St. Kitts Welcomes Tourists as Airport, Cruise Port and Tourism Providers Resume Operations Unscathed by Hurricane Irma

The beachfront at the Marriott on St. Kitts. The island was relatively unscathed by Hurricane Irma and is back welcoming tourists to its airports, cruise ports and hotels. © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Basseterre, St. Kitts (September 15, 2017) – St. Kitts’ tourism authority reports that the island’s airport, cruise port and all tourism providers are open and resuming normal operations, as it was fortunate to be virtually unscathed by Hurricane Irma.

American Airlines’ daily non-stop flights to St. Kitts’ Robert L, Bradshaw International Airport from Miami have resumed today with the Saturday JFK non-stop scheduled to resume on tomorrow. Seaborne Airlines’ daily non-stop flights to St. Kitts from San Juan have also resumed tomorrow. All hotels and resorts are fully operational and the Park Hyatt St. Kitts remains on schedule to debut November 1.

“We are thrilled to get back to business as usual and ready to welcome visitors,” said Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce. “For those who planning to travel to island, we look forward to providing a world-class experience and all the warm Kittitian hospitality for which we have become known.”

Cruise lines have resumed scheduled port calls to St. Kitts, with passengers from The Carnival Fascination enjoying the island’s various attractions and activities last Friday. Over the course of the next week, a total of four vessels are scheduled to dock at Port Zante, including Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas on September 21. With the arrival of the Carnival Magic on September 20, St. Kitts expects to welcome its one millionth passenger this year. A historic first for the island, the occasion also raises St. Kitts to marquee port status.

“At this time, we continue to send our thoughts and prayers to everyone who has been affected by the storm, particularly to those in need of emergency relief.” For anyone wishing to donate to the recovery efforts of those islands most severely impacted by the hurricane, two official Caribbean Relief Funds are:

The Caribbean Tourism Recovery Fund at www.tourismcares.org/caribbean

The Caribbean Tourism Association Hurricane Relief Fund at www.gofundme.com/hurricane-relief-fund-cto

For more information about St. Kitts, visit www.stkittstourism.kn.

 

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‘St. Kitts is Open for Business,’ Tourism Authority Says After Hurricane Irma

From a promontory on St. Kitts, you can see the rolling waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the left and the calm Caribbean Sea on the right. St. Kitts was relatively unscathed by Hurricane Irma’s wrath and is welcoming tourists © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

Basseterre, St. Kitts  – St. Kitts Tourism authorities are reporting that the Federation is virtually unscathed following the passage of Hurricane Irma. “Considering the minimal damage that was sustained, the islands’ tourism providers are in the process of reopening. Hotels are returning to business as usual and guests are continuing to enjoy their stays.  Our restaurants, attractions and shops including the many popular retail outlets at Port Zante are now open, with The Carnival Fascination confirmed to visit St. Kitts as planned,” the tourism authority stated.

“Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has kept St. Kitts & Nevis in thoughts and prayers while we awaited the passage of the storm,” said Minister of Tourism, International Trade, Industry and Commerce the Hon. Mr. Lindsay F.P. Grant.  While we are beginning to resume normal operations, please join me in continuing to send thoughts and prayers to those who have been more seriously impacted.”

St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) is open and accepting flights.  However, due to the impact of Hurricane Jose, many airlines may have canceled flights. It is highly recommended to check with your airline for schedule and service changes.

St. Kitts is open for business. For more information about the island, visit www.stkittstourism.kn

 

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Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay Offers ‘Suite Spring Sale’

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay, Jamaica

Spring Break in Jamaica will be sweeter in 2015 for guests of the all-inclusive Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay thanks to a new Suite Spring Sale. Savings of up to 50% off published rates are available in KidSuites® and One-Bedroom Suites between February and April 2015:

 

KidSuites®				One-Bedroom Suites
Savings	Travel Dates	Rates		Savings	Travel Dates	Rates
35%	Feb 1 – April 11, 2015	$443		35%	Feb 1 – April 11, 2015	$508
50%	April 12 – April 30, 2015	$314		50%	April 12 – April 30, 2015	$364

*All rates based on single/double occupancy

“Spring Break in Jamaica is always great, but in one of our suites, the experience is that much more magical,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, Group Director of Marketing & Sales. “Ultra spacious and more elegant than you might expect, our suites were fully-renovated recently to provide guests with an unmatched level of comfort for the money. Our new Suite Spring Sale makes an already great value even better.”

For families, the new KidSuites® are simply ideal. KidSuites® feature a unique room within a room concept, where kids and parents enjoy their own private space. Each unit features a partially separated sleep/play area for kids, with one set of bunk beds, cable TV with kid friendly channels, and play table or desk. The main sleeping area has a king bed, flat screen cable TV with premium movie channels, direct dial telephone with voice mail, coffee maker, in-room safe, AM/FM clock radio, hair dryer, refrigerator, iron and ironing board. KidSuites® are also ideally located on the ground floor adjacent to the resort’s award-winning KidSpree Vacation Club.

One-bedroom suites offer the ultimate in comfort and refinement for guests of the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay. Each of these ultra-spacious penthouse accommodations features a completely separate living area, full ocean view, private whirlpool, vaulted ceilings, dark wood accents, fine décor, flat screen TV with premium movie and sports channels, work desk, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, AM/FM clock radio, coffee maker, refrigerator, an in-room safe, and enough room to comfortably sleep up to five persons.

The Suite Spring Sale is valid on bookings made by April 29, 2015 for resort stays enjoyed between February 1 and April 30, 2015. There are no blackout dates and a minimum night stay of three nights is required for resort stays taking place February 12 – 17, 2015, as well as March 30 – April 5, 2015.

Savings apply to KidSuites® and One-Bedroom Suites room categories and include unlimited meals, snacks and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non-motorized watersports, resort amenities (tennis, mini golf, fitness center, etc.), taxes, gratuities, and free nightly shuttle service to Margaritaville in the heart of Montego Bay’s nightlife center, The Hip Strip.

As an added value, free Wifi Internet service is accessible in all rooms and suites at the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego, and all kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free when sharing accommodations with parents.

Group bookings are ineligible and revisions on current bookings are not permitted. Savings of up to 50% cannot be combined with any other promotion or consumer savings and can be withdrawn at any time.

The Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay is a 518-room full-service resort which combines the strength of the world’s most-trusted hotel brand with authentic Jamaican hospitality. Distinguished as the only 100% all-inclusive Holiday Inn*, the property helps travelers stretch their vacation dollars to new heights, offering a series of complimentary special programs benefiting families (KidSpree) and seniors (GoldenSpree). Those wishing to tie the knot can even take advantage of the Free Caribbean Wedding program (conditions apply). The resort continues to upgrade its facilities and amenities to better serve the modern traveler.  New room categories – Junior Suites for added elegance, and KidSuites® for more family fun – together with exciting dining options at the just-opened Kenko Teppanyaki Restaurant, upgraded rooms and common areas add a refreshed feel to the property, even for the most frequent of repeat guests. Additional amenities, such as the boutique Sol-Mer Spa & Salon, five restaurants/grill, four bars, two pools, tennis, mini golf, half-mile of pristine white sand beach and boardwalk, “Tek-it-Easy” private island, 4,000 square feet of meeting space, electronic casino, and more, affirm that the Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay truly offers something for everyone.

 

For Holiday Inn SunSpree Resort Montego Bay reservations, visit www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica, or call 1-888-288-6006.
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Mango Bay Hotel Group Teams with Barbados Tourism to Offer up to $200 to Spend

Mango Bay Hotel Group is teaming up with the Barbados Tourism Authority for its “Island Inclusive” program, giving U.S. travelers the chance to experience a Caribbean paradise at a great value. Those booking a vacation package to Mango Bay Hotel (www.mangobaybarbados.com) in Holetown, or Bridgetown’s Island Inn Hotel (www.islandinnbarbados.com) by Sept. 30, 2014, for travel to Barbados through Dec. 19, 2014, will receive free on-island spending money redeemable at a number of participating restaurants, attractions and car rental companies.

