CaribPR Wire

Jennifer Baldwin, Research Fellow, Energy and Environment, Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), Inter-American Development Group.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mar. 16, 2012: Caribbean businesses have great potential to cut high energy costs by investing in renewables.

That’s according to Jennifer Baldwin, Research Fellow, Energy and Environment, Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), Inter-American Development Group, and one of three panelists who will address delegates at the inaugural “Going Green” Invest Caribbean Now Forum, part of this year’s Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 13^th annual Sustainable Tourism Conference.

The CTO is partnering with Invest Caribbean Now, the brand founded by Felicia Persaud, the Guyana-born CEO of the New York-based digital media company Hard Beat Communications, to present the inaugural green forum – set for April 18, 2012 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

“Significant cost savings and new entrepreneurial opportunities can be created if businesses invest in quantifying and managing their environmental impacts,” said Baldwin. “The Multilateral Investment Fund has over 10 years of experience helping tourism businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean to reduce their energy and water use and to increase their stewardship of natural resources. I will share several success stories of businesses that profited from reducing their environmental impact through efficiency, renewables, and building a green brand around conservation. I will also share our newest projects on these topics in the Caribbean.” 

Currently, renewable energy provides less than two percent of the Caribbean region’s commercial electricity.

Other presenters of the April 18^th forum will include Tony Fiddy, President of the Waste to Energy Division and Regional Vice President for Europe and Africa, Naanovo Energy Inc. who will discuss Naanovo’s focus on helping the Caribbean region move away from fossil-fuels and into alternative energy.

Partnership and exhibitor opportunities to be a part of the historic Green Forum are available by calling 1-646-820-5694 or emailing Joe Bernstein at [email protected].

To attend STC 13, log on to http://www.caribbeanstc.com/register Partners to date for the April 18^th Green Investment forum include One Caribbean Television, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Anguilla’s Hotel & Tourism Association has signed an agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch BookAnguilla.com, a new website which will allow consumers to book hotels and villas in Anguilla.

“We are thrilled about adding Anguilla to our portfolio of Caribbean destinations,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “Our existing clients continue to see production levels that they never thought possible and other destinations are catching on.”

“After hearing from other destinations in the Caribbean about the success they have had with Regatta, we invited Mr. Kamlani to Anguilla to meet with us and our hotels,” said Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association.  “The model is so simple, and makes perfect sense.  We love that it puts the control back in the hands of the hoteliers and produces real, measurable results.  Our members can’t wait to get started.”

About the Anguilla Hotel & Tourism Association
First established in 1981 as a small organization representing the interest of a few of the island’s accommodation properties, the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association AHTA is today recognized as Anguilla’s largest and oldest trade association with a growing membership representing all facets of Anguilla’s tourism industry. 

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.
Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.regattatravelsolutions.com for more details.  Regatta Travel Solutions is an Alliance Partner of DMAI.

                                                                      Book on February 29^th for a $29 Room Night

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY (February 29, 2012) – True savings only come once every four years. This Leap Year, on February 29^th only, visitors can save on their hotel stay when they book travel to Barbados at over 25 participating hotels and attractions. This one time Leap to Barbados special gives travelers a chance to leap away to the sun-drenched island to experience an unforgettable vacation retreat.

In celebration of Leap Day, those who book a minimum 5 night stay at any participating property pay only $29 for the first night. This fantastic cost savings is the perfect reason to escape to this lush Caribbean island – offering travelers a destination rich in history, culture, food, music, and a passion for living life to its fullest. 

Additionally, travelers have the chance to complement their hotel stay in Barbados with an extraordinary underwater experience at Atlantis Submarines, offering $29 off the full price for the first person in each party. Moreover, Island Safari is offering $29 off per couple on the 4×4 Adventure Safari with Full Day Lunch Tour.

Planning a Leap to Barbados vacation is as easy as:

• HURRY: Reservation lines and online booking window opens at 12:01am and closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday, February 29^th, 2012
• SAVE: Book 5 nights at any participating Barbados at season rate with promo code “LEAP” and pay only $29 for first night (minimum 5 night stay)
• LEAP TO BARBADOS: Travel window is through December 20^th, 2012

Book your stay on February 29^th, 2012 for travel through December 20^th, 2012 by visiting http://Bookings.BookBarbadosNow.com using promo code: LEAP and start saving. Early checkouts are not permitted.

Participating Hotels and Attractions Include:

• Ocean Two
• South Beach Barbados
• Tamarind Cove
• Colony Club
• Divi Southwinds Beach Resort
• Divi Heritage Beach Resort
• Atlantis Hotel
• Little Good Harbour Hotel
• All Seasons Resort
• Rostrevor Hotel
• Pirate’s Inn
• South Gap Hotel
• Bougainvillea Beach Resort
• Mango Bay
• Island Inn
• Sunswept Beach
• Plum Tree Club
• Sweetfield Manor Historical Bed & Breakfast
• Beach View
• Ocean15 Hotel
• Golden Sands Hotel
• Yellow Bird Hotel
• Angler Apartments
• Coconut Court
• The Crane
• Coral Mist Beach Hotel
• Blue Orchids Beach Hotel
• Atlantis Submarine
• Island Safari

Getting There:

Major US airlines offer easy and convenient services for travelers to Barbados from all major US gateways.

American Airlines offers a daily non-stop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and two daily from Miami International. Non-stop service is also available from Dallas Fort Worth International.

American Eagle also offers a non-stop from San Juan with connections from most US gateways. Visit www.aa.com for reservations.

JetBlue Airways offers a daily non-stop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, Barbados with some connections from their key gateways. Visit  www.jetblue.com for reservations. 

