Fraport AG successfully placed a promissory note totaling €500 million today (October 21). Offered for terms of five and seven-and-a-half years, the note was issued in four tranches. Due to strong demand from German and international investors, the total issue volume was raised markedly from the initially envisaged volume of €200 million. The issue was made at the lower end of the price spread.

Fraport AG’s executive board member for finance and controlling (CFO), Prof. Dr. Matthias Zieschang, said: “We are very pleased with the extremely high demand from investors for our promissory note. This is another clear vote of confidence in the Fraport Group. Moreover, it confirms that we are on the right track. Thanks to our consistent liquidity management, we have surmounted the peak of the coronavirus pandemic – and we will also be able to make the necessary investments for the future.”

Today’s promissory note issue increases the amount of new financing raised by Fraport AG during 2021 to nearly €2.9 billion. Thus, the Group now has a total of about €4.5 billion in liquidity funds as well as secured and unused credit lines. 

Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen and UniCredit Bank AG acted as the joint lead arranger for Fraport’s note loan issue.

Media Contact:

Torben Beckmann
Corporate Communications
Media Relations
Telephone +49 69 690-70553
t.beckmann@fraport.de

Further signaling the continued rebound of tourism to Jamaica, both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines along with Expedia are noting an increase in demand for the destination by travelers in the coming weeks and months.

“American, Southwest and Expedia are all critical partners for Jamaica’s tourism sector, and we look forward to welcoming many more visitors in the near future,” said Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett. “Confidence in growth for Jamaica’s tourism remains strong and we will maintain our world-class Jamaica CARES health and safety protocols, including our Resilient Corridors, to ensure a robust winter.”

To meet the higher demand for Jamaica, American Airlines will be up gauging the aircraft utilized on flights to Montego Bay (MBJ) from their major city hubs of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Philadelphia (PHL). As of November, they will be utilizing their new wide-bodied Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for these operations. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is one of the carrier’s newest planes, offering a more comfortable flight experience with additional conveniences for both business and economy class passengers.

American Airlines is the largest air passenger carrier serving Jamaica. It operates multiple daily non-stop flights to the destination from several U.S. cities including Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW, and Charlotte (CLT). The airline also recently announced that they will be operating non-stop flights 3 times weekly Sun/Mon/Thu from Philadelphia (PHL) to Kingston (KIN) starting November 4.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines has informed Minister Bartlett that their flight operations into Montego Bay (MBJ) near-term are very close to pre-pandemic record year levels. This demand growth indicated by American and Southwest is further supported by Expedia, which has data showing room night and passenger growth metrics surpassing a comparable period in 2019.

These updates were provided during meetings with the airlines and Expedia that were among a series of meetings held with travel industry leaders across Jamaica’s largest source markets of the United States and Canada. The meetings aimed to drive increased tourist arrivals in the near term and to cement further investment in the island’s tourism sector. Joining Minister Bartlett at these meetings was the Chairman of the Jamaica Tourist Board, John Lynch; Director of Tourism, Donovan White; Senior Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright and Deputy Director of Tourism for the Americas, Donnie Dawson.

Jamaica remains open for travel and continues to welcome visitors safely. Its health and safety protocols were among the first to receive the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels recognition that allowed the destination to safely reopen to travel in June 2020. The island has also recently announced new cruise developments and ninety percent of planned tourist investments remaining on track.

MEDIA CONTACT: Corporate Communications Division, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Telephone: 920-4924, Fax: 920-4944 – OR – Kingsley Roberts, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990, Cell: (876) 505-6118, Fax: 920-4944

The Tourism Seychelles representative office in Italy has partnered with Club Med, holding a series of events to promote Seychelles across Italy just ahead of the announcement that the Indian Ocean paradise islands are one of 6 destinations and 3 countries outside of Europe Italian citizens could travel to.

