October 2009 Dive Section from Travel World News

The Magazine for DestinationTravel SpecialistsThe Magazine for DestinationTravel Specialists

OCTOBER 2009

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DominicanRepublic

The Caribbean Destinationfor Championship Golf

ScubaDivingTravelThe TimeIs Right forThis Niche

Profit Center

DiveDive

CaribbeanCaribbean

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Why Scuba Diving Travel? Scuba diving is an at-tractive niche opportunity for the travel pro-fessional, especially in these economic times.There is evidence that operators focusing on

recreational scuba diving may be better able to ride out muchof the economic storm, when compared to resorts in the samelocation, focusing on other activities.

Such an assumption stands to reason; research shows thatthe most active diving customers are affluent adults with anaffinity for travel. According to the Diving Equipment andMarketing Association (DEMA), the most active divers havethe money and the time to spend on recreational activities;some 78% travel internationally to dive within the first 12months after they receive certification. These potential travelcustomers are “empty nesters,” with the desire to travel evenunder the current economic circumstances.

While the number of “certified” divers is relatively small -there are about 2 to 3 million certified divers in the US (moreinternationally) - these small numbers mask an interestingfact; not all dive travelers are certified divers! Many travel-ers today participate in short and safe “discover diving” ac-tivities as part of their travel package to the Caribbean,Hawaii, Asia, or the South Pacific. Travel professionals withcustomers who are not “certified” divers can easily contact aprofessional dive operator in the destination resort andarrange “discover diving” (or a “resort course”). Under theguidance of a diving professional, with just a couple of hoursof easy instruction, travelers to these beautiful destinationscan enjoy seeing the underwater sights while accompaniedby a professional who helps them have a safe and comfortableexperience.

Although many travelers do eventually become certifieddivers and enjoy greater freedom in their diving vacation ac-tivities, “discover diving” experiences are so attractive andfun that millions (yes, millions) of travelers repeat them, yearafter year all over the world, never actually participating in afull “certification” program. Such travelers create a highermarket potential for the travel professional, expanding the al-ready stable and resilient diving travel market to those thatlive and work in geographic areas which do not immediatelyevoke the idea of learning to scuba dive.

Travelers can take a complete certification course while onvacation, since it only takes a few days to learn. But for thosetravelers wishing to learn before going on vacation, travelprofessionals can easily connect to retail dive centers almostanywhere in the US, and even encourage their customers tolearn more and at their convenience through an online div-

ing certification course. Retail dive centers in the US and div-ing resorts around the world can easily be located usingwww.BeADiver.com, a website sponsored by DEMA. The re-tail store locator is easily accessed by typing in the traveler’sUS zip code.

What Does it Take for a Travel Agent to Sell Dive Travel?

Recreational scuba diving offers many opportunities to sat-isfy the savvy travel customer and for many travel profession-als it is a niche that can help their business. Dive travel iscommissionable and often offers incentives much higher thanthe standard Travel Agent commission.

To be successful in dive travel, travel professionals must beable to intelligently discuss diving with their customers andexplain how diving can be part, or central to their travel ex-perience. The best first step is to become familiar with divingby trying it yourself!

For the first time, DEMA Show, the largest trade-only div-ing and watersports show in the world, is offering opportuni-ties for travel professionals to learn more about being a div-ing specialist. Travel professionals will be able to try divingat the show ABSOLUTELY FREE in the warm comfortable BeA Diver Pool, and can even register to win a free diver certifi-cation course from their local DEMA Member Retail Store.

DEMA Show will be held November 4-7 in Orlando’sOrange County Convention Center, and will attractGovernment Ministries of Tourism from all over theCaribbean and the World. Mark your calendars and visit ourwebsite for more details.DEMA, www.demashow.com

Scuba Diving Travel – The Time is Right for this Niche Profit Center

Research shows that the most active diving customers are affluentadults with an affinity for travel.

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FLAMBOYANT HOTELS & VILLAS IN GRENADAIS A DIVER’S HAVEN

Less than 10 minutes from the airport in Grenada, FlamboyantHotels sits on the most picturesque spot on the island—Grand AnseBeach, consisting of two and a half miles of pure white sand.Second-to-none ocean views with a panoramic backdrop of tieredmountains are visible from each room, apartment and villa.

Flamboyand Hotels & Villas has a state of the art on-propertyscuba dive facility right on the beach. Next to the dive shop is alate-night Owl Bar (open until 3 a.m.), and there is a disco clubwithin walking distance.

Other features include a pool, games room, beachside terracerestaurant and gym.

Currently, Flamboyant Hotels is offering discounted Grenada airon Air Jamaica out of JFK, and a special sale price of $43 per per-son per night, including daily Continental breakfast (exclusive of18-percent taxes). All rooms are spacious; some offer full kitchensor kitchenettes.

Booking must be made by November 20, 2009, for stays throughDecember 15, 2009. Those making a reservation need to cite thecode JM43.

The special price is based on double occupancy, with a minimumof two per room. The offer is subject to change without notice andis not combinable with other offers. Other rules and restrictions are

available by calling hotel reservation. Flamboyant Hotels welcomes children year-round, and babysit-

ters are available.Flamboyant Hotels & Villas, 866-978-8013, flambo@[email protected], www.flamboyant.com

WORLD DIVE ADVENTURES LOCATES VALUE-ADDED DEALS FOR DIVERS

World Dive Adventures has observed that—in this economy morethan before—resorts, dive shops, and their destination are issuingspecials to get divers attention.

Years ago to earn a comp spot on a group trip, a minimum of 10divers was the requirement, and although that has not entirelychanged, deals can now be found that have a minimum of threedivers to get the fourth free. Under 10 divers, there’s definitely agroup available that will earn one going free.

Whether a dive shop, dive club or an individual who wants totravel with dive buddies, World Dive Adventures can set up tripsthat will get divers back in the water.

World Dive Adventures has been a dive tour operator for almost20 years and is still operating strongly with the worldwide resortsand dive shops represented. Trips are customizable—whether it beliveaboards, shore diving only, three boat dives daily, whale sharkor humpback whale trips, wrecks, reefs and more. World DiveAdventures’ air department can arrange everything including theairfare if desired.

World Dive Adventures is the U.S. reservations office for Africa Tour Inc. based in South Africa and has been compiling scuba and bush safaris throughout Africa since 2002.Africa Tour also promotes Special Interest Tours, which offersclients real-life experiences. The company currently works in thecountries of South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana,Namibia, Kenya, Egypt and Ethiopia. The U.S. office providesNorth American travelers with a toll-free 800 number and localcontact in an EST time zone. World Dive Adventures, 800-433-DIVE (3483), [email protected], www.worlddive.com; Africa Tour Inc.,888-433-3483, [email protected], www.africatour.co.za

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Visit us at GoDominicanRepublic.com

For those occasions when there's a better show outside, you can always pause the movie inside. Discover shades of blue only Mother Nature could create while you seek pleasure through the wonder of the undiscovered, the adventure of the unfamiliar, the freshness of the unspoiled and the stimulation of the exotic. Come to the Dominican Republic and find your true colors.

The Republic of

COLORS

Now celebrating nearly 25 years indive travel, Caradonna DiveAdventures, Inc., is the largest divetravel specialist in North America,

offering packages to over 50 destinations world-wide. Agents looking for dive vacations close tohome or in remote corners of the globe can eas-ily find what they want with packages sourcedby a knowledgeable sales staff (also divers!),who keep abreast of developments and deals indive travel. Caradonna will arrange competitiveairfares, hotel and dive packages, live-aboarddive cruises, land activities and tours, rental carsand more.

Whether it’s a leisurely week of daily diving from the com-fort of an oceanfront dive resort or five-dives-a-day on a live-aboard dive yacht far from civilization, or even a learn-to-divevacation, Caradonna Dive Adventures supplies a widerange—learn-to-dive, advanced diving, shore diving, boatdiving, live-aboard diving, reef diving, drift diving, wall div-ing, wreck diving, night diving—in addition to such special-ties as underwater photography, technical diving, shark div-ing, cage diving, pass diving, muck diving, cavern/cavediving, fish census dives, and clean-up dives.

