The sadness and despair of the Haitian people is being felt worldwide.    Many people are donating money, goods, and time to help in the relief effort.    As a travel agent, I recognize that one of the things we can do is to help the island sustain it's economy.   A popular stop for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is Labadee, Haiti.     I have been to this beautiful area and hope that everyone that lives nearby and works at the private beach is safe tonight.   Royal Caribbean has had to suspend service to Labadee temporarily but we are hoping that the cruise line can begin to bring tourists back to Haiti soon.   While tourism isn't as big in Haiti as it is in their neighboring country Dominican Republic (also located on Hispaniola), it is important to realize that we cannot stop tourism to this island.    The most popular tourism area is in the Dominican Republic in the Punta Cana region.     If you were to drive from Port au Prince to Punta Cana it would take a minimum of 10-12 hours part of it over a mountain range.     The Domincan Republic sustained NO damages and everything is operating there as normal.     Below is an official report from the Minister of Tourism in the Dominican Republic:



HAITI EARTHQUAKE- STATEMENT BY THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DR) MINISTRY OF TOURISM

SANTO DOMINGO, Jan. 13, 2010 -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply
saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its
neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing a staging area at some of the international
airports located in the Island.

The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication
systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available
to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.

“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international
relief organizations access to Haiti through the airports and seaports. Our transportation systems,
communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here.
We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do
everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors.” said Mr.
Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism.

The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global
tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti’s capital,
or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.

DR Tourism Update:
 All of the DR’s eight international airports are open and receiving flights.
 All of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships.
 All of the DR’s beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business
operations.
 At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.

For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com. To
learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.

OPENING SOON!     The newest SECRETS Resort!

Anytime you see me blog about the airlines you can just bet that it is mostly bad news.    Today is not different but there are a few spots of sunlight in this post.  

British Airways (full story in Travel Weekly) - British Airways’ flight attendants voted Monday to go on strike during the Christmas season. Ninety percent voted to strike.   The walkout is expected to begin on Dec. 22 and last for 12 days.   It doesn't sound like a very merry Christmas for travelers flying from or to the United Kingdom this holiday season.

Conflicting Economic News for the Airlines - The first story I read was all doom and gloom about how the airlines were going to lose 5.6 billion in 2010.  Right below that article was one that offered hope due to higher air volume in November.   Of course they neglected to mention that this "rise" was because of the busiest holiday season, Thanksgiving!  The third story was even more euphoric extolling the good news that airline's economic woes must be over because United was ordering new aircraft.  Would you believe that ALL THREE of these articles were in the SAME issue of Travel Weekly?!?


Boeing has announced it's first test flight of the Dreamliner, a Boeing 787.   See it here:   http://www.newairplane.com/.    

Strikes shut down Louvre, other French tourism hot spots
Strikes across Paris have spread to the famed Louvre museum as workers protest job cuts in the public sector as the holiday season nears. In addition to the Louvre, protests closed Notre Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sainte Chapelle. Seven unions representing employees of the culture ministry called the open-ended strike last week. France 24/Agence France-Presse

Sandals to drop Dunn's River Villaggio from portfolio

Sandals will terminate its lease at the Dunn's River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, effective May 31.   Read More      ***This is stunning news to me.    I stayed at this beautiful resort when it first opened in the early 1990's.     It is a shame that this jewel is no longer going to be in the Sandals line-up.     Senator introduces Clear Airfares Act By: Michael FabeyDecember 03, 2009 Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the Clear Airfares Act, which would require airlines and online distributors to give consumers a complete and coherent breakdown of all extra charges.  The proposal is an update of similar legislation the senator unsuccessfully introduced last year.   What makes this year’s version more applicable, the senator said, are the surcharges airlines have added for busy travel days.      ***Sadly, the airline industry has our government in it's pockets and this will probably not come to pass.    It is sickening to travel agents to see the ridiculous charges added to airline tickets.     The customer never sees the breakdown of the tickets (you would be outraged if you could see this!).   Many travel agents have been to Washington to testify regarding passenger's rights.     Then the airline lobby swoops in, spreads around a little cash, and the matter is all of a sudden forgotten.    THIS MUST CHANGE!

We closed the Island Jack's office for 10 long days for the Thanksgiving holiday.    Our family gets together at Thanksgiving and this was the first year at our little cabin on the river.    It is not normally an "over water bungalow" but every once in a while the river floods ... and this is how it looks then.    Fortunately, the river did not rise this time!

While I was gone, several interesting travel tidbits made it to my "inbox".  

1.  The first item is important enough to be permanently posted to our website, www.IslandJacks.com.    Luggage Limits (http://www.luggagelimits.com/)  is a new informational website that helps you to navigate the murky and ever changing airline rules regarding baggage.     It is free to use!

2.  Punta Cana, Dominican Republic has the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean.   It also boasts some very fine resorts for your enjoyment.   One of the newest resorts, the Moon Palace, is about to become the newest Hard Rock Resort!    The Palace resorts of Mexico are known for their beautiful resorts, extra amenities, good food/service and free excursions (saves money for the veteran sight seers).    Now combine that with the excitement of the Hard Rock Cafe, excellent Golf course, 11 restaurants, 12 bars, a night club and a Casino and you have a world class resort in a beautiful destination that has appeal for everyone.     You have to see it to believe it!

3.  JAZZ FEST - 2010 NEW ORLEANS - Stay at the intriguing Monteleone Hotel or Bienville House Hotel.  The New Orleans Jazz Festival is held at the Fairgrounds and features seven days of jazz, performed by both established stars, as well as up-and-comers.


3 nights hotel and tax plus 2 days admission to the concerts and 2 days of transfers to the Fairgrounds. 3 nights: Monteleone from $825 per person, twin; Bienville House from $695 per person, twin. Arrive April 22 or April 29, 2010

I just got an email from Carnival with GOOD NEWS for cruisers.   Here it is:

SAFETY BRIEFING (FORMERLY “BOAT DRILL”)

From time to time I will be sharing personal photos from our client's vacations.     Today, we are sharing some information and personal photo's from the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar Resort situated on the beautiful beaches of the Punta Cana Region of the Dominican Republic.  


These pictures are from Nicole and Brian's honeymoon in March 2009.   It begins when they arrive at the modernized airport in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.   






After a short transfer, Nicole and Brian arrive at the beautiful, lush tropical grounds of the Gran Bahia Principe Ambar Resort.   






Brian and Nicole opted for the Superior Junior Suite ... and as you can see ... this large, comfortably appointed suite fits the bill for a romantic honeymoon.   








There are many things to do and see in the Dominican Republic.    Brian and Nicole enjoyed shopping for hand made items, playing with the Domican children, an exciting Zip Line tour and just lounging on the beautiful white sugar sand beaches that stretch along the island lined with tall swaying palm trees ...   AAAHHH .... Pass me another Pina Colada please!




Thanks to Brian and Jacob for the mini-tour of your honeymoon in the Dominican Republic!    I can't wait to see the pictures of your 1st Anniversary trip coming up to Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica!