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With new flights offer non-stop Port au Prince to Kingston and Santo Domingo Flights

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – interCaribbean Airways is pleased to announce the commencement of new non-stop services to and from Kingston, Jamaica and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to Port au Prince, Haiti .

interCaribbean Airways begins scheduled services on December 13^th 2014, between Kingston Normal Manley International Airport and Port au Prince, Haiti, and also Port au Prince to Santo Domingo International Airport.  With high hopes for this service, the business and leisure traveler will be able to enjoy this new service in just an hour of travel time.

In concert with the mission of the Ministry of Tourism, and Minister Stephanie Villedrouin to increase flights and build Haiti as a leisure destination, these new services will extend the travel options for the visitors to neighboring islands as an easy means to travel to Haiti and extend their vacation stays.

ARR

FLIGHT No. FROM  TO   FREQUENCY

DEP

PLS

Wed Sun

01:25 PM

JY 217                                          02:35 PM

           PAP

PAP

SDQ

Thu Sat

11:25 AM

JY 623                                          01:20 PM

PAP*

KIN

Wed (*via PLS)

01:25 PM

JY 217/250                                      04:50 PM

KIN

03:20 PM

JY 624     PAP        Fri Sat                   04:40 PM

KIN

Sun (*via PLS)

01:25 PM

JY 217/250 PAP*                                 04:50 PM

Seats are on sale, and bookable immediately at interCaribbean.com or calling our call centers and visiting our airport locations.  Customers may also visit their preferred travel agency.

Said Trevor Sadler CEO of interCaribbean Airways, we are pleased to offer these new routes to give the more choices and more connectivity across the Caribbean and support Haiti as it grows its appeal to the vacation visitor, while facilitating new business opportunities.  We look forward to increasing the frequency and number of destinations we serve in the new year.

About InterCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways is based in the Turks & Caicos Islands, operating for the last 23 years to connect you and the Caribbean.  Services are via EMB 120 and BE99 aircraft connecting the Turks & Caicos to the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.  International services also connect Jamaica to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico.  Domestic flights are operated in The Turks & Caicos Islands and Jamaica. With new services planned to the Eastern Caribbean we look forward to connecting more of the Caribbean.

CONTACT: Media Relations: [email protected]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. October 29, 2014: My Haiti Travels, a New York-based boutique concierge firm that produces high-quality travel experiences for leisure and business purposes, has announced its third annual “Impact Week” signature expedition to Haiti. The all-inclusive tour package provides the perfect blend of civic and social interaction during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend of January 15-19, 2015.  As a new feature, travelers will have the opportunity to extend their “Impact Week” experience with two add-on package deals that explore the historic city of Cap-Haitien and the International Jazz Festival of Port-au-Prince.

The “Impact Week” tour offers a unique journey through cultural landmarks and vibrant destinations. With a fresh itinerary for the third edition, “Impact Week” travelers will immerse themselves in an action-packed voyage led by professional guides that includes dining at top restaurants, evening entertainment, artistic attractions, epic excursions and more. Guests will also enjoy deluxe hotel and beach resort stays at two sought-after properties that are new to the “Impact Week” itinerary – the elegant Royal Oasis located in the heart of Petion-Ville, a prestigious suburb of the nation’s capital Port-au-Prince, and the scenic Club Indigo Beach (formerly Haiti’s Club Med) on the Arcadins Coast, a popular Caribbean beach destination.

For the first time, travelers will be able to extend their “Impact Week” stay in Haiti with the debut of two add-on tour package deals offered by My Haiti Travels. The first option is presented with partnering tour operator Belle Vue Tours and provides discovery of Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second largest city located in the north. This package includes a tour of the iconic mountaintop Citadelle, the largest fortress in the Americas and one of the most historic Caribbean wonders of the world. The second add-on tour package features the eighth edition of the International Jazz Festival of Port-au-Prince, a not-to-be-missed cultural and touristic event featuring renowned foreign artists. Both tours are scheduled on January 19-22, 2015.

The My Haiti Travels agency was founded by Haitian-born Dina Simon shortly following the devastating earthquake of January 2010 to support the resurgence of tourism and investment in Haiti, and to promote the patronage of local businesses, hotel/resort establishments and restaurants. My Haiti Travels staff continues to build relationships and work diligently with local professionals and experts across Haiti’s hospitality and tourism sector to provide safe, meaningful and fun experiences.

“Seeing Haiti through our eyes is a cultural movement with a social impact,” said Dina Simon, founder and managing director, My Haiti Travels.  ”By listening to our repeat customers who asked to see more of Haiti, we have an even more robust Impact Week tour planned for 2015.  My Haiti Travels will continue to explore new and exciting destinations with quality in service and treasured moments.”

To commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday celebrated in the U.S., “Impact Week” will feature Project Day for the third consecutive year to provide volunteer services to students of PRODEV’s (Progress and Development through the Youth of Haiti) Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje in the Village de La Renaissance.  Established in 1995 to empower the youth of Haiti through education, PRODEV is a Haitian-led non-profit, non-political foundation officially recognized by the government of Haiti.

Since its inaugural group trip in 2013, My Haiti Travels has hosted over 100 travelers through its “Impact Week” tour, “Jacmel Getaway” voyage and other custom expeditions. Ranging in age from teenagers to baby boomers, the diverse groups represent a multicultural mix of tourists seeking to explore Haiti’s dynamic Taino, African, Latin and French ancestry.

For more information on the 2015 “Impact Week,” to register and take advantage of discounted early-bird registration rates, please contact My Haiti Travels at [email protected] or visit www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com.

###

About My Haiti Travels

My Haiti Travels (MHT) is a New York-based boutique concierge firm that coordinates and produces high-quality travel experiences with a social impact for groups seeking to explore Haiti for leisure and business purposes.  Each January My Haiti Travels presents the IMPACT WEEK tour (www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com) during the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend.  The JACMEL GETAWAY vacation package (www.JacmelGetaway.com) is presented by My Haiti Travels during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday.  My Haiti Travels also promotes a positive image of Haiti through its “See Haiti Through Our Eyes” campaign and publishes a newsletter that features guest blogs, compelling video clips and travel stories.  Follow My Haiti Travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and YouTube.

Media Contact

Daphne Leroy

DML Media Group, LLC

[email protected]

646-389-1365

www.DMLmediagroup.com

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PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten, Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The 21^st annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference & Trade Show opened today, gathering about 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and 100 cruise executives, presidents and CEOs from the 15 FCCA Member Lines, which operate over 100 ships in Caribbean and Latin American waters. The event offers a four-day agenda chock-full of business sessions, networking opportunities and chances to maximize cruise tourism’s impact, along with the attention and knowledge of cruise line personnel who decide where cruise ships call, what to sell onboard and if they should invest in destination infrastructure.

