CaribPR Wire

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.

Carib PR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, April 29, 2011: The countdown has begun to the inaugural Investing in Paradise power breakfast, set for June 9, 2011 in New York City. The Invest Caribbean forum, presented by Hard Beat Communications and The Caribbean Tourism Organization, in collaboration with the Caribbean American Chamber of Industry & Commerce, is set for the New York Marriott Marquis from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

The son of Barbadian migrants and vice president at Goldman Sachs, W. Dave Dowrich, will deliver keynote remarks at an event that will be attended by several Caribbean ministers of government, directors of tourism, investors and entrepreneurs.

 “Investing in the Caribbean is really an excellent choice for an emerging market investor given its tax incentives, established tourist market, available land and year round amazing weather and beauty,” commented Hard Beat’s CEO Felicia Persaud. “This event is also perfect for those persons seeking investment information or looking for investors as well as for Self Invested Personal Pension investors who do not feel they are getting enough out of their pension plan, and would prefer to manage their own fund, switching their investments as they see fit,” added Persaud. Seats are going fast. To reserve your space register now at: www.investcaribbeannow.com.

Sponsors to date include the PR Newswire, CaribPR Wire, The Bahamas Weekly, and News Americas Now.

– Puerto Rico’s largest carrier will add to its 27 daily departures from San Juan this summer by launching an eighth non-stop destination this fall –

 NEW YORK, April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU), the largest carrier in Puerto Rico in terms of capacity, is making it even easier to travel between San Juan and neighboring Caribbean islands with the announcement of plans to launch nonstop daily service to St. Maarten (SXM), subject to receipt of government approval. This new route will be the value airline’s eighth non-stop destination out of San Juan and its third out of St. Maarten.

 (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/NY76997LOGO )

 Flights between San Juan and St. Maarten will go on sale at www.jetblue.com soon, with service to begin November 17. The new service will be JetBlue’s second intra-Caribbean route, with existing service between San Juan and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

 ”We are thrilled to announce further growth to our San Juan focus city,” said Robin Hayes, Chief Commercial Officer for JetBlue. “The support of the Puerto Rican community has been remarkable and we look forward to continuing to provide them more options for travel throughout the Caribbean region.”

 ”Increasing air access to Puerto Rico is essential for our tourism industry, commercial development, and homeport cruise market,” added the Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico, Jose R. Perez-Riera. “We are grateful for the support that great airline partners like JetBlue have given to our market. This new service strengthens our position as a hub of the Caribbean and is the result of a successful working relationship that we have maintained with our partner airlines.”

 This summer, JetBlue will have 27 daily departures from San Juan and 34 daily departures from Puerto Rico, including Aguadilla and Ponce. This new route will provide convenient connections to St. Maarten from New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK), Boston’s Logan (BOS), Orlando International (MCO), and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) airports. The new service follows the recent addition of flights from San Juan to both Tampa and Jacksonville.

 ”It is of high importance to improve regional air access in the Caribbean for the benefit of all the economies of the region,” said Jaime A. Lopez-Diaz, Chief Development Officer of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico. “This new JetBlue service is a perfect example of how working together, the region can increase the supply of air traffic.”

 ”The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is enthusiastic about JetBlue’s new service from Puerto Rico to St. Maarten, as it provides essential access to and from the Dutch/French Caribbean, one our top ten markets in the region,” said Mario Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “Visitors from St. Maarten/St. Martin visit Puerto Rico for diverse reasons like shopping, medical, and sports and cultural events, among others. This market generated an average of 1,900 room nights in calendar year 2010, principally in small and medium hotels. This new service strengthens Puerto Rico’s position as the main connecting point to numerous destinations within the region.”

 ”I am pleased to learn of JetBlue’s decision to begin servicing the SJU - SXM route,” said the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs and Transportation of St. Maarten, Honorable Franklin Meyers. “Following our recent discussions in New York, JetBlue has proven to be a valuable partner since its initial entry into St. Maarten in 2008, providing daily service from New York as well as servicing St. Maarten from Boston. I am confident that together we will grow the San Juan – SXM route. This new service will open up the possibility for potential visitors from key source markets besides Puerto Rico, namely, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and Boston, to come to the destination.”

