest is staying. For every location-based selfie posted beyond the five minimum, participants will receive an additional entry in the prize-draw.

In addition, the promotion features the new “Holiday Travel Guarantee.” The “Holiday Travel Guarantee” has been adopted by a number of properties on island and means that booked guests will not forfeit their trip as a result of adverse weather but be allowed to defer their holiday to a later date.

Getting to Saint Lucia is easy with daily direct flights available from London Gatwick Airport and from Manchester in the winter. Saint Lucia is the ideal choice for couples, families and groups looking for a tropical sun getaway. Holiday makers can visit the iconic twin peaks, the Pitons; soak in the soothing Sulphur Springs mud baths or jump around the Splash Island Water Park, the Caribbean's first open-water sports park.

Bay Gardens Hotel and and its sister property Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia have entered the TripAdvisor "Certificate of Excellence" Hall of Fame after being recognized for outstanding hospitality for five consecutive years by the influential travel site.
Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of the locally owned Bay Gardens Resorts chain of hotels in the north of St. Lucia, announced the group's honor after two of its four hotels entered the prestigious category.
"We are thankful for this most recent recognition of our staff's commitment to hospitality excellence, and we will continue to raise our service standards," said Destang, who recently reported on guests' satisfaction with the ongoing renovations to the 77-room Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa.
Destang also reported that Bay Gardens Inn and  Bay Gardens' Splash Island Water Park were recipients of the 2018 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. The first open water sports park in the nation, located off Reduit Beach, received the accolade for the second successive year.
Since 2011, TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence has honored hospitality businesses across the world for delivering consistently great service. Approximately one in ten of the total businesses on TripAdvisor that have consistently achieved great reviews over the past year earns a Certificate of Excellence.
There is no application process for the Certificate; instead it is earned over time by maintaining an overall TripAdvisor rating of at least four out of five, having a minimum number of reviews, and having been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.
To determine recipients, TripAdvisor uses user-generated content with an algorithm that takes into account the quality, quantity, and recency of user reviews, as well as the business' tenure on the site.

The True Blue Bay Boutique resort in Grenada has launched the True Sleep Wellness Retreat to help people to wind down from their busy lives and the demands of a hyper connected world to achieve deep, restful sleep. The retreat, running from 10 to 17 October, encompasses exercise, diet and healing delivered through yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, Feng Shui and healthy eating.

The retreats will be led by yoga therapist, Malaika Brooks- Smith-Lowe; yoga teacher, May Fakhre; and Master Level Feng Shui Consultant, Wendy Yawching.

Morning yoga and meditation sessions at the resort's Sankalpa yoga studio provide a gentle start to the day. No previous experience of yoga or meditation is required.

Breakfast is followed by a series of informative workshops. The Ayurveda workshop explores the ancient Indian healing system and how herbal treatments, diet, and yogic breathing can help people to unwind, quiet the mind and fall into a deep rejuvenating night's sleep.

Wendy Yawching will advise on how to create the ideal environment to encourage a good night's sleep using the ancient Chinese principles of Feng Shui.

The retreat also includes a look at how food and drink can improve the quality of sleep. The herbal tea workshop taps into Grenada's traditional practice of using 'bush' teas made using indigenous herbs to promote good health and cure ailments. And bush teas will be served as bedtime drinks.

A rituals workshop will help participants create a bedtime routine that can be followed once they get back home.

In the afternoons there is plenty of time for a well-earned siesta or relaxation at True Blue Bay. Away from the resort there is plenty to see and do in Grenada, including many cocoa plantations and chocolate factories, the spice market or the House of Chocolate in the capital St George's or lush, unspoilt nature.

On the heels of the launch of new service between Fort Lauderdale and St. Croix, Spirit Airlines has announced even more flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands from the Sunshine State.
The Department of Tourism announced that Spirit Airlines will inaugurate service between  Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas (STT) with three flights a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, beginning November 8, 2018. The service augments existing daily flights between Fort Lauderdale and St. Thomas.
"These new flights represent the fruit of the hard work of our administration to add new service and increase flights to our destination," said U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp. "New flights increase affordable opportunities for Virgin Islanders to travel to and from the mainland, while helping our bread and butter tourism industry recover," he stated.
"Working alongside our colleagues at the Virgin Islands Port Authority, we continue to invest heavily in our airlift development strategy and value our partnership with Spirit as they continue to prioritize travel to and from our Territory," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As part of a wider announcement, Spirit will begin offering international service from Orlando International Airport to 11 new destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as three more domestic routes rolling out through the fall. The announcement marks one of the largest expansions in the airline's history and includes service to the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"We have been proud to serve Orlando for 25 years, and after more than doubling service last year, we are so proud to be expanding there yet again," said Bob Fornaro, Spirit's Chief Executive Officer. "Orlando is now one of our largest markets, and we have no plans on stopping our growth. The region is not only a wonderful, family-friendly destination, but it is well-positioned to now serve as a gateway to the Caribbean and Latin America."
 
With Spirit's expanding network, the airline continues to improve its on-time performance and guest satisfaction, while building upon its larger commitment to invest in the guest experience. The airline recently announced that state-of-the-art, high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity will be installed on its entire fleet by summer of 2019.

Caribbean Airlines has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the Caribbean region, by its strong support of Caribbean Week in New York, as the “official Caribbean Carrier of Caribbean Week 2018.” Caribbean Week (#CaribbeanWeekNewYork2018, #CWNY18) is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), the regional tourism development agency, and takes place 3-8 June.