US Airways offers weekly non-stop flights from Charlotte and offers travelers convenient connections from points within the U.S. to the island. Visit www.usairways.com for reservations.

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About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

MIAMI, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association (AH&TA) have signed an agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch BookAntiguaNow.com.  Regatta has launched similar projects in Puerto Rico, Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica, and is preparing to announce several more projects in the region.

“We expect to have nine destinations in the Caribbean using Regatta by April,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “Once these projects are all fully operational we will have much more inventory in the Caribbean than any major Online Travel Agency.  This will open the door for Regatta to get involved in more high level projects which focus on the Caribbean as a whole.”

“Many have tried to do for years what Regatta has accomplished here in the Caribbean over the last twelve months,” said Neil Forrester, General Manager of the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association.  “Their technology and services provide the hotels, bed and breakfasts, villas and activity providers a new and powerful way to attract bookings.  We look forward to working with them to replicate the success they have seen in other destinations here in Antigua, and are excited to be a part of their future endeavors in the Caribbean region.”

www.bookantiguanow.com was recently launched, and the accommodations providers are now in the process of getting their properties online.

About the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association

The Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association is a non-government organisation and the representative voice of the local tourism private sector with a membership which comprises hotels, airlines and nearly 50 other tourism-related entities.  Visit antiguahotels.org for more details.

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.regattatravelsolutions.com for more details.

Best Western Rewards® members to earn 250 LifeMiles for every qualified stay, double points during winter promotion

 LIMA, Peru, Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Best Western International, Inc., THE WORLD’S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY®, announced today that members of its Best Western Rewards® frequency program can now earn 250 LifeMiles, the frequent flyer points from Avianca and TACA Airlines,  for every qualified stay at any Best Western hotel around the world.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120113/MM35506LOGO-a )

In addition, between January 16, 2012 and March 31, 2012, Best Western Rewards members who have chosen LifeMiles as their earning preference will be awarded an additional 250 bonus miles for qualified stays at Best Western branded hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, or the Caribbean. For complete terms, conditions and limitations, click here and to adjust earning preferences, register for promotions and manage accounts, Best Western Rewards Members please visit www.bestwesternrewards.com.

“Avianca and TACA Airlines offers one of the most comprehensive networks in Latin America, and is an ideal partner for Best Western,” said Suzi Yoder, VP of International Operations for Best Western.  “We have hotels in nearly every Latin American country they serve, and LifeMiles’ over 4 million members will now have the advantage of earning miles for their stays at any Best Western.”

“In terms of distribution throughout Latin America, Best Western’s presence is very strong.  This partnership provides a huge added benefit for our frequent flyers, as they can earn LifeMiles for hotel stays in nearly every city we fly to in the region,” said Mauricio Angulo, LifeMiles’ Business Development Director.

Best Western Rewards is one of the industry’s most generous rewards programs and one of few that is truly international. With more than 4,000 locations in over 100 countries and territories, Best Western makes it easy for members to earn points that can be redeemed for global free room nights with no blackout dates, dining, shopping and entertainment gift cards, gas cards, airline miles and more. Rewards program members can book their award nights and purchase travel at www.bestwestern.com.

About AviancaTaca

AviancaTaca Holdings is a leading airline group in Latin America. With a modern fleet of 140 short, medium and long haul aircraft and an exceptional team composed of more than 15,000 Employees, Avianca and Taca directly serves over 100 destinations in America and Europe, which connect to over 750 destinations worldwide through agreements with partner airlines around the globe. With more than 4 million members in its loyalty program, the group recorded combined annual sales revenues of approximately three billion dollars. Its multi-hub operating model offers diverse and convenient passenger flight options through Bogota, Colombia, San Salvador, El Salvador, Lima, Peru and San Jose, Costa Rica. The group also offers a broad portfolio of air products and services, including air cargo, mail, courier, aeronautical support specialists and tourism packages. For more information about the airlines please visit www.taca.com or www.avianca.com

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD’S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 66 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts hundreds of thousands of guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world’s biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, racecar driver Michael Waltrip, and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Acentic, a leading supplier of broadband systems and digital interactive TV (iTV) for the hotel industry, announced today that it has partnered with Caribbean Interactive TV (CITV) to provide exclusive distributorship of Acentic solutions to hotels in the Caribbean and Latin America, with non-exclusive representation of Acentic in Mexico.

Hotel guests in the Caribbean, whether from North America, Latin America or Europe, expect entertainment in their rooms to be on par with the technology they have at home. In the Caribbean, this technology does not exist today for most properties. With more than 400,000 underserved rooms in the territory, hoteliers wish to provide their guests with compelling HD content, high-speed Internet and a platform for advertising to resort guests.

The initial focus for CITV will be on the southern Caribbean islands of Curacao, Aruba, St. Martin and Trinidad/Tobago, with expansion into the Caribbean at large during the next 24 months. CITV will also focus on South America in the near future.

CITV has already contracted a number of properties which will be installed late 2011 reflecting the clear need in the region for a flexible and reliable TV and broadband platform. CITV is working closely with a number of independent properties as well as virtually all international chains.

“CITV brings more than 50 combined years of executive level hospitality technology and entertainment experience, making it the ideal partner for Acentic to reach these markets,” said Richard Robinson, CEO of Acentic. “The Caribbean and Latin American hospitality markets are very much underserved both for iTV and high-speed Internet access (HSIA). Virtually all properties need upgrades to an IP network along with HD televisions, providing guests with a unprecedented level of service in the region.”

“Acentic brings validity to the market place,” said Kelly Sides, president of CITV. “Acentic is a long established and dominant player in its market so there is no question about the stability of the company or its products. We know they will be there for us tomorrow and for the long term.”

