Tourist board hosts series of special events in NY, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Miami providing media and travel agents with the latest updates on new air service, hotels, cruise itineraries, and attractions in The Island of Flowers.
NEW YORK, NY – The Martinique Promotion Bureau is making a strong push to attract U.S. travelers this winter by hosting its annual Martinique Magnifique Travel Show in five key markets – New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Miami – October 22–29, 2015. The special events tout the latest developments in air service, hotel development, cruise options, and attractions.
“With an 800% increase in cruise passenger arrivals since 2010, a nearly 200% jump in available nonstop air seats from the U.S. mainland since last winter, and several new hotel projects, we certainly have a lot of great news to share,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau. “Together with a strong delegation of industry partners, who made the trip from Martinique to help us spread all the good news, we look forward to making everyone aware of all that makes Martinique especially affordable, accessible, and magnifique for U.S. travelers this winter.”
Pictured above from left to right at the New York edition of the Martinique Magnifique Travel Show, held October 22, 2015, are Bertrand Lortholary, Consul General of France in New York; Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas of the Martinique Promotion Bureau; Markly Wilson, Director International Marketing, I love NY; Bernard Faro, Deputy Consul General; and Anne-Laure Tuncer, Director Atout France USA.
The remaining schedule of Martinique Magnifique Travel Show events is as follows:
Boston
New England Aquarium
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
6PM–8:30PM
Baltimore
French Kitchen – Lord Baltimore Hotel
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
11AM–1:30PM
Washington, DC
Embassy of France
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
6PM–8:30PM
Miami
Miami Beach Women’s Club
Thursday, October 29, 2015
6PM–8:30PM
Travel industry partners making presentations and participating in the tradeshow portion of the Martinique Magnifique Travel Show events represent such notable brands as American Airlines, Avis, Hotel Bakoua, Club Med, Le Parc Naturel Regional de la Martinique, Norwegian Air, and the all new Hotel Le Simon, opening in January 2016.
Available nonstop air seats from the U.S. to Martinique increase by 193% for the Winter 2015-2016 peak travel season
The sky’s the limit for air travel options to Martinique this winter as beginning in December, available nonstop air seats from the U.S. to The Isle of Flowers will increase by 193% as calculated on a seasonal basis comparing the upcoming December 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 peak season versus the same period in 2014-2015. The spike comes as a result of new nonstop service from three Northeast gateways – New York, Boston, and Baltimore/Washington, DC – via Norwegian Air, and an expansion in American Airlines nonstop flights from Miami to Fort-de-France.
“From New York to Boston, Baltimore/Washington DC and Miami, the gateways of America are now open to Martinique like never before,” said Muriel Wiltord. “Convenience is the key as our new weekly total of 13 nonstop flights from the U.S. mainland provide American travelers with more options than ever to enjoy vacations in Martinique that best suit their schedules.“
Norwegian Air
Recognized by SkyTrax as the world’s Best Low-Cost Long-Haul Airline and Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline for each of the past three years, Norwegian operates one of the world’s most modern and eco-friendly fleets. On its flights between the U.S. and Fort-de-France, the company will deploy Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 186 comfortable leather seats and the added convenience of free in-flight Wi-Fi service, a first among air carriers serving the Caribbean.
New nonstop flights from the Northeastern United States to Martinique via Norwegian begin December 3, 2015. The flights represent the first time that Martinique has been directly accessible from the Northeast in more than 20 years. Norwegian Air service to Martinique will operate as follows:
- New York (JFK) – 3x’s weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
- Baltimore/Washington, D.C. (BWI) 2x’s weekly on Mondays and Fridays
- Boston (BOS) – 2x’s weekly on Wednesdays and Sundays
American Airlines
American Airlines, which began serving Martinique with one weekly nonstop flight from Miami in 2013 will expand its service to six times weekly starting December 17, 2015. The new flights will operate every day except Wednesday.
Additional Air Carriers Serving Martinique
Seaborne Airlines offers connecting service via San Juan operating on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Codeshare agreements between Seaborne and American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Jetblue Airways make bookings and baggage handling seamless across multiple leading carriers.
Air France operates three times per-week from Miami (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) with stops in Guadeloupe and Haiti.
What’s new in hospitality in Martinique for 2016
Martinique’s hospitality sector is getting a boost this winter as new city stay and beachfront hotel options combine with an expansive resort renovation and the launch of a new villa booking service to give travelers additional options fitting a wide range of budgets and travel interests.
“Our hoteliers and villa operators have responded to the sizable increase in nonstop air service from the U.S. mainland to Martinique this winter by creating exciting new hotel options,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas for the Martinique Promotion Bureau. “We look forward to seeing this trend continue into 2016 and beyond as Martinique becomes increasingly accessible, and therefore attractive to the U.S. market.”
Nonstop air seats from the U.S. mainland to Martinique will increase by 193% this winter as calculated on a seasonal basis comparing the upcoming December 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 peak season versus the same period in 2014-2015. The spike comes as a result of new nonstop service from three Northeast gateways – New York, Boston, and Baltimore/Washington, DC – via Norwegian Air, and an expansion in American Airlines nonstop flights from Miami to Fort-de-France.
New + Enhanced Accommodations
Le Simon Hotel
Opening in January 2016, the 94-room Le Simon Hotel is poised to bring a new level of modern style and sophistication to the downtown Fort-de-France area. Nestled on the waterfront directly in front of the Pointe Simon Cruise Terminal, Le Simon Hotel will offer convenient access on foot to all of the capital city’s best shopping and prime historic attractions – Fort Saint Louis, La Savane, Schoelcher Library, Saint Louis Cathedral, and more – making it ideal for pre- and post-cruise stays.
Fort Savane Residence Hotel
Also located in the heart of downtown Fort-de-France directly facing La Savane, the new Fort Savane Residence Hotel welcomes both business and leisure travelers with 15 luxurious guestrooms – four single rooms, nine studios, and two suites. All rooms feature modern and comfortable styling, air conditioning, LCD TV’s, private baths, espresso machines, mini-bar, in-room safes, and more. Select studio units also offer balconies overlooking a quiet courtyard. Nightly rates start at 150.00 € for two persons sharing studio accommodations.
La Suite Villa
Located just across the Bay of Fort-de-France in the Pointe du Bout section of Trois-Ilets, La Suite Villa originally opened its doors in 2009 with nine villas, six suites, and an endless supply of modern chic style. Recently, the boutique property earned a coveted fifth star, joining the exclusive Cap-Est Lagoon Resort & Spa as the only hotels in Martinique to be so honored.
Village de la Pointe
For travelers on a budget, Martinique offers the new Village de la Pointe. Located on Pointe Faula Beach in Vauclin on Martinique’s breezy Atlantic coast, the village consists of 80 cottages priced between 70 € and 100 € per-night. All Village de la Pointe cottages offer two or three bedrooms within easy walking distance of shopping, and a wide array of watersports– kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, jet ski rentals, windsurfing, and more.
Karibea Resort Sainte-Luce
Following its closure for an expansive six-month renovation, the 300-room Karibea Resort Sainte-Luce will re-open December 7, 2015. Among the enhancements at the property, guests will enjoy an all-new infinity-edge pool, 10 new junior suites capable of accommodating four persons, an all-new business center, a new bar and expanded restaurant.
Villa Veo
A new villa booking option, Villa Veo specializes in high quality rental properties from north to south across Martinique. A total of 40+ properties are included in the Villa Veo portfolio, with concierge services and other add-ons available on request.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
