Air Jamaica said the discounted tickets were for seats in inventory or empty seats available on scheduled flights after bookings via Air Jamaica reservation centres and travel agencies.

Saying it would never compete with low budget Spirit Airlines, Air J tells the Financial Gleaner that it has been selling cheap seats for over a year to maximise ticket sales in low periods, adding that the offers are more visible now that the carrier has refined the promotions.

“I would never compete with Spirit and their one cent fares,” said senior vice-president for sales and marketing, Paul Pennicook.

“Air Jamaica is moving like a first world airline. We’ve been doing a bit of this for some time now; we have refined the process and are doing it more scientifically.”

The discounted fares are now being offered once per week or every Tuesday only on the Air Jamaica’s website. Marketed as Lovebird eSavers, the ticket prices are sometimes 30 per cent cheaper online.

Pennicook said the internet fares put out on Tuesdays for specific travel periods were normally valid until Friday or four days after.

However, one of the promotions advertising fares between US$89 and US$157, runs from March to May.

“We look at our business and see where we see space and put out the fares. That is why it is for a limited time,” said Pennicook, adding that the lowest fares are available only on the internet.

“We set the prices to suit ourselves.”

The airline executive adds that Air J has been “picking up good last minute business” through the promotions, but did not specify, saying that was competitive information.

Queries to American Airlines – Air J’s chief competitor in this market – were re-routed, with no responses to press time, but Pennicook says that the American carrier usually markets its seat inventory directly to its preferred or frequent flyer clientele.

Pennicook believes the last minute seats and fares opens a window for procrastinators to book seats. However, he said the airline does not discount the same route every week to avoid market expectation that a particular destination will always be available at a low price on late bookings.

In the event that the airline has to run the promotion in successive weeks, the fareswill go higher.

“The ones we set for New York and Fort Lauderdale this week are higher because we have fewer seats,” he explained last week.

The low fares reflected on the internet are one-way trip prices but on round trips are exclusive of taxes and fees. Two weeks ago, the Kingston to Fort Lauderdale trip was offered at US$59 per person. The entire trip, return, totalled US$200 inclusive of taxes.

The regular fare secured through the normal reservation systems cost US$435.

A week later, on March 15, the Lovebird eSaver fares for the same destination moved to US$89 per person.

The efares for that same route were last advertised at US$69 for travel from April 3 to 14.

Pennicook advises that travellers wanting to secure their travel plans still use their local travel agents but for those who are bargain hunters, the internet is the way to go.

The de Savary group has brought Courtenay Leacock, who is known as one of the best customer service trainers to come to Grenada. Leacock, who is a former Director of Human Resources with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, has 34 years of experience in Human Resources Management.

Tourism Minister Brenda Hood expressed her commitment to this training programme. She said,”This programme of training is aimed at providing a clearly defined customer service module for our airport staff. It is vitally important that we perform at our best as we prepare to host the world for the Cricket World Cup. The World Cup will place extra demands and pressure on our airport staff so they have to be prepared to meet this. Government continues to express gratitude to Mr de Savary for his strong commitment to Grenada.”

Speaking on behalf of Savvy Grenada, Resident Director Richard Hallam outlined the importance of having highly trained support staff. “Our investments and the service industry in Grenada will be more successful if the support services which we rely on are efficient and customer focused.”

De Savary commented, “As usual we are pleased to assist the Government and people of Grenada improve levels of service. Mr Leacock has worked with us before at the Abaco Club in the Bahamas and we are confident that he will make a huge difference here.”

Leacock will meet and train the staff at Point Salines International Airport. This includes Aviation Services of Grenada; Customs; Immigration; Board of Tourism; Airport Authority including departure tax and parking cashiers; Information Desk Agents and Security.

Tourism Minister Brenda Hood said one such agreement was hammered out with regional carriers who will add new flights from Trinidad to Grenada.

Minister Hood says efforts are also ongoing to get cruise ships to engage in home port or remaining on the island for more than one day.

The Minister made the remarks at a press conference organised by his ministry last week.

Nassief reported an increase in tourist arrivals in 2006 compared to 2005. In 2006, there were 84,041 arrivals compared to 79,257 in 2005, a 6 percent increase.

According to Nassief, there is a greater mix of people coming to Dominica, with more people coming to the destination for leisure and typically would stay for a week compared to those who come for business and stay typically, for about 2-3 days.

The Minister also reported on a number of private-sector led investments in the hotel sub-sector which will add more to Dominica’s room inventory.

Described by Nassief as “an excellent property”, the Rosalie Bay Resort in Rosalie will, on completion, have more than 30 rooms.

Work is expected to begin soon at Richmond Bay in Castle Bruce. Upon completion the facility will boast 12 cottages.

With properties such as 3-Rivers, Jungle Bay and Rosalie Bay now well established, Mr Nassief said: “What we now see is clusters developing. We are now getting critical mass so our farmers can produce and new restaurants, shops and local communities can benefit”.

Nassief was extremely pleased to report on the success of his ministry’s e-marketing campaign adding that the banners on National Geographic and Lonely Planet have been very effective in driving persons to Dominica’s website.

While acknowledging a “softness in the Eastern Caribbean cruise market”, compared to the Western Caribbean, Nassief said that the prestigious Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines will now make calls to Dominica stressing “this is a huge achievement. It gives us a better mix and spread of cruise lines”.

Although next season will see a reduction in the number of ships, the passenger count will remain the same, the minister reported.

The Cruise Ship Berth at the Cabrits in the town of Portsmouth will see a significant increase in the number of calls for the 2007/2008 season.

(Not addressing the present restructuring of Cayman Airways and its potential revised routes, or departure and arrival schedules.)

The Cayman Islands tourism market offers three unique destinations; Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Each Island should be marketed with its own unique approach.

It is world renowned knowledge for many years that all “three” of these destinations offer the most superb diving experience.

However, we are forgetting to promote the other more hidden pleasures.

Grand Cayman is marketed to the world as a refined prestigious luxury destination, it perfectly embodies such celebrated characteristic.

To add to such a destination for a selected few, let us emphasize and market in more detail, a glimpse of the serene setting of another style of luxury, namely presenting more of Little Cayman, reminiscent of a more enchanting time, and offer Cayman Brac’s tourism market on the merits of the tropical delights of Nature.

Market the Sister Islands for what they are, a destination for the Harassed and the Stressed to find profound relaxation, let them experience a glimpse of the peace they are seeking.

At present there is a new phase of teachings of meditation courses, instructional CDs within the Western World.

Meditation on a daily basis to heal physical ills, stress relieve and preventing illnesses.

Cayman Brac and Little Cayman are offering the essence of meditation, unforgettable encounters of natures abundance, experience Life on a whole New level.

The Sister Islands “nature” Spa is welcoming you the minute you step off the plane. Take a deep breath and then “listen” to the silence.

Refine your body and soul by being open again to nature’s treasures, an amenity offered by our creator, all inclusive.

At present let us look at what there “Is” on the Sister Islands:

A few small unique hotel resorts, and conveniently located comfortable condo resorts, all serene and on a small scale; the vacationer may also rent a luxury villa, or an idyllic located ocean front home.

Added to the busier more prestigious Grand Cayman market, these “are” the “other” destinations within the Cayman Islands offering a lasting impression of life’s simplest pleasures.

Indulge in the art of Island living.

Let’s work within the tourist market with what we have and market the hidden treasures of the Sister Islands along with the more prestigious world of Grand Cayman.

The people of the Sister Islands welcome each tourist and are ready to share this lush world of ultimate adventure.

The Charm of these Islands are still the friendly Cayman people and a rich culture which is often hidden in the busy hussle and bustle of the Big Island.

Let us market along with Grand Cayman’s luxury the tranquility of the Sister Islands, a location that soothes the spirit, it would be such a shame if our tourists miss the opportunity to be spoiled while in seclusion.

Oh yes, before I forget…..like they say in Vegas. It is also true here on the Sister Islands while on Vacation:

Whatever “happens” on the Sister Islands. “Also” stays on the Sister Islands it is not even mentioned on the marl road).

The destination is the ideal host for the competition as the North Drop in the BVI boasts the most plentiful billfishing in the Caribbean, with blue marlin weighing up to 900 pounds. The islands are dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment, requiring the tournament to be an all-release event.

