Barbados

(Dive Travel Business News - December 29, 2011) -- Dive Travelers are going to have access to more air lift, more access, more options and more gateways from the U.S. this year signaling a comeback in travel from the past two years. The downside - higher fares and full planes. Here is a summary of some of the new air service.

Antigua -
• American began nonstop flights four times a week from Kennedy to Antigua in November.
• St. Vincent Grenadines Air offers daily scheduled service between Antigua and Montserrat.

Aruba -
• JetBlue offers a Saturday flight from Boston to Aruba in addition to its two weekly flights
• AirTran has weekend flights from Baltimore to Aruba through March 14, plus daily service to Aruba from Atlanta and weekend flights from Orlando.
• Delta has weekly nonstop service on Saturday from LaGuardia to Aruba, complementing its Saturday nonstop service from DKennedy and its flights via Atlanta to Aruba from Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark and Westchester County Airport. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - August 23, 2011) -- Green Globe today announced the recertification of Atlantis Submarines, Barbados. Atlantis Submarines was first certified in December 2008. This flagship company has demonstrated its continued focus and commitment to sustainable tourism, directing resources and funds to maintain its Green Globe certification status. 

Green Globe Certification CEO, Guido Bauer said, ‘Atlantis Submarines is a truly unique tourism experience which offers an educational platform for travelers to learn about our precious marine environment.’

‘Barbados is one of Green Globe’s most committed destinations with all the important tourism businesses certified or in the process of certification. Atlantis Submarines Barbados was one of the first to join Green Globe and since 2008 has been a beacon for responsible tourism practices’, added Mr Bauer. read more »

Speaking at the launch of the Regional Economic Outlook in October. Gilbert Terrier, IMF's senior advisor for the Western Hemisphere stated that,“Smaller islands in the region have experienced a sharper and more prolonged decline in arrivals than some of the larger islands. Destinations that significantly reduced hotel prices following the crisis experienced milder declines in arrivals.” read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 10, 2010) -- Divi Resorts has implemented a variety of sustainability programs and initiatives across its Caribbean properties on Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St Croix, and St Maarten.

The measures include eliminating polystyrene foam; utilizing 72-hour biodegradable materials; increased recycling of bottles, paper, ink cartridges and boxes; improving the separation of recyclables; installing low-flow toilets and showerheads; using recycled waste as garden compost; cutting chlorine usage in pools by 50 percent and replacing all standard light bulbs with energy saving bulbs.

Divi staff members also request guests reuse towels and sheets to decrease the energy used in machine washing as well as water waste. In addition, there are recycling programs in place and Divi resorts no longer use disposable cups at open-air bars and restaurants, only reusable plastic cups. read more »

(TravelPulse.com - Oct 19, 2009) - A new partnership between the Barbados Tourism Authority and US Airways Vacations is discounting packages from Oct. 12 through Nov. 22. During that period Barbados vacation packages are $150 off for bookings of five nights or more. Travel must be completed by April 7.

US Airways reinstated non-stop flying from Philadelphia to Barbados four days a week earlier this month and will begin to offer daily service to the island for the winter season on Dec. 19. Flights are operated by Airbus A319 aircraft with 12 seats in First Class and 112 in the main cabin. For full terms and conditions of this offer, visit www.usairwaysvacations.com/barbados . For Barbados information and accommodation options, visit www.visitbarbados.org. read more »