Cash vouchers will be allotted to guests in the value of US$150 per person with a minimum stay of five nights and US$200 per person for stays of seven nights or longer when using the booking code “BII2014.”  Upon check-in, guests will receive the vouchers in denominations of $50 in Barbadian increments and will be provided a list of all participating service providers.  The funds are based on a maximum of two persons per room and some restrictions apply.

This promotion allows travelers to pair the offer with a number of major cultural and sporting events, including the Barbados Swimming Festival (Oct. 29-Nov. 2), the Venus Williams tennis camp (Nov. 1-2), the Barbados International PRO SURF FEST 2014 (Nov. 13-16) and the 5^th annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival (Nov. 20-23), among others.

For more information on the Barbados Island Inclusive package, visit www.VisitBarbados.org/IslandInclusive, www.BookBarbadosnow.com/Island-Inclusive or contact a preferred travel agent.

Mango Bay is located in the Holetown area on the famed gold coast of Barbados and is a short walk from the posh Limegrove Lifestyle Centre. Here vacationers can shop till they drop at global luxury retailers including, but not limited to, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Michael Kors and Cartier. After a day in the sun, the 76-room resort is the ideal place to relax. Known for its casual sophistication and all-inclusive value, guests will enjoy beachfront accommodations and a variety of watersports.

A Mango Bay all-inclusive vacation includes hotel accommodations, all meals, afternoon tea, all local and brand name drinks including glasses of wine, use of the on-site gym and nightly entertainment. Water skiing, kayaking, snorkeling, wakeboarding, pedal boats, a glass bottom boat ride and a catamaran trip to snorkel with the turtles are also included. Rates start at US$480 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, on an all-inclusive basis.

For more information on Mango Bay, call (246) 432-1384, email reservations@mangobaybarbados.comor visit www.MangoBayBarbados.com.

The quaint, 24-room Island Inn Hotel is the perfect setting for a tropical vacation steeped with a rich, historic past, situated just footsteps from beautiful Carlisle Bay, less than one mile from the centre of Bridgetown.  The property is just a short walk from the UNESCO world heritage site in the Garrison Historic Area of Barbados, which also boasts numerous shops and nightlife options.

An Island Inn Hotel all-inclusive vacation includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and all beverages (except specialty wines, champagne and bottled water) as well as in-pool scuba lessons. Island Inn also offers guests a brand new mini gym.  Rates start at US$350 per room, per night, based on double occupancy, on an all-inclusive basis.

For more information on the Island Inn Hotel, call (246) 436-6393; email bookings@islandinnbarbados.com or visit www.IslandInnBarbados.com.

 

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Villas of Distinction Celebrates New Website with Chance to Win 7-Nite Stay at Villa Aquamare

Villas of Distinction_®, a premier villa rental company that is part of World Travel Holdings, is celebrating the launch of its redesigned, mobile-friendly website with a 7-night stay giveaway at the beautiful Villa Aquamare, in Virgin Gorda.

Through March 12, consumers who visit the newly enhanced Villas of Distinction website can enter for a chance to win a 7-night stay in the luxurious Villa Aquamare. One lucky winner can bring up to nine guests to stay in one of Aquamare’s 8,000 square foot, 5-bedroom beachfront villas with unobstructed sunset views over Sir Francis Drake Channel and experience Virgin Gorda, one of the most breathtaking islands in the Caribbean.

From a private stretch of Mahoe Bay Beach, a private heated pool and outdoor showers to complimentary kayaks and snorkeling equipment, signature spa treatments and daily maid service, this is an ultimate vacation in a stunning location that some only dream of.

Villas of Distinction’s new website that launched today, is mobile-friendly, has updated search capabilities, streamlined navigation and larger images making it easier for consumers to find and select the villa that best fits their vacation wishes.

To enter to win a 7-night stay at Villa Aquamare, a premier rental villa in Virgin Gorda and for terms and conditions, visit the Villa Aquamare contest page on VillasofDistinction.com.

