JamaicaTripper Travel News

American Airlines Announces New Flights To Jamaica

Teeth-chattering temperatures will soon be on the way, but travelers will now have more opportunities than ever to escape winter's chill by chillin' out in Jamaica, as American Airlines has announced a new service from Chicago and increased service from Dallas and Miami.

Each Thursday through Monday starting on January 31, 2009, a 188-seat Boeing 757 will leave Chicago O'Hare International Airport headed for Sangster International Airport in Montegeo Bay.

Starting December 18, 2008, passengers can board a 148-seat Boeing 738 which will leave daily from the Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport for a flight to Montego Bay International Airport.

In addition to the three daily flights already offered to the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, American Airlines will begin offering a third flight daily (AA Flight 748) from Miami International Airport to Montego Bay International Airport.

Jaunts to Jamaica can also be taken on American Airlines from already existing flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Montego Bay and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport to Kingston International Airport.

For More Information:

• visit www.aa.com

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 2:38 PM

VisitJamaica.com Launches New Look

Getting a new look is always fun and, as webmasters, we always enjoy looking at website redos. We just received word that VisitJamaica.com, the official site of the Jamaica Tourist Board, has received an overhaul and an all new look.

The new look reflects the rebirth of Jamaica’s online brand presence and focuses on the country’s diverse attractions, activities and accommodations that range from “Ritzy” to “Roadside.”

The site is also launching promotions with Travelocity and luggage company Eagle Creek as well as a promotion with Amazon.com and Universal Music promoting Jamaica’s music.

For More Information:
• visit VisitJamaica.com

Labels: tourism

posted by Paris & John @ 2:16 PM

Half Moon Reports No Damage

We're happy to report that we've received word from Half Moon; the longtime Montego Bay resort has received no damage following Gustav other than a few fallen tree limbs. Managing Director of Half Moon, Richard Whitfield, notes that there has been no physical damage to any structure or injury to any person.

The resort is still operational and will resume accepting guests once the local airport reopens.

During the storm, over 150 guests from the U.S., UK, Germany, Canada, Austria and Italy were accommodated at the resort. As Tropical Storm Gustav made its way to Jamaica, Half Moon waived all cancellation fees for reservations scheduled for August 28 to September 1. Guests taking advantage of this waiver can reschedule their visit at the original rate booked up to December 15, 2008 and between May - October 2009.

For More Information:
• call 1-888-830-5974
• visit www.halfmoon.com

Labels: Hurricanes, Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 5:09 PM

Riu Montego Bay Opens

In spite of Tropical Storm (now Hurricane) Gustav, Riu Montego Bay opened its doors on August 29, 2008 as scheduled. This 681-room resort includes three specialty-themed restaurants, five bars and a conference room. The beachfront all-inclusive resort--located less than two miles from the airport--is the first Riu resort in Montego Bay and the fourth Riu resort in Jamaica.

Riu Montego Bay also includes:

• a swimming pool
• day and nighttime entertainment
  
• a nightclub
• a kids' pool, mini-club and playground
• full-service spa (at extra cost)
• game room with slot machines
• gift shop
  
• internet café

All rooms feature marble tile bathrooms, balcony or patio, satellite cable TV, a/c, hairdryer, telephone, in-room safe, radio alarm clock and mini-bar with full size bottles. Suites feature a lounge area, iron, balcony and suite bathrooms offer a hydro-massage bathtub, shower cabin, and bidet.

For more information:
• visit www.Riu.com

Labels: Montego Bay

posted by Paris & John @ 5:08 PM

Hotel Updates after Tropical Storm Gustav

We've been getting reports from Jamaica's hotels today following Tropical Storm (now hurricane) Gustav.

Sunset Resorts:

Sunset Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios
Status: No damage to Jamaica’s landmark resort. The hotel is fully operational and remains open for all guest arrivals as of Friday, August 29, 2008.

Sunset at the Palms, Negril
Status: No structural damage has been reported, however some landscaping damage has occurred. Guests were relocated from the resort on August 28, 2008 and were accommodated at SunsetBeach Resort & Spa The hotel will reopen for arrivals tomorrow afternoon, August 30, 2008 at which time relocated guests will also be returned to Sunset at the Palms.