The first trade event was held in Rome at Hotel Metropole on September 22, in the city center, followed by one in Naples on September 24 at Club Rosolino. The final event took place at the NYX Hotel in Milan on September 28.

Hosted by the Tourism Seychelles marketing representative in Italy, Danielle Di Gianvito, and Club Med’s Commercial Director B2B and M&E Italy Anne-Laure Redon, the 30 travel agents for each event, selected amongst Club Med best partners, were transported over a lunch slide and video presentation into the atmosphere of the destination. This was followed by networking sessions.

A consumer event in Milan followed on the October 5 held in collaboration with Gattinoni agency network, at its office in central Milan. The event included dinner and presentation and was attended by high-spending clients of the travel agency, and other members of the travel network.

Interest in the destination is very high since the opening by the Italian Government of the tourist corridor to Seychelles and this series of in-person events was the perfect occasion to boost awareness of the islands as the perfect holiday destination and push holiday sales.

Club Med has also confirmed a spike in bookings for the last trimester of 2021 and the first semester of 2022. “Given the current trend, Club Med expects to increase volumes compared with the pre-Covid era as early as the first half of 2022. This is also thanks to a series of innovations that Club Med is preparing to launch on the market and to the investments in the Club Med Exclusive Collection, which includes Seychelles. The importance of the Club Med Exclusive Collection range grew by 15% compared to 2 years ago and now accounts for 30% of total sales. As COVID-19 has changed travel habits, clients are now looking for privacy and for facilities with large spaces where they can breathe the freedom of the outdoors,” Mrs. Anne-Laure Redon said.

Italy has long been one of the Seychelles’s leading tourist markets and was the destination’s fourth top source market, generating 27,289 arrivals in 2019 prior to the onset of COVID, but dropping to 2,884 in 2020 as COVID and travel restrictions gripped Italy. As of October 10, 2021, 1,029 visitors had traveled to Seychelles from Italy.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, stbnews@seychelles.travel 

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation congratulates Grand-Bahama based enterprise Coral Vita on winning the prestigious Prince William’s one-million-pound Earthshot Prize at Alexandra Palace, in London this past Sunday. The Earthshot Prize of £1 million is awarded by the Royal Foundation to five winners each year for their innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Prizes are awarded in five categories: “Protect and Restore Nature,” “Revive Our Oceans,” “Clean Our Air,” “Build a Waste-Free World” and “Fix Our Climate.”  Among the first ever five Prize Winners, the Coral Vita team was awarded the £1 million prize in the “Revive Our Oceans” category.

Upon receiving the news of the Earthshot Prize awarded to Coral Vita, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Joy Jibrilu stated, “As a country, it gives us immense pride that a scientific initiative based on the island of Grand Bahama has received global recognition for its impact to remedy the effects of global warming on the oceans of the world.”

In 2018, Sam Teicher and Gator Halpern, founders of Coral Vita, built a coral farm in Grand Bahama to fight climate change in The Bahamas. The facility doubles as a marine education center and has gained renown as a tourist attraction. One year after launching this facility, Hurricane Dorian devastated the island of Grand Bahama, which strengthened the company’s resolve to save our coral reefs. Using breakthrough methods, Coral Vita is able to grow coral up to 50 times faster than it grows in nature, while boosting resilience against acidifying and warming oceans. These scientific breakthrough methods made Coral Vita the perfect candidate for the Earthshot Prize.

The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Earthshot Prize was developed in 2021. The goal of the award is to incentivize change and help to repair the planet over the next ten years.

Each year, for the next ten years, five prizes of one million pounds each will be awarded to environmental enthusiasts, in hope to provide 50 solutions to the world’s greatest environmental problems by 2030. Over 750 nominations from all regions of the world were screened for the prestigious global award. There were three finalists in each of the five categories.  All fifteen finalists will be supported by The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance, a network of philanthropies, NGOs, and private sector businesses around the world who will help scale their solutions.