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Sample Caribbean Cuisine, Win Prizes at ‘Taste of the Islands’ Festival, June 29 at Hyatt Regency, Miami

Experience Caribbean cuisine and culture at the Taste of the Islands festival, presented by Ask Me, Inc., taking place Saturday, June 29 from 6 – 9 pm at the Hyatt Regency, Miami. Gather information about your favorite Caribbean destinations, sample gourmet appetizers, desserts and signature cocktails, and listen to authentic Caribbean music. Participants at the festival have the opportunity to win prizes including a three-night all-inclusive stay at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia.

Presented by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Taste of the Islands is part of the Taste of the Caribbean competition between chefs and bartenders from the region with teams from Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Taste of the Islands highlights the street foods that are common throughout the region. Each competing team is given a “protein mystery basket” with a large selection of ingredients in a common pantry. From these ingredients the teams create two savory dishes, one dessert item and one rum-based cocktail. The event is scored by the judges and counts for 20 percent of the team score in determining the medals for the “Caribbean Team of the Year” recognition.

During Taste of the Islands, consumers can vote in the “People’s Choice” awards to select their favorite culinary creations from participating teams. Consumers who vote in the “People’s Choice” awards will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a three-night all-inclusive stay at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia, provided by Ask Me, Inc. as well as a double magnum of Henkell Dry, courtesy of Henkell & Co.

In addition to the 10 competing teams, tourist boards from Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and the U.S. Virgin Islands will be exhibiting in the pavilion with vacation information about their respective countries. Event-goers will be treated to authentic Caribbean music that will be played throughout the festival. Rums of Puerto Rico will have a sampling bar for event-goers to try the different brands that comprise the Rums of Puerto Rico. Award-winning, nationally recognized Chef Allen Susser, who is also the author of The Great Mango Book, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.

Additional hotel stays will be given away throughout the night courtesy of Media Blast.

Tickets for Taste of the Islands are US$30 per person and can be purchased via www.chtatasteofthecaribbean.com, email events@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com or call (305) 443-3040 ext. 110.

You can also participate in a series of seminars on June 29, 2 – 6 pm to hone your at-home culinary skills including:

Mango Session:Presented from 2 – 3 pm by Chef Susser who will provide insight on cooking with mango, one of the Caribbean’s top fruits, which he has used in developing a tropical cuisine that led to the created of new world cuisine more than 30 years ago.

Preparing Classical Cocktails At Home – A “Hands-On” Seminar: During this seminar, participants will learn the use of professional bartender tools and how to prepare the most famous classical cocktails from Mojitos and Brazilian Caipirinhas, to the Cosmopolitan and the WW I Sidecar. Presented by Trinidadian cocktail master and 2005 Caribbean Bartender of the Year, Raakesh Madoo, this seminar will be a “hands-on” so registrants should come ready to shake, stir and strain their own cocktail creations. The session is scheduled 3:15 – 4:15 pm on June 29.

Rums of Puerto Rico Seminar: During this seminar participants will become true rum connoisseurs as they learn about the different types of rum that comprise the Rums of Puerto Rico brand. Representatives from the Rums of Puerto Rico will provide an insider look into rum’s history, rum making process, varieties of rum including light, dark, flavored and gold, and cocktails that are made with rum. The session will be held from 4:30 – 5:30 pm on June 29.

Other programs include the Junior Chef of the Year (from 8 am – 12 pm), Pastry Chef of the Year (8 am – 12 pm), Bartender of the Year – Rum (10:30 am – 1 pm) and the Ice Carving competitions (4:30 – 5:30 pm) on June 29.

Tickets for Saturday’s combined morning and daytime program, including the seminars, are US$35 per person. Purchase tickets for all of Saturday’s events, including Taste of the Islands, for $65 per person.

Follow Facebook.com/CHTATasteoftheCaribbean and Twitter.com/CHTATasteCarib.

For more information, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com. Follow CHTA on Facebook Facebook.com/CaribbeanHotelandTourismAssociation and Twitter Twitter.com/CHTAFeeds.

