CaribPress: How did the idea to start Travelwire Global, Inc, a worldwide online travel and tour company, come about?

Oliver Huie: Having worked in the travel industry, I felt the personal touch was missing.  A desire to bring back the personal touch to travel, while providing quality services to travelers, led me to launch this online travel business.

CPress: Tell our readers about the experiences that you bring to Travelwire Global.

OH: Travel savvy – A passion to travel, coupled with a wealth of knowledge about the Caribbean infrastructure and the back-end of travel Information Technology (IT).  The experiences that I bring to the company includes over fifteen (15) years experiences working as an IT Engineer, as well as a few years as a travel agent.

CPress: Travelers are looking for deals.  There are other online travel companies providing deals as well.  What types of deals do Travelwire Global offer that sets the company apart in the industry?

OH: We are focusing on the Caribbean market, we are from there.  This is advantageous because we know the demographics of that market better than our competitors. We are bringing back the customer support and service aspects to the travel industry.  Our staff at Travelwire ensures that your travel experience is smooth by providing comprehensive customer service from the time the trip is booked.

CPress: In today’s tight economy, travelers are looking to cut costs and save money.  Savvy travelers are looking for a luxury vacation on a low budget.  Tell us about how a family can benefit from the “Make Your Own Deal” program?

OH: Travelers can get a lot for their money with the Make your Own deal program.  Our business resources on the ground are able to provide great deals for hotel rates.  We are from the Caribbean and we know the suppliers.

CPress: In light of the cruise ship wreck in Italy, your thoughts on how this devastating accident could impact the travel industry?

OH: According to some of the reviews, they are expecting an impact to first time cruise travelers.  At the same time, we have to market the safety of cruise.

The advice to travelers is that when you are going on a cruise, the first thing you should do when you board the ship is to attend the safety drill within the first day of the cruise. It is important that every cruise passenger attends this safety drill;

CPress: What travel spots are on your bucket list for the 2012 travel season?

OH: Cancun – Spring Break; Negril; Jamaica – Spring Break; Jamaica, Virgin Island – Carnival – April; Jamaica – Reggae Sumfest – July; Barbados – Crop Over festival – July; Jamaica 50 – August; Trinidad 50 – August;

CPress: What is Travelwire Global ‘Fab Five’ travel destinations and why?

OH: ‘FAB FIVE’ Destinations are the following:

1. Jamaica — have the beach in the Caribbean, in Negril you have 12 miles of white sand beach. The food, culture, people and the best adventure experience.

2. Dominican Republic — This Island is a hidden treasure, is lost somewhere under the blanket of green felt that coats its densely forested hills. It has some of the best rates in Hotels and attractions.

3. St. Lucia — St. Lucia is quickly gaining steam as the best destination in the Caribbean – and rightfully so. The island has the perfect mix of what one desires in a Caribbean getaway; a vibrant port city surrounded by tall, sweeping, rainforest covered mountains.

4. Barbados — Barbados clinches the number two spot for being a country that has truly established its own identity since breaking away from the British rule in 1966.

5. Mexico – Mexico is the most visited destination and receives over 3 million visitors each year. Its modern hotels, gorgeous Caribbean coastline and proximity to US makes it a destination anyone can enjoy.

CPress: As Jamaica move towards 50 years of nationhood, what are the most significant milestones thus far for the black, green and gold?

OH: Jamaica becoming an independent nation, our national heroes and the influence of reggae music globally are significant milestones.

CPress: In terms of the Jamaican diaspora, what plans are in the pipeline for Jamaica 50?

OH: I am excited to say that there are many special events planned within the diaspora in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Jamaica.  The events kick off in January.

Visit the Consul General of Jamaica web site for more details at: www.congenjamaica-ny.org

CPress: With the age of smartphones, tablets, other portable devices and social networking, what role will this play in the travel industry?

OH: Technology is changing how travelers book their flights.  Social media has played a major role in internet booking.  Everything is geared to twitter, facebook LinkedIn or a website.

CPress: Elaborate on the future for Travelwire Global.

OH: We foresee Travelwire to be a leader in the travel industry, while positioning our self as one of the top leaders in the travel industry by offering good prices, good packages and good customer support.  And build our customer base on word of mouth referrals by family and friends.

JTB honored at Travelage West’s 2011 Awards

But there are still ways to take a great vacation without sacrificing your wallet. Consider traveling where everyone else does not at this time of year, like a ski resort or an island just outside the hurricane belt.

Here are seven tips for booking off-season vacations in high-style locations.

_HEAD TO THE HILLS. Ski resorts remain popular destinations off-season; vacationers can ride ski lifts into the mountains for hiking, mountain biking and many other summer activities. But you will spend much less for lodging than during the winter.

“You can get a really great discount, I would say somewhere between 20 to 40 percent,” by booking off-season, says Anne Banas, executive editor of smartertravel.com.

_THINK ABCs. A vacation to much of the Caribbean during hurricane season _ which runs from June through November _ can be unpredictable or worse. But some Caribbean islands lie outside the hurricane belt, and prices there drop for the summer too.

Though not bargain-basement cheap, a trip to the so-called ABC islands _ Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao _ is more affordable in summer than winter, and you will be outside the danger zone.

_BOOK A PACKAGE. Even if you have no intention of traveling with a group or staying in a mainstream hotel, a good way to beat skyrocketing airfares may be with a package deal, says Budget Travel’s Nina Willdorf. You might be able to get a hotel room or car rental included in the same total price as a ticket would cost alone.

That is because travel companies locked in airfares long ago, so they can afford to offer them for less.

“One of the big secrets finding deals this summer is going to be about booking a package,” Willdorf says. “I’ve heard of some people booking a package and not even using all of the nights of the hotel just because the value of the trip is so good.”

_TRY THE GULF. Yes, that Gulf. The Gulf of Mexico. A year after the oil spill, Gulf Coasters want people to come back, and they are ready to deal.

“It’s beautiful, and hotel rates are still lower than they have been,” says Jason Clampet, senior online editor of Frommers.com. He estimates that staying in many Gulf of Mexico resorts now costs roughly what it did in 2004.

_STAY CLOSE. Clampet also suggests considering local trips.

“Thinking regionally is often a solution for savings,” he says.

For example, rail trips across the U.S. Northeast, along the Pacific Coast or up the Hudson Valley look increasingly affordable as gas prices surge. Clampet recommends trawling the web for Amtrak discount codes that can save you 15 to 60 percent.

_GO TO TOWN. Banas says a trip to a major metropolis like New York, Boston or Chicago can be had at a discount in the summer.

“You want to think of alternatives to what everyone else wants to do,” says Banas.

Particularly in August, city dwellers flee in droves, and top hotels _ especially those that cater to business travelers _ often are in need of customers, Banas said. Also consider renting a place from one of those vacationing residents through a website like airbnb.com, which connects travelers with people renting out their apartments for a few days or weeks at a time.

_BE FLEXIBLE. Above all, if you stay flexible about every aspect of your trip, you will save the most.

For deals, Clampet recommends “flash” travel sites, which take the approach of members-only clothing and accessories sellers like Rue La La or Gilt and offer travel at steep discounts for brief periods. Options include Trip Advisor’s sniqueaway.com, VoyagePrive.com and jetsetter.com.

Because these sites are new, they’re very competitive, Clampet says.

“It’s a good time to take advantage of their need to deliver good deals,” he says.

Disney officials took delivery of the Disney Dream on Thursday at a German shipyard where it’s been under construction for nearly two years. It will be bound for Port Canaveral next week and a maiden voyage for paying customers on Jan. 26.

The Disney Dream is scheduled to sail three-, four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas, from Port Canaveral. To make room, the company is sending the Disney Wonder from Port Canaveral to Los Angeles.