For more information on Earthshot click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Anita Johnson-Patty, General Manager, Global Communications

Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation

ajohnson@bahamas.com

Weber Shandwick, Public Relations

Bahamas@webershandwick.com

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, seen on the right in the photo, joins the Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic (in the center) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Jennifer Griffith, as they pause for the lenses during a recent courtesy call by the High Commissioner at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.

They engaged in an extensive discussion about changes in the travel industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ways in which Jamaica and Canada can continue to cooperate in areas such as tourism.    

The Jamaica Ministry of Tourism and its agencies are on a mission to enhance and transform Jamaica’s tourism product, while ensuring that the benefits which flow from the tourism sector are increased for all Jamaicans. To this end it has implemented policies and strategies that will provide further momentum for tourism as the engine of growth for the Jamaican economy. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that the tourism sector makes the fullest contribution possible to Jamaica’s economic development given its tremendous earning potential.

At the Ministry, they are leading the charge to strengthen the linkages between tourism and other sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and entertainment, and in so doing encourage every Jamaican to play their part in improving the country’s tourism product, sustaining investment, and modernizing and diversifying the sector to foster growth and job creation for fellow Jamaicans. The Ministry sees this as critical to Jamaica’s survival and success and has undertaken this process through an inclusive approach, which is driven by the Resort Boards, through wide-scale consultation.

Recognizing that a collaborative effort and a committed partnership between the public and private sectors will be needed to achieve set targets, central to the Ministry’s plans is maintaining and nurturing its relationship with all key stakeholders. In so doing, it is believed that with the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development as a guide and the National Development Plan – Vision 2030 as a benchmark – the Ministry’s goals are achievable for the benefit of all Jamaicans.

Media Contact: 

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924 

Fax: 906-1729

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944 

The Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) is pleased to announce a new direct flight, making it even easier for American travelers to fly to Jordan. United Airlines will offer direct flights from Washington DC to Amman starting May 5, 2022, and will fly three times a week. This is the first direct flight to connect the two capital cities.

“We are excited to launch the new capital to capital, Washington DC to Amman, service, making it easier to connect more people to Jordan and the rich heritage and culture that the country has to offer,” shared Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President International Network and Alliances.

The announcement from United shows the airline’s confidence in the destination as international travel starts to pick up after the devastation of the pandemic. The move also supports a recent survey the Jordan Tourism Board completed that indicated that 2022 is poised to break travel records to the destination. The survey also showed that 65 percent of trade operators in the United States had travel bookings in the fall of 2021, compared to only 15 percent the season prior. 

“We are excited to welcome the legacy carrier to Jordan to help open up business between the two capitals Washington DC and Amman. We always welcome American travelers to the Kingdom to experience the incredible culture and the diversity Jordan has to offer.” Shared Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board.

“We are looking forward to welcoming United Airlines to Amman, and working together to bring even more travelers to experience our incredible country,” said Malia Asfour, Director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America. “With clear COVID protocols in place throughout the country, travelers should feel at ease visiting Jordan. This is a big step in linking Jordan’s capital with Washington DC, and encouraging American travelers to book a meaningful travel experience at world-renowned attractions like Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea.”

To learn more about the new route, visit united.com/en-us/new-routes.  

To learn more about meaningful travel to Jordan visit the website visitjordan.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Ezzat Kalbouneh ezzat@visitjordan.com

“Sustainability has long been at the core of the IMEX Group and has resonated throughout the show since the very first IMEX America. We like to joke that it’s part of our DNA and that we even ‘bleed green!’

“For several years we’ve had a dedicated area on the show floor to champion sustainability. This year we’ve re-imagined this space to create a new focal point for the show to champion not only sustainability but also regeneration, diversity, social impact and giving back.”

Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, introduces the new IMEX | EIC People & Planet Village at IMEX America, taking place November 9 – 11.