“The [FCCA Conference & Trade Show] gives you direct contact with some of the most influential decision makers in the cruise industry,” says Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO and FCCA chairman.

The focus is on developing business, relationships and knowledge. The Conference’s business sessions offer this through one-on-one meetings, where attendees have up to three meetings with their selected cruise executives. Plus workshops share the executives’, presidents’, CEOs’ and stakeholders’ insight to help attendees learn about topics such as the cruise lines’ latest happenings and route for the future; creating and maintaining a successful tour product; developing a port in partnership with the FCCA, cruise lines and the private/public sectors; and increasing cruise tourism through a unified vision, collaboration between the private and public sectors, and continual product development and innovation.

“FCCA events always give me an opportunity to meet valuable industry stakeholders,” shares Adam Goldstein, president and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “These are the people who have ideas and projects I want, and need, to know about.”

The Trade Show—the largest in the event’s history—allows exhibitors to target the influential audience looking to source new business and expand existing business. Any booth puts spotlights a product, company or destination, and specialized pavilions showcase a large company or destination as a team, with a roster including destination ministries, port authorities, tour operators and vendors.

Exposure is guaranteed through numerous events hosted there, such as a cruise executive preview before the official opening, an exclusive cocktail reception for cruise executives and Platinum Members, the Conference’s Wednesday night social function and the first FCCA Table Tennis Tournament, hosted by Adam Goldstein.

Traffic is also driven by a business center and the Trade Show’s location itself, with all attendees entering and passing through to access the Conference’s meetings, workshops, business sessions and registration.

Interaction between Conference delegates, Trade Show exhibitors and cruise line decision makers is further spurred by social functions planned by St. Maarten. And St. Maarten certainly plans to engage the attendees, as Port St. Maarten partnered with the government and local businesses to display its exciting setting, activities and WOW factor through some of the same experiences and venues that cruise passengers see and do.

In all, the FCCA Conference & Trade Show creates the perfect forum for exchanging information, sharing ideas and forging relationships. The continued involvement and invaluable insight of some of the cruise industry’s key decision makers, along with a ratio of about one cruise executive per 10 attendees, make the event one of the best ways to directly target the cruise industry and maximize its benefits.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 15 member cruise lines operating over 100 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and to develop bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

Media contact: Omari Breakenridge
[email protected]
Tel: 954-441-8881

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Seaborne Airlines today announced the introduction of a new interline agreement with United Airlines providing customers convenient connections between the networks of United and Seaborne Airlines.  Now customers have the convenience of purchasing a single ticket for United and Seaborne Airlines services, checking baggage at their origination to their final destination, and easy connections at Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan, PR (SJU) to exciting destinations, including St. Thomas, St. Croix, Dominica, Fort de France, Martinique, Point a Pitre, Guadeloupe, La Romana, DR, Punta Cana, DR, Santo Domingo, DR, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis.

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has operated in the Caribbean for over 21 years, carrying more than two and a half millions customers safely.  Seaborne operates over 2,100 monthly departures throughout the Caribbean to San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Thomas Seaplane, St. Croix,
St. Croix Seaplane, Dominica, Fort de France, Martinique, Point a Pitre, Guadeloupe, La Romana, DR, Punta Cana, DR, Santo Domingo, DR, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis.  With service to 15 destinations throughout the Caribbean—two pilots on every flight and a flight attendant, Seaborne is rapidly becoming the preferred regional airline in the Caribbean.

About United Airlines

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. With U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

CONTACT: Sandra Colon Perez, [email protected]

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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) annual keynote event, the Conference & Trade Show, has a 20-year history of increasing cruise tourism’s impact for its host destinations by spotlighting their products, experiences and infrastructure to the industry’s most influential decision makers—over 100 executives, presidents and CEOs from FCCA’s 15 Member Lines, which operate over 100 ships in Caribbean and Latin American waters.

St. Maarten is looking to build onto their past growth by hosting their second FCCA Conference & Trade Show from October 6 – 10. The destination knows the significance of hosting this event because of their progress after their first Conference in 2003. In 2001, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies reported 875,540 passenger arrivals. This number rose 70 percent to 1,490,386 in 2005, just two years after hosting the Conference.

As the destination knows, these numbers extend far beyond the cruise pier; they impact the entire economy. According to the Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) 2012 study, Economic Contribution of Cruise Tourism to the Destination Economies, the average expenditure per passenger in St. Maarten was $185.40, which benefitted numerous industries through purchases of goods that included food and beverage at restaurants and bars, clothing, shore excursions, ground transportation, local crafts and souvenirs, watches and jewelry, perfumes and cosmetics, electronics, entertainment/night clubs/casinos, retail purchases of liquor, and telephone and internet.

However, this is hardly the only economic contribution provided by cruise tourism. The same study showed that the average expenditure per crew in St. Maarten was $135.50 for similar products and services. Plus it revealed the direct and indirect employment generated by the cruise industry, totaling 8,123 jobs and $159.8 million in employee wages.

By these numbers, St. Maarten’s 70 percent increase after hosting their first Conference would represent an increase of $114 million in passenger spending alone, along with the coinciding growth of crew spending, cruise line spending, and employment.

Projecting this same growth after this year’s Conference would be aggressive, considering that in 2014 St. Maarten expects 1.67 million passenger arrivals onboard 523 vessels from FCCA Member Lines alone. But a single cruise ship has a large economic wake. BREA’s figures show that just one average cruise vessel—130,000 GRT, 1,040 feet long, carrying 3,000 passengers and 500 crewmembers—would generate $556,200 in passenger spending and $67,750 in crew spending, along with roughly $15,000 in port fees, totaling $638,950 in direct economic contribution, not including employment and other indirect contributions.

Projecting a more conservative growth rate of 20 percent, or 105 additional cruise ship calls, would mean an extra $67 million per year directly contributed to St. Maarten’s economy. Plus a 20 percent increase in cruise tourism-impacted employment would represent 1,625 more jobs with $32 million in wages.

Considering this potential economic impact, it becomes easy to understand why St. Maarten again decided to invest in its entire destination’s economy by hosting the FCCA Conference & Trade Show.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

CONTACT:  Omari Breakenridge 954 441 8881 [email protected]

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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The 2014 FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, the largest cruise and tourism conference and trade show in the Caribbean, will let delegates and exhibitors target about 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and 100 FCCA Member Line presidents, CEOs and executives from multiple sectors, including operations, purchasing, marketing, shore excursions and government relations.

“The FCCA Conference and Trade Show is a great opportunity to network with and learn from the FCCA Member Lines’ key players,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO and FCCA chairman. “Attendees have ample opportunities to promote products, develop working relationships and discuss trends with the industry’s most important executives.”

Attendees and executives will congregate in St. Maarten from October 6-10 for a four-day series of meetings, workshops, networking functions and the trade show. The Conference’s business functions will include preset one-on-one meetings that offer a chance to promote a product to or receive individualized input from cruise executives selected by attendees; workshops on current issues with panels of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion; and social functions that foster networking in a comfortable, engaging atmosphere.

