JAMAICA: "OUT OF MANY ONE PEOPLE"

Jamaica, the land of wood and water is the third largest island in the Caribbean. With a strong global presence and a colorful history, settled first by the Arawak Indians, Caribs then 'discovered by Columbus in 1494', then taken over by the English in 1655 which contributed to the 'breakaway' of a group of its citizens who refused to be enslaved by the British. This 'breakaway group' known as the Jamaican Maroons fought with the British to relinquish their hold on the island. Of course the British stayed until Independence in 1962.

The above is a quick review of the history of Jamaica as I remember it. How it translates and why I write today is based on the media obsession with the events that are now playing out in Kingston, the Capital and business area of Jamaica.

Yes, negative news make good copy and good ratings. However, one must put things in perspective. What is happening is the pursuit of one man to bring him to face the American justice system for possible illegal activities. Bear in mind, that the niche market that this gentleman controls is fueled by demand from select consumers in the American Market. The revenue that has been derived from his operation, has also gone into reinforcing a neighborhood of questionable activities, thereby creating 'loyalties'. I do believe that without a strong consumer demand, certain illegal activities would certainly disappear.

By and far the citizens of this country are law abiding and like anywhere else in the world want peace and prosperity. The constant barrage of media cannot and does not differentiate a military operation in a select town within a country, and in effect tarnish the entire country with the events of what is taking place in a small area.

The resort areas and other parts of the Island, are totally unaffected by what is happening in one small area. Yes, there is an advisory: but like anything else common sense and understanding of advisories should be taken into account especially for those who write and claim to understand the travel industry.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life, the negativity, the unfair reporting, the misunderstanding of a country by those who should know better, and the seemingly low profile of any Public Relations effort.

These are my thoughts and I am sure there are those who do have a different version of things. Yes, there is politics involved, but in every country and all manner of events, politics always take center stage. See the events of the major oil disaster in the United States that will certainly create havoc with the environment, the industries that depend on the ocean for a living, death of wildlife, etc.

Jamaica, with is lush vegetation, diverse topography, great beaches, hotels/resorts to suit every budget, waterfalls, great coffee, music, food, pulsating music offers the traveler a range of activities: if you are looking for relaxation - golf, weddings, honeymoons, family vacations, romantic jaunts: whatever your desire (legal) this is a great Caribbean destination to visit.

Caribbean Weddings & Honeymoons

The beauty of the Caribbean with all its offerings is the perfect environment to have your Caribbean destination wedding or celebrate your Caribbean Honeymoon.

The options are many as each of the 33 member countries that make up the Caribbean, offer something for everyone. Whether it is tying the knot on a cruise ship or a land based affair, you will certainly have memories to last a lifetime, in an environment that truly cannot be duplicated.

You can be as lavish as you would like your event to be or as simple as your budget dictates. Whatever your wish, it can be accomplished. Your choices of location and hotels are as varied as one can imagine.

Of course you can also visit http://www.MarryCaribbean.com to enter for a Free New York Wedding and a Caribbean Honeymoon. The honeymoon sponsored by the United States Virgin Islands, the wedding gown is compliments of the Bahamas, Procreation trip given by Starwoods, bridal cake by the British Virgin Islands, tuxedo by 1800.MyTuxes (MarryCaribbean.com)and other gifts that will be posted shortly. Also for further information visit http://www.MarryCaribbean.com

Do It Caribbean Wedding Celebration

In celebration of Caribbean Week, MarryCaribbean.com and the Caribbean Tourism Organization will select a lucky couple to get married at Lincoln Center and enjoy a fabulous Caribbean honeymoon in the United States Virgin Islands: FOR FREE

WHERE: Lincoln Center - Manhattan, New York

WHEN: Saturday June 12, 2010

TIME: Approximately 3:00pm

PRIZES:

Wedding Gown & Groom’s Tuxedo

His & Hers Wedding Band

Honeymoon in the United States Virgin Islands

Wedding Cake by the British Virgin Islands

Island Gifts and more

TO ENTER:

Write an essay, 300 words or less about your engagement – the place, the proposal, the ring, your reaction and more – and how a Caribbean honeymoon would be the icing on the cake. Submit your entry online at www.MarryCaribbean.com between March 20, 2010 and April 30, 2010 or by email: Jacqueline@MarryCaribbean.com

DoItCaribbean

WEDDING CELEBRATION

http://www.MarryCaribbean.com & Caribbean Tourism Organization Contest Official Rules

For more information please visit http://www.MarryCaribbean.com

BRIDES SEEK VALUE, PERSONAL CHEMISTRY FROM WEDDING PLANNERS

Received this article from Jeff Kear, Co-owner of MyWeddingWorkbook.com.

I am a big supporter of all things bridal, especially when there is information that can help you with your daily decisions. In addition to bringing you up to date bridal market information, I do provide a forum that will enable you to know the people in the industry and perhaps build alliances. If you find this information helpful, please do not hesitate to visit his site, and of course your comments are welcome.

