BARBADOS TAKES OFF WITH TRANSAT
The large tour operator will offer direct service to the island for the winter
TORONTO (December 22, 2011) Barbados announces a Transat direct service this winter expecting to welcome more than 3,000 passengers to the island. Starting on Christmas Day and running through the winter months, on Sundays, until April 22, 2012, Canada’s holiday travel leader will be the first charter out of Canada to touchdown on the island through its brand Transat Holidays.
“We are delighted Transat Holidays will be offering service to Barbados this winter,” said Cheryl Carter, Senior Business Development Manager of the Barbados Tourism Authority in Canada. “Canada is a very important market for Barbados which continues to grow. At a time when travel habits are changing and new competitors are entering the playing field, we are pleased that Barbados is offering a new service reflecting its strength as a tourism destination and igniting a confidence of its diverse appeal.”
The number of Canadians visiting Barbados has grown consistently and significantly over the past five years, quickly making Canada one of the island’s key markets. And while 2010 was arguably one of the most disappointing years in tourism overall, Barbados saw Canadian arrivals increase by 13.8 per cent. The new service will increase flight capacity from Canada to Barbados by six per cent in high season, bringing the island closer to achieving visitor arrivals in excess of 1979 – when Canada was Barbados’ top-producing visitor market. Furthermore, reflecting the island’s diverse offering, the new service will provide Canadians with a selection of additional flight, property and package options.
Transat Holidays has partnered with a variety of properties on the island to ensure that there is practically anything for anyone. Transat Holidays will offer packages through Amarylis Beach Resort, Accra Beach Hotel & Spa, Almond Casuarina, Almond Beach Village, Almond Beach Club, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Hilton Barbados and The Crane to provide a wide variety of choices – ranging from 3.5 to 5 star, all-inclusive to European meal plans, family to luxury accommodations and secluded to centrally located.
About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane Beach, St. Philips, voted on of the world’s beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation house and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantly Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a Toronto daily on Air Canada and 9 times weekly in the winter and 2 flights weekly out of Montreal. WestJet commenced service November 2, 2009 with 5 flights weekly via Toronto. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/VisitBarbados and Twitter at www.twitter.com/Barbados. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org or Call 1-800-268-9122 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-268-9122 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
About Transat Holidays
Year-round, Transat Holidays provides its customers across Canada with a full range of holiday products. It offers sun vacations, with a choice of more than 140 hotels, mainly in the Caribbean, Mexico and Florida, along with an impressive array of flights, packages and tours to some 30 European destinations. Transat Holidays also offers more than 100 cruises all around the world. www.transatholidays.com