From the colorful Caribbean to exotic destinations in thePacific and Indian Oceans, outstanding dive destinationscomprise their lineup: (in the Caribbean) Aruba, theBahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curacao,Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Puerto Rico,Saba/St. Eustatius, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent &the Grenadines, Tobago, Turks & Caicos, and Virgin Islands(U.S. & British). In Central America, packages are offered toBelize, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama; and in Mexicothere’s Baja, Cancun/Riviera Maya, and Cozumel. In thePacific, Caradonna offers Australia, Fiji, Galapagos, Hawaii,Micronesia (Palau, Truk, Yap), Solomon Islands, Tahiti andTonga. Exotic destinations include Indonesia, Malaysia,Papua New Guinea, Philippines, the Red Sea, Thailand, andVanuatu.

Ease of LearningNot a singles’ sport anymore, diving can be enjoyed and

shared by the entire family. Dive certification courses are of-fered for anyone 10 and older. And thanks to today’s technol-ogy, dive certification courses can even be accessed onlineand completed with two weekend sessions of confined (pool

or sheltered shallow water) and open water skills. Divers arethen ready to explore the marine world and hone skills withadditional experience and advanced and/or specialty coursesto expand their underwater horizons.

Whether certified at home and ready to book a first dive tripor preferring to spend a week getting certified abroad,Caradonna sources turnkey dive vacations by working withreputable dive operators to assure client satisfaction andsafety.

Protecting the EnvironmentAn environmentally conscious company, Caradonna em-

phasizes sustainable dive tourism and social responsibility.Owned by highly-regarded TUI Travel, PLC, one of theworld’s largest travel companies, Caradonna DiveAdventures shares its philosophy and mission statement toprovide travel experiences enjoyable and beneficial for boththe traveler and host countries and communities.

AssuranceCaradonna Dive Adventures is the only USTOA-bonded

dive travel company in North America, ensuring security andvalue for their clients’ travel investments. With current eco-nomic stresses, it comforts agents to know that what theirclients have saved and spent on their trips-of-a-lifetime isguaranteed up to $1-million—even considering the fiscalstrength and reputation of Caradonna.

Caradonna Dive Adventures has just launched the world’sfirst DIVE booking engine on its website, where one can se-lect not only airfare and hotel but also customized diving—24hours a day, seven days a week.Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800-328-2288,www.caradonna.com

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Sustainable and Spectacular: Caradonna Dive Adventures Presents a Worldwide Varietyof Choices in Responsible Dive Tourism

Chance meetins with creatures like these delightful divers.

JULIE

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SUNBREEZE HOTEL & SUNBREEZE SUITES A DIVERS PARADISE

Two Great Diver’s Resorts in the heart of Ambergris Caye, Belize,form a crescent that embraces the waterfront as well as its whitesandy area, palm and tropical garden, overlooking the BarrierReef. SunBreeze Hotel & SunBreeze Suites provide guests the com-forts of home, conveniently located to all of the town’s daily activi-ties.

Home of Aqua Dives Belize—the Ultimate Dive Center and a GoldPalm PADI Dive Operator, Sunbreeze offers PADI instructioncourses, private courses, introductory dives, referrals, local morn-ing and afternoon dives, dives to the famous Blue Hole, TurneffeElbow and daily snorkeling trips to a variety of sites including thephenomenal Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley.

Sunbreeze has a special offer for DEMA for groups. With ninepaid divers, the 10th diver gets room and dives free on any of theavailable dive packages. This special must be booked by December31, 2009.

Sunbreeze will be represented at DEMA at booth Belize HotelAssociation–San Pedro. SunBreeze Hotel & SunBreeze Suites, [email protected],www.sunbreeze.net

SHARKS, DOLPHINS, WHALE SHARKS ANDMANTAS RAY VISITING ALL WESTAPARTMENTS & DIVING

In 2009, All West Apartments & Diving guests had plenty to see underwater and above water. For the past few years, the crew of All West and its dive shop Ocean Encounters West have known that dolphin groups are swimming by in the morning hours and come back from the west coast in the early afternoon.

But this year even the Ocean Encounters West and All Westcrew were surprised. More and more big fishes like sharks, whalesharks and now even mantas ray have been seen both above andbelow water.

