by Jose Carlos de Santiago Curacao is no doubt one of the Caribbean´s most amazing islands. Over fifty different nationalities have merged into the population of this tiny paradise, and that means an incredible variety of languages, races and cultural traditions that makes up this small and cosmopolitan island nation. And it´s exactly this multicultural formation one of its major attractions from a tourist viewpoint. And even though this island doesn´t rely exclusively on travel and tourism, it´s going at great lengths to be up to par with its neighboring territories in the Caribbean. With that view in mind, local authorities will be investing $700 million in the course of the next three or four years to build on infrastructure. As many as $7 million will be earmarked for promotion in Europe, its number-one outbound market.

by Jose Carlos de Santiago Aruba is determined to lunge even stronger into the European market. The fact that the island nation showed up in two of Europe´s major travel fairs earlier this year –FITUR and ITB- bears out how serious its efforts really are. “And Aruba has plenty of opportunities in Europe and Latin America, but especially in Europe and for a number of reasons, above all, the cultural ties to Netherlands and other segments in the Old World,” says the President of AHATA in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.

by Jose Carlos de Santiago The Dolphin Discoveries Group started out operations in Mexico back in 1995 and it picked the world-class destination of Cancun to build its first dolphin seaquarium. Today, that project has expanded to Vallarta and there are plans in the pipeline to take that attraction to other parts of the Aztec nation and the Caribbean. The company´s Sales Corporate Manager in Mexico talked about those issues in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.

by Jose Carlos de Santiago Aruba is ready to launch a number of major investments aimed at enhancing the stock of hotel rooms, refurbishing the seaport services and the cruise terminal. Based on a policy of hands-on participation in Europe´s largest travel fairs and tradeshows, the Caribbean island is stressing its interest in that regional market, “a huge market so full of possibilities we can´t afford to let go of,” said Mr. Briesen in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital during the latest ITB Fair in Berlin.

by Jose Carlos de Santiago Bahia Principe has traditionally betted on the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Yet, its upcoming grand opening –scheduled for later this year- will take place in Jamaica. By doing so, the company joins an increasing number of Spanish hotel chains that are moving off the beaten track in the Caribbean. About this new approach and other issues, Caribbean News Digital talked exclusively with Antonio Gonzalez during the latest ITB Fair in Berlin.

by Jose Carlos de Santiago The Dominican Republic had a hands-on involvement in this year´s ITB Fair in Berlin. The Caribbean nation flaunted its roots with an array of new offers for the top outbound markets and a new development strategy to target a number of emerging niches. For the former, the Dominican Republic wants to show it has so much to offer other than fancy resorts and snugness, new alternatives that meet the needs of those who go there looking for spas, culture, honeymoons and golf. As to the emerging markets, the all-inclusive concept with an excellent quality-and-price ratio continues to be the name of the game. “For both of them, the message is that this country is the Caribbean´s best travel destination,” says Mrs. Cruz in this exclusive interview with Caribbean News Digital.