Based on the show floor, the IMEX | EIC People & Planet Village will be a hub for interactive education and conversations. It will feature a shared educational campfire area with sessions dedicated to regeneration, nature+, and diversity as well as the chance to take part in activities that support the Las Vegas community. This includes The Misfit Market, a juice and smoothie station serving healthy drinks made from ‘imperfect’ and surplus fruit and vegetables.

A chance to take positive action

Attendees are invited assemble a hygiene kit, participate in a virtual book drive and – new for this year – help to construct a Clubhouse:

• ‘When kids read, they succeed.’ That’s the philosophy of Spread the Word Nevada who promote literacy among at-risk children in the State. Over 400 books have already been donated at the show since 2017 and attendees are invited to make a donation to boost this total.
• Attendees can help the community and support IMEX’s long-standing charity partnerships by creating a hygiene kit for Clean the World. Over 5,000kg of kits have been assembled at IMEX America and donated to vulnerable local communities.
• There are few things more meaningful than supporting a sick child and bringing smiles to young faces. Over the three days of the show, the KLH Group will build a Clubhouse, a special play space, for Luna, a child with pediatric cancer. IMEX America attendees are invited to roll up their sleeves and help with the building effort. Once complete, the clubhouse will be delivered to Luna’s kindergarten ensuring that hundreds of children will benefit.

Learning sessions dedicated to regeneration and nature will cover specifics around event design, CSR case studies, eco travel and climate-friendly food among other topics. Attendees can also discover how event professionals are incorporating the United Nation’s SDGs into their events and operations in Sustainability and social impact action plan delivered by Mariela McIlwraith, Vice President Sustainability and Industry Advancement at the Events Industry Council.

People & Planet Pledge

Both visitors and exhibitors are invited to fly the flag for sustainability and make a pledge to champion social impact and environmental responsibility at IMEX America. The new People & Planet Pledge details a range of actions, whether it’s using sustainable materials in booth construction, wearing a pronoun badge or carbon offsetting travel. By committing to four simple actions, exhibitors and visitors can join forces with IMEX to create a show that’s both inclusive and conscious of its impact on the planet. Everyone supporting the Pledge can collect a special ribbon from the People & Planet Village to demonstrate their participation and exhibitor booths will receive a green booth number.

Carina concludes: “We want responsible consumption and production to sit front and center of each show, never more so than this year. With COP 26 taking place at the same time as IMEX America, environmental issues will now be front of mind globally. The new People & Planet Village creates a focal point to explore current issues around sustainability, diversity and social impact. We’re also excited to invite exhibitors and visitors to support us on our sustainability journey through the new People & Planet Pledge.”

Partners for the new IMEX | EIC People & Planet Village are: LGBT MPA; ECPAT USA; Tourism Diversity Matters; Meetings Industry Fund; Meetings Mean Business; SEARCH Foundation; Above & Beyond Foundation; Clean the World; KHL Group. More details about the IMEX Group’s sustainability initiatives, partners and research can be found here including the Regenerative Revolution report, powered by Marriott International, which has achieved thousands of downloads since its launch a year ago this month.

IMEX America takes place November 9 – 11 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas with Smart Monday, powered by MPI, on November 8. To register – for free – click here. For more details about accommodation options and to book, click here. Special rate room blocks are still open and available.

www.imexamerica.com

#IMEX21 

MEDIA CONTACT: Emma Blake, emmablake@clareville.co.uk

Jamaica and several players in the local tourism industry have emerged big winners at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards. The island was named the “Caribbean’s Leading Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination,’ while the Jamaica Tourist Board was named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board.’

The island was also victorious in 2 new categories: ‘Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination’ and ‘Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination.’

Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, expressed delight at this recognition, sharing that, “Jamaica is truly honored to be recognized in this way by the esteemed World Travel Awards group. Indeed, these accolades are a testament to the confidence the global travel industry has in Jamaica and all we have to offer.”