The Trade Show will guarantee exposure from this influential audience through numerous events hosted at the Trade Show, many of which feature cruise executives, and traffic driven by its location, with all attendees entering and passing through to access the Conference’s business sessions and registration. Booths will put an exhibitor’s product, company or destination on the mind of those who decide where ships call and what is sold onboard, and specialized pavilions are available to increase attention and allow a destination or large company to showcase their numerous offerings.

This is one of the best opportunities to increase cruise tourism’s impact by better understanding the industry and promoting products to and forging working relationships with some of the cruise industry’s most important decision makers.

Registration for and more information about the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show are available here: https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

CONTACT: Omari Breakenridge, 954 441 8881, [email protected]

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, July 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Gary Foss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seaborne Airlines, announced the appointment of airline industry veteran Hector “Tato” Montanez as the regional carrier’s new Director of Marketing and Sales. In his new position, Montanez will be in charge of overseeing the airline’s marketing and sales initiatives in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Montanez brings with him more than 25 years of experience working for American Airlines, where he oversaw sales and marketing, operations, e-commerce and distribution, new product development, key account management and customer service for Puerto Rico.

“Seaborne has a great story and a great future in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean. I am honored to be part of Seaborne Airlines’ evolution and look forward to helping in the development of the airline’s regional strategy,” Montanez said. “With service to 18 airports, we hope to make Seaborne a household name throughout the Caribbean.”

“Seaborne is honored to have someone of the caliber of Hector join the team, after so many outstanding years working in sales and marketing for American. The expert team of professionals that we have been assembling in recent months will undoubtedly fuel our company’s growth plans for the region, where we are already the fastest-growing airline in the Caribbean,” said Foss.

Montanez, who will be based at Seaborne’s San Juan Headquarters, also brings with him experience with working with other airlines gained during his tenure with an airport handling company that provided ground services to various carriers, such as Aeropostal Airlines, AirFrance, British Airways, LACSA and VIASA.

Montanez has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Inter American University, Metro Campus. He lives in San Juan with his wife Wendy and children Bianca and Jan Luis.

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 20 years, carrying over two million customers safely. Seaborne operates over 2,100 monthly departures throughout the Caribbean to San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Vieques, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, La Romana, Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Santiago, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis.

CONTACT: Press Contact: Sandra Colon Perez, [email protected]

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Producer and Journalist Jeanille Bonterre, Award-Winning Filmmaker Sean Michael Field Position Network as the Caribbean Connection to the World

CAYMAN ISLANDS, Caribbean, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Nexus Networks, co-founded by MTV TEMPO’s Jeanille Bonterre and award-winning filmmaker Sean Michael Field, today announced the launch of its premier lifestyle channel, which will be dedicated to bringing island life to the forefront through original programming.

Powered by LIME Cayman Islands, Nexus Networks presents the rhythm of the islands with universal appeal. Fusing the founders’ extensive professional experience and passion for Caribbean lifestyle, Nexus Networks is positioned as the Caribbean connection to the world.

As Nexus Networks CEO and executive producer of the popular travel series “Island Xclusive,” Bonterre is an innovator in the new era of the Caribbean media industry.

“Nexus means ‘core,’ and that is exactly what the Caribbean is to this authentic channel. Sean and I will show the world that the Caribbean is not just a destination, but a lifestyle to embrace,” Bonterre said.

This new channel will feature films, documentaries and reality shows as well as cultural and educational programming that will excite and intrigue a broad spectrum of viewers. To get a feel for the riddim of Nexus Networks, click here.

As COO, Field brings his multifaceted expertise, innovative ideas and industry experience to Nexus Networks. Field starred in the film “Wedding Day” and wrote the screenplay “Egress,” which recently won the Metropolitan College of New York Film Festival.

“In addition to building the Caribbean brand, we want to serve as a home for producers who seek to develop and deliver original multi-cultural programming,” Field said. “All programming on Nexus Networks has a local component, which is what makes it groundbreaking and essential to our mission to stay Caribbean while providing mass appeal.”

To learn more about channel availability or request programming in your area, visit http://www.nexusnetworks.tv/.

About Nexus Networks
Nexus Networks delivers the Caribbean Islands. From the sights and sounds to the action and excitement, the beat that makes the islands unique lives on Nexus Networks. The network embraces the mission of producing quality multi-cultural media featuring the Caribbean’s priceless resources, undeniable destinations and extraordinary people. For more information, visit http://www.nexusnetworks.tv/. Follow Nexus Networks on Twitter at @NexusNetworksTV and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nexusnetworkstv.

CONTACT:  Nexus Networks, [email protected], 345-924-6248

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Seaborne Airlines, the fastest growing airline in the Caribbean, has announced it is making travel even cheaper and easier!  We are offering $1,200 of travel for each $1,000 for the next three weeks when customers add funds to their Seaborne accounts.  There is no limit to the amount you can add to a travel account, so the more money added to an account, the more money you will save!  Seaborne will provide you with a $200 gift certificate for each $1,000 added to your account.  The gift certificates can be used for travel through December 31, 2014 with no restrictions or blackout dates.

 Amount Added to Travel Account         Value of Seaborne Gift Certificates

 ------------------------------         -----------------------------------

                                 $1,000                                       $200

                                 $2,000                                       $400

                                 $3,000                                       $600

                                 $4,000                                       $800

                                 $5,000                                     $1,000

                                $10,000                                     $2,000

Unlike “coupon books” offered by other airlines, Seaborne travel accounts, and the gift certificates, can be used to book travel to any city served by Seaborne through an online account.  The coupon books offered by other airlines also don’t come with the 20% discount Seaborne is offering.

With service to 18 airports throughout the Caribbean; connecting service to American, JetBlue and Delta at San Juan, Puerto Rico; two pilots on every flight; a flight attendant on our new Saab 340 aircraft and the outstanding dependability Seaborne is becoming known for, the Seaborne Travel Account offers the greatest value in air service in the Caribbean.

Seaborne travel accounts have been especially popular with travelers in the Virgin Islands where Seaborne operates up to 30 flights a day between St. Thomas and St. Croix – three times as many flights between the islands as the next largest airline.

Existing Seaborne Travel Account customers can add funds to their accounts by contacting Seaborne toll-free at 866-359-8784 or by sending an email to [email protected] and new customers can create an account by calling Seaborne toll-free at 866-359-8784.

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 20 years, carrying over two million customers safely.  Seaborne operates over 2,100 monthly departures throughout the Caribbean to San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Vieques, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, La Romana, Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, Santiago, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis.