“Acentic offers a well developed technology platform coupled with a wide variety of content,” said Chris Engels, senior vice president at CITV. “As Acentic is European based, the multi-lingual functionality is very important for hoteliers with guests coming from Spain, Brazil, Netherlands, Germany and France.”

 About Acentic Group

Acentic is an international provider of high-speed Internet access solutions, digital TV services and hospitality-focused mobile apps to hotels. Acentic’s digital content, technology, support and services deliver information and communication, as well as entertainment and revenue generation tools, via the hotel television, providing a unique communications system that meets the evolving lifestyles of guests. Acentic’s broadband and digital TV services are in many of the world’s leading hotel chains, including Accor, Dorint, Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, Maritim, Marriott, Movenpick and Starwood in more than 30 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa. For more information, visit www.acentic.com.

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — FG Worldwide has announced that it will begin sales of fractional condominiums in the luxury Dominican resort of Cadaques Caribe Resort and Villas.

FG Worldwide has teamed with Cadaques Caribe and award winning ReMax Metropolitana Realtors to offer 1/12 fractions of 36 condominiums in the resort for use as a second home or vacation property.

 As a rare opportunity not commonly found in fractional real estate sales, up to 80 percent financing is being offered to virtually all buyers.

Each two-bedroom, two-bath, 1000 sq. ft. (90 sq.m.) condominium comes fully furnished, and each has either a balcony or a patio with views of the property, the bordering national park, or the sea.

 Cadaques Caribe is a mixed use, 4 star resort located in the coastal town of Bayahibe, D.R. Modeled after the village of Cadaques, Spain, it offers whole- and fractional- ownership properties as well as a boutique hotel. It boasts a spectacular beachside locale and European charm, complete with on-site water park, lagoon pools, a swimming pier, restaurants and bars, concierge service, and more.

 ABOUT FG Worldwide

Established in 2008, FG Worldwide is a luxury real estate and development company focused on enhancing lifestyles through unique real estate offerings, products and brands. They also consult with hotel owners and developers in both U.S. and international markets on developing, positioning and marketing fractional real estate. Visit www.FG-Worldwide.com for more information.

ABOUT ReMax Metropolitana

Since owner/broker Melido Marte opened for business in 1998, ReMax Metropolitana has grown from 10 agents to 47 partners and 62 associates. It has won numerous awards and recognitions, including Top Office/ Most Transactions in 2001, 2003 and 2007, and Top Office Sales Volume in 2007. It was classified as one of the Top Brands in the Dominican Republic in 2008. To learn more, visit www.ReMaxrd.com

LANDOVER, Md.,  Oct. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation launches its final mission of coral reef research in the Bahamas, concluding the first year of its ambitious Global Reef Expedition. Having completed research in Cay Sal Bank, Hogsty Reef, and the Inaguas earlier this year, the Foundation now turns to Andros and Abaco islands to study sites that were last surveyed more than a decade ago.

The Global Reef Expedition is the first world-wide mapping and research assessment of coral reefs. The chairman of the Living Oceans Foundation, Prince Khaled bin Sultan, said an expedition of this scale “will greatly assist the world in understanding coral reefs, their health and critical role in the environment. Our research will produce maps of previously uncharted areas and provide management recommendations urgently needed to preserve these valuable ocean resources. We are involving local scientists in all of our research and exploration. ”

Andros contains the longest barrier reef in the Bahamas and the third largest in the world. The Foundation’s science team, joined by Bahamian researchers, will identify the abundance, size, and health of reef building coral species as well as discovering how the reef has recovered from coral bleaching events in 1998.

The Foundation’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Andrew Bruckner, said “Our research will lead to improvements in existing habitat maps and will help recent efforts to develop a land and sea use plan for the entire island including zoning of sensitive areas.”

The Foundation will survey unstudied sites around the central Abaco islands as well as some that were last surveyed in 1999 which will yield important time-change information.  The reefs of central Abaco are near areas of high population density and high user pressure which contrasts sharply with other reefs the Foundation has surveyed in the Bahamas, helping to further understand human impacts on reef health.

Commenting on the six months of coral reef research in The Bahamas the Foundation’s Executive Director Captain Philip Renaud, USN (ret), said, “The successful and productive coral reef survey and mapping missions we have accomplished during our first year of the Global Reef Expedition could not have been possible without the committed support for our work from the Minister of the Environment, the Department of Marine Resources, Bahamas National Trust, and The Nature Conservancy.”

Eric Carey, BNT Executive Director added “The Bahamas, as a nation, is extremely fortunate to have been chosen as the first country in the world-wide study of the health of coral reef environments by the Living Oceans Foundation.  Young Bahamian scientists from the Department of Marine Resources , Bahamas National Trust and College of The Bahamas have had the opportunity to join the Living Oceans Foundation research team – a once in a lifetime experience.  The final leg of the Bahamas Voyage will assess the Andros Barrier Reef and the reefs of the Abaco’s.  Both of these areas are critical for the health of Bahamian Fisheries and our larger marine environment.  The information generated from the Global Reef Expedition will feed directly into the management of our national parks and marine protected areas.”

Bahamian researchers include: Indira Brown, Jared Dillet, Agnessa Lundy, Lindy Knowles, Olivia Patterson, Krista Sherman, and Tavares Thompson.

About the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

Founded by HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia, the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation was incorporated in California as a 501(c)(3), public benefit, Private Operating Foundation in September 2000. With its headquarters in Washington DC, the Living Oceans Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of oceans of the world, and champions their preservation through research, education, and a commitment to Science Without Borders®. For more information, visit http://www.livingoceansfoundation.org

Science Without Borders® is registered to the Foundation for financial sponsorship of marine conservation programs and scientific research and to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources.

PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Aug. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The FCCA and their member lines are working together to deliver the most successful FCCA Conference & Trade Show to date, taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 3-7, 2011. Don’t miss this opportunity to optimize your business in the industry and have the chance to meet, develop relationships with and display your product to some of the most important decision makers throughout the industry.

This annual event presents the best chance for entities doing business or wishing to do business with the cruise industry to increase their contact base with the dozens of cruise executives in attendance from the operations, purchasing, marketing and shore excursion departments; gain insight on what the cruise lines look for in terms of shore excursions, products, services and ports of call; and establish a clear vision that will map the road to success in future dealings with the cruise industry. There will be formal meetings with the cruise executives and informal events that foster communication between the attendees and executives.

Delegates who wish to pre-arrange meetings with cruise executives are urged to register as soon as possible. Meeting information will be available in early September for those pre-registered delegates. Space is very limited and will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, it is strongly recommended that interested delegates register by August 15th.

The FCCA Trade Show is the best way to ensure exposure to this prestigious audience of decision makers and prominent professionals throughout the industry. It will be the largest to date, with more exhibits than ever before, including specialized pavilions that are designed for destinations to come together as one entity to display their numerous products to the crowd of cruise executives and industry professionals or for large companies that want increased publicity.

 To register and learn more about the conference, please visit the FCCA website, www.f-cca.com; print the registration form; and fax it to the FCCA at 954-441-3171.

For more information on the FCCA Conference & Trade Show, please contact Terri Cannici at 954-441-8881.

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, Aug. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — A new Online Travel Agency (OTA) to be launched by the Jamaica-based Glamour Destination Management Company and Miami-based Regatta Travel Solutions has received a resounding welcome from the Jamaica Hospitality and tourism industry.  The new OTA will allow Jamaican companies including hotels, villas, car rental agencies and attractions to reach a wide audience of potential visitors who in turn, may book everything they need for their visit to Jamaica.

 Jamaica’s Director of Tourism, John Lynch, has called the initiative “a significant achievement with enormous benefits for Jamaica’s tourism industry.” He congratulated Myrtle Dwyer, Glamour DMC’s Director of Sales, Marketing & Customer Relationship Management, on the new partnership and pledged the Jamaica Tourist Board’s “full support.”

 Evelyn Smith, President of the Jamaica Hotel & Tourist Association (JHTA) was also very upbeat about the launch of BookJamaicaNow.com which she said, “represents a significant marketing boost for JHTA members.”

 Pointing to Regatta’s successes in other parts of the Caribbean, Ms. Dwyer said that the project is “ideally suited to Jamaica”.  She noted that traditional OTAs typically demand a 25-30% commission from industry partners, while Regatta offers free registration to Jamaican companies and a much lower commission.

 Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions, a division of Hotel Internet Help, said that all suppliers in Jamaica will benefit from Regatta OTA Software.

 ”We are proud to bring Regatta to Jamaica; the country has so much to offer but so many suppliers in the destination have yet to find their full potential via the internet. Traditional OTAs and Tour Operators have dominated many destinations in the Caribbean for years and for the first time, Regatta provides these destinations with a voice of their own,” Mr. Kamlani declared.

About Glamour Destination Management Company

Glamour is the Caribbean’s foremost destination Management Company, with over two decades of experience and a proven record of satisfying clients from all over the world. Services include ground transportation, handling meeting and incentive groups, event management, concierge, receptive services, tour operators, travel agents, cruise excursions, tours, private jets, travel consortia, airline charters and yachts and special services. Glamour has been in operation since 1987 and boasts its own fleet of luxury vehicles, experienced and well- trained staff and programmes fit for individuals, meeting and incentive groups or special interest groups. For more information on Glamour DMC, please visit www.glamourdmc.com.

 About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.hotelinternethelp.com for more details.

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY (August 2, 2011) – Visitors to the sun-drenched island of Barbados are in for a treat this November at the second annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival – the culinary event of the season. In partnership with American Express Publishing’s Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures and Executive Travel brands, Barbados unveils the schedule of events for the four-day epicurean extravaganza taking place from November 18 – 21, 2011 at various exquisite settings around the island.  For a full schedule of events and information on purchasing tickets for the Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival please visit www.foodwinerum.com or www.visitbarbados.org. 

 Hosted by Travel + Leisure’s Features Director & Special Correspondent Nilou Motamed, the Festival includes a wide variety of chef demonstrations, tasting events and interactive sessions. Culinary masters at this year’s events include Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai along with Barbadian culinary sensation, “The Rhum Chef” Paul Yellin as well as Food & Wine wine expert Anthony Giglio. International chefs include Mark McEwan and Tom Brodi of Canada, Bruno Loubet from the United Kingdom and Brazilian chef Vitor Gomes who bring their expertise to the Caribbean.

 Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival event highlights include: 

• NEW to this year’s line-up is an authentic Bajan lunch expertly prepared at a historic plantation house hosted by Travel + Leisure’s Nilou Motamed.
• Indulge in a Bajan style fiesta while Barbadian renowned Chef Paul Yellin demonstrates how to prepare local dishes while the kids enjoy their own interactive cooking demonstration.
• Tom Colicchio, Ming Tsai,  Marcus Samuelsson, Bruno Loubet and Mark McEwan showcase their delectable skills using special cooking techniques and tricks in intimate settings at some of Barbados’ leading hotels and restaurants.
• Wine Expert Anthony Giglio shares tips on entertaining along with his favorite holiday wines for pairing.
• Legendary Chef Tom Colicchio brings his creativity and innovative culinary style to one of the most gorgeous seaside settings, The Cliff restaurant for an evening amidst candlelit conversation, sumptuous cuisine, crashing waves and a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea.
• Chef Tom Brodi hosts an afternoon of cruising on the world famous “pirate” ship, the Jolly Roger while feasting on locale fare and endless “pirate brew.”
• Explore and savor one of the most iconic and charming rum distilleries in Barbados at the historic St Nicholas Abbey.