The dolphins and manta rays even loved the bay of All West andOcean Encounters West. The manta rays stayed about 10 minutesin the bay right in front of the apartments. Alex Kempkens, aguest from Germany, took a video of it. But those manta rays arethieves! Before leaving the bay, the manta rays stole a fishermanboat; the event is pictured on the All West website.

The small apartment complex is located in the small fishing vil-lage of “Westpunt,” at the west end of the island. Surrounded bythe tropical hills, guests can watch spectacular sunsets and gazeat fantastic star-filled skies.

All West Apartments & Diving is offering attractive packagesfor room, car and diving all year long. One week in a Studio for 2persons including a car and non-limit diving starts at $542 perperson.

Diving at All West is possible round the clock, thanks to the dive shop on-site. The main dive shop Ocean Encounters West has the one-stop diving concept, which will take divers to all of Curaçao, from the Mushroom Forest and Watamula, to the Superior Producer, Tugboat, and the island of KleinCuraçao.

Courses are offered from Discover Scuba Diver to DiveInstructor, Emergency First Response to Technical Diving, boatand shore diving every day. All West Apartments & Diving, Ocean Encounters West, www.allwestcuracao.com, www.oceanencounterswest.com

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AT KONA VILLAGE DIVERS ENJOY WORLD-CLASS DIVING

Kona Village, just over five hours by air from the West Coast, hasa new five-night Dive Package that includes roundtrip airporttransfers from Kona International Airport to Kona Village, threetwo-tank dives per person, use of a dive propulsion vehicle DPVwith Turtle during one dive, unlimited shore dives (unescorted), andall gear including wet suits.

The Kona Village dive boat pulls up right on the beach at KonaVillage. No shipping of gear—Kona Village’s gear is ScubaPro andupdated annually. Dive instructor Jimi Kilbride’s extensive experi-ence includes that of expedition diver for the Cousteau Society.

Kona Village’s comprehensive dive package begins at $350 pernight per person in one of the resort’s private thatched-roof bunga-lows. These bungalows belie modern amenities within, but no tele-visions, telephones or radios disrupt the magical setting.

The package is priced at $3,500 for two, plus tax and gratuities,for five nights, six days, of diving in one of the best places in theworld—the Kohala Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Rates also includeflower lei greeting, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner served ocean-front, a twice-weekly aha‘aina (lu’au) dinner and show, in-room100-percent Kona coffee and refrigerated beverages. The chil-dren’s program is offered daily (except portions of May andSeptember) so little ones can create their own memories while momor dad explore pristine reefs and underwater lava arches with HaleDayKona Village’s seasoned dive team.

Pricing and inclusions are subject to change without notice, andthe package is subject to availability. Certain restrictions mayapply.

“This dive package is ideal for divers who are experienced andhave dived around the world,” shares Kona Village GeneralManager Ulrich Krauer, adding “The package is also well-suited tonovice beginners still discovering the mesmerizing world beneaththe ocean’s surface.”Kona Village, 800-367-5290, www.konavillage.com

HOTEL FLAMINGO COZUMEL OFFERS DEMA 2009 SPECIAL

Hotel Flamingo has outlined a 2009 DEMA special offer wheresix divers pay, the seventh stays and dives for free, or nine diverspay, and the tenth and eleventh divers stay and dive for free.

This offer is for seven nights’ accommodations, six days of two-tank boat dives, daily breakfast and is based on double occu-pancy. Travel may take place beginning November 28 andDecember 19, 2009, and January 2 through December 15, 2010.Bookings must be made by December 4, 2009. A deposit of $250must be received by December 4, 2009, with final payment due30 days prior to arrival. Ten-percent commission is paid to dive shops.

Hotel Flamingo is a 22-room boutique hotel with tastefully dec-orated accommodations enhanced by a high level of guest ser-vices. The Hotel Flamingo’s Aqua Restaurant and Bar offers com-plimentary breakfast with all stays, and serves lunch along withcocktails throughout the day and into the evening. Live jazz isalso available on Thursday and Friday nights.

Scuba Diving, horseback riding, snorkeling, sailing, parasail-ing, fishing and tours of Mayan ruins are also available for book-ing through Hotel Flamingo’s English-speaking staff.Hotel Flamingo, 800-806-1601, [email protected],www.hotelflamingo.com

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