It’s the first of two new ships to join the Disney fleet, with the Disney Fantasy set to debut in April 2012. The 4000-passenger Dream is the first new ship in the line since 1999.

“The Barbadian authorities moved quickly to restore the island to normalcy and generally speaking, the island is cleaning up from the effects of the Category 1 Tropical Storm,” said David Rice, President and CEO of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We have received several reports from resorts such as Turtle Beach, The Colony Club, The House, Sea Breeze, South Beach, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, and the Crane, and they have all reported repairable damage and are now functioning as normal.

The newly renovated Tamarind (formerly Tamarind Cove) will open only three days after its scheduled  official re-opening date of November 1^st and, in the interim, it is providing alternative accommodations at sister properties for those set to check-in before November 3rd.  The Crane was one of the players in the industry which was identified as having been affected the most but, as of this morning, the property reported that power is back as are most of its services. All of the resort’s restaurants except for L’Azure are open, and the computer and phone lines were expected to be back up by tonight.  The Crane is waiving cancellations fees for those who choose to rebook travel booked up to November 8, 2010.

Flight operations resumed at Grantley Adams International Airport from 8:00 am yesterday morning, October 31, 2010.  Operations at the Bridgetown Port Authority were also restored with cruise ships welcomed at the Bridgetown Port today.

The Barbados Light & Power Company Limited (BL&P) is reporting that already 65 per cent of customers have service restored and it is working with the Barbados Water Authority to restore power and water to the rest of the island as quickly as possible. Police personnel, alongside the Ministry of Transport and agencies like Red Cross and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) are helping to coordinate efforts.

Left: Rio de Janeiro. Right: Hong Kong.

Here’s some good news for those dreaming of adventures: February is a great time for traveling. Whether you prefer to go off to the north, south, east or west, there are many choices of activities, exciting destinations and festivals worldwide to keep us all entertained for awhile. For those of you who are in search of the sun and sea, there is always a nice warm beach somewhere in the world that is waiting to welcome you with open arms.

That’s why winter is high season for tourism in the Caribbean and Central America, and hotel rooms are not as plentiful. If you decide to head south and not already have a reservation, you might still be able to get a last-minute deal, though. If you have no success by searching online, then a travel agency will be more than happy to help. The same principle applies for cruises, which are quite popular this time of the year.

February is also the time of the Lunar New Year in much of Asia, so if you choose to head east you’re sure to see some spectacular sights. Other places in the world host their carnival season in February, with the spectacle running up to the 16^th of the month in New Orleans, culminating with the Mardi Gras. Similar party atmospheres can be found in Trinidad, Martinique, Rio de Janeiro and even Venice, Italy, among other places.

Go far enough south and the seasons are reversed, so you’ll find summer in full bloom.  That makes February an ideal time for a safari in southern Africa, a stop for tango lessons in Buenos Aires, or even a trip to explore Antarctica.

Keep in mind that since it is summer there, children are out of school, families are traveling—and local venues such as museums and other tourist attractions tend to be packed. The airplanes that will take you on your journey going south, and eventually back home, will most likely be full as well, so don’t forget to pre-reserve your airline seats.

While traveling in February, also pay attention to whether it is the dry or wet season in your destination of choice. In tropical countries, you will experience a lot of rain and higher humidity during the wet seasons, but prices will be lower. This information can be obtained by checking the tourism web site of the country you plan to visit.

If your choice of destination of choice is to the north, you are likely you are in search of snow and winter sports. Look around and you’ll find that there is someplace out there that will be a good a match for all the snow lovers of this world and the sports they practice.

The key to enjoying winter sports with less crowded slopes is to go during the middle of the week. Hotel rates will also be lower during the week. The smaller the resort, the lower the lift ticket prices, but if you prefer a big name, popular resort then try and choose one where children can ski for free. This can be a big savings if you choose to bring the whole family along for the journey.

Photos from Wikimedia Commons.

The beach resort of Labadee is just 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Port-au-Prince, but it’s a world away from the devastation of the Haitian capital, where some 200,000 people are believed dead in an earthquake.