For a full schedule of events and information on purchasing tickets for the Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival please visit www.foodwinerum.com or www.visitbarbados.org.

MIAMI, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) has launched its new destination booking engine at PuertoRicoHotelAssociation.com.  While the engine is also available on PRHTA.org, the use of the ‘destination’hotelassociation.com domain is meant to build credibility with consumers.  The agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch the new booking engine was announced on May 17th and has already far exceeded the performance of the PRHTA’s previous booking engine. 

“This is just another example of how a Destination Marketing Organization can significantly increase the amount of revenue that they produce for their destination by using Regatta OTA Software on its website,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “As more hotels in Puerto Rico join the effort we will certainly see further improvement in performance.”

 ”Our members are thrilled,” said Clarisa Jimenez, President of PRHTA.  “Regatta has been great to work with and we have already surpassed the number of bookings with Regatta that we used to do in an entire year.  Even the larger chain hotels are getting involved now.”

 About The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association

The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association was established in 1950 in San Juan as a not-for-profit organization.   It is made up of more than 570 corporate members such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, tour and car rental companies, cruise lines and suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry.  The Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association (PRHTA) represents, protects, promotes, informs and educates its members to enable them to achieve their business objectives.

 About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.hotelinternethelp.com for more details.

 Rihanna Celebrates Barbados Partnership

with Hon. Richard L. Sealy, MP – Minister of Tourism, Barbados

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. June 15, 2011:  One of the best-selling artists of all time with more than 30 million records and 100 million singles sold, Rihanna has signed a multi-year deal with The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) to exclusively promote her hometown island of Barbados as a tourist destination.  The three-year partnership officially kicks off in Bridgetown, Barbados on August 5, 2011 with a full-length concert of her current “Loud” tour produced by the BTA and Roc Nation.

 “Barbados is a place like no other and one of the reasons for this is the spirit and national pride of our people,” said Rihanna.  “I want each and every visitor to this beautiful island to experience what makes this destination different from all others and that is the spirit and warmth of my fellow Barbadians.”

As an ambassador for the island of Barbados, over the next three years, Rihanna will exclusively promote the destination through advertising campaigns, promotional appearances and via her social media presence.  In addition to her concert in Barbados this summer, Rihanna will promote travel to the island from Brazil during her appearance on tour in September.

“In the hearts of every Barbadian, Rihanna is known as the girl down the road, but to the world she has become a musical sensation and social phenomenon,” said Barbados’ Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Richard L. Sealy.  “She is a great source of national pride to Barbados and we are thrilled to enter into this formal partnership to promote Barbados as a leading tourist destination.”

 About Barbados

The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.  Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.  Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

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The Barbados Tourism Authority Picks Winning Teams through Corporate Sponsorships

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (June 13, 2011) – The Dallas Mavericks came out on top in last night’s championship game, but Barbados Fans Always Win through the Barbados Tourism Authority’s (BTA) partnership of both the Dallas Mavericks and Miami HEAT. In celebration of both teams and their fans, Barbados is offering a trip giveaway to the island of Barbados for one lucky winner in both Miami and Dallas. 

 Barbados Fans Always Win and even as the basketball competition has ended, Miami and Dallas fans can still win by visiting www.visitbarbados.org/WinDallas or www.visitbarbados.org/WinMiami to continue to support your team and enter to win a trip for two to Barbados for a 3-night stay at Almond Resorts and roundtrip airfare on American Airlines.

 “We are thrilled that both teams we’ve chosen to sponsor have made it into this year’s championship round,” says David M. Rice, President and CEO of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “Our sponsorship of both the HEAT and the Mavericks has been imperative in increasing visibility of Barbados tourism to key markets, through each team’s dedicated fan base. There is no doubt that with their successful seasons, Barbados visibility reached a maximum number of people and we look forward to continuing our partnerships in the upcoming season. We offer many congratulations to these teams for making it all the way!”

 The BTA is entering in to the final year with the Miami HEAT of a three-year corporate partnership deal.  The agreement lasting through the 2011-2012 season has encompassed internet and radio promotions, trip giveaways, in-arena visibility and advertising in addition to several dedicated “Barbados Theme Nights” with on-court performances by Barbados dance troupe Venus Rising.

Similarly, to help promote the launch of the new non-stop flight from Dallas, Texas to Bridgetown, Barbados on American Airlines, in December 2010 the BTA partnered with the Dallas Mavericks for similar promotions, in-arena visibility and dedicated theme nights to promote travel to the Caribbean island. The Mavericks contract will last through the 2012-2013 season.

 For more information on travel to Barbados, please visit: www.visitbarbados.org.

W. Dave Dowrich, VP of Investment at Goldman Sachs, 2nd from r., with Chairman of the CTO, Ricky Skerritt, l; Minister Minors of Bermuda, 2.d from l., and Brian Lilly, r., CEO of Lilly Broadcasting and owner of WSEE TV and One Caribbean Weather, premier sponsors of the event. (Sharon Bennett image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 10, 2011: The Caribbean is being urged to compete for the global “wallet share” and step up the promotion of “its investment story.”

That’s the advice from W. Dave Dowrich, vice president of investment at Goldman Sachs and the keynote speaker at the inaugural Invest Caribbean Power Forum, convened by digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and the Caribbean Tourism Organization in New York City on Thursday, June 9, 2011.

Dowrich, addressing a packed room at the New York Marriot Marquis Hotel in Times Square, insisted that the Caribbean’s investment “product” stacks up against most other regions of the world, including the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and China) on several fronts, such as political stability, accessibility and ease of doing business.