CONTACT: Michael Ritzi, [email protected]

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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., April 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – Registration is now open for the 2014 FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, taking place in St. Maarten from October 6-10, 2014. The event will gather over 1,000 stakeholders from all sectors the cruise tourism industry, along with over 100 FCCA Member Line cruise executives, presidents and CEOs.

Attendees will have access to these key decision makers during a four-day series that balance business sessions and networking opportunities. These include one-on-one meetings with cruise executives of attendees’ choice, which offer a chance to promote a product or receive individualized input; social functions that foster interaction in a laid-back, engaging atmosphere; and workshops focused on current issues with panels comprised of knowledgeable industry professionals and cruise executives, along with the presidents and CEOs heading a roundtable discussion.

In addition to these resources, attendees have access to St. Maarten’s exciting setting and activities, with the Port of St. Maarten, the government and local businesses linking to present a WOW factor and show what cruise passengers can experience during a stay-over visit. Together, this creates the perfect forum for exchanging information and industry trends, sharing ideas, and cultivating valuable business relationships. Plus with an attendance of about one cruise executives per 10 attendees, attendees have one of the best chances to target and gain insight from cruise lines’ key decision makers who influence what goes onboard and where ships call.

The Trade Show expands this target, allowing exhibitors to capture the attention of this prominent audience. Any booth puts their product, company, or destination on attendees’ and executives’ minds, but special destination pavilion options provide the greatest impact at the Trade Show. They showcase a destination product as a team—from vendors and tour operators to destination ministries and port operators.

So if you want to establish or grow your cruise industry business, mark your calendars for October 6-10 and book your tickets for St. Maarten.

To register and/or learn more, please visit https://www.regonline.com/fccastmaarten.

CONTACT: Terri Cannici, 954-441-8881

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KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – interCaribbean Airways is pleased to announce the introduction of new scheduled non-stop air service connecting Kingston to Montego Bay, with 16 weekly flights each way.  These new flights from Montego Bay to Kingston provide onward flights to Providenciales, Grand Turk, Santo Domingo and San Juan making connections across the wider Caribbean a reality.  Introductory domestic fares are available from as little as US$29.00 (plus taxes) one way, for a limited time.

The flights, operated by 30 seat Embraer 120 aircraft with onboard flight attendant, begin service on April 16^th with a convenient morning, and evening flight, giving the business community a full days business in either city.  For the leisure traveler arriving on a long haul flight from Europe, this new connection will give added peace of mind, to quickly transfer to or from Montego Bay or Kingston.  North American Travelers too, can take their favorite airline in one city and conveniently return from another.

“I am thrilled that there will be new scheduled air service between Kingston and Montego Bay,” said John Lynch, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism.  ”The service will be particularly helpful for travellers from the UK and Europe as there will be a seamless connection to get them into either city.  Passengers on airlines like Southwest, which do not fly into Kingston, will also be facilitated.”  ”I commend interCaribbean Airways for their foresight,” continued Mr Lynch.  ”They saw the need for improved domestic service and in filling the need, has provided additional benefits to Destination Jamaica.”

Alfred McDonald, Senior Director Commercial Development and Planning, Norman Manley International Airport Limited, said the new service by interCaribbean is timely, as the airline offers direct connections between Jamaica’s two main international airports and offer passengers traveling to either airport, a convenient and quick inter-island air link, closer to their final destination in Jamaica.  He added that passengers travelling to Jamaica on airlines such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which fly into NMIA and SIA respectively, will no doubt welcome the news.

Mr. Trevor Sadler, CEO of interCaribbean Airways, said the introduction of these new services and their international connections, is the culmination of years of effort by Chairman Mr. Lyndon Gardiner concerning his work towards an airline that truly connects the Caribbean.  It is his belief that this connectivity is not just possible, but necessary to support a greater Caribbean economy, and with the support of Jamaica and the business community, we are now about to realize the next step in the growth of the company.

Schedule

Flight No     Dep       Arr Days       Dep Time Arrival Time

KINGSTON TO MONTEGO BAY

JY600         KIN       MBJ Daily x7   07:00AM  07:35AM

JY602         KIN       MBJ Tu, We, Sa 11:00AM  11:35AM

JY604         KIN       MBJ Daily      4:30PM   5:05PM

MONTEGO BAY TO KINGSTON

JY601         MBJ       KIN Daily x7   07:50AM  08:25AM

JY603         MBJ       KIN Tu, We, Sa 11:55AM  12:30PM

JY605         MBJ       KIN Daily      5:20PM   5:55PM

The $29 (plus taxes) Introductory Fares must be booked by May 15, and fly by May 31, 2014. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight.  To book a flight, contact your local travel agent, call interCaribbean at 1-800-572-7628, or book on line at flyairtc.com (Note: coming soon will be the new interCaribbean.com website)

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operates a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft, operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, in addition to International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata and Santiago in the Dominican Republic; Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti; Kingston and Montego Bay in Jamaica; Nassau in the Bahamas; new services to Samana, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico from April 2, 2014.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact: Media Relations: [email protected], Marketing Consultant: Rozeta Mahboubi +1-954-600-2468

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Mar. 17, 2014: A US$30 million resort, dubbed ‘The Caribbean’s own Disney-like Team Park in Paradise,’ is slated for the Village of Dennery in the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

The Caribbean Market Village, (CMV), is the brainchild of Antiguan-born, U.S. citizen, Sheila Newton Moses of the Manhattan International Group, and is set to be built on the island of the Pitons. Newton Moses will showcase the star-fish inspired all-included, inter- generational tourist project at the biggest investment summit in the U.S. for the global Caribbean, Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) 2014.

ICN is supported by Hollywood Actor Malik Yoba and is set for the Harvard Club, New York from 11:30 a.m. on June 4, 2014.

The CMV, which will be marketed as “The Happiness Place To Be,” will feature an Organic Garden & Learning Center, the ‘St. Lucia Heritage & Legends Trail,’ a Spectator Sports Bar, a Day Spa, a Lounge and Aquarium, an outdoor pavilion, a children’s activity center, a clubhouse and pool, an art gallery row, a clothing and textile row, a restaurant row and an island services row.

The design will include authentic Caribbean cultural elements such as thatched roofs and round benabs that are original to the Amerindians of the region. CMV will also provide vendors with rentals including carts, kiosks, booths, stores and art galleries for local artists to display and sell their work while a cultural center will showcase the culture of each island.

The CVM will be showcased as this year’s project in the spotlight, a new addition to the Invest Caribbean Now’s summit agenda.

WHO’S WHO FOR ICN

Invest Caribbean Now matches investors with projects in the Caribbean and brings investors to the Caribbean and introduces them on a global level to investment opportunities in the region.