“I humbly accept these awards on behalf of the hardworking team at the Ministry of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board, and our other public bodies as well as all our tourism partners. I also wish to thank all of our stakeholders who have remained committed during these uncertain times, who emerged winners. Brand Jamaica is indeed very strong and I am so proud of all we have accomplished together,” he added.

The Hotel and Attractions sub-sectors also walked away winners, with Dunn’s River Falls named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction’ and Eclipse at Half Moon, also received the ‘Caribbean’s Leading New Hotel’ accolade. 

Sandals Resorts International were also big winners. The group was named the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand’, with the winners among its Jamaican portfolio including Sandals South Coast (‘Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort’); Sandals Montego Bay (‘Jamaica’s Leading Resort’) and Beaches Negril (‘Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort’).

Other hospitality winners included Round Hill Hotel & Villas (‘Caribbean’s Leading Villa Resort’ and ‘Jamaica’s Leading Hotel’); GoldenEye (‘Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort’); Fleming Villa (‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa’); Jamaica Inn (‘Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All Suite Resort’); Strawberry Hill (‘Jamaica’s Leading Boutique Hotel); Spanish Court Hotel (‘Jamaica’s Leading Business Hotel’); Tryall Club (‘Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Residences’); Margaritaville (‘Caribbean’s Leading Entertainment Venue’); Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall (‘Jamaica’s Leading Conference Hotel’); Half Moon (‘Jamaica’s Leading Luxury Resort’) and Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport, as the ‘Caribbean’s Leading Airport.’

Other successful entities included Club Mobay (‘Caribbean’s Leading Airport Lounge’); Island Car Rentals (Caribbean’s Leading Independent Car Rental Company); Montego Bay Convention Centre (‘Caribbean’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre’); Island Routes (‘Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator’); GO! Jamaica Travel (‘Caribbean’s Leading DMC’ & ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator’).

Port Royal was named ‘Caribbean’s Leading Tourism Development Project’; Port of Montego Bay selected ‘Caribbean’s Leading Home Port’; and Port of Falmouth voted ‘Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port’.

World Travel Awards is regarded as the leading authority that recognizes and rewards excellence in travel and tourism. It was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Today, the World Travel Awards™ brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. World Travel Awards celebrates its 28th anniversary year in 2021. 

The results follow a year-long search for the world’s top travel, tourism and hospitality brands. Votes were cast by travel industry professionals, the media and the general public, with the nominee gaining the most votes in a category named as the winner.

Media Contact: 

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism 

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924 

Fax: 906-1729

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944 

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is thrilled to announce that the company has received 12 prestigious awards at the 28th Annual Caribbean and North America World Travel Awards virtual presentation on October 18, 2021.

Special recognition was given to Sandals Resorts International as the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2021 for the 28th consecutive year, as the resort company celebrates its 40th Anniversary of Sandals Resorts and continues to pave the path of excellence and innovation in the travel industry.

Sandals Resorts International was recognized with 12 awards, including:

• Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand 2021: Sandals Resorts International
• Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2021: Beaches Turks & Caicos
• Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort 2021: Sandals Grenada
• Caribbean’s Leading Resort 2021: Sandals Royal Barbados
• Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Resort 2021: Sandals South Coast, Jamaica
• Caribbean’s Most Romantic Resort 2021: Sandals Grande Antigua
• Bahamas’ Leading All-Inclusive Resort 2021: Sandals Emerald Bay
• Grenada’s Leading Resort 2021: Sandals Grenada
• Jamaica’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort 2021: Beaches Negril
• Jamaica’s Leading Resort 2021: Sandals Montego Bay
• St Lucia’s Leading Resort 2021: Sandals Grande St. Lucian
• Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator 2021: Island Routes Caribbean Adventures

“It is our great honor today for Sandals Resorts International to be recognized as this year’s recipient of the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Brand,” said Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “For 4 decades we have held an unwavering commitment to hospitality excellence across the region,” continued Stewart. “We will continue to live our promise to our customers, valued travel advisors and our communities, and we will keep exceeding expectations through our dedication to hard work and innovation.”