But “where we fall down is in selling and telling our investment story, i.e. the ‘Promotion – P’ of the principles of marketing,” he said of the CARICOM region, whose combined Gross Domestic Product is put at US$90 billion.

Comparing the Caribbean to private companies going public and the need to ensure that their story continues being told to their existing and future investor base, Dowrich said the Caribbean and its leaders must see investment in a similar vein.

“We therefore need to be sure that at every opportunity, our story is told on a consistent basis and told by credible and trust worthy folks such as our senior ministers, and then reinforced by our teams on the ground, who can ‘talk the talk’ of those that need to hear it,” he said.

Dowrich was one of four speakers who addressed the event yesterday. Others included Minister of Business Development & Tourism of Bermuda, Patrice Kimberly Minors; Martin Mohabeer, the Guyana-born Managing Director of Spackman Group and CEO of Spackman Capital and David Brillembourg, CEO of the Brilla Group.

Minors for her part insisted that Bermuda remains open to doing business while Brillembourg advised that attention be turned to Latin American pension funds as potential investors in the Caribbean region.

Mohabeer announced the SEAF Caribbean Growth Fund, insisting that the Caribbean small business market is “tremendously underserved.”

“With this fund we hope to change that,” said Mohabeer, while adding that the fund will make investments in small to middle enterprise firms specializing in IT, media and technology and construction among other sectors.

Among the over 120 attendees at the event were several money managers from the New York’s investment community as well as top tourism officials from the Caribbean including the Hon. Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Minister of Tourism and International Travel for St. Kitts/Nevis, Ricky Skerritt; Hon. Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism, Barbados; Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; Commissioner of Tourism of St. Eustacius, Clyde Van Putten; Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Hugh Riley; Sylma Brown Bramble, director of CTO North America; Alec Sanguinetti, Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Josef Forstmayr, President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, and other top CTO officials as well as  Caribbean directors of tourism.

“This event surpassed our expectation,” said Felicia Persaud, CEO of Hard Beat Communications, which conceptualized and co-presented the event with the CTO. “We look forward to making this an annual part of Caribbean Week in New York.”

“The Caribbean Tourism Organization was proud to team up with Hard Beat to present this event, since in these tough economic times, investment in the Caribbean is critical and the CTO believes strongly in continuing to boost the tourism sector of this vibrant region by presenting investment opportunities for its members,” commented Brown-Bramble.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Pennsylvania-based WSEE TV and OneCaribbeanWeather.com, both part of Lilly Broadcasting Corporation, were the official sponsors of the ‘Invest Caribbean Power Breakfast.’

Additional sponsors included the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, The Bahamas Weekly, News Americas Now and the Caribbean American Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

ABOUT HARD BEAT COMMUNICATIONS

Hard Beat Communications brands itself as a Digital Media Solutions Company. The company does this through its Digital Content Creation and Dissemination and syndicated digital newswire – New Americas Now, formerly CaribWorldNews, its CaribPR wire release dissemination section, part of the PR Newswire; its Media Buying and Event Promotions arm and its New Media Solutions department.

ABOUT THE CTO

The Caribbean Tourism Organization exists to increase significantly the inclusion of the Caribbean region in the set of destinations being considered by travelers. The CTO, with headquarters in Barbados, comprises 32 member countries, including English, French, Spanish and Dutch countries and territories, as well as private sector allied members. Every year, the CTO presents “Caribbean Week In New York,” which Caribbean Week in New York is a celebration of the sights, sounds, colors, culture and unique vacation attributes of the Caribbean.

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, June 8, 2011: Minister of Business Development & Tourism of Bermuda, Patrice Kimberly Minors, is among a stellar panel set to address the inaugural Invest Caribbean Power Forum in New York City tomorrow, Thursday, June 9^th.

Minister Minors will join panelists Martin Mohabeer, the Guyana-born Managing Director of Spackman Group and CEO of Spackman Capital; W. Dave Dowrich, Vice President at Goldman Sachs, and David Brillembourg, CEO of the Brilla Group at the investment event being co-presented by digital media company Hard Beat Communications and The Caribbean Tourism Organization.

 The Invest Caribbean event, titled “Investing In Paradise,” will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel in Time Square, New York City.

Minister Minors brings her considerable expertise in goal setting to the government and performed in an outstanding fashion in her role as a government senator.

“We feel this is an outstanding forum for us to share the message with an influential audience that Bermuda is ready, willing and able to provide meaningful and mutually beneficial investment opportunities,” said Minister Minors. “We are already seeing positive signs for development and know that events such as this one can help showcase Bermuda as an extremely attractive partner.”

Also set to address delegates are New York City Comptroller John Liu, who helps manage $646 million in pension funds for New York City; Brian Lilly, CEO of Lilly Broadcasting and Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and St. Kitts/Nevis minister of tourism, Ricky Skerritt.

The Hard Beat/CTO forum will be moderated by Professor Temisan Agbeyegbe, professor of Economics at Hunter College and Graduate Center, City University of New York and a research associate with The Caribbean Center for Monetary Studies, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Attendees include Hon. Hayden Hughes – Minister of Tourism; Anguilla, Hon. Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism, The Bahamas; Hon. Richard Sealey, Minister of Tourism, Barbados; Hon. Ian Douglas, Minister of Tourism, Dominica; Hon. Peter David, Minister of Tourism, Grenada; Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; Hon. Clyde Van Putten, Commissioner of Tourism of St. Eustatius; Hon. Dr. Rupert Griffith, Minister of Tourism, Trinidad & Tobago; Hon. Theodore Heyliger, Commissioner St. Maarten Tourist Bureau; and several directors of tourism, officials of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and money managers others from the real estate, business, travel and investment community.