This year’s summit will feature top delegates including Hollywood actor and activist, Malik Yoba; Caribbean government dignitaries from across the region, including Premier of Nevis, Vance Amory; Chinese government officials; New York City elected officials; chairman of over two dozen companies throughout the Caribbean, North America, Russia, China, Africa and Great Britain, including Sandals Resorts Chairman, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart; Qahir Dhanani, World Bank Group; Ambassador Richard Bernal, Executive Director, Caribbean, Inter-American Development Bank; Leigh Moran, representing the  US State Department/USAID ‘IdEA,’ Dr. Paul Angelchik, founder, American World Clinics; Collin Childress, CEO, Global Med Choices; Sergio Millian, President of the Russian American Chamber of Commerce; Anthony A. L. Adjasse of the Allied African Nations  Chamber Of Commerce; Li Li, executive director of the Chinese American Business Development Center, Anthony Phills, Founder of the  Caribbean Commerce Magazine/Media and Blinglet Inc. and Irwine Clare, among  numerous global professional investors, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

“Caribbean Business seeking to make a global connection, heads of state and those islands seeking investments for economic growth in their country, should be at ICN 2014,” said Christopher Chaplin, vice president at Hard Beat Communications, which produces the summit annually. “The Invest Caribbean Now summit is an event on the move and seeks to build economic power and advance wealth in the Caribbean with this annual presentation in New York City.”

Topics to be discussed in June include the global investment trends and the Caribbean with representatives from Russia, Africa and the USA; the emerging relationship of Chinese tourism & investments In the Caribbean; medical tourism as an economic earner for Caribbean nations, IT and Clean Energy in the Caribbean and The Caribbean Diaspora: A Real Source For Investment?.

Harvard, Princeton and Colombia graduate and Caribbean-born scholar, Dr. Isaac Newton will deliver the keynote address on the issue of economic development and global investment outreach while Woody Wilson, designer to stars like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Terrance Howard, will launch his Tropical Collection for the Caribbean.

Special partnership and co-branding opportunities for this prestigious event are available by contacting [email protected] or logging on to ICN’s summit page at Investcaribbeannow.com.

Limited early bird tickets to the summit are available by booking here or at investcaribbeannow.com/earlybird

An exclusive Diamond Dinner has been added to this year’s summit for only 20 people who will include Malik Yoba, Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart and Woody Wilson among other top Chinese, Caribbean and Russian delegates. Tickets are available on an invitation only basis by contacting Joe Bernstein at [email protected].

ICN PARTNERS

Partners for ICN 2014 include: Hard Beat Communications, The Caribbean Tourism Organization, One Caribbean Television, The Woody Wilson Collection of Beverly Hills, The PR Newswire, the Caribbean Commerce Magazine, Blinglets, The Caribbean Council for Economic Development, the Chinese Business Development Center, Woody Wilson Fine Clothing, CaribPR Wire and News Americas Now.

Follow The Summit |Twitter | Facebook

SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now
MEDIA CONTACT

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

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PEMBROKE PINES, Fla., March 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is your way onto a winning team—the cruise industry. FCCA membership cultivates close relationships with the team’s players, coaches and management—Member Line CEOs, presidents and executives deciding what products are sold onboard and where ships call—while letting you showcase your talents and discuss what you offer over a friendly dinner, private one-on-one meeting, cocktail reception or even Caribbean cruise.

“Joining the FCCA gives you direct contact with some of the most influential decision makers in the cruise industry,” says Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO and FCCA chairman.

FCCA membership gets you in and on the minds of these decision makers through two different levels. Associate Members become partners of the FCCA and cruise industry, while gaining benefits like discounts and savings on advertising and event registration fees; collateral support; access to cruise executive meetings and the most up-to-date industry research and trends; and more.

But the real prize is through Platinum Membership, which puts you on a first-name basis with the executives, presidents and CEOs. Besides granting special privileges and complimentary registrations at FCCA events like the FCCA Conference & Trade Show, the Caribbean’s largest cruise conference, Platinum Members attend numerous private events that foster relationship building.

These events bring the Platinum Members and decision makers together in casual, engaging settings for a healthy mix of business and pleasure that helps form significant relationships. Members experience this balance while cementing deals at closing parties or getting an inside look at industry projects on unforgettable tours.

“FCCA events always give me an opportunity to meet valuable industry stakeholders,” shares Adam Goldstein, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO. “These are the people who have ideas and projects I want, and need, to know about.”

If you want to bring cruise lines to your destination; get your product onboard ships; target the audience doing the above at FCCA events; or collaborate to find a specific opportunity for you, the FCCA is your source.

As Micky Arison—Carnival Corp. and past-FCCA chairman—tells, “The FCCA opens the door to the cruise industry and puts you in the middle of the action.”

Go for the win. Become an FCCA member.

For more information about FCCA membership, contact Nathalia Gomez (954-441-8881) or online at: www.f-cca.com

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ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Starting today, Seaborne Airlines, the fastest growing airline in the Caribbean, begins new non-stop daily service from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) to The Princess Julianna International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten becoming the 19^th airport Seaborne has launched during its expansion throughout the Caribbean.

From the breathtaking cliffs of Cupecoy to gorgeous sandy beaches like Maho Beach, St. Maarten boasts many popular attractions and night life, only minutes away from Puerto Rico.

Non-Stop Daily Flights

San Juan, PR (SJU) Departure Time 6:45pm

St. Maarten (SXM) Arrival Time 7:45pm

St. Maarten (SXM) Departure Time 8:00am

San Juan, PR (SJU) Arrival Time 9:10am

Fares from San Juan to St. Maarten begin as low as $88 one way, taxes and fees included. Flights can be reserved via SeaborneAirlines.com, Expedia, Travelocity or through your local travel agency.

“St. Maarten is yet another exciting destination in the Caribbean that Seaborne is offering to our customers, as we build important trade and tourism links throughout the Caribbean” said Gary D. Foss, president and chief executive officer Seaborne Airlines.

Seaborne has shown dramatic growth during the past months. Just recently, Seaborne announced service to its 18^th airport, Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ) with non-stop service from Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) effective April 15, 2014.   Santo Domingo will be Seaborne’s fourth destination within the Dominican Republic, the others being La Romana, started in December, 2013; Punta Cana beginning February 14, 2014 and Santiago beginning March 15th, 2014. For more information please visit www.seaborneairlines.com or follow us in social media networks: facebook/seaborne and @flyseaborne.

Seaborne recently announced the relocation of its headquarters to San Juan, Puerto Rico to be effective in March, 2014.

About Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 20 years, carrying over two million customers safely. With over 2,100 monthly departures to eighteen airports planned by April, 2014. Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, Vieques, St. Thomas airport and seaplane base, St. Croix airport and seaplane base, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, La Romana, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Nevis, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in February, 2014; and St. Maarten and Santiago, Dominican Republic in March 2014 .  All flights operate with two pilots and twin engines under Federal Air Regulation Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. February 27, 2014: My Haiti Travels, a New York-based boutique concierge firm that produces high-quality travel experiences with a social impact for groups seeking to explore Haiti for leisure and business purposes, successfully presented its second annual “Impact Week” signature expedition to Port-au-Prince, Haiti in January.  My Haiti Travels also announced the introduction of its new “Jacmel Getaway” to be held on Thursday, May 22 to Monday, May 26, 2014. An unforgettable travel experience that will explore art, film and a taste of Caribbean life, the “Jacmel Getaway” will take tourists on an enchanting journey into the cultural center of Haiti.