 ”The JetBlue, St. Maarten partnership has changed the landscape of tourism in St. Maarten,” said Director of Tourism of St. Maarten, Regina LaBega. “The airfares from key source markets, for example, have become more affordable, therefore resulting in a larger volume of visitors to the destination as well as a higher visitor expenditure on island. The new SJU-SXM service by JetBlue, using the famous Embraer aircraft will certainly boost traffic in both directions, consequently contributing positively to our economy.”

 Service to St. Maarten will be operated by JetBlue’s Embraer E190 aircraft, offering two-by-two, comfortable all-leather seating. The airline’s customers also enjoy a first-checked bag free (a), award-winning customer service and unlimited, complimentary snacks and drinks.

 About JetBlue Airways

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. In 2010, the carrier ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Low-Cost Carriers in North America” by J.D. Power and Associates, a customer satisfaction recognition received for the sixth year in a row. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach of any U.S. airline (based on average fleet-wide seat pitch) and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats. JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control. Visit www.jetblue.com/promise for details. JetBlue serves 64 cities with more than 700 daily flights. Later this year JetBlue plans to introduce service to Anchorage, Alaska, and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, and an overnight stay is never required. For information call +1 800 538 2583 from the U.S.A., TTY/TDD +1 800 336 5530, or visit www.jetblue.com.

 (a) Baggage weight and size limits apply

- Low Cost Leader Celebrates New Nonstop Flights from the National Capital Region to Bermuda -

 BALTIMORE and WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today began new nonstop service between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and L.F. Wade International Airport in St. George’s, Bermuda.

 To mark the first flight, the airline proclaimed today “Bermuda Shorts Day” in the Baltimore/Washington area. As part of this special occasion, AirTran Airways gave one lucky winner and a guest a free trip to Bermuda and $25 discount ticket vouchers to anyone who wore Bermuda shorts to Arundel Mills Mall. Passengers on today’s first flight were regaled with colorful Gombey dancers, a steel drum band and island-themed food and drinks during a celebration at the airport. 

 ”We are excited to add Bermuda to our list of ‘island paradise’ destinations,” said John Kirby, AirTran Airways’ senior director of planning. “Reaching the famous pink sand beaches and unique culture of Bermuda has never been easier or more affordable.”

 In addition to this new service from BWI, next month AirTran Airways will add flights to this world-famous destination from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it operates the world’s largest low-cost carrier hub.

 ”We are all very excited that AirTran Airways is making it easier than ever for Baltimore/Washington area residents to get to Bermuda’s world famous pink sand beaches in just two hours,” said Honorable Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Acting Minister of Business Development & Tourism. “The Mid-Atlantic region is very important to Bermuda and there is no doubt that our visitors, as well as Bermudians, will enjoy AirTran’s outstanding service.  We appreciate AirTran’s commitment to our destination and look forward to a strong partnership.”

 The following nonstop flights between Baltimore/Washington and Bermuda are now available:

 Nonstop Service Between Baltimore/Washington and Bermuda

     From        To      Flight  Departs Arrives Frequency

    —-        —     ——  ——- ——- ———

 Baltimore/

  Washington  Bermuda      1811 12:55pm  4:15p     Daily

             Baltimore/

   Bermuda   Washington    1812  5:05pm  6:40pm    Daily

AirTran Airways is a Fortune 1000 company and has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study twice in the past four years.  AirTran is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit airtran.com.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Delegates from all over the world and every facet within the private and public sectors, along with roughly 100 cruise executives, began to gather in Santo Domingo on Monday, October 25th for the FCCA Conference & Trade Show.

 The start of the Conference was marked by the FCCA Golf Classic, which brought together some of the key players of the cruise industry and its destination partners in teams of four to discuss the latest trends and gather business advice over a friendly game of golf. The day also allowed for the attendees to situate themselves and for the Trade Show participants to prepare their booths for the crowd composed of nearly 1,000, while the FCCA Platinum Members had a chance to start their one-on-one meetings.

 Tuesday was the official grand opening for the Trade Show, with the audience gathered to see some of the best offerings from the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and more. It also marked the beginning of the one-on-one meetings and workshops that continue all the way through the Conference’s close. It also officially commenced the event with the Conference Opening Ceremony, which sparked enough interest in the Dominican Republic to reach its president, Leonel Fernandez, who was able to listen to the speeches of the Honorable Francisco Javier Garcia, minister of tourism; Michele Paige, president of the FCCA; Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line and chairman of the FCCA; Richard Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises; and the winners of the FCCA Foundation’s Essay Contest. The ceremony also commemorated the Dominican Republic’s culture with song and dance from Carnival and a welcome party at the Museo de las Casa Reales.

 Wednesday brought together the CEOs, presidents and ministers for private meetings to foster further communication and relationships between the cruise lines and the destinations’ governments, while continuing with the one-on-one meetings, workshops and Trade Show. The day culminated at the decadent Dominican Republic Night Extravaganza at the Sans Souci Cruise Terminal.

 Thursday was another successful day, as the attendees concluded their meetings and workshops and began to make plans to pursue the relationships formed throughout the event and possibly to attend next year’s event in San Juan, Puerto Rico, taking place from October 3-7, 2011. The night closed with a cocktail reception and a closing party to make the participants completely comfortable as they finalized this year’s discussions and prepared for the times ahead.

 www.f-cca.com

DR Ministry of Tourism welcomes 17th annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association Conference

 SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ — The Dominican Republic (DR) located in the heart of the Caribbean, is the center for all things cruise this week as the DR Ministry of Tourism welcomes the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conference in Santo Domingo Oct. 25-29. The Caribbean’s leading tourism destination, the DR will welcome the cruise industry’s best and brightest executives, marketers and government leaders to share their vision to accommodate the ever-increasing demand to cruise to DR ports during workshops, meetings and trade shows in the historic capital city.

“Santo Domingo’s world-class port and modern cruise terminals have a privileged geographic location at the city’s marine entrance on the Ozama River, just steps away from the ancient Colonial City. The Port of Santo Domingo is also the gateway to our vast country with over 1,000 miles of coastline,” said DR Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia. “The DR’s location at the center of the Caribbean is very well-suited for flexible itinerary planning and easy transfers throughout the country,” he added.

 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association President Michele M. Paige said, “The FCCA annual conference provides a superb forum to cruise industry leaders and partners to exchange information, share ideas and cultivate valuable business relationships. Our conference in Santo Domingo is the most important conference of the year for the Caribbean cruise industry. Attendees will experience first-hand why Santo Domingo is so popular with cruise passengers who crave an exciting cultural and historic destination that offers a multitude of opportunities to interact with authentic Dominican culture.”

 ”Santo Domingo offers so much to cruise lines and passengers. Dominicans express their unique ancestry through their music, food, art, architecture and friendly hospitality. FCCA delegates and visitors alike will discover much expression of Dominican culture in Santo Domingo,” added Garcia.

 With cruise tourism to the DR increasing each year, the Dominican government has a long term strategy that includes new ports and reinvesting in existing ports to ensure more cruise lines and passenger demand for the unique Dominican experience in the decades to come. 

 In 2009, 500,000 cruise ship passengers visited the Sans Souci and Don Diego Terminals in Santo Domingo, the Port of La Romana on the Southeast Coast; and the Samana Peninsula on the Northeast Coast. During their exploration of the DR, passengers and crew from over 400 ships spent a total of $80 million dollars in 2009. The DR Ministry of Tourism expects a five percent jump in cruise ship arrivals for 2010 due to the increasing awareness of the DR as a unique destination engaging visitors in vibrant Dominican culture, arts, history, music and gastronomy.

 The Dominican Republic (DR) is closer than you think with fourteen international and national airports, three major seaports and world-class marinas making travel to the Caribbean’s second largest island a breeze. Rich in history and culture, today the DR has developed into a sophisticated destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to over 3.9 million visitors each year. Named #1 Golf Destination in Caribbean & Latin America by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, the DR boasts 25 designer golf courses, upscale resorts, pristine nature, and sophisticated cities and quaint villages filled with warm Dominican people. The DR features the best beaches, fascinating history and culture, and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families alike. Visit the DR Ministry of Tourism’s official website: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Sept. 22, 2010: A Caribbean-owned, U.S.-based company is on the search for a hostess for a cooking show.

 Officials say they are seeking a `stunning, sexy, young hostess to host a Caribbean cooking show.`

 No media experience is necessary, but executives say the ideal candidate must be visually appealing on camera with an electric personality and   speaking voice and know her way around the kitchen.

 Former Caribbean beauty queens are welcome to submit demos as the best entrant will get the opportunity for international exposure as host of a cooking show in addition to other exciting prospects

 Interested entrants must submit entries via digital links showing you hosting your own cooking show to [email protected].