Caribbean tourism attractions, such as ground operators, dive operators, rental car companies, golf courses and spas, are now able to offer products and services to North American consumers via the Caribbean tourism industry`s new booking engine, www.GoCaribbean.com, according to hotelier Ralph Taylor, chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Association Charitable Trust (CHACT).

Taylor, who also is the chairman and managing director of Almond Resorts in Barbados, announced that they will now be able to list their businesses on the popular site. “We are getting great responses so far,” said Taylor, who noted that currently more than 100 different products and services are actively participating. All allied partners must be members of the Caribbean Hotel Association, while travel agents can earn commissions on the online attractions and services.

During the past year, the Life Needs the Caribbean marketing programme has delivered good businesses for the Caribbean in spite of the vagaries of international travel. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the Caribbean’s tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after two difficult years. Stay-over arrivals to the region increased by an estimated seven percent during the winter of 2003 over the same period last year. The Caribbean registered stay-over increases of around seven percent from the United States; 21 percent from Canada and six percent from the European market.

Last autumn, CHACT launched the multi-million dollar campaign to market and promote the Caribbean as a single destination. The Trust, a public/private sector alliance, unites major hotel chains, airlines and credit card companies with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, and with both CARICOM and non-CARICOM nations.

Related Stories on Caribbean Weekly:
(13/02/03) American Travel Agents praise ‘Life Needs The Caribbean’

(07/07/03) Taylor Pleased With Regional Marketing Campaign Growth

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