Building upon its inaugural “Impact Week” voyage, My Haiti Travels doubled the number of 2014 participants to 30 U.S.-based travelers.  Ranging in age from teenagers to baby boomers, the diverse group represented a multicultural mix of tourists of Haitian, African-American, Latino and European descent.  Once again, My Haiti Travels staff worked diligently with local professionals across Haiti’s hospitality and tourism sector to provide a safe, meaningful and fun experience.  Travelers are invited to save the date for the next “Impact Week” Haiti tour that is scheduled on January 15-19, 2015.

The 2014 “Impact Week” trip exposed tourists to a variety of cultural landmarks and excursions, including touring the Haitian National Museum, mountain hiking to Kay Piat followed by swimming in a natural spring and a souvenir market outing.  Entertainment and leisure activities consisted of live music, fine dining and a private rum tasting.  Guests also enjoyed deluxe hotel stays at the BW Premier Petion-Ville and Wahoo Bay Beach Club & Resort on the Arcadins Coast, a popular Caribbean beach destination.

To commemorate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday in the U.S., “Impact Week” featured a Project Day for the second consecutive year to provide volunteer services to students of PRODEV’s (Progress and Development through the Youth of Haiti) Ecole Nouvelle Zoranje in the Village de La Renaissance.  Established in 1995 to empower the youth of Haiti through education, PRODEV is a Haitian-led non-profit, non-political foundation officially recognized by the government of Haiti.

A new “Jacmel Getaway” vacation package, scheduled during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday in the U.S., will expand upon My Haiti Travels’ current offerings in the island nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince to the vibrant town of Jacmel.  Located in the Southeastern part of Haiti, Jacmel is renowned for its carnival, film festival, talented artisans, colonial architecture and serene waterfalls.

“Haiti’s tourism industry has tremendous potential, and we are very pleased with the growth of our signature Impact Week voyage as well as our new Jacmel Getaway vacation package in May of this year,” said Dina Simon, founder and managing director, My Haiti Travels.  “Our Jacmel Getaway promises to be an unforgettable travel experience for all couples, singles and art lovers seeking a little taste of Caribbean life in the cultural center of Haiti.”

The 2014 “Jacmel Getaway” is a complete vacation package comprising a full schedule of activities.  The all-inclusive five-day and four-night itinerary features premium hotel accommodations, private ground transportation including round-trip airport transfers and travel to Jacmel, art and film expeditions, live Haitian cultural performances, private chef and dining at top restaurants, a masquerade party and souvenir shopping at local Haitian artisan shops.

The My Haiti Travels agency was founded by Dina Simon shortly following the devastating earthquake of January 2010 to support the resurgence of tourism and investment in Haiti, and to promote the patronage of local businesses, hotel and resort establishments and restaurants.  With a vision to showcase “Haiti Through Our Eyes,” My Haiti Travels delivers a mix of civic and social activities that capture Haiti’s rich culture, which is rooted in Taino, European and African heritage.  Haiti is the first independent sovereign nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the first black republic in the world when it declared independence from France during the Haitian Revolution on January 1, 1804.

2014 media partners of “Impact Week” included Bel Ti Fi, Crème Magazine, Haitian All-Starz, The Haitian Times, HaitiXChange, Kiskeácity, Lumiere Magazine, Manman Pemba, Radio Soleil and The Stewardship Report.

A discounted early-bird registration rate for the “Jacmel Getaway” vacation package is now available through March 22, 2014.  For more information regarding the upcoming “Jacmel Getaway” scheduled on May 22–26, 2014, please contact My Haiti Travels at [email protected] or visit www.JacmelGetaway.com

###

About My Haiti Travels

My Haiti Travels (MHT) is a New York-based boutique concierge firm that coordinates and produces high-quality travel experiences with a social impact for groups seeking to explore Haiti for leisure and business purposes.  Each January My Haiti Travels presents the IMPACT WEEK tour (www.ImpactWeekHaiti.com), a five-day and four-night all-inclusive voyage filled with leisure activities, volunteerism, networking and touristic exploration of Port-au-Prince, Haiti during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.  The inaugural JACMEL GETAWAY vacation package (www.JacmelGetaway.com) will be presented by My Haiti Travels on May 22–26, 2014 during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday.  To educate people about Haiti and its rich culture, My Haiti Travels also publishes the “Haiti Through Our Eyes” newsletter that features guest blogs and travel stories.  Follow My Haiti Travels on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr and YouTube.

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CaribPR Wire, PORSTMOUTH, Dominica , Tues. Feb. 25, 2014: Dominica hotelier, Gregor Nassief, is urging St. Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister, Ralph Gonsalves, to step aside as chairman of the shareholder’s committee of regional airline LIAT, in a fourth open letter to the shareholders. Nassief insists that since Gonsalves believes LIAT can never be profitable, then the airline urgently needs a new chairman and ‘general’ who can find a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without a perpetual and unfair burden on the treasuries of St. Vincent, Antigua, Barbados and Dominica. The open letter follows.

February 25, 2014

Honourable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

LIAT (1974) LTD V.C. Bird International Airport P O Box 819 Coolidge Antigua

Dear Prime Minister Gonsalves:

Re:  Run it like a business before it goes out of business

On the televised program Time to Face the Facts on Sunday, February 23^rd, I appealed to you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee of LIAT.  As mentioned on the program, given the respect and admiration I have for you, particularly on your stance and leadership on issues such as reparations and the cholera outbreak in Haiti, it was personally difficult for me to do this.  But it is necessary.

LIAT has moved from an operational meltdown in the Summer of 2013 to a financial meltdown a mere 7 months later.  LIAT drains our treasuries, operates inefficiently and stifles competition.  The source of LIAT’s problem is its financial unsustainability and as with everything else at LIAT, no one is accountable.  As Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, the buck stops with you.

LIAT needs to fight the battle of its life to transform itself to be financially viable and sustainable.  But you believe, and have stated so publicly, that LIAT can never be profitable.  This battle, therefore, needs a different general.

Unsustainability

LIAT has lost ec$120m in the last four years.  Last month, LIAT could not pay both the lease on its aircraft as well as its payroll.  So it chose one and delayed the other.  A leased ATR gives 36% more seat capacity than its closest Dash 8 equivalent but is double the (lease) expense.  In 2015, repayments will begin on LIAT’s recent loan of us$65m to purchase new aircraft.   So monthly cash outflows go up even more.