“We are proud to welcome the new event as well as the newest business in the islands, the A.H. Riise Rolex boutique,” says Chief Minister Dr. D. Orlando Smith. “It will allow us to strategically showcase the fact that our waters provide some of the best fishing in the Caribbean during the summer months of low-season and drive our tourism for that period of time.”

Al Behrendt Enterprises, a respected event management company responsible for the success of the Bahamas Billfish Championship (BBC) for 25 years, is the coordinator of the annual tournament. Proceeds will be donated to charities to be selected by the Government of the BVI and A.H. Riise and will be administered by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.

For more information about the tournament, visit the event website at http://bvibillfishtournament.com.

Ambassador Rood said nothing represents a greater potential threat to the future of the Bahamas and its tourism industry than an unsecured airport.

He was speaking at a joint Rotary Club of East Nassau and Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the British Colonial Hilton in downtown Nassau.

“Following the arrests of corrupt baggage handlers, who were bypassing security to place drugs aboard planes bound for the US, I am appreciative of the seriousness with which the Bahamian government is responding to these concerns,” he said.

Five of the six baggage handlers arrested in the US late last year have already pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges.

“I expect in the years ahead that US-Bahamas international cooperation will continue to deepen and expand as we seek to address the new threats to international stability and prosperity,” the ambassador said.

He encouraged the Bahamas to continue its cooperation with the United States in aviation security.

“The Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration have been outstanding partners with the Bahamas, donating time and resources to assist with aviation safety and airport security management,” he said.

“We’ve worked cooperatively on radar systems and automation; we’ve provided expertise to assist in repairing and maintaining radar and other flight systems and we’ve donated needed equipment when asked by the government to do so and at our own initiative.”

For years the FAA has helped manage the airspace in the Bahamas to ensure safe air traffic control of flights to and through the country, according to Ambassador Rood.

He noted the Bahamian government has expressed its interest in exercising greater control of its airspace and the FAA has indicated its interest and willingness to partner with the Bahamas in a new way that will allow the Bahamas to benefit, while ensuring the highest level of safety for air travelers.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to continue this partnership that brings so many intangible benefits of collaboration with the FAA,” he said.

“We have been in the early stages of discussions on this matter and hope to move forward in the weeks and months ahead. Such a new partnership in this vital area will allow us both to use FAA’s expertise to ensure that Bahamian skies remain safe and secure.

“Given the number of Americans and Bahamians who fly through this vital airspace, there are few things more vital than ensuring the continued safety of our air travelers.”

Ambassador Rood, who is scheduled to demit office in April, said even after he has left the country he hopes that the Bahamas will continue to have strong bilateral cooperation with the United States, especially on key issues like human rights and democracy.

“In fact, last year the Bahamas stood out at the 2006 Non-Aligned Meeting for its support for democratic rules and human rights,” he said.

“The Bahamas also stood alone among its Caribbean peers in its support for key human rights resolutions in the UN in late 2006. The Bahamas should rightly be proud of its standing in the world as a beacon and testimony to the potential for democracy and freedom.”

Ambassador Rood said weak democratic institutions are the root cause of many of the recurring political crises that have plagued the most troubled countries in the Western Hemisphere. He said Haiti is a prime example.

He said he hopes the Bahamas and the US can work together, individually or as a part of CARICOM, to help build democratic institutions in Haiti.

“The Bahamas deserves praise for its willingness to support the new government by providing training for Haitian police at the Bahamas Police Training centre. Still, more assistance will be needed in carrying forward reform and training for law enforcement, strengthening the judiciary, implementing anti-corruption programmes, promoting economic growth and protecting human rights,” he said.

Ambassador Rood said the United States has led international efforts against the proliferation of both weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.

He said his country appreciates the support the Bahamas has given the US, particularly in the United Nations when it comes to condemning proliferation.

“We live in a time of grave threats to the security of our nations – indeed, to our very lives, from terrorists, rogue states and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Most frightening is the possibility that terrorists could obtain a weapon of mass destruction from an outlaw regime,” Ambassador Rood said.

“We appreciate the work done here in the Bahamas to help us protect against terrorist threat. Not long ago, I was given the chance to observe RBDF divers practice scanning under cruise ships as part of a US-sponsored training programme and I came away more impressed than ever with the professionalism and capability of our Bahamian partners.”

