Booming Bahamas, Barbados Wellness And Luxury Gold India: This Week's JimBits

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation has heralded the highest number of international arrivals ever, resulting in record hotel occupancy levels and numerous tourism industry awards and media accolades. The Bahamas began 2019 strong with the launch of a new brand campaign highlighting the beauty and authenticity of its 16 islands in partnership with Lenny Kravitz, urging travelers to Fly Away to The Bahamas. The Ministry also announced exciting plans for the development of a state of the art cruise port in Nassau.

"It is my great pride and pleasure to report that The Bahamas is experiencing its strongest tourism numbers ever on record," said Minister D'Aguilar. "We look forward to building upon the success of our progressive plans and continuing the momentum in 2019 as we forge ahead with exciting new initiatives."

RECORD ARRIVALS

The Ministry's data partner ForwardKeys, that tracks and reports inbound visitor data, reported international arrivals to The Bahamas grew by 15% in January 2019 versus January 2018. Several key markets registered double-digit growth. In February, international arrivals increased by 11.1% year-over-year.

Air capacity grew by 20% in January and 21% in February year-over-year, with a solid seat growth from the best-connected international markets - the U.S.A (+23.9%) and Canada (+12.7%).

Luxury Gold, the global leader in luxury escorted journeys, is pleased to offer clients the opportunity to experience a wonderland of the exotic and enigmatic in India with journeys that take clients beyond the ordinary during the Holi festival and other memorable events throughout the year.It is a land full of cultural richness, ancient wisdom and Bollywood festivities that has penetrated today's pop culture, making India a top bucket list destination. This year, the Holi festival's kaleidoscope of colours takes place on March 20-21 to commemorate the victory of good over evil and welcome the new Spring season.

"When clients experience India, they discover a fascinating world combining the modern and traditional with warm hospitality and a once in a lifetime journey they will never forget with Luxury Gold," said Brad Ford, president of Luxury Gold. "Our 8 luxury escorted journeys across India and the subcontinent will reveal its lively culture, sacred rituals and eternal appeal for guests to open their minds as well as deepen their understanding of this mesmerizing ancient civilization."

All of Luxury Gold's journeys include exclusive VIP experiences, exceptional dining, sustainable travel opportunities, small group travel and even more personalized service from a Travelling Concierge.

Here are the top luxury experiences clients can expect in India for the journey of a lifetime:

- Relax and restore at The Leela Palace in Udaipur

- Explore local wildlife and take an unexpected Jeep Safari in Jaipur

- Give back to a local community via sustainable travel in Rajasthan

- Indulge the senses at the Fairmont Jaipur

- Drift through tropical backwaters on a deluxe houseboat in Kerala

- Enjoy royal treatment at an elegant High Tea tasting in Jaip

- Experience exceptional dining at Baradari Restaurant in Rajasthan

For more information on Luxury Gold please contact your local Sales Manager or visit us atwww.luxurygoldvacations.com.

It can be tough to manage everyday life and with the rise of the #SelfCare movement, Canadians are in desperate need of a seamless getaway that perfectly combines wellness and adventure. Considering this demand, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. is celebrating 2019 as the "Year of Wellness & Soft Adventure." Ranked as the #1 destination in the world for visitor satisfaction, Barbados guarantees a stress-free vacation that's sure to enrich a traveler's mind, body and soul.

Barbados has long been renowned as a healthy destination and spa resort, dating as far back as 1751 when first American president George Washington brought his ailing brother to convalesce on the island. The fresh and invigorating sea breezes, and peaceful coastal getaways that have drawn visitors to the Barbados shores for centuries are now combined with some of the world's finest and most luxurious spa facilities. The country also offers exciting activities to satisfy even the most adventurous soul ranging from surfing and river tubing to horse riding and biking.

Barbados IslandFit Games (May 10-11): IslandFit Games is one of the largest functional fitness competitions in the Caribbean. It provides an opportunity for athletes from all over to test their fitness against fellow athletes.

Ninja Throwdown (May 11): The Ninja Throwdown is modeled off the "American Ninja Warrior" series and includes unique local twists.

SOL Rally Festival (May 31 - June 2): Rev your engines for a holiday unusual by attending the biggest motor sport event in Barbados at Bushy Park.

Dive Fest (July 3 - 7): Dive Fest will feature water awareness programs, scuba and freediving demonstrations and trials, beach clean ups, conservation tips, lionfish hunting and tasting, as well as scuba dives all over the island - including the exhilarating east coast!

Capitalizing on the success of its shipboard breweries, Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with Lakeland, Fla.-based Brew Hub to become the first cruise line to can and keg its own private label beers crafted by its in-house brewery team aboard Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista.

The agreement - the first of its kind between a craft beer manufacturer and a major cruise line - was announced this week at an event aboard Carnival Magic at PortMiami.

"With the success of our breweries on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon the obvious next step was to let all of our guests fleetwide enjoy our refreshing craft beers and that's where our partnership with Brew Hub began," said Edward Allen, Carnival's vice president of beverage operations. "To be the first cruise line to ever scale up its beverage operations by canning and kegging their own beer is unprecedented. My hope is that our guests will take a four-pack home with them to share with family and friends as a refreshing and memorable reminder of their cruise."

The three beers, which are based on recipes developed in-house by Carnival's brewery team, are now available in 16-ounce cans and on tap across its 26 ships and at all private destinations. The beers include:

- ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat - an unfiltered wheat beer with flavouurs of orange and spices.

- ParchedPig West Coast IPA - the embodiment of a traditional West Coast India Pale Ale, this hoppy, intense beer is loaded with bitterness with a bright flavor profile and distinctive aroma of citrus and pine.

- ParchedPig Toasted Amber Ale - highlighted by its rich amber color and notes of toasted caramel and biscuit, this beer is well balanced, smooth and highly drinkable.

Universal Orlando Resort's most affordable hotel option, Universal's Endless Summer Resort - Surfside Inn and Suites, will open on June 27, 2019.

This all-new Value category hotel will be the perfect space for the entire family to kick back and relax with both standard rooms and 2 Bedroom Suites available. Plus, guests will enjoy the exclusive benefits that come with staying at a Universal Orlando hotel, including Early Park Admission, complimentary shuttle bus transportation to and from the theme parks and Universal CityWalk, and more, creating a seamless vacation experience

The Sandals Foundation - the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International - celebrates 10 years of fulfilling its promise to the Caribbean community of investment in sustainable projects that improve schools and build capacity in the education system, restore and conserve marine wildlife and help marginalized people transform their lives through training and other community development programs. Over the next decade, the Foundation is planning to double down on protecting the Caribbean ecosystem and bringing its 14,000 employees and customers together to support more than 120 projects and programs annually across Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia and Turks & Caicos

"Our goal has always been simple - to unite the Caribbean region, elevate its people, and protect its delicate ecosystem - and I am so proud of how far we've come in our first decade," said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International and President of the Sandals Foundation. "To build on our momentum and bring even more awareness to importance of supporting the Caribbean, we are tapping into the power of social media to launch a campaign to galvanize the world to join in our efforts."

Called #FaceTheCaribbean, guests across the company's 19 Sandals and Beaches Resorts will have the opportunity to change the face of the Caribbean for generations to come - whether they choose to donate in support of a particular project, participate in the Pack for a Purpose® program and bring needed supplies to local schools, purchase merchandise and items from Caribbean Artisan Collections available in the Sandals and Beaches Resort Shops or get hands on through unique voluntourism excursions, such as the Reading Road Trip, that take them directly into local communities.

Ten Years of Supporting the Faces of the Caribbean

Since its inception in 2009, the Sandals Foundation has worked with its extensive network of donors, volunteers, partners (including the Canadian travel trade industry), team members and social media activists to build schools, outfit computer labs and libraries, foster youth engagement through sports programs, manage marine protected areas, offer free medical, dental and eye care, provide women with the tools they need to thrive, and much more. To-date, the Foundation has raised $11,182,955, impacting well over 850,000 people in the region, with the overall dollar amount of projects and programs implemented valued at more than $58 million.