And the new inflows to cover this?  Inter-island tourism is down 60% in 7 years and LIAT’s load factor is running at about 55%.  The fantasy (aka “business plan”) is that the load factor will go up to 75%.  The fantasy is also that LIAT will fly its way out of losses by expanding to new destinations – Jamaica, Haiti, Aruba, Panama, and eventually to cities in North and South America.

LIAT employs 850+ people, flies 22 destinations, operates between 10 and 12 aircraft from 2 hubs (3 if you count Trinidad) to move 800,000+ passengers a year to generate massive losses.

So it’s bail out time again.  Call on shareholders, and call on other good neighbors so that we can continue to drain our treasuries, operate inefficiently and stifle competition.  And for you this is acceptable because LIAT should not be run like a business and can never make a profit.

Our fragile economies can no longer support perpetual bailouts.  If we do not take the bull by the horns LIAT will go out of business – it will employ no one, fly nowhere, operate no aircraft and use no hubs.  But alas, it will generate no losses and competitive players will fill the gaps because LIAT, the airline unfairly propped up by perpetual subsidies, will not be there to run them out of business.

LIAT must therefore immediately begin a journey towards financial sustainability to save itself.  But if the leader does not believe in the journey, then the journey will never begin.  It is on this basis, with full respect and admiration, that I ask you to step aside as Chairman of the Shareholder’s committee, so that a new mandate to make LIAT financially sustainable can be ushered in.

Sustainability

The new chairman of the Shareholder’s committee needs to believe that the battle can be won.  And what needs to be done is not rocket science.

Appoint a Chairman and a Board capable of turning around the financial fortunes of the company and running a top-notch airline.  Give them the authority and autonomy to do what needs to be done.  Allow them to appoint a CEO and restructure the management team as necessary.   Allow LIAT to become a real business free from political interference tasked with a perfect safety record, high employee satisfaction, great customer service and solid financial performance.  A fierce focus on the company’s finances with adjustments made to yield (including renegotiation of government/airport taxes), network efficiency and operating costs will be required.  The resulting operation will have fewer employees, fewer destinations and fewer aircraft.  It will be profitable, dependable and it will deliver great service.  Like any airline, unprofitable routes will continue only with guarantees from the interested party/government.  But at least then, the taxpayers will know what they are paying for, and can make that decision.  And other/smaller airlines will take up the slack.  Competition will flourish, as will LIAT, and the Caribbean will finally get the airlift network it needs.

With a restructured board and executive, confidence in the airline’s financial performance will be established and other Caribbean governments may even want to invest.

At the right time, joint venture the company while maintaining a minimum 50% shares among shareholder governments.  The two best run airlines in the world (Singapore Airlines and Air Malaysia) are run like a business and are profitable and remain owned 50% or more by the State and 50% or less by private interests.  Like LIAT, they were bleeding losses and their shareholder governments could no longer manage the bailouts.  So they took the tough decisions, appointed the right board and executive team, and turned the airlines around to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Yes, it will be painful, but it is necessary.  And most importantly it will pull LIAT back from the financial cliff and put it on a course to long term financial sustainability.

Please consider that I am a hotelier from an island that is almost 80% dependent on LIAT for airlift.  Cut one route to Dominica, and we/Dominica will suffer.  But if my option is (a) to continue to have all the LIAT routes we have today with an airline that is prone to poor service, ad hoc cancellations, occasional and irrational pilot strikes and constantly at the edge of a financial precipice due to insurmountable financial losses – OR – (b) an airline with fewer routes but with good service, dependable schedules and solid financial performance, then my choice is definitely the latter.  And other airlines, once permitted, will take up the slack.

In Summary

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  And then finally, he invented the electric light bulb.

We have lived through and exhausted the many ways that LIAT won’t work.  It is time to try the way that will.

I appeal to you, Prime Minister Gonsalves, as well as the other Shareholder Prime Ministers, to mandate a new approach for taking LIAT and the Caribbean aviation industry forward without this perpetual and unfair burden on our treasuries.

It is time to run it like a business before it goes out of business.

Respectfully Yours,

Gregor Nassief

Owner/Director – Secret Bay

Executive Chairman – Fort Young Hotel

cc:        Honourable Dr. Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda

Honourable Freundel Stuart of Barbados

Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica

p.s.       As we again desperately seek additional funds for yet another bailout, make it the last please.  Don’t put the money into the black hole of an unsustainable business model.  Instead, use it to restructure the airline, rationalize its operations and place it on a solid long term footing.  In other words, make it the last bailout!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Nassief’s full letter is also available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/209141390/Letter-to-LIAT-Chairman-of-LIAT-s-Shareholders-Committee-February-25-2014-from-Dominica-Hotelier-Gregor-Nassief

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22 per cent more seats to the Caribbean than last summer

More flights from Montreal to Cancun, Port-au-Prince and Punta Cana

MONTREAL, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Air Canada today announced that its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rouge^TM, is expanding its choice of more Caribbean destinations this summer. Routes previously operated by Air Canada from Toronto and Montreal to Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Cancun and Tampa, FL, will be converted beginning this spring to Air Canada rouge service. Together with its previously announced 2014 summer schedule to Europe, Air Canada rouge plans to operate a total of 44 routes serving 28 popular vacation destinations, including continuation of its summer routes – Athens, Edinburgh and Venice – and new service to Barcelona, Dublin, Lisbon, Manchester, Nice and Rome.

The conversion of additional Caribbean vacation destinations to Air Canada rouge service represents an increase of 22 per cent more seats on these routes to the Caribbean this summer than last. The increase is greatest from Montreal where there will be in an increase of 36 per cent more seats on these routes and 20 per cent more flights than last summer with the introduction of additional flights to Cancun, Port-au-Prince and Punta Cana.

“Customer response to Air Canada rouge for vacation travel has been very positive since it started flying just last summer,” said Ben Smith, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “The addition of more year-round Caribbean destinations to Air Canada rouge’s network is the next logical step as our leisure carrier enables us to compete on a more cost effective basis on these routes while leveraging the strength of Air Canada Vacations. Air Canada rouge’s Caribbean services complement this summer’s significant expansion to new European vacation destinations including Nice, Lisbon and Manchester, in addition to new service to Milan served year-round by the mainline carrier. The growth of Air Canada rouge, in tandem with Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal and international network expansion, continues to be a key element of Air Canada’s strategy for sustainable, profitable growth.”

By the end of March 2014, Air Canada rouge’s fleet will include four Boeing 767-300ER aircraft and 13 Airbus A319 aircraft transferred from Air Canada. Air Canada’s mainline fleet renewal is ongoing with the introduction of new aircraft. Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery in February 2014 of the last of five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to enter its mainline fleet since June 2013, and the first three of 37 Boeing 787 aircraft by the summer of 2014. Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery of a total of six 787 aircraft in 2014 and the remaining 31 between 2015 and 2019.

