The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), the marketing and business development unit owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), has launched its official Web site, www.CaribbeanTravel.com, a colorful and content-rich site designed as the first central portal for all things related to Caribbean travel.
As part of the launch, the CTDC will introduce an interactive consumer Web video contest: "Why My Life Needs the Caribbean." Beginning April 7, this special promotion will give consumers the chance to win a prize trip to some of the Caribbean's top resorts. To enter, consumers must submit videos on CaribbeanTravel.com that describe, in the most creative and compelling way, why their life needs a visit to the world's most popular region of sun and fun. Visitors who register on the site will also have the opportunity to win their own Caribbean dream trip by ranking the best videos.
In addition, the CTDC will periodically conduct a guerrilla outreach campaign direct to consumers utilizing a roving "Caribbean Instant Reward Team" who, armed with video cameras, will approach individuals consumed in their everyday work life and ask, "Why does your life need the Caribbean?" Individuals responding may be instantly rewarded with a free trip to the Caribbean or other prizes. Video footage of these consumers and their reactions can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/group/lifeneedscaribbean and may also be posted on CaribbeanTravel.com
Promotional prizes include trips to such resorts as: Aruba's Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino, The Aruban Resort & Casino at Eagle Beach, and Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino; Bonaire's Blachi Koko Apartments, Blue Divers, Caribbean Club Bonaire, Captain Don's Habitat, Golden Reef Inn, La Pura Vista, and Port Bonaire; British Virgin Islands' Scrub Island; Puerto Rico's San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; Tortola's Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas; and Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
"Our goal with CaribbeanTravel.com is to create a one-stop shop for travelers and travel agents with all necessary information, images and vacation offers at their fingertips," said Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, co-CEO of the CTDC. "In today's Web-oriented world, it's all about the rich content and our site provides visitors with a complete virtual experience that will both whet their appetites and provide all the tools they need to plan and book their trip."
The website was designed to offer travelers the most current destination information including weather reports, upcoming festivals and events, news from the Caribbean, travel deals and promotions. Travelers can also utilize the site to book a Caribbean trip with Travelocity, the website's official travel booking engine, or to be connected to a Caribbean specialist travel agent to plan or book their vacation.
Other distinctive features of the site include: a "Hot Deals" section with special travel values; maps of the region; and detailed descriptions of places to stay, things to do and special events throughout the year.
"Our goal since day one of the creation of the CTDC has been to create buzz and business for the Caribbean," said Alec Sanguinetti, co-CEO of the CTDC. "We are achieving both of these goals on this new site. Never before have travelers had the opportunity to find so much dedicated information in one place as they now have available on CaribbeanTravel.com."
For more information or to book a Caribbean vacation, visit: www.CaribbeanTravel.com
THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) is a marketing and business development unit, owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Its mission is to own, promote, protect, advance and enhance the Caribbean brand. The CTDC combines the resources of the Caribbean region's destinations, accommodations and service providers to create a viable, cohesive, business unit that is able to identify commercial opportunities and allow the members of CHA and CTO to benefit collectively from those opportunities in ways that individually they could not. In all its endeavors the company will engage only in activities that honor the Caribbean brand and benefit the members of CHA and CTO.