Following a year of innovation,Sandals South Coast was named as the Caribbean’s Honeymoon Resort 2021 by the World Travel Awards, boasting the world’s first-ever Swim-Up Rondoval Suites, the longest pool in the western hemisphere spanning 17,040 sq. ft, and a remastered 112-room Dutch Village – perfect for honeymooners and all couples in love.

SRI’s family friendly all-inclusive brand, Beaches® Resorts, was also recognized in the World Travel Awards with Beaches Turks and Caicos winning the Caribbean’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort for the 18th time. Packed with fun for families of all ages, Beaches Turks and Caicos features five magnificent villages that exemplify the architectures of Italy, France, the Caribbean, and Key West. With endless land and water-sport activities, a 45,000 square foot water park, and 21-gourmet restaurants, there is something for everyone at this one-of-a-kind resort.  

Sandals Resorts International’s sister company Island Routes Adventure Tours, was also recognized by the World Travel Awards, taking home the Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator for the 9th year. Island Routes offers guests off-site experiences that truly immerse them in the local culture and beauty the islands have to offer.

“Even in these unprecedented times, it is an honor to be recognized for continuing to deliver exceptional and authentic destination experiences. We pride ourselves on this recognition and promise to continue delivering one-of-a-kind excursions and extraordinary service while always looking to raise the bar on our products and offerings,” said Ryan Terrier, Vice President of Operations, Island Routes.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 for the sole purpose of acknowledging and celebrating achievements in all areas of the world’s travel and tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year the World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognize and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.

For more information about these award-winning resorts, please visit sandals.com and beaches.com. For more information on the World Travel Awards, please visit worldtravelawards.com. 

Sandals® Resorts:

Sandals® Resorts offers two people in love the most romantic, Luxury Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean across its 16 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, and Curacao opening in April 2022. Celebrating 40 years, the leading all-inclusive resort company offers more quality inclusions than any other on the planet. Sandals Resorts exclusive include signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers; the Red Lane Spa®; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines, and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and Sandals Customizable Weddings. Sandals Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Sandals Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean as well as the new Sandals Vacation Assurance, a comprehensive vacation protection program featuring an industry-first guarantee of a free replacement vacation including airfare for guests impacted by COVID-19 related travel interruptions. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes family-oriented Beaches Resorts. For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit sandals.com. 

Beaches® Resorts:

With three spectacular locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica, and a fourth location coming to St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Beaches® Resorts is the ultimate getaway for every member of the family. Beaches Resorts provides more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet with outrageous waterparks, XBOX® Play Lounges, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, Red Lane® Spas, Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; and free Wi-Fi. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts also offers the Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street®, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Beaches Resorts are the perfect place for family gatherings from reunions and special birthdays to the signature destination wedding program, Beaches Customizable Weddings. Beaches Resorts guarantees guests peace of mind from arrival to departure with the Beaches Platinum Protocols of Cleanliness, the company’s enhanced health and safety measures designed to give guests the utmost confidence when vacationing in the Caribbean. Beaches Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts, and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company.  For more information about the Beaches Resorts, visit beaches.com.

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures:

Island Routes Caribbean Adventures was founded in 2009 to feature the very best, off-the-beaten-path voyages to travelers and adventure seekers far and wide.  Operating in 12 countries – Antigua; Aruba; the Bahamas; Barbados; the Cayman Islands; Dominican Republic; Grenada; Jamaica; Mexico; Saint Lucia; St. Maarten and the Turks & Caicos; and soon to open Curacao, this award-winning lifestyle management company includes a dedicated team of islanders, sea-mates, adventure-seekers and experiential-masters who spotlight the best-of-the-best expeditions and destinations for everyone. The team at Island Routes believes in fostering positive change to the Caribbean business landscape, upholding the company’s vision to nurture the region with the development of sustainability programs and both land and sea preservation efforts. For more information, visit islandroutes.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: 1-888-SANDALS, info@sandals.com

Global independent marketing and communications agency, FINN Partners, has been appointed by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (BMOTIA) to provide public relations services for The Islands of The Bahamas in the United Kingdom. FINN Partners’ UK office will also act as the hub agency, managing other European markets including Italy.

