Resorts

(Dive Travel Business News - January 18, 2012) -- Dusit International has revealed its first venture into the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by a vibrant 360 degree coral reef and turquoise lagoon, the Dusit Thani will feature 100 villas (46 beach villas, two beach houses, 30 water villas, 20 ocean villas, and two ocean houses), tree top spa and 3 restaurants and bars as well as other utilities relating to the resort business.  The resort is also home to the largest infinity pool in the Maldives. Also available will be tennis courts, dive centre and extensive water activities in and around the resort.

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives is 35 minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé. Baa Atoll is not only home to Dusit Thani Maldives but also has the distinction of being a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Surrounding the island perimeter, the living house reef is a snorkeler’s paradise, ideal for discovering an underwater world just metres from the beach. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 18, 2012) -- Hong-Kong based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has announced its "Sustainable Seafood Policy" including the commitment to cease serving shark fin in all of its operated restaurants as well as accepting new orders for shark fin products in banqueting with immediate effect.

Future banquet bookings made prior to this date will be honoured as per the signed contractual agreement. At the same time, Shangri-La announced that it will phase out Bluefin tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. In December 2010 the company initiated the process with the removal of shark fin products from its restaurant menus. The new policy is a continuation of Shangri-La's journey towards environmental support.

The company launched its first CSR initiatives in 2005 which were streamlined and formalised in 2009 in the three main areas of Sustainability, Embrace and Sanctuary towards a strategic commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 22, 2011) --The safety and security of a destination influences travelers' "go/no go" decision, and yet both government and the private sector leadership discount the importance of “law and order” as a factor in visitor arrivals. Philip Farina, an expert in global security issues as they impact on the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry, suggests the first steps in creating a safe environment for travelers.

According to Farina, founder and CEO of Farina and Associates, Ltd. and Antiterrorismcareers.com, hotel property and destination vulnerabilities are visible to a trained eye. Unfortunately, many tourism industry managers are not experienced in risk assessment and are reluctant to bring in the experts to conduct a security audit, leaving the hotel, (including staff and guests) at risk. Whether the property is at the top of the luxury ladder or offers back-packers a clean bed and shower, risk assessment is the first step towards developing a viable security audit and action plan to be implemented in the face of an emergency. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - January 13, 2012) -- Sumner Point Marina & Villas on Rum Cay in the southern Bahamas is under renovation and will reopen as the Guy Harvey Outpost Club & Marina, Rum Cay in Spring 2012.  Renovation plans include rebuilding the marina, adding a dive shop, refurbishing the four beachfront cottages and upgrading the Out of the Blue restaurant. A new marina, beachfront suites, a small spa and a freshwater pool with patios and a beach bar will be added next fall.

Rum Cay, population 60, is 50 miles southeast of Georgetown in the Exumas, and is known for its diving, fishing, surfing and kiteboarding.  Airlift to Rum Cay is via scheduled charter flights from Fort Lauderdale and Nassau. The resort plans to offer an air taxi service between Georgetown and Rum Cay. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News.com - December 3, 2011) --  Little Cayman Beach Resort has opened it newly remodeled Nature Spa.  Housed in a cottage built in the traditional Caymanian style, the new design captures the island’s tranquility with island themed colors and textures to excite your senses.  The spa environment includes a nature inspired waterfall and contemporary surroundings and furnishings designed by Sherry Fickling of the Crown Point Design firm located in Greenville, North Carolina.

The Nature Spa is situated on Little Cayman’s Booby Pond Nature Preserve that has the largest breeding colony of red footed booby birds in the Caribbean.  Guests are invited to relax on the deck before or after their treatment and enjoy the splendor and beauty of the nature preserve. The Nature Spa’s highly trained staff provides Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Swedish Massage or reflexology with facials, waxing or nail treatments - a welcome addition to a dive traveler's itinerary to Little Cayman. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 1, 2011) -- Scuba Schools International (SSI), the premier education and business support company came to DEMA to reinforce and build on its new business model for the recreational sport diving industry – Swim, Snorkel, Scuba.  SSI advises the industry on some of its strategies for success here:

Swim, Snorkel, Scuba Model – The idea of a swim, snorkel, scuba model is keeping customers involved for life. Start them out young in swim, brand them to your business and the love of water, graduate them to Snorkel or Scuba Rangers, then to Freediving or Open Water Diver, Specialties and Xtended Range diving. Check into the new standards and exciting changes that Mike Ange has brought to SSI TXR and how this well-rounded range of products can extend the time customers stay in diving. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 10, 2011) - - Kick off the new year with Culinary Month in Grand Cayman! Now you can enjoy fantastic FOOD, great WINE and awesome diving (WATER). With more than 100 restaurants participating, 11 with Wine Spectator awards and many renowned "celebrity" chefs, you'll enjoy not only an all-inclusive meal plan at Cobalt Coast but also receive a $100 gift voucher to enjoy at one of our many restaurants.

Weekly culinary events are being hosted, including the Taste of Cayman, the island's most popular festival celebrating restaurants, local artisan products such as Cayman Sea Salt and Seven Fathoms Rum that are unique and different. Plus you'll partake in a Lion fish cull & tasting event combining an environmental message with local seafood cuisine and sustainable fishing practices. Last but not least, explore the Kittiwake including a weekly treasure hunt with great prizes!   read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 11, 2011) -- Sunset House Dive Resort, located on the west side of Grand Cayman and walking distance from George Town Cayman Islands, has invested over US$250,000 in renovating their premium rooms into a whole new level of service. Located on the north end of the property on the sea side of the resort, upgraded Oceanview, Suites and Apartments offer more space with 2 Queen beds or 2 King-size, flat screen cable TV and a private balcony looking out through the palm trees to the Caribbean Sea.

"We renovated all of these rooms with new bathrooms, including fixtures, travertine tile, vinyl covered concrete ceiling tiles with recessed lights and hair dryers and putting programmable safes, ironing boards and irons, microwaves, larger refrigerators to replace the existing fridges, along with the coffee makers in the spacious rooms" states Ken Thompson, hotel manager for the resort. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - Nov 9, 2011) -- With more than 400 servings of a new menu item last month, Bimini Big Game Club‘s General Manager Michael Weber and Chef Alvarez Bastian have found a recipe to help the environment and sate the most discriminating palate at the same time.

The Bimini Big Game Club’s Panko Breaded Lionfish Nuggets are the talk of the island, a gourmand’s answer to a tasty snack and an eco-solution for helping to rid nearby reefs of an aggressive and non-native predator.

“Our lionfish nuggets have become a huge seller. Though we don’t serve endangered species such as grouper – and we were the first Bahamas resort to feature a shark free marina - we have absolutely no problem turning lionfish into a menu item,” said Weber. read more »