“The power will be packed into one room on Thursday in New York City. No other place will there be so many ministers and commissioners of government from the Caribbean and money managers and investors at one time,” said Felicia Persaud, CEO of Hard Beat Communications.

 “The Caribbean is a perfect destination for investment, given its stable governments, its tax incentives, its close proximity to the U.S. and it’s very high literary workforce and its superb beauty and climate,” added Sylma Brown Bramble, director of CTO North America.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism and the Pennsylvania-based WSEE TV and OneCaribbeanWeather.com, both part of Lilly Broadcasting Corporation, are the official sponsors of the ‘Invest Caribbean Power Breakfast.’

Additional sponsors include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, The Bahamas Weekly, News Americas Now and the Caribbean American Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

Registration is now closed for this event but for more information on Invest Caribbean, log on investcaribbeannow.com/.

LANDOVER, Md., June 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation will collaborate with the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis and The Nature Conservancy during the second research project of a multi-year Global Reef Expedition, an unprecedented world-wide study of the health and resilience of coral reef environments.  Research in St. Kitts and Nevis will take place from June 3-13, 2011.

Under the banner of Science Without Borders®, the ambitious Global Reef Expedition is being outfitted, equipped and financed by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, which is headquartered in the Washington DC suburb of Landover, Maryland.  The Living Oceans Foundation has built a core expertise around coral reef research, conservation, and restoration activities.  

 The ten day research expedition in the waters surrounding St. Kitts and Nevis will use the highly equipped, specially outfitted 220 foot research vessel, Golden Shadow, as a research platform.

Captain Phillip Renaud, USN (ret), the Foundation’s Executive Director, noted that coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet and rival tropical rain forests for the sheer number of species they support. The health of coral reefs worldwide serves as a bellwether for the overall health of our planet.

Andrew Bruckner, Ph.D., the Foundation’s Chief Scientist, said the scientific objectives of the St. Kitts and Nevis research are three-fold:  the validation of marine habitat maps by verifying the distribution and location of the shallow marine habitats; understanding the species composition of these marine habitats; and characterizing the community structure, health, and resilience of associated coral reef ecosystems.

Founder of the Living Oceans Foundation, Saudi Arabia Prince Khaled bin Sultan said “It is not always clear to the casual observer that ocean health is in serious trouble. But it is. If we do not take aggressive steps to care for our oceans now, our inaction will have dire consequences for the future. Our children and grandchildren will certainly suffer the consequences. Over the past 50 years, 20 per cent of coral reefs worldwide have died. It is conceivable that over the course of one human lifetime more than half of coral reefs worldwide will no longer exist.”  The good news, Prince Khaled said, is that it is not too late to reverse the decline in ocean health. He stressed that “we must raise public awareness about the coral reef crisis and educate people about the solutions.”

 The international launch of the Global Reef Expedition took place in the Cay Sal Bank area of The Bahamas April 26 to May 18.

 The Nature Conservancy is collaborating with the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation on the St. Kitts and Nevis mission including the identification of local scientific personnel to be part of the research team involving other scientists from around the world.

Philip Kramer, Director of the Caribbean Program, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) said,” We are thrilled that the Living Oceans Foundation is using the Caribbean region to launch their Global Reef Expedition. Coral reefs are vital to the livelihoods and economy of the Caribbean region yet there remain large gaps in our understanding of the extent and condition of this important resource.  Research expeditions such as those undertaken by the Living Oceans Foundation are greatly needed to develop comprehensive baselines and increase our understanding about impacts associated with climate change and invasive species. The survey results will be used to inform new approaches to ecosystem-based fisheries management and expanding marine protected areas in several countries under the Caribbean Challenge initiative.”

Ruth Blyther, TNC’s Eastern Caribbean Representative, added, “The Nature Conservancy is pleased to collaborate with the Living Oceans Foundation to support this first-ever comprehensive assessment of the coral reefs of St. Kitts and Nevis carried out at the request of Government.  This research builds on recent work coordinated with local fishers to map the values of their fishing areas for various fisheries and the ongoing efforts for national multiple use marine zoning. The marine environment is vitally important to the people and economy of St. Kitts and Nevis. The work of the Living Oceans Foundation’s Global Reef Expedition will contribute valuable information for its sustainable management.”

 Several outreach and educational programs are also planned by the Living Oceans Foundation while it is in St. Kitts.On June 3rd, a one day workshop will be held for local researchers which will provide them with valuable experience in advanced coral reef survey techniques.

• One day during the Expedition, a group of local fishermen and other stakeholders will meet with the scientists aboard the Golden Shadow to share perspectives and experiences.
• An outreach cruise for school groups and other invited guests has been scheduled for June 13th at the conclusion of the research.

“We are just beginning to understand how important ocean health is to human health and to the wellbeing of our entire planet” said Captain Renaud. “The challenge ahead is to muster the political will and harness international resources to stop and reverse the momentum of ocean degradation. Our outreach programs which we will undertake in every country where we conduct research have been purposely designed to reach out to the broadest cross section of individuals and groups who can facilitate awareness and positive change.”

The Global Reef Expedition will conduct research by invitation only and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is grateful for the support and interest received from governments of sovereign countries around the world. The Global Reef Expedition will travel east to west from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean then on to the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.

About Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation

 The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, founded by HRH Prince General Khaled bin Sultan, was incorporated in California as a 501(c)(3), public benefit, Private Operating Foundation in September 2000. Headquartered in Washington DC, the Living Oceans Foundation is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of living oceans and pledges to champion their preservation through research, education, and a commitment to Science Without Borders®.