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Dominica, the ‘Nature Island’, Celebrates Spring with Hike Fest, Jazz’N Creole, DomFesta Artisan Showcase

From music to hiking to the island’s artisan history, Dominica offers a wide variety of activities for visitors to the island from April to June. Known for its many festivals, the Nature Island has something for everyone year ’round.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), a spectacular green island of rugged mountains, lush rainforests and rushing rivers in the Eastern Caribbean, is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation experience.

DOMFESTA Celebrates Dominica’s Artisan History

From April into early June, the Dominica Festival of the Creative Arts—or Domfesta—showcases the island’s varied arts and culture. Visitors to the Nature Island during this annual festival witness the talents of hundreds of local artists. Playwrights, poets, artists, singers and musicians all come together to present their interpretations of Dominica’s rich heritage in the arts. Held throughout the island, communities from north to south and east to west demonstrate their history and future by presenting village feasts, theatrical plays, art expositions, poetry and drumming festivals, as well as creole competitions and concerts. A highlight of this two-month festival is the Golden Drum Awards, which recognizes organizations and individuals for their contributions to the arts and culture of Dominica.

Enjoy Dominica’s Many Hiking Trails During Hike Fest

Hike Fest is the ultimate opportunity to experience Dominica by walking with nature on the Nature Island. Held the first three Saturdays in May (4th, 11th, and 18^th), Hike Fest offers treks through Dominica’s pristine, untouched natural trails that follow routes ranging from easy to moderate to difficult. Some of the routes form part of the Waitukubuli National Trail, 115 miles of trails spanning the entire length of Dominica.

Hikers are amazed by the spectacular scenery, hidden beaches, cozy bays and fascinating rock formations that jut out into the sea. Visitors experience agricultural farmlands, parrot habitats and countless panoramic viewpoints including the French neighboring islands of Martinique to the south and Guadeloupe to the north. Hike Fest is the definitive way to embrace the exhilarating Atlantic breeze and be enchanted by the calming sound of the ocean, all the while exploring the natural wonders and hidden gems of the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica.

Jazz ‘n Creole: Five Musical Days in May

Visitors indulge in an experience that is authentically Dominican by joining locals for Jazz ‘n Creole from Wednesday, May 15, to Sunday, May 19. The festival culminates with a daylong mainstage event that includes a fusion of jazz and creole music, scrumptious food and a celebration of local culture. This rhythmic event is held at Historic Fort Shirley, Cabrits National Park in Portsmouth. Built in the 18th century to protect Dominica from invasion by the British and French, Fort Shirley is one of the most impressive military installations in the West Indies.

This fun-filled, family friendly event is set to a homegrown musical masterpiece with festival goers being serenaded by the uniquely Dominican combination of jazz and creole.

Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a, and not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is a haven for adventure travelers seeking a unique vacation that includes: hiking and adventure, cultural events/festivals, diving and water sports, whale/dolphin watching and canyoning adventures. Dominica lies south of Guadeloupe and north of Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean. Air travelers can connect to Dominica on American Eagle, BVI Airways, LIAT or Seaborne Airlines (beginning April 2013) from the surrounding hubs of Puerto Rico, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Barbados and St. Lucia.

Learn more about Dominica and the many exciting activities on the Nature Island by visiting www.discoverdominica.com, contacting a travel professional or calling Discover Dominica Authority toll-free from the U.S. and Canada at 1-866-522-4057.

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Bonaire Voted Best Dive Destination in Caribbean/Atlantic

The island of Bonaire has swept top honors receiving four #1 Ratings, which is more than any other destination scored in the Caribbean/Atlantic category, while continuing its reign as one of the top diving destinations. For the tenth consecutive year, Bonaire has taken first place for Best Overall Dive Destination and island for Best Shore Diving.

Bonaire received first place in two other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Best Marine Life and Best Macro Life, and also received second place in the category of Best Marine Environment.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine as the top overall diving destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic for a decade long,” said Lara Chirino, Director of Tourism of Tourism Corporation Bonaire. “Bonaire is notorious for demonstrating a longstanding commitment to preserving and protecting the environment below the water, and these awards show us the results of our efforts.”