In Spinnaker Racing A, ABN AMRO ONE (1-1-1-1-1-1) maintained its lead, to no one’s surprise. This 2005-06 Volvo Ocean champ kept a minute or more lead on corrected time over second place, Titan XII (2-2-2-2-2-2), skippered by Puerto Rico’s Tom Hill. Noonmark VI (5-3-5-3-3-3), a Swan 56 sailed by Geoffrey Mulchay, moved into third.

Devil 3 (1-1-3-3-1-2), the Stanton brother’s Melges 24, continued in its wickedly wonderful first place slot, to the dismay of a pair of Melges 32s that enjoyed match racing each other as well as trying to take a swipe at the lead. Trinidad’s Tim Kimpton, driving one of these 32s, Crash Test Dummies (3-5-1-1-2-1), was more psyched on the speed his boat enjoyed for the day than not moving into first. “The last race, the inter-island race, we sailed past everyone, but ABN AMRO ONE and Titan XII. Then, after we rounded the corner and came up by Peter Island, the water was flat and in the breeze we hit 18 knots downwind. It was such a buzz to sail in this kind of wind. That’s why I’ve got such a big grin.”

With a slim 1 -point lead, Rick Wesslund’s J/120, El Ocaso (4-1-1-6-4-1), trumped a Spinnaker Racing C class lead over Doug Baker’s Olson 30, J-Bird III (7-3-1-1.5-5-2) and Mark Palermo’s Beneteau First 40.7, Team Paul Mitchell (1-2-4.5-4-3-5), with J-Bird III winning the tie-breaker for second in class.

Breakdowns plagued more than one boat in Spinnaker Racing D. Puerto Rico’s Angel Ayala, skippered his J/80, Sun Bum II (7-8-5-9-10-12, 51), and experienced one of them. “In the last race, we lost all our main rigging and our vang. It was precarious to keep racing, but we did. So did Tony (Mari, skippered of the J/80, Ex Mero Motu (5-6-3-6-6-7). And, he raced without a main. In fact, he got in front of the fleet with a genoa only. That’s how drastic the conditions were in terms of wind.”

In Racer-Cruiser E, the BVI’s perennial favorite, Peter Haycraft’s Sirena 38, Pipedream (4-2-3-1-2-2), landed in the top of the class while Puerto Rico’s Julio Reguero’s J/105 Umakua (2-1-1-3-3-8), fell to second. “It was tough for us compared to our competition since we were racing light and the forestay broke in the last race,” said Reguero. Reguero, who lost his leg in a motorcycle accident in 2002, has embarked on Puerto Rico’s first paraolympic sailing campaign in the single-handed One Design 2.4 class. If he qualifies this summer, he’ll compete in Beijing in 2008.

Believe it or not, the committee boat on the Norman course was hit once again today. This time, Avocation was forced into it by Shamrock at the start of Performance Cruising A. Robin Rinda, committee member, joked, “It may be time to just paint a bull eye on us.” Affinity (1,2,1,1,) is now in front, followed by Black Hole (4,3,2,2) and Advantage (2,1,3,6), lost its advantage and second place with a sixth place in the last race of the day.

John Sweeny, sailing on the nearly unbeatable Three Harkoms summed it up, “Another great day on the water.” Three Harkoms (1,1,1,1) sailed so fast, they nearly caught a number of the bigger boats that started five minutes ahead of them in Performance Cruising A. Diva,(5,2,2,4) the boat that is the same age as the owner/skipper, 70 something Dr. Robin Tattersall, is in second place. When asked how the day went today, Diva crew member, Pat Bailey replied, “We went 17 knots.” L’Esperance, Robert Valasquez’s (4,3,4,3) Beneteau 45F5 is third.

Yesterday’s favorites, Hotel California Too, in Jib and Main class (1, 2.5,3,3) , dropped to third place today. Mary Jane (4,1,1,1) jumped from third to first today with straight bullets and Second Nature (2,2.5,2,2) held onto second place.

In the Bareboat A, Team Germany, a Moorings 494, is being sailed by a group of journalists from … you guessed it, Germany. Skippered by Mareike Guhr, the female team currently is in sixth place in their division. Jenny May, one of the crew members, is really enjoying the regatta and remarked, “Our skipper and co-skipper are very good and this group of women, who have never sailed together, have really clicked. It works very good, fantastic, even with the rain.” Class leaders have not changed since yesterday and the Moorings charters threesome, still lead the pack.

