Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
AREA GUIDES CARIBBEAN REGIONAL THE NORTHERN CARIBBEAN ISLANDS BY JOHN ANTHONY The dynamics of the Caribbean Islands are truly unique across the world and surely this is why it is a favorite vacation destination and has been for generations. One special advantage the Caribbean has is that it’s amongst a few spots in the world that can offer delightful beach weather on a year round basis. Also, each island is one of a kind, possessing its own geo- graphic individuality, but are all sur- rounded by turquoise waters and beau- tiful sandy beaches. The region consists of hundreds of islands and few large landmasses, making it perfect for cruise ships to navigate from one tropical par- adise to another, and the proximity of the Caribbean to the U.S. means that ships don’t have to travel very far to reach their destination. The Dominican Republic (DR) is a popular cruise ship port. Cruise ships carrying eager vacationers dock at piers in Santo Domingo (the DR’s capital city), the village of La Romana and in Puerto Plata. There are also two conve- niently located airports on the island in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana. The DR features serene and majestic tropical landscapes, breathtaking coastline and an amazing variety of world-class hotels and resorts. There are over 65,000 hotel rooms on the island with most of them located in the main tourist areas, offer- ing visitors many lodging choices including on the beach, a secluded prairie, overlooking breathtaking rivers, sophisticated cities, quaint seaside towns or along a beautiful high cliff or mountain top. Within the past 40 years the DR has gone from an island relatively void of tourism, to being a well-known tourist attraction. This was noted after a law was passed making investing in DR’s 56 Carnival time in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic tourism nearly tax-free, giving compa- nies the opportunity to begin building an array of luxurious hotels on the island. The airports in Puerto Plata and Punta Cana being completed in the 1980s, as well as Club Med opening in Punta Cana also helped take the DR to an all-time tourism high. Although the island has developed from near isola- tion to a popular travelers destination, the slow, relaxed way of life that remains blended with the African, Spanish and indigenous Taino Indian cultures have created for travelers a beautiful haven of escape, which offers a constant celebration of the DR’s unique and lively culture. In the Northern Caribbean region, slightly west, sits the third largest island in the Caribbean – Jamaica. The island of Jamaica has much to offer, but is widely known for its all-inclusive luxury resorts and for being a great location for water lovers to partake in the greatest fishing, boating, snorkeling, surfing and scuba diving the Caribbean has to offer. Many are attracted to the island’s popu- lar swimming spots and rock pools; the most photographed of these natural attractions being Dunns River Falls where adventurers climb the thunder- ing falls of Ocho Rios. Navigating over smooth, often slippery rocks is great fun for even the least athletic tourist and the ascent to this hidden hideaway offers an exhilarating challenge as well as a cooling break from the sun. Relaxing in the Dunns River beach afterwards, one can experience the uniquely cold river currents as they alternate with the warm flow of the Caribbean Sea. Meeting Planners often look to Jamaica to host various associations meetings and conventions. In addition to having Dunns River beach to recuperate at when a long day of business activities are done, attendees also enjoy Dolphin Cove, Mystic Mountain, Prospect Plantation and Shaw Park Gardens when meetings aren’t in session. Ground broke last year in Montego Bay, making way for a new $45.2-million-dollar con- vention center scheduled to open by 2012. There are a selection of facilities in Jamaica that are currently handling Jamaica’s business travelers, such as The Jamaica Conference Center, located on the picturesque Kingston Waterfront, in the heart of the downtown business dis- trict; Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and The Hilton Kingston which offers more than 16,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com