The contract includes creative campaign ideation, consumer and trade media relations and activations, coordinating broadcast visits, events, influencer support, and crisis communications.

Central to FINN’s work for the BMOTIA will be to activate a comprehensive communications strategy and PR program to increase brand Bahamas’ visibility in the UK market. FINN Partners will promote the traditional culture, history, leisure activities, nature and cuisine of The Islands of The Bahamas, to help generate overall growth of visitor arrivals to the destination, particularly in line with new UK flight routes.

The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation of The Bahamas commented: “Our vision is to be a global industry leader in destination marketing and management, contributing sustainably to a thriving national economy. FINN Partners presented us with a holistic and creative approach to support our strategy and help us achieve our business goals to increase tourism from the UK. We are confident that we have chosen the right PR partner to promote our wonderful destination and look forward to a successful collaboration.”

Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, commented, “We are thrilled to have appointed FINN Partners as our PR agency of record in the UK. Their proposal clearly demonstrated their understanding of our brand proposition and communications objectives, and their knowledge and expertise of the Caribbean market is second to none. The Islands of The Bahamas offer a wealth of exciting cultural, leisure and romantic experiences that we can’t wait to share with British travelers. In line with the increase in airlift from the UK, now is the perfect time for us to inspire bookings from this region. We look forward to working closely with the FINN team to further increase awareness of The Bahamas and the multiplicity of the destination.”

Debbie Flynn, Global Travel Practice Leader, FINN Partners commented: “We know that British travelers are now seeking adventure, wide-open spaces, natural beauty and rich cultural experiences, and The Bahamas offers these in abundance. With the recent resumption of direct  

British Airways flights and the launch of the new direct Virgin Atlantic flights from London to The Bahamas from November 20, has the destination seeing a significant increase in airlift making it

more accessible for UK travelers than ever before. There is a huge opportunity for us to showcase what the destination has to offer to help grow visitor arrivals from the UK, and we truly cannot wait to begin our partnership with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.”

The FINN Partners UK Travel extensive portfolio includes leading hotel groups like Accor Luxury and destinations including Singapore, Capital Region USA and Iceland.

ABOUT THE BAHAMAS  

With over 700 islands and cays and 16 unique island destinations, The Bahamas lies just 50 miles off the coast of Florida, offering an easy fly-away escape that transports travelers away from their everyday. The Islands of The Bahamas have world-class fishing, diving, boating, birding and nature-based activities, thousands of miles of the earth’s most spectacular water and pristine beaches waiting for families, couples and adventurers. Explore all the islands have to offer at bahamas.com or on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram to see why It’s Better in The Bahamas.

About FINN Partners, Inc. 

Founded in 2011 on the core principles of innovation and collaborative partnership, FINN Partners has more than quadrupled in size in eight years, becoming one of the fastest growing independent agencies in the world. The full-service marketing and communications company’s record-setting pace is a result of organic growth and integrating new companies and new people into the FINN world through a common philosophy. With more than 800 professionals, FINN provides clients with global access and capabilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia and through its membership in Public Relations Organisation International (PROI). Headquartered in New York, FINN’s other offices are located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Hong Kong, Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Jerusalem, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Nashville, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Southern California and Washington, D.C. Find us at finnpartners.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @finnpartners and @finnpartnerstravel. For further information on FINN Partners, visit finnpartners.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Debbie Flynn, FINN Partners UK
debbie.flynn@finnpartners.com