In Bareboat B, Soderberg, sailing Chess (1,3,2,1), is holds on to a very narrow lead with of two points. Acadia’s Champaign Lady (2,4,1,2) follows with Southern Comfort (9,5,3,3) a distant third.

Nothing changes in the Multihull class. Triple Jack just keeps finishing first and Piglet keeps finishing second.

The Beach Cats found the conditions very challenging. They only sailed one race and only one of the three boats finished that race.

On the IC course, Intact, who was in ninth place after racing yesterday, lost their mast and is now out of the series. B-Mobile lost a spreader, came in and fixed it and then went back out the join the racing. Bambooshay (2,3,8,5,1,2,5,2,3,5,1), helmed by Chris Rosenberg, has the first place position but by a very narrow margin,. Only one point behind, Robbie and Michael Hirst, sailing MIO Broadband (6,2,5,6,4,1,1,1,2,7,3) are within striking distance. MIO Roaming (1,4,2,4,3,5,4,6,8,6,8), helmed by Andrew Waters, had a very tough day on the water, dropping from first to third place.

In the Beach Cat class, St. Thomas’ Davis Murray, sailing his Prindle 19, TBD (4-2-4-4-3-4), found the winds challenging. And, given that Murray is a veteran of two Worrell 1000 campaigns (1000 miles of racing small beach cats down the east coast of the U.S.), it takes tough conditions to challenge him. “It was out of control,” said Murray, about the winds. “I mean for us, 25 knots is okay. I can handle that. But then, stronger puff’s hit us. When we turtled, did a Chinese death roll; I decided to call it a day. We headed back to the beach. I don’t think we’ll go out tomorrow if the winds stay this strong. Hey, we’ll hang on the beach. After all, the boats are called beach cats.”

Trinidad’s 17-year-old Ryan Rocke (4-1-1-1-2-1-3-2-2-4) certainly rocked the Laser class, scoring a first overall out of the Laser Standards, Radials and 4.7s, and topping the Laser Radial class as well. “I got good starts, even though the wind would shift two or three times while we were in start sequence,” Rocke said. “Then I played the sifts. I played every single one of them to advantage.”

On the one design course, incidences are being instantly adjudicated with the six umpires motoring around the course. With two days of racing under this system, Robbie Hirst commented that the umpires are, “Nice to have.” Andrew Waters, was a little more talkative, “I think that it is all working quite well and that this is a good thing. My personal feeling is that people are not pushing the rules as much. The umpires are communicating on the water and we can see what they are looking at. They are very open to helping competitors understand,” and with a smile he added, “It is great racing out there.”

BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival encompass two great events. The 2007 Sailing Festival – a low-pressure, three-day warm up for the regatta – started on Monday, March 26 with a welcome party at Nanny Cay. Three days of destination cruising, racing and layday fun, including the Nation’s Challenge Cup, led up to the main three-day BVI Spring Regatta starting on Friday, March 30. The expanded seven-day format has turned the traditional three days of racing action into a weeklong sailing festival that takes participants throughout the British Virgin Islands.

Held annually on the first weekend of April, the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival is celebrating its 36th anniversary. It is now a seven-day event with two events back-to-back attracting an average of 150 yachts per year with eighty percent of the competitors from overseas. The BVI Spring Regatta is presented by Nanny Cay Resort and Marina; the BVI Tourist Board is a Platinum sponsor; gold sponsors are Bitter End Yacht Club, CCT Global Communications, First Caribbean International Bank, Heineken, The Moorings, Mount Gay, and SOL.

Visitors can fly to the British Virgin Islands through San Juan, Puerto Rico with American Airlines, Cape Air and LIAT. Flights are also available through Antigua and Barbados on Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and BWIA.

For full details on the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival including daily news, photos and complete results from the 2007 event, visit the official web site: http://www.bvispringregatta.org. For more information on the British Virgin Islands visit: http://www.bvitourism.com. For more information on Nanny Cay Marina visit: http://www.nannycay.com.

The BVI Spring Regatta is jointly owned by the Royal BVI Yacht Club and the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association.