Caribbean Travel

Travel Counsellors British holidaymakers wishing to take a break in the Caribbean are still "fairly well served" despite the closure of holiday operator XL, a leading expert has claimed recently. XL Leisure Group, which contained a charter and scheduled airline as well as various tour operators, was placed in administration in June 2008. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has stated that popular winter destinations in the Caribbean were "better served" before the demise of XL. However, Derek Moore, chairman of AITO, said that the Caribbean still proves consistently popular among British holidaymakers, alongside North Africa.

- Caribbean360.com : "LONDON, United Kingdom, August 28, 2008 - XL Airways has scrapped all its Caribbean routes, blaming rising fuel costs and a slowdown in the United Kingdom (UK) economy for the move. XL, a leading UK scheduled and charter airline, said that by November 3 it will end services to St Lucia, Barbados, Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Grenada. This means that St Kitts will have no direct flight from Europe and the country's Minister of State with responsibility for Tourism, Ricky Skerrit was quoted on SKNVibes as saying that the XL cuts could result in a total loss about 7,000 passengers to St Kitts every year, including over 4,000 British tourists and hundreds of UK-based Kittitians and Nevisians."

Hypermarket : "The number of UK Travellers visiting Jamaica has increased over the last year, according to figures. The latest tourism statistics from the island also showed that more Irish Holidaymakers are choosing the Caribbean destination. Between January and May "

Guardian Unlimited Travel : "Picture crystal clear Caribbean waters, palm-fringed golden beaches, stunning scenery and warm friendly people - you'll find all this in St Lucia. The jewel of the Caribbean is sparkling brighter than ever before with an array of new luxury resorts and activities available. This tropical paradise has endless delights on offer, from indulgent spa treatments to top-notch food and drink at one of the island's many restaurants. "