For its 2014 summer schedule, Air Canada rouge will operate flights to the following popular vacation destinations available with optional Air Canada Vacations packages. Flights and vacation packages are now available for purchase at aircanada.com and through travel agents:

Europe: Flights from Toronto to: Athens, Barcelona, Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Manchester and Venice. Flights from Montreal to: Athens, Barcelona, Rome and Nice.

Mexico: Flights from Toronto to Cancun, and Montreal to Cancun*.

United States: Flights from Toronto and Montreal to: Orlando and Las Vegas, and from Toronto to Tampa*.

Caribbean and Central America: Flights from Toronto to: Barbados*, Jamaica (Kingston, Montego Bay); Grenada; Nassau*, Bahamas; the Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Samana); Cuba (Varadero, Cayo Coco, Holguin and Santa Clara) and Costa Rica (San Jose and Liberia).
Flights from Montreal to: Cuba (Cayo Coco*, Holguin* and Santa Clara*); Haiti (Port-au-Prince*) and Dominican Republic (Punta Cana*).

New Air Canada rouge services indicated by an asterisk (*), previously operated by Air Canada’s mainline carrier, will be converted to Air Canada rouge service on a phased-in basis beginning March through May 2014 as additional aircraft are released by the mainline airline for operation by its leisure carrier.

Air Canada rouge operates a fleet consisting of Boeing 767-300ER and Airbus A319 aircraft. The carrier’s aircraft feature three customer comfort options: rouge^TM, rouge Plus^TM with preferred seating with additional legroom, and Premium rouge^TM with additional space and enhanced service on the Boeing 767-300ER and on select Airbus A319 routes. Air Canada rouge offers a unique brand of customer service designed to make every flight a memorable start and end to a wonderful vacation. Aircraft are equipped with player, a next generation in-flight entertainment system that wirelessly streams entertainment to customers’ personal electronic devices. Flights provide stylish and modern cabin interiors with innovative new seats, and the ability to earn and redeem Aeroplan miles. For more information and bookings, visit: http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/rouge.html

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest domestic and international airline serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada’s flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 67 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,328 destinations in 195 countries. Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year. For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.

About Air Canada rouge

Air Canada rouge is Air Canada’s new leisure airline, part of the Air Canada Leisure Group, along with Air Canada Vacations. Together with Air Canada Vacations, Air Canada rouge offers competitively-priced travel to exciting leisure destinations in Europe and the Caribbean, Mexico and the U.S.: Edinburgh, Venice, Athens, Lisbon, Dublin, Nice, Barcelona, Rome and Manchester and multiple destinations in Mexico, the U.S. and the Caribbean such as Cuba, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Air Canada rouge began operating July 1, 2013 with a start-up fleet of two Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. The fleet grew to ten aircraft by the end of 2013 with the addition of six Airbus A319 aircraft and Air Canada rouge plans to add another five Airbus A319 aircraft and two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft by end of March 2014, for a total of 17 aircraft.

As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Air Canada rouge is backed by Air Canada’s 75-year reputation for safety and reliability and Air Canada Vacations’ 30-plus year history of vacation travel excellence. Learn more at www.aircanada.com/rouge or www.facebook.com/aircanadarouge

About Air Canada Vacations

Air Canada Vacations is a leading Canadian tour operator offering a wide assortment of leisure travel packages, cruises, and flights to destinations around the world. A repeat recipient of the Consumer’s Choice Award for Best Travel Wholesaler, Air Canada Vacations services over 100 destinations in the Caribbean, Central & South America, Asia, Europe, and in the U.S. And now, Air Canada Vacations will feature Air Canada rouge on several of its top vacation routes. For more information, visit www.aircanadavacations.com

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Air Canada’s public communications may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions and are subject to important risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, amongst other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including without limitation, industry, market, credit and economic conditions, the ability to reduce operating costs and secure financing, pension issues, energy prices, employee and labour relations, currency exchange and interest rates, competition, war, terrorist acts, epidemic diseases, environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena and factors arising from man-made sources), insurance issues and costs, changes in demand due to the seasonal nature of the business, supply issues, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties as well as the factors identified throughout Air Canada’s public disclosure file available at www.sedar.com. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent Air Canada’s expectations as of date of this news release and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

For further information:

Contacts :
Isabelle Arthur (Montréal) 514 422-5788
Peter Fitzpatrick (Toronto) 416 263-5576
Angela Mah (Vancouver) 604 270-5741

Internet : aircanada.com

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PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jan. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Recently Air Turks & Caicos unveiled its new name-change to InterCaribbean Airways. We are now pleased to announce new schedule air service connecting Providenciales to San Juan and additional flights to Kingston Jamaica, Santo Domingo and Cap Haitien.

Now traveling interCaribbean Airways is convenient, affordable and available to business and leisure travelers with the introduction of these new routes. The Citizens, Residents and Visitors of the Turks & Caicos Islands looking to create new business and leisure opportunities can take advantage of the following flights starting January 20th 2014, and can now book immediately.

Flight No Dep Arr Days Dep Time Arr. Time

PROVO TO SAN JUAN

JY291 PLS SJU Mo We Fr Su 12:45 PM 03:35 PM

SAN JUAN TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY292 SJU PLS Mo Tu Th Sa 02:10 PM 03:00 PM

PROVO TO KINGSTON

JY250 PLS KIN Mo Tu Th Sa 04:25 PM 06:05 PM

KINGSTON TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY251 KIN PLS Mo We Fr Su 10:25 AM 12:05 PM

PROVO TO SANTO DOMINGO

JY233 PLS SDQ We Fr Su 12:45 PM 0300 PM

SANTO DOMINGO TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY234 SDQ PLS Tu Th Sa 03:30 PM 03:45 PM

PROVO TO CAP HAITIEN

JY211 PLS CAP Daily 09:35 AM 10:25 AM

JY213 PLS CAP Mo We 03:40 PM 04:30 PM

CAP HAITIEN TO PROVIDENCIALES

JY212 CAP PLS Daily 10:55 AM 11:45 AM

JY214 CAP PLS Mo We 05:00 PM 05:50 PM

Flights from Providenciales will also open opportunities to other destination making connections within the Caribbean Islands a reality. To book a flight contact your local travel agent, call interCaribbean at 649-946-4999, or book on line at www.flyairtc.com (coming soon the new interCaribbean.com website)

About interCaribbean Airways

interCaribbean Airways (formerly Air Turks & Caicos) is the national carrier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and operates a fleet of Embraer 120 and Beech 99 aircraft operating flights domestically to Grand Turk and South Caicos, and International flights to Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago in the Dominican Republic, to Cap Haitien and Port Au Prince in Haiti, to Kingston, Jamaica to Nassau in the Bahamas and now new services starting January 20th 2014 to San Juan Puerto Rico.

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