“We are pleased that Caribbean Airlines has partnered with us in support of Caribbean Week New York,” said Sylma Brown, Director, CTO-USA. Brown added: “With the air carrier’s reputation for warm, friendly and superior service, Caribbean Airlines truly embodies the attributes that make the region so desirable and inviting.”

“Caribbean Airlines is delighted to once again partner with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation for Caribbean Week New York,” said Dionne Ligoure, head of corporate communications, Caribbean Airlines. “This event is a staple in our programme of activities and is of great significance as we continue to strategically promote tourism in the region through our Hello Caribbean campaign, as well as our recently launched Caribbean Explorer fare and our Caribbean Plus economy product ensuring that our passengers have seamless connectivity to enjoy the beautiful destinations and cultural events throughout the Caribbean.”

Launched in Sept 2006, Caribbean Airlines operates more than 600 weekly flights to 18 destinations in the Caribbean and North and South America. The fleet is comprised of Boeing 737-800 and ATR72-600 aircraft. Jointly owned by the people of Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, and with an operational base in Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines employs more than 1,600 people. The airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and is recognized as an IATA Operational Safety Audit qualified airline.

Caribbean Week New York 2018 will have a special feel this year as the Big Apple’s 8.5 million residents get a taste of the re-energising and rejuvenating power of Caribbean wellness. During the week-long event (3-8 June), the wellness theme will be incorporated into many activities, including a trade show and educational forum for travel agents on how to sell the Caribbean as a wellness destination. Registration details for all events can be found at https://www.caribbeanweek.com/events/.

High consumer demand for a Caribbean travel experience and increased tourism investments in hotels and airport improvements bode well for the future of the Caribbean's tourism sector, which is exceeding 2018 expectations despite the fact that some hotels in six of the Caribbean's 32 major destinations are still in rebuilding mode following last year's hurricanes.
"A growing number of travelers are understanding that the Caribbean is a vast region comprising many diverse destinations all rich in natural beauty but each distinct in its history, music, culture, food and welcoming hospitality," said Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA). "Just like a winter blizzard may affect the northeastern United States while people are sunbathing on Miami Beach, a weather incident in one part of the Caribbean does not affect the overwhelming majority of the Caribbean."
Thanks to the robust upturn in the tourism sector, many parts of the region are seeing corresponding growth in employment, visitor spending, government revenue, and public and private sector investments to upgrade and expand the tourism product. "Capitalizing on these trends and getting the region to work together on marketing and addressing other matters which can cause tourism to be an even greater economic engine for the region is a challenge which the region's public and private sector leaders must embrace," states Comito.
Comito echoed a challenge by Frank Rainieri, the noted developer of the Punta Cana region in the Dominican Republic, to attendees at the Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami last month to work together on common matters which impact the entire Caribbean region, in particular aviation, marketing and sustainability. Rainieri, chairman and founder of Grupo Puntacana, received CHRIS' Lifetime Achievement Award at the event.
A CHTA study earlier this year revealed that 58 percent of hoteliers have a positive or extremely positive outlook for the industry's future. This was reinforced by the record level of attendees at CHRIS as investor interest in the Caribbean has strengthened since the two Category 5 hurricanes of 2017. According to data recently collected by the World Travel and Tourism Council, hurricane-affected destinations themselves anticipate annual tourism spending growth of 8.7 percent in 2019 through 2021.
"In all of our discussions with industry stakeholders from destinations such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Dominica and Anguilla, we fully expect them to be showcasing to the traveler a completely revamped, fresh new product. We're already beginning to see that in several of the destinations and, later this year, expect it to accelerate as more refurbished and rebuilt hotels come on stream," Comito stated.
Attendees at the CHRIS conference were pleasantly surprised by data from a just released KPMG study which shows the boost in lender confidence: "We felt post-hurricanes that there might be a diminishing of confidence, but it's stronger than it's been since post the recession, with a significant shift by commercial lenders," the CHTA CEO noted.
Bolstering the healthy growth and rapid recovery from the storms is the increased airlift coming into the region from North America and Europe, which Comito asserted is at a record pace. "An increase in arrivals and activity, as well as the amount of hotel investments points very positively to where the region is headed."
Over the past several months all the major carriers serving the region have announced plans for new and expanded service into the Caribbean. However, it was among regional carriers where Comito saw a significant rise. He pointed to InterCaribbean Airways as an example, which four years ago served a dozen locations in five destinations and currently covers 22 airports in 13 countries.
The CHTA chief reported on the completion of several airport expansions in recent years and cited more than a dozen other airports which are under construction or are in the planning stage.
CHTA also reported on a major expansion thrust by leading hotel brands and chains and the debut in the region of new independent boutique and luxury hotels as well as the growth of the sharing economy.
Hurricanes Irma and Maria, despite the devastation they wreaked, Comito contended, also delivered critical messages for the future of the region - more than 70 percent of which was unaffected by the storms: "The hurricanes taught us that the Caribbean is viewed as one brand in the minds of the public and the consumer. The lesson learned is that we've got to work more closely together as a region, public and private sectors, to let the world know about the lifetime of experiences and destinations which our vast region offers."
But Comito, whose association comprises private sector hospitality and tourism stakeholders, cautioned against complacency: "While we've been on a good growth curve in both the hotel and arrivals side of it in terms of the data, it doesn't take much to swing positive numbers to negatives. We are working with our industry and public sector partners to build a new spirit of collaboration. The need for this became even more apparent in recent years as we've worked to counter the negative impacts, largely due to mistaken public perceptions of storms and other natural occurrences. We need to be diligent, to be ready to bounce back and respond as effectively as possible."
These and other Caribbean travel and tourism issues will take center stage at CHTA's fourth Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place at the Hyatt Regency Miami from June 22 to 24.

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