Destination weddings & honeymoons, continue to deliver a recession proof, year round business. For the Caribbean, this is an important market segment that brings much needed revenue to the destination.

"Brides seek value, personal chemistry from wedding planners

Today's brides are more inclined to hire wedding planners who are value-driven, more willing to collaborate and who provide day-of-wedding packages, according to a survey conducted by My Wedding Workbook Pro - http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/ - the wedding planning software for bridal consultants.

When brides were asked about the top factors they would consider when hiring a wedding planner, 71.9% named cost as the leading factor. In addition, of the respondents who did not hire a consultant, 74.7% stated that they decided against hiring a planner because it was simply "too expensive."

"Most newly engaged brides assume that hiring a wedding planner will dramatically drive up the price of their wedding," said Jeff Kear, co-owner of My Wedding Workbook Pro and My Wedding Workbook - http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/ - the online wedding planner software for brides. "But consultants can actually reduce vendor costs in lots of ways and make sure couples get what they pay for. So consultants who can demonstrate the value they deliver - especially during a recession - can really put themselves at an advantage."

The current recession also has influenced what types of services brides want from consultants, with more than 90% of brides responding that they would only consider hiring a planner for day-of-wedding services. Another big expectation that brides have of planners is the ability to negotiate very favorable rates with vendors, with 55.6% of respondents listing this as a critical attribute.

Once you get beyond concerns of cost, what brides really want from their wedding planner is great personal chemistry and a collaborative relationship. Indeed, 56.9% of brides listed this as a top factor in choosing a consultant, and another 32.3% want a partner who can help relieve the stress of managing every detail.

"What we discovered is that a bride doesn't necessarily want someone who just comes in and takes over," said Kear. "She wants a partner who will listen to her, work with her and share her vision. She wants someone who will give her great advice and who will assume the responsibilities that she doesn't have the time or desire to shoulder. Any consultant who brings this kind of flexibility and sensitivity to the table is positioned for success."

However, there are still many brides who, regardless of the cost of hiring a planner, would prefer planning their wedding themselves. Of the brides surveyed, 44% listed themselves as being a "do-it-yourself type person," 33.1% did not anticipate needing much help and 25.2% said they were not comfortable handing over wedding planning responsibilities.

"When you get right down to it, hiring a wedding consultant is a very personal decision. Some brides have looked forward to planning their wedding for so long that for them it would be unconscionable to ask someone else to do it," said Kear. "Others place their main priority on getting married but would rather leave all the details up to someone else. And then there's a ton of brides who are somewhere in between. The wedding consultants who can serve all those in-betweeners are the ones who will have very busy practices."

For additional interesting data on brides’ attitudes and opinions, visit our blog at http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/blog/index.cfm.

--------------------------------------- About My Wedding Workbook http://www.myweddingworkbook.com/

My Wedding Workbook is comprehensive wedding software for do-it-yourself brides who want to stay organized throughout the entire wedding planning process. My Wedding Workbook’s user-friendly design is straightforward, simple to navigate and allows you to easily print information from any page. Its plethora of integrated tools allows for easy planning of every event from the engagement party to they honeymoon. A great alternative to the messy paper planner, My Wedding Workbook is web-based, secure and accessible from anywhere there’s an Internet connection.

About My Wedding Workbook Pro http://www.myweddingworkbookpro.com/

My Wedding Workbook Pro is the premier professional wedding planner software for consultants. It’s the “smart” way to manage your business with integrated tools to organize each client’s event details and the ability to collaborate with clients by providing them with access to designated areas of the software. My Wedding Workbook Pro is built to expand and change with your business and, best of all, its comprehensive Web-based software enables professionals to easily manage your business from anywhere you can access the Internet."

For more information on the Caribbean, visit http://www.MarryCaribbean.com

Choosing a Destination for your Caribbean Honeymoon or Wedding

I am always intrigued why publications/media outlets continue to vote for the top ten or the top twenty hotels or destinations. Yes, it was to peak the interest of the consumer that they may buy the product. After all, what better way to find out if you are part of the popular group than being associated with the 'in' or the top 'whatever product' that is now being promoted. But is it fair to the destinations/hotels that did not get picked.

I believe that the media outlet that focuses on this narrow aspect of the market do have the responsibility to inform its readers of all the options, and what each one offers.

The Caribbean with over 33 Islands, each offers something unique. Aruba with its Dutch heritage, (great cheese)food, warm friendly people: Bahamas with over 800 islands and a great place to get married or honeymoon, British Virgin Islands, some of the most romantic spots on God's earth, crystal clear blue waters like sailing on a mirror: Jamaica: mountains, waterfall, food, music and great beaches: United States Virgin Islands: three Islands to choose from (St. Croix, St. John & St. Thomas)a shopping mecca, some of the best beaches this side of the universe, great hotels and no passport requirement: Cayman:The serenity of this island promotes romance; Puerto Rico: (Spanish heritage) fabulous restaurants, good golf, vibrant nightlife, again no passport required; St. Kitts: great people, serenity, romance, food, relaxation, all this comes to mind when I think of St. Kitts; St. Lucia; an extraordinary destination. Love the people, the food, the vegetation a nature lover's fantasy. Of course I could go on and on.