SunsetBeach Resort & Spa, Montego Bay
Status: The newly renovated 430-room resort has not suffered any damage and a clean-up of minor debris is in progress. The hotel is fully operational and remains open for all guest arrivals as of Friday, August 29, 2008.

RIU Hotels and Resorts:

Status: The Riu resorts in Jamaica experienced some heavy rains last night, and report no damages as a result of TS Gustav. Riu Montego Bay, which opens today, will be welcoming guests from Europe, Canada and USA. Some flight delays are expected since Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay closed yesterday at 4pm and re-opened today at 1pm.

Labels: Hurricanes

posted by Paris & John @ 4:53 PM

WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival in October

Although the Olympic flame which burned bright for 16 days in Beijing has been extinguished, sports enthusiasts inspired by the experience have the opportunity to compete side by side with athletes who have made their countries proud in the upcoming WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival, taking place from October 23 - 26, 2008. Held at Jamaica's Rose Hall, the event-- celebrating its inaugural year-- welcomes Triathlete of the Year Greg Bennett and his wife Laura Bennett, who placed fourth during the recent Beijing Olympic games, US Olympic team member Julie Ertel Swail and Ironman participant Jordan Rapp.

The triathlon will take participants through some of the most scenic portions of the "Elegant Corridor," from the 18-hole Robert von Hagge, Cinnamon Hill golf course to the area's newest addition-- the Iberostar Rose Hall Resort-- and along the new North Coast Highway. Amateur athletes can challenge themselves like the champions as they tackle a 1500 m ocean swim, two laps on a bicycle course and two laps on the Cinnamon Hill course dubbed "The Witch" before a final race toward the finish line on the grounds of the Rose Hall Great House, where a party awaits those who pushed themselves to the limit.

For those looking to balance body and spirit, the four-day event also features a Wellness Festival, where holistic healers, Medicine Men and spa personnel explain such transcendental treatments as Reflexology, Reiki and Yoga while nutritional experts expound the benefits of healthy eating through Jamaican "Ital" and vegetarian meals.

Package deals are available through Island Resorts & Tours, which include roundtrip airfare, a three night stay, roundtrip airport/hotel transfers, and all hotel taxes and surcharges. The Rose Hall Resort & Spa package begins at $303 (EP), with $605 for the all-inclusive option; Ritz Carlton Rose Hall package, with accommodation in a Gardenview room, starts at $401 (EP), and the Iberostar package, which includes all drinks, meals and select activities, stars at $643.

For more information regarding packages to the event:
visit www.islandresorttours.com.

For more information regarding the WATA Rose Hall Triathlon and Wellness Festival:
visit www.rosehalltriathlon.com.

Labels: festivals

posted by Grace Sydney @ 3:01 PM

Jamaican Olympians Receive Complimentary Stay from SuperClubs

The fleet feet of Jamaica's finest athletes have earned them not only Olympic medals and the admiration of sports fans around the globe, but also a one-week complimentary stay for two at any SuperClubs all-inclusive resort.

After his world record-shattering 100- and 200-meter sprints on the track at the Bird's Nest in Beijing, 2008 Olympic champion Usain Bolt has the opportunity exchange his golden shoes for the golden sands at his choice of Grand Lido Resort and Spa, Breezes, Hedonism or Starfish resorts.

“We’re just exploding with pride and joy at our athlete’s phenomenal performance so far, and we want to show how much it means to us here in Jamaica,” said Zein Issa, SuperClubs’ Vice President Marketing.

Also getting a chance to live life in the slow lane for a week at a SuperClubs resort are gold medal winner Shelly-Ann Frazier, the first to cross the finish line in the women's 100-meter sprint in the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, and Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart, who tied for second place in the same event.

In appreciation for their performances, any Jamaican athlete who reaches the podium during the 2008 Olympic games will receive the same offer from SuperClubs.

Labels: tourism

posted by Grace Sydney @ 10:46 AM