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Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Gert van Dijken, Editor |
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Marketing firm to extend international awareness through aggressive internet marketing plan for the Bay Islands The official Bay Islands website, bayislandstourism.com, sanctioned by the governor of the Bay Islands and the institute of tourism, is now online. The site gives an informative overview of the Bay Islands, in addition to easy one-stop shopping for information on tourism and general businesses operating on Roatan, Guanaja, Utila and Cayos Cochinos. Designed and maintained by Bay Islands Marketing, the content-rich site contains information about resorts, hotels, airlines, dive operators, restaurants, businesses that offer products and services as well as real estate services. Simple drop down menus and links to each individual business’ information page or website makes navigation easy. According to Nielson Media’s NetRatings, over 192 million North Americans, which include the United States and Canada, are active Internet users and 37 million of them have already purchased travel online. Gartner Dataquest estimates that there are 150 million Internet users in Europe and this number is expected to grow to 178 million by 2004. “Statistics prove that the Internet is a growing distribution channel for the hospitality market,” explains Sandra Sampayo, of Bay Islands Marketing. ”The percentage of people who book travel directly through websites rose from 16% in October 2001 to 21% in August this year. Hotels on the Bay Islands receive the majority of bookings through the internet, so it makes perfect sense to develop a strong internet marketing plan to increase those reservations. Our aim is to provide travelers to the Bay Islands with relevant, up-to-date information on the destination, with a second-phase aim of providing reliable online processing capabilities.” Bay Islands Marketing is currently developing a secure online payment system that will allow international visitors to access a central reservations system and book their vacations directly online, using the most secure internet payment platforms available. The website is expected to generate interest in the Bay Islands and be a valuable informative tool for individuals, dive groups, tour operators and travel agents. In addition to travel and leisure information, the website also provides information on job vacancies throughout the islands, real estate opportunities, as well as a comprehensive press information centre. Businesses interested in participating in the website or placing a link can contact Bay Islands Marketing at info@bayislandstourism.com or call the office at + 504 455-5841. Sandra Sampayo Bay Islands Marketing P.O. Box 212, Roatan Bay Islands Tel / fax: +504 455-5841 sandra@bayislandstourism.com Visit our website at www.bayislandstourism.com
President Maduro inaugurates underwater monument to celebrate birth of Mestizo culture Guanaja, Bay Islands, August, 2002 - Honduran president Ricardo Maduro personally inaugurated the Mestizo Reef, a new dive site dedicated to celebrating the meeting between Christopher Columbus and the local Indians 500 years ago. This dive site is expected to become an important part of the international dive circuit. The president said that the dive site showcased an important part of the history of the Bay Islands, and Honduras, and he congratulated the island for their foresight, and their continued commitment to increasing the number of quality activities that the island has to offer its visitors. The president confirmed the importance of the Bay Islands as a key in the country's overall tourism strategy. Bay Islands Marketing explained that the Mestizo Reef is located in 65ft of water. "Created by Posada del Sol resort, on Guanaja, the site includes two life-size head-and-shoulder statues of Christopher Columbus and Lempira, a partial shipwreck and is surrounded by genuine artifacts such as Spanish cannons, a 16th century bell and a number of vases and other objects from that period", said Sandra Sampayo. The festivities began on Friday, where invited guests, including the ministers of tourism and arts and culture, were treated to lunch at Posada del Sol Resort. After lunch, the president cut the ribbon to inaugurate the dive site, and the first divers, guests of the hotel, set off to be the first to explore the new site. A dedicated information site, on the Bay Islands was recently launched. For more information on the dive site and the destination, please visit http://www.bayislandstourism.com. The 500-year project was supported by the Honduras Institute of Tourism and press relations was handled by Bay Islands Marketing. For more information or photographs, please contact Bay Islands Marketing at: Tel: +504 455-5841 / 5657 sandra@bayislandstourism.com www.bayislandstourism.com