Where can you learn about all the islands that you can make the right decision for your Caribbean wedding or honeymoon? In addition to visiting the respective websites (http://www.MarryCaribbean.com)or Government offices, you can also visit bridal shows where the different countries and hotels offer a glimpse of their product.

One such show coming up that should give you an overview of what you should expect on this 'special' trip is http://www.Destinationweddingsexpo.com. This bridal Show will take place on Sunday March 21, 2010 at the Sheraton La Guardia, New York.

Of course, since this is the season, you will find numerous bridal shows around the country. Weddings & Honeymoons generate millions of dollars to the economy of the destinations/hotels that remind engaged couples that they do exist. The Caribbean, with close proximity to the United States offers the best in wedding planning and execution in an environment that is simply breathtaking. For your honeymoon needs you have over 33 gorgeous islands to choose from. Work with your Travel Agent to find the match that best mirror your lifestyle.

SCRUB ISLAND RESORT - THE NEW PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Today is the official opening day of the very new and fabulous resort - Scrub Island Resort - located on a private island paradise called Scrub Island, in the beautiful British Virgin Islands.

With close proximity to the United States, traveling to the British Virgin Islands is a breeze. Lots of connecting flights. Personally I like to fly into the United States Virgin Islands and then get the ferry to Tortola (British Virgin Islands). You sail some of the most gorgeous waters of the Caribbean, and it is one of the most relaxing way to travel, and I might add a great way to start a honeymoon or get a jump on romance.

Scrub Island is a private island in the British Virgin Islands. Scrub Island Resort is positioned to take in all the surrounding breathtaking views. This new Resort is a combination of Suites, Villas, Marina & Spa: offering all the amenities that will enrich your travel experience.

Features of this new resort include a lagoon pool with cascading waterfall as well as a regular pool surrounded by the latest in comfortable chairs and umbrellas. The Caribbean is widely known for its fabulous beaches, and the British Virgin Islands excel in this arena. Hence Scrub Island is surrounded by some of the most gorgeous waters and white sand beaches. Of course, you will also benefit from the attractively laid out beach chairs and umbrellas.

With its own marina, offering 53 deep water berths for long term or transient docking, transportation to and from Scrub Island Resort is done in style. You will be accommodated on a luxurious boat - Scrub Island Yacht - all to make your stay a memorable one.

When it comes to cuisine, everything awaits your palate. And to make sure you keep the same fabulous body you arrived with, the luxurious spa as well as in-room massage treatment is just a phone call away. Of course for the more active traveler a state-of-the-art health club with all the latest equipment.

With the beauty and amenities of this resort, it is absolutely a perfect environment to host a destination wedding. My conversation with Mr. Scott Ward did confirm that he has already booked weddings for as early as April. Weddings and honeymoons will be an integral part of the consumer mix of this hotel in paradise.

To book your weddings or honeymoon you can call Mr. Scott Ward: Email:sward@mainsailhotels.com or Phone:1 813 254 3110 xtn 102 or of course through the traditional route of the Reservation Department 1 877 -890 7444. I always like the personal touch.

DESTINATION WEDDINGS EXPO

The engagement season is well underway and so are the proliferation of bridal shows. My own experience is that the shows are attracting a great many brides and so this is just another avenue for Destinations, Hotels, and Service Providers to reach this 'must buy' market.

I am always in awe of entrepreneurs who give their all to the industry. One such entrepreneur is Lisa Jones-Smith who began her career at Libgo Travel. Her tenure with this well know retail travel company lasted 18 years, and she held many positions within the company finally receiving the much coveted Presidents Award for top sales growth consecutively.

Lisa is the Founder and Executive Director of Worldwide Group Travel LLC, a successful online travel business. Worldwide Group Travel LLC specializes in all aspects of group travel and destination wedding planning. Under Lisa's leadership, her company has expanded to include all countries of the Caribbean offering a diversity of products, from honeymoon to premium travel specials.

To add to the continued growth of her company, a natural extension was the development of bridal shows; hence the new division - Destination Weddings Expo. The first Destination Weddings Expo was held on March 29, 2009 in New York, followed by Philadelphia and Baltimore in October. These shows attracted major brands such as Sandals, Palace Resorts, Palladium Resorts, American Airlines and Air Jamaica. Sponsoring this event was none other than the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The new season starts off on March 21, 2010 at the Sheraton LaGuardia East in New York and will be followed by Philadelphia and Baltimore in Fall. To learn more about Destination Weddings Expo please visit http://www.destinationweddingsexpo.com. The Worldwide Group Travel team comprises of a number of agents who are committed to excellence.

I strongly feel that this is part of my responsibility as one who provides Wedding Market Solutions to inform and educate as to the options and products available in the wedding & honeymoon industry. The Caribbean Wedding & Honeymoon Industry should have a strong presence at these shows to further garner a greater share of this lucrative business.