Destination: The Caribbean’s Hidden Treasures
by John Hawks

article continued from

And, not surprisingly, you’ll find lots of travel agent support from the destination marketing organizations representing these popular islands. (For example, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Puerto Rico Tourism Co. belong to OSSN as supplier members.)

However, your clients who’ve already visited these spots may be ready to explore other corners of the Caribbean. Here’s a short list of ”off the beaten path” Caribbean destinations that you should consider:

Anguilla: Send your clients to Anguilla (it rhymes with “vanilla”) if they enjoy a week at the beach! This British territory boasts more than 30 pristine white-sand beaches. You’ll find a much slower, more relaxed pace on this island – the perfect choice for couples trying to escape or busy travelers planning to decompress away from the office. Anguilla offers the extremes in terms of lodging: a handful of ultra-luxury resorts, plus several very basic inns and lodges. Flights connect into Anguilla from Antigua, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. Island activities range from diving along Anguilla’s famous coral reefs (it was the first Caribbean destination to enlarge its natural reef system artificially) to playing a round on the 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course.

Barbados: This easternmost island in the Caribbean offers more nightlife and more tourist activities than Anguilla, but it still retains its West Indies hospitality. The southern and western coasts offer the fancier resorts, while the eastern coast is home to some of the most visited attractions in Barbados (including the Andromeda Botanical Garden and the Barbados Wildlife Reserve). Major carriers operating flights from the U.S. mainland include Air Jamaica, American, Continental, and US Airways. Barbados offers the Caribbean’s best conditions for windsurfing, as well as other water sports like diving. Your clients can even enjoy afternoon tea and watch a cricket match on this island that the locals sometimes call “Little England.”

Dominica: Want to see the Caribbean in the same light that Christopher Columbus found it more than 500 years ago? Try a visit to Dominica, one of the least developed and least expensive destinations in the region. You won’t find any casinos or timeshare resorts here, and your clients won’t need to pack anything more formal than a sweater for the cooler evening breezes. It’s the perfect stop for travelers who prefer the outdoors, with almost 300 miles of footpaths for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Its Morne Trois Pitons National Park was actually the first UNESCO World Heritage site recognized in the eastern Caribbean. You can fly in from Antigua, Barbados, Puerto Rico, or St. Lucia (Dominica’s two airports can’t handle big jets yet), or your clients can take the L’Express boat service from Guadeloupe or Martinique.

Nevis: This tropical paradise – which actually forms an independent nation with its sister isle St. Kitts – makes the perfect off-the-beaten-path choice for your clients seeking romantic getaways. It’s especially popular for couples planning a Caribbean wedding or vow renewal ceremony. They can spend the rest of their time exploring the streets of Charlestown (lined with hip-roofed buildings dating back to the colonial era) and nearby sugar plantations. Guests seeking more active pursuits can hike in the rain forest or make the day-long climb to the top of Nevis Peak. You can route your clients into Nevis via connections from Antigua, San Juan, St. Kitts, or St. Maarten aboard several major airlines (including American, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways). If their flights land in St. Kitts, they’ll simply take a convenient ferry to Nevis.

(Note: Three of these tourism authorities – Anguilla, Barbados, and Nevis – belong to OSSN as allied supplier members!)

(Credit: Anguilla Tourist Board; Barbados Tourism Authority; Nevis Tourism Authority)