For the Readers’ Choice Awards, thousands of Scuba Diving subscribers and web users rated their dive experiences on a scale of one to five. Results of the 2012 Awards are featured in the January/February 2012 issue of Scuba Diving magazine.

Located 86 miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and seep sea and bone fishing. And with a selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism and as one of the top diving destinations in the Caribbean/Atlantic for 10 consecutive years in Scuba Diving magazine’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards. It was designated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and as the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008). In 2011, Bonaire was voted one of the top five Snorkeling Destinations in the Caribbean by the editors of Caribbean Travel & Life.

For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire’s official web site at www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter and Facebook.

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Bonaire Launches Online Contest to Win Trip for Two to Experience Caribbean Diving, Nature Destination

Kralendijk, Bonaire – Envision yourself diving or snorkeling among some of the most pristine coral reefs at one of the top dive destinations in the Caribbean; or exploring untouched nature on a mountain bike or while kayaking through lush mangroves. If this sounds like a great vacation, then don’t miss this opportunity to win a trip for two to Bonaire by participating in their online contest, which is part of the island’s fifth annual Bonaire Dive Into Summer program.

Those wishing to enter the contest only need to log on to www.tourismbonaire.com, the official website of Bonaire, and fill out the form to win an unforgettable vacation for two people that includes; 8-days/7-night hotel stay at Captain Don’s Habitat Bonaire including accommodations and 6 days of unlimited shore diving and complimentary airfare on Continental Airlines, the official airline sponsor of Bonaire Dive Into Summer. For more information on the contest’s rules and regulations log onto http://www.tourismbonaire.com/en/contest

Captain Don’s Habitat, is an oceanfront dive resort and “Home of Diving Freedom” on Bonaire. Guests enjoy the laid back, relaxing atmosphere, oceanfront restaurant, bar and pool, wireless Internet, day Spa, kayaks, and 24/7 unlimited diving freedom. The dive operation is a full-service, SDI/TDI Professional Development Center and PADI Training Facility.

“We’re very pleased to launch our online contest and give two lucky visitors the chance to win a week’s vacation in Bonaire,” commented Lara Chirino, Director of Tourism. “This contest gives us another opportunity to promote our Bonaire Dive Into Summer program and showcase all that Bonaire has to offer guests. During their stay, they will see why Bonaire continues to be recognized as one of the most sustainable islands in the Caribbean above and below the ocean. We look forward to welcoming them!”

Bonaire Dive Into Summer, a 4-month program (June – September) features an array of activities for divers, adventurers and sun seekers. The program for Bonaire Dive Into Summer offers visitors the flexibility to enjoy their planned vacation on-island, and as an added bonus, the option to take part in special dives and clean-ups, eco-oriented activities and festivals, which practically guarantees a fun and educational experience in Bonaire.

Located 86 miles east of Aruba, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire offers year-round sunshine, low annual rainfall, pristine coral formations and the most thriving fish population in the Caribbean. Ideal for adventurers, explorers and sun-worshippers alike, Bonaire offers myriad eco-adventure activities including world renowned scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding, mountain biking, sea and mangrove kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking, bird watching, sailing and deep sea and bone fishing. And with the selection of accommodations ranging from full-service oceanfront resorts and condominiums to guesthouses and small inns, Bonaire has something for every lifestyle and budget.

Bonaire is the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award and continues to be recognized as one of the top destinations worldwide for its sustainable tourism and as one of the top diving destinations in the Atlantic/Caribbean for nine years in a row in the Scuba Diving magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards. It was designated by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as having the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean (January 2008), and the Favorite Dive Destination in the World by About.com (June, 2008).

For more information on Bonaire contact the Tourism Corporation Bonaire in the U.S. at 1-800-BONAIRE or visit Bonaire’s official website at www.tourismbonaire.com. Follow Bonaire on Twitter and Facebook.

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