CaribPR Wire

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –  In a joint effort, the Tobago Hotel & Tourism Association and the Tobago Tourism Board have both signed agreements with Regatta Travel Solutions.  Regatta’s booking engine solution coupled with online marketing strategy will attract online bookings to the tourism industry at a lower commission making each booking more profitable and allowing more revenue to stay in the destination.

“Tobago is an undiscovered paradise,” said Ashwin Kamlani, President of Regatta Travel Solutions.  “But it is a destination that should not be underestimated.  There is huge potential in Tobago and we are proud to be working with them to make their goals a reality.”

“We looked at all of our options,” said Duane Kenny, Chairman of Tobago’s Marketing Committee.  “Nobody brings the simplicity, experience, and level of knowledge that Regatta does.  Their business model is based on performance alone and that speaks volumes.”

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About the Antigua Hotels & Tourist Association

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

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

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

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.

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.

MIAMI, July 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) has endorsed the recent launch of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association’s OTA (Online Travel Agency), and has implemented the Regatta booking engine on VisitBarbados.org, the official government sponsored destination website for Barbados.  The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA) announced the launch of the OTA Software on May 31st and has seen an increasing number of bookings since.

“It just makes perfect sense,” said David Rice, President & CEO of the Barbados Tourism Authority.  “It is a huge added convenience to our visitors, the hotels and attractions love it since they retain more of the net earnings from bookings, and it helps the economy of Barbados.  It’s a win-win all around.”

 ”We are excited that the BTA is collaborating with us on this important project,” said Sue Springer, Executive Vice President of BHTA.  “The hotels are very enthusiastic, VisitBarbados.org has a high amount of targeted traffic, and Regatta has been wonderful to work with.  It’s the perfect recipe for success.”

 Since launching on May 31st, Regatta has released a new layout of the booking engine that includes their innovative Concierge tool which allows customers to find their perfect hotel by selecting their desired criteria.  In July, they will launch Activities allowing customers to search and book a variety of tours and attractions.

About the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA)

The BTA’s mission is to provide leadership in the sustainable development of  Barbados’ tourism industry through the formulation of policy, the provision of timely and quality research; the development and maintenance of industry-wide standards and the facilitation of appropriate product development whilst ensuring maximum economic benefits to  Barbadians.

About the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA)

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.” 

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 on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership for their organizations. Visit www.hotelinternethelp.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.