Niche Markets

(Dive Travel Business News - May 1, 2012) --  Popular Dive Hotel in St Thomas USVI, the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort has partnered with the Humane Society of St. Thomas for an island pet adoption program. Guests who “Paws for Vacation” and adopt a cat or dog from the Humane Society of St. Thomas will receive a 30% discount on the room-only plan in both Oceanview and Beachfront rooms, located just steps from the sand.

Available CATS and DOGS can be viewed at the Humane Society of St. Thomas website. On the first day of the guest's vacation, the resort also provides complimentary roundtrip taxi to the Humane Society of St. Thomas to meet the new furry family member and begin the adoption process. The process typically takes three business days. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - April 3, 2012) -- Dr. Craig Cook, Medical Editor for Sport Diver Magazine, will be host of a health oriented “Wellness Cruise” aboard the Turks & Caicos Aggressor II October 6 - 13, 2012.  Dr. Cook will be presenting short, fun and informative preventative health education that has the most impact on a diver’s health.  Sessions each day will include diving medicine, along with diving “pearls of wisdom” and techniques that will have guests on their way to a healthier diving lifestyle.

During the week-long dive cruise, participants will learn the secrets of healthy living that can keep them diving well into their 80’s.  They'll receive tips on extending their bottom time through health awareness, while exploring the pristine walls surrounding the Turks and Caicos Islands including Providenciales, West Caicos and French Caye.  read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - March 22, 2012) — Tired of the "ugly American" stereotype of U.S. travelers abroad? A new LivingSocial survey conducted among more than 5,600 respondents in five countries by Mandala Research discovered that Americans believe they are the world’s worst tourists. The survey found that Americans, Canadians and Australians all gave U.S. tourists that dubious distinction, while the Irish identified their British neighbors as the worst, and the British called out the Germans for bad travel behavior.

Despite these self-doubts, respondents dismissed another common misperception: that most Americans have never traveled abroad. The survey found that 78 percent of Americans have visited at least one foreign country, 61 percent have visited multiple countries, and 36 percent have traveled to four or more foreign destinations. The average number of countries visited was more than four. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - February 24, 2012) -- A World War II ship will soon be 100 feet below the Gulf near Fort Myers Beach. Last week, Lee County Commissioners voted to move forward with a plan to sink the 165-foot  USS Mohawk as an artificial reef on the west coast of Florida.

Environmental Specialists from Lee County will be in Key West within the next couple of weeks to inspect the Coast Guard cutter Mohawk to inspect the vessel, conduct a stability analysis and determine what wires and other hazardous materials need to be removed and ready to be moved to the deeper waters off the west coast of Florida.  The plan is to sink the Mohawk in 60 to 90 feet of water 13 miles off Sanibel Island. 

The Mohawk is currently a floating museum docked along the East Quay Wall at the Truman Waterfront and operated by the nonprofit Miami-Dade Historic Maritime Museum Inc. The nonprofit is giving Lee County the Mohawk for free. The nonprofit's other ship, the Ingham, will remain in the same location. read more »