 Science Without Borders® is the overarching theme of the Foundation, where scientists come together from different countries to solve a common problem — the threats to the world’s coral reefs.  Science Without Borders® is registered to the Foundation for financial sponsorship of marine conservation programs and scientific research and to promote public awareness of the need to preserve, protect and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources.

 For more information, visit http://www.livingoceansfoundation.org, or http://www.globalreefexpedition.com

New York City Comptroller John Liu

Carib PR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, June 3, 2011: New York City Comptroller John Liu, who helps manage $646 million in pension funds for New York City, is set to address the inaugural Invest Caribbean Power Breakfast next Thursday in mid-town Manhattan.

Liu will bring remarks to investors, Caribbean ministers of governments and entrepreneurs at the June 9^th event at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City at the ‘Investing in Paradise’ forum, that is being presented by digital media company, Hard Beat Communications and the Caribbean Tourism Organization during Caribbean Week in New York.

Liu serves as the 43rd Comptroller of the City after being independently elected in 2009. He is hailed as a “trailblazer” and “pioneer,” since he is the first Asian American elected in New York City – both to legislative office in 2001 and citywide office in 2009

 Panelists of the investment event include Martin Mohabeer, the Guyana-born Managing Director of Spackman Group and CEO of Spackman Capital; W. Dave Dowrich, Vice President at Goldman Sachs, and David Brillembourg, CEO of the Brilla Group.

The Hard Beat/CTO forum will be moderated by Professor Temisan Agbeyegbe, professor of Economics at Hunter College and Graduate Center, City University of New York and a research associate with The Caribbean Center for Monetary Studies, The University of The West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.

Brian Lilly, CEO of Lilly Broadcasting; Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and St. Kitts/Nevis minister of tourism, Ricky Skerritt and several Caribbean tourism ministers of government, commissioners and directors of tourism as well as officials of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, including Secretary General Hugh Riley and others from the business, travel and investment community will also be in attendance.

The Pennsylvania-based WSEE TV and OneCaribbeanWeather.com, both part of Lilly Broadcasting Corporation, are the official sponsors of the ‘Invest Caribbean Power Breakfast.’

Additional sponsors include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, The Bahamas Weekly, News Americas Now and the Caribbean American Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

For more informationor for last minute registration, log on http://investcaribbeannow.com/.

MIAMI, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) has signed an agreement with Regatta Travel Solutions to launch BookBarbadosNow.com.  The site aims to become the primary resource for information and reservations for hotels and activities in the destination of Barbados.  Regatta recently announced the official release of its private label OTA Software (Online Travel Agency) and the signing of its first agreement with Puerto Rico.  Now Regatta will also work hand in hand with Barbados to attract more travelers to the destination while reducing the cost of each booking to suppliers.

 ”It is so exciting to have a high profile destination like Barbados embrace Regatta,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “This is going to change everything about the power that DMOs have to impact the tourism and local economies within their destination.”

 ”We evaluated several companies for this project,” said Sue Springer, Executive Vice President of BHTA.  “But Regatta is the only system that is specifically designed to handle everything we were looking for.  The combination of the advanced technology and the marketing knowledge that they bring to the table is very attractive to us.”

 The initial phase of www.BookBarbadosNow.com is live and has already generated bookings for the destination.

 About the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association

The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association was established in 1952.  Their mission is “Bringing people, research knowledge and technology together to resolve challenges of business and to stage a world class experience and performance.”  Visit bhta.org for more details.

 About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta to book travel on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership and participation for their organizations. Visit www.hotelinternethelp.com for more details.

David Brillembourg

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, May 2, 2011: “

The Caribbean is, now more than ever, a unique investment opportunity!”

That’s the assessment of one top investor, who insists he lives and breathes the Caribbean. David Brillembourg, founder, chairman & chief executive officer of private equity real estate firm, Brilla Group, is adamant that the region is ripe for investment.

Brillembourg will bring this outlook to the 2011 Invest Caribbean Power Breakfast, presented by Hard Beat Communications and The Caribbean Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Industry & Commerce, and set for June 9, 2011 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

 Brillembourg is among the top speakers, who include Vice President at Goldman Sachs, W. Dave Dowrich and will feature top Caribbean ministers of government, investors and entrepreneurs and key sponsors including WSEE TV and OneCaribbean Weather.

 Brilla’s investments are focused primarily on luxury beachfront hotels and resorts in the Caribbean even as foreign direct investment in the Caribbean and Latin American region grew strongly last year, jumping from US$5.5 billion in the first semester of 2009 to US$20.8 billion in the same period of 2010 according to The Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC).

 China’s Ministry of Commerce alone reported that foreign direct investment in Caribbean countries by Chinese firms totaled nearly $7 billion in 2009, a more than 300 percent increase from the 2004 foreign direct investment of $1.7 billion.

 Brillembourg sees the opportunity. “The Caribbean is a unique and long-lasting investment,” he added, insisting that anyone serious about investment should get on board.

 He reiterated that the region looks solid throughout with lots of opportunities out there.

 “For example, Turks and Caicos is coming out of the crisis well. But there is more than one location to look out for; all are maturing and diversifying. This is a wonderful time to be in the Caribbean,” said the seasoned entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience in investing also in South Florida, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. “As a result of the global financial crisis and dislocation of real estate markets, the hotel sector was seriously affected due to the lack of funds and financing available for this sector. This macroeconomic situation caused the expected supply for new luxury coastal properties in the Caribbean, which were at different development or building stages, to rapidly drop (approximately 72%).”

Sponsors of Invest Caribbean 2011 include silver sponsor, WSEE TV and OneCaribbeanWeather.com; the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, The Bahamas Weekly, and News Americas Now.

For additional sponsorship opportunities and breakfast tickets log on to: http://investcaribbeannow.com/ or call 646-820-5694.