The cruise ships that stop here have become the center of a controversy: Should vacationers relax and have fun with so much suffering elsewhere on the island? Or would it be worse to halt the port calls and deprive locals of what they earn from tourism?

Jameson Charitable, 20, stood near the pier with a sign offering tours. “Without this,” he said, motioning toward the boat, “we don’t eat.” He said he makes $15 every time a ship comes in.

About 200 people work here, and a few hundred more vendors and service providers are allowed in whenever ships arrive. The resort enclave, which has a beach, a zipline in the mountains and other activities, is leased by the Haitian government to Royal Caribbean International, which also owns the Celebrity cruise line.

Royal Caribbean allowed a team of journalists from The Associated Press to visit Labadee on Friday, but the cruise company’s spokeswoman, Tracy Quan, would not allow them to interview or photograph cruise passengers.

Carol Myers, 53, a nurse from New Jersey, was not on the cruise ship but was enjoying the beach. She had spent an intense week tending to earthquake victims in a hospital in the nearby town of Milo, and was decompressing for a few hours before her scheduled return to the U.S. on Saturday.

“I almost feel guilty for being here after what happened,” Myers said, sitting in a beach chair in blue scrubs. “But the people need a job, the people need to eat.”

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Adam Goldstein said the decision to continue with scheduled stops in Labadee was an easy one. The site sustained no damage, and he said the Haitian government welcomed the ship. The country reaps a fixed cost per passenger, plus annual fees and the cash tourists spend on local goods at a marketplace where artisans and artists sell trinkets and crafts.

Royal Caribbean is also donating $1 million, delivering food and water on every call and pledging net revenue from Labadee to the relief effort. Maryse Kedar, president of Royal Caribbean’s Haitian subsidiary, SOLANO, said the cruise visits are “the only substantial commerce taking place in northern Haiti.”

But the cruise line found itself on the defensive after criticism spread online. Melissa Bacchus, a Brooklyn, N.Y., teacher, was among several veteran cruisers to dominate message boards on sites like Cruisecritic.com with the debate.

“I do think morally it is wrong to go (to Labadee), where less than 60 miles away people are suffering,” Bacchus said in an interview. “And because we have the resources, we have the wealth, we can frolic using the beauty of their island?”

Bacchus suggested Royal Caribbean pay Haiti its regular port fees, but not actually stop there. She said they could also give local artisans money to go back home and assist in the relief effort.

Public relations experts quoted by AdAge.com said Royal Caribbean had made a mistake by mixing leisure business with humanitarian efforts. “The brand will take a hit,” Paul Gallagher, managing director of WPP’s Burson Marsteller’s issues and advocacy practice, was quoted as saying.

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic suffered no damage from the earthquake, but the government is clearly worried that vacationers may cancel trips there because of the disaster on the other side of the border.

The Dominican Ministry of Tourism has issued repeated statements that it was unaffected by the quake, including pointing out that Port-au-Prince is hundreds of miles (kilometers) and several mountain ranges away.

That message was lost on travelers like Debbie Ulin, a 39-year-old mother of two in Hillsdale, N.J., whose family and two others canceled a group trip planned to the Dominican beach resort of Punta Cana for February.

“With everything happening as it did, we sort of all came to the realization that it’s probably not the best time to be traveling to the Dominican right now,” Ulin said. “As selfish as I feel when I say that, it’s not so important, my vacation. We didn’t feel like it would be the safe place to go with the families this soon after the devastation has occurred.”

Arthur Applbaum, a Harvard University professor of ethics and public policy, said that while it shows “moral sensitivity to be disturbed by the thought that one is vacationing on the beach when others are suffering nearby … it also shows insufficient moral reflection to think that proximity makes a moral difference.

“The people of Haiti are suffering whether you take your beach vacation in the Dominican Republic or in Hawaii,” he said, “and it is a failure of the moral imagination not to be equally troubled in Waikiki.”