Expedia Reports Big Jump in Demand for Saint Lucia Travel

By: - July 23rd, 2015

A big increase in traffic

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

The Expedia Group has reported a 20 percent increase in travel demand to Saint Lucia in the first quarter of 2015, with a 25 percent increase for four- and five star hotels, the company said.

St Lucia has experienced a 25 percent increase in package books –bringing the package share up to 50 percent – and has reached a 25 percent share in mobile booking, as more and more guests making their travel plans on the go.

“St Lucia has always been an important Caribbean destination for the Expedia group, and to highlight that we now have a dedicated team member based locally in St. Lucia,” said Demetrius Canton, Director of Lodging Partner Services for the Caribbean, the Expedia group. “Between our global reach, technology investments and our local market presence, we’ve enhanced our ability to effectively serve our partners and support the continued growth of this destination.”

Expedia continues to expand its presence in St Lucia, adding 50 new partners on the island this year, bringing the total to over 130.

The group’s market management team is attending the St Lucia North American Showcase next weekend at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa and Beach, where they will meet with travel partners to discuss successes in the region and work on strategies for increasing visibility and incremental demand.


News

Undersea Caribbean Volcano Raised to Second-Highest Alert Level

Seismic activity leads to second-highest alert level By the Caribbean Journal staff A Caribbean volcano alert has come to the coast of Grenada. The alert level has been raised to “orange” on the “Kick ‘em Jenny” submarine volcano in Grenada, following an increase in seismic activity, according to the University of the West Indies Seismic […]

News

St Vincent and the Grenadines Exploring Geothermal Energy

Another Caribbean country enters the geothermal fray By the Caribbean Journal staff St Vincent and the Grenadines is moving forward with a planned geothermal energy project. The plan is for the country’s National Geothermal Project to start up in 2018, according to Emera Caribbean Limited. The firm is one of the companies with which the […]

News

Royal Caribbean Names New Chief Marketing Officer

New top marketer By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Royal Caribbean International has appointed Jim Berra as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Berra will take on responsibilities of the cruise line’s marketing program, brand strategy, consumer and trade advertising, research and communications, the company said in a statement. “We are delighted to have Jim join our […]

Barbados, Georgia Eye Formal Diplomatic Relations

 A new partner? By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Georgian Ambassador Otar Berdzenishvili recently paid a visit to Barbados, where he met with Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Maxine McClean to discuss the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. Berdzenishvili informed the Minister of Georgia’s post-U.S.S.R. programs and policies, as […]

Bahamian Court Denies Baha Mar’s Request for US Bankruptcy Recognition

 Snag for Baha Mar’s US bankruptcy filing By the Caribbean Journal staff Baha Mar, Ltd’s US bankruptcy just hit a snag. A Bahamian Judge denied Baha Mar’s request for recognition of its bankrtupcy filing in Delaware Federal Court. The ruling means that the company’s Bahamian assets will not be protected by Baha Mar’s bankruptcy filing […]

The Best Caribbean Hotels for Millennials

 A new partner? By Dana Niland CJ Contributor Georgian Ambassador Otar Berdzenishvili recently paid a visit to Barbados, where he met with Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Maxine McClean to discuss the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries. Berdzenishvili informed the Minister of Georgia’s post-U.S.S.R. programs and policies, as […]

Pope Francis and the Caribbean

 By Michael W Edghill CJ Contributor The 1st Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis of Argentina, may well be considered the 1st pope of Latin America and the Caribbean. Within a few years, the leader of the Catholic Church has defined his papacy as one focusing on the poor and marginalized […]