Saint Lucia Gets Casino, New Air Lift, Network TV Spotlight

Saint Lucia is poised for growth in 2010 with new air lift, a plethora of resort enhancements and renovations and national network publicity, thanks to “The Bachelor.”

Additionally, in April the island will see the opening of the new Baywalk Mall, located next to Coco Palm. The mall will feature the island’s first casino as well as 60 stores, including boutiques, restaurants, a beauty salon, and jewelry and crafts shops.

Air Lift

Airline partners are increasing their service, making Saint Lucia both more accessible and affordable, reported the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

In October, JetBlue Airways launched three weekly nonstop flights from New York and is expected to announce additional flights soon. Delta Airlines has added seats on flights from Atlanta, while American Airlines will increase service from New York and Miami in July. U.S. Airways is scheduled to introduce a second nonstop flight from Charlotte on May 9, which will continue through Aug. 15.

Resort Renovations

From the smallest boutique properties to the larger all-inclusive resorts, renovations and enhancements including new wedding venues, restaurants and spa, are making the island an easier sell, reported the St. Lucia Tourist Board:

Ladera recently added a new 1,200-square foot Paradise Pavilion, an open-air wedding venue overlooking the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea. And a new mountaintop lighthouse-wedding gazebo was introduced at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa. (www.ladera.com and www.cbayresort.com)

The 30-cottage East Winds Inn opened a new open-air 3,000-square foot Yoga and Fitness Pavilion, in which guests can perform morning salutations and take afternoon classes. (www.eastwinds.com)

Sandals Halcyon Beach Saint Lucia recently completed a 60-room refurbishment, as well as upgraded the resort’s popular Piano Bar and Bayside Restaurant. (www.sandals.com/main/halcyon/ha-home.cfm)

The Landings unveiled a new fine dining restaurant, The Palms, which features sustainable cuisine with Caribbean flavor. All produce and seafood is locally produced. Additionally, the resort updated The Beach Club restaurant and bar. (www.thelandingsstlucia.com)

The gym at Ti Kaye’s Kai Koko Spa has been renovated, and a second restaurant has been added at Coco Palm. (www.tikaye.com and www.coco-resorts.com)

Anniversary Promotions

Cap Maison invites guests to help it celebrate its first anniversary with a “New Year Special,” that offers a fifth night free after a consecutive four-night stay. (www.capmaison.com)

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is celebrating its 20th anniversary year with with a series of “20th” discounts, including a free candlelit meal for anyone celebrating a 20th milestone such as a birthday or anniversary, 20% off on select excursions, spa treatments and other services, and $20 room rates on the 20th of any month. From May 1 to August 20, the 20th Promotions can be combined with other discounts such as a 25% off rack rate of $562 for a family of four in a Hisbiscus Suite plus tax/service. Restrictions apply. For full details, call 877-522-0722 (N. America); 808-958-7376 (UK & Europe) or visit www.windjammer-landing.com.

Increased Commission and Support

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is offering 15% commission through the summer along with a new training and support program called “Ask Me About Coconut Bay.” Marilyn Cairo, vice president of marketing for the resort’s sales team, noted that all the resorts’ new initiatives, which launched in 2009, “are geared toward providing agents with the tools they need to succeed, secure bookings and expand their business.

Through the Ask Me About Coconut Bay program, the resort will provide agents with on-site staff trainings, promotional display materials, co-op advertising opportunities, co-branded marketing tools, bridal sponsorships and the new incentive program that rewards proactive and productive agency partners.

In addition to these tools, the resort also recently launched a U.S.-based call center. The Ask Me program will lead the sales, marketing, reservations and weddings initiatives. It also will manage a dedicated agent toll-free number for Coconut Bay for agents to make bookings, learn about what’s new at the resort and get details on consumer and agent incentives. For more information about the resort, visit www.cbayresort.com or call (877) 352-8898.

Food and Jazz Festivals

Chef Allen Susser, a James Beard award winner, will host several food festivals at Jade Mountain throughout 2010. The events will focus on local fruits and ingredients grown in the resort’s backyard. The schedule is: Cooking in Paradise (April 9-11), Mango Madness (June 11-13), Spices of the Caribbean (Oct. 9-11) and Discover Chocolate Festival (Dec. 10-12). (www.jademountain.com)

Each spring, visitors from around the world head to Saint Lucia’s Pigeon Island for the Saint Lucia Jazz Festival. The festival features international, regional and local jazz musicians. This year Grammy Award winners Corinne Bailey Rae, Ne-Yo, Shaggy and Steel Pulse will headline the event, which runs from May 1 to 9.

Other acts scheduled to perform include Laura Izibor, Buena Vista Social Club, T-Vice, Maxi Priest, Jeffrey Osborne, Freddie Jackson and many others. (www.stluciajazz.org)

For more information about Saint Lucia, visit www.saintlucianow.com.