Race expected to draw more than 300 international athletes from US, Canada, Caribbean and Central & South America ROATAN, BAY ISLANDS, August 2002 -- The Bay Islands will become an important part of the international triathlon circuit when it hosts the Bay Islands International Triathlon in early March next year. The triathlon, organized by Bay Islands Marketing and Kemkon, Inc., will be the first International Triathlon Union (ITU)-rated race to take place in Central America - this means that it could grow into a qualifier for the top international races such as the Hawaii Ironman in a few years. An 'international' triathlon incorporates a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run. Not wanting to leave anyone out, the organizers have included a sprint distance for the 'not-so-fit'. The sprint distance includes an 800m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run. "This is a very important event for the Bay Islands as it will draw attention to the destination. Our main objective for attracting and organizing international events is to find the kind of event that will create international media awareness as well as fill the hotels. The triathlon will do this for the Bay Islands, especially since our US partner has managed to convince one of the US number one triathletes to compete in our race," says Sandra Sampayo, of Bay Islands Marketing. Although the event will take place on Saturday, March 8, the organizers have ensured that athletes visiting the islands are able to enjoy the features that make the Bay Islands such an exciting destination - diving, snorkeling, exploring and, of course, relaxing. As such, they have arranged for an activity schedule that includes special carbo-loading evenings at participating restaurants, volleyball tournaments on the beach, tours of the island, diving and snorkeling excursions and a number of training events. Ricardo Merren, governor of the Bay Islands, believes that it will be important for everyone, from airport handlers to taxi drivers, to show these guests (as with all guests visiting the islands) just how friendly islanders can be. "We want to ensure that people who visit the islands for the triathlon return with their families and friends, and the way to do this is to ensure that they have a fantastic time. We plan to convince them to come back, and to tell all their friends about us," says governor Merren. The islands can expect about 300 athletes from the US, Canada, the Caribbean, South and Central American regions. These athletes are expected to receive red-carpet treatment from the moment they arrive at the airport. "One of the most important aspects of a grueling athletic event is that the athletes get a good night sleep before the race, and what better way to wake up than at a top-notch resort or hotel on a lush Caribbean island. Our participating hotels will make sure that there is plenty comfort, tranquility and carbohydrates before the race," concludes Sampayo of Bay Islands Marketing. People who would like more information on the triathlon or who would like to register, can visit the event website at http://www.bayislandstriathlon.com or for information on the Bay Islands, http://www.bayislandstourism.com or contact Bay Islands Marketing on +504 455-5841 or email info@bayislandstourism.com
MIAMI, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2002) ^Ö Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts has appointed Sergi Ruiz as director of leisure sales & marketing. Ruiz is responsible for all tour and travel business in the US, Canada, Mexico and Latin America. Previously, Ruiz served as the vice president marketing & sales for the US and Canada and as commercial and contracting director for Latin America for RIU Hotels and Resorts. Prior, Ruiz was vice president sales & marketing for the Auditorium Diagonal ^Ö Banca Catalana Convention and Congress Center in Barcelona and Director of Sales for the Fira Palace Hotel in Barcelona, which was inaugurated for the Olympic Games. He is fluent in English, Spanish, German, and Italian and graduated from the University of Madrid with a degree in tourism. Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts is one of the world^Òs most successful hotel companies with its four brands ^Ö Meliá Hotels, Tryp Hotels, Sol Hotels and Paradisus Resorts ^Ö with over 350 hotels in more than 30 countries worldwide. Sol Meliá^Òs 2002/2003 expansion plans include new properties in Brazil, Peru, Puerto Rico, Mexico and throughout Asia Pacific and Europe. Individual reservations can be through a travel consultant or by calling toll-free 1-800-33MELIA (63542). Group reservations can be made through a professional meeting and incentive planner or through Sol Meliá^Òs group desk (CIMAS) by calling 1-888-33MELIA or via e-mail: Cimas@sol-group.com. Hotel information can also be obtained by accessing Sol Meliá at www.SolMeliá.com.
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