JetBlue spreading wings into tourism
JetBlue has aggressively spread its wings in the Caribbean over a decade and is now venturing into the areas of tours, accommodation booking, tourist attractions and ground transportation at travel destinations through its JetBlue Travel Products division.
Earlier this month at a CTO Caribbean Outlook Forum in Antigua and Barbuda, Mike Pezzicola, head of commercial for JetBlue Travel Products, told the gathering of travel executives, government leaders and other VIPs about the airline’s commitment to its growing number of Caribbean routes and the plans to expand in other areas of service.
“One thing we see is that as folks are planning to travel, when they book their travel vacation with us, and we help them plan it, their stay is longer and they are more likely to return, if not to the destination then to another destination in the tropics,” said Pezzicola.
He also noted that JetBlue is looking to do more cooperative marketing with large resorts in the region to promote the culture, food and other special qualities of Caribbean destinations.
The JetBlue Travel Products push joins the airline’s growing presence in the region. Pezzicola said one-third of JetBlue’s route network is in the Caribbean — with more than 1,000 flights daily and expansion planned. Just since May 2018, JetBlue has “added six additional non-stop routes to Caribbean destinations,” he said.
JetBlue’s Guyana-bound
The new year will be bringing new nonstop service between New York and Guyana from JetBlue.
Due to start April 2, 2020, the daily service will connect Kennedy Airport to Cheddi Jagan Airport in Georgetown, Guyana — and seats are available for purchase.
Flight No. 1965 from JFK to Georgetown will leave 11:55 p.m. and arrive at 5:58 a.m. The Georgetown to JFK flight No. 1966 will depart at 7:20 a.m. and arrive at 1:09 p.m.
“Guyana service introduces a diverse and under-served destination to the JetBlue route map which will benefit both leisure travelers, as well as those visiting friends and relatives,” said Andrea Lusso, director route planning. “Just as we’ve done in our South American markets in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, we’re introducing a new, low fare high-quality choice to travelers in Guyana.”
Travelers can look forward to the new service, which JetBlue executives attribute expansion to Guyana to the “extended range and fuel efficiency of the Airbus A321neo.”
“The government of Guyana is delighted to welcome the services of JetBlue to Guyana,” said, Guyana’s Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson.
“The introduction of this immensely popular low cost carrier will see lower ticket prices to Georgetown and provide travelers with an opportunity to fly on an airline of choice to their favorite destination.
“This agreement with JetBlue is timely and comes on the heels of continued and sustainable growth in several sectors of our economy, including, service, tourism, mining and oil and gas,” said Patterson.
“2019 has been quite a year – winning five international awards, increased route options to Europe, new community-led and owned tourism product development, increased stakeholder collaboration, growing demand in our target markets and now JetBlue improving connectivity with one of our core markets – North America,” noted Brian Mullis, director of the Guyana Tourism Authority.
For information, visit jetblue.com.
Island airport’s storm repair
Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten got a big boost from the World Bank last month — approval for $72 million to help restore the facility that was badly damaged during the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.
Seeking to return to its pre-hurricane passenger capacity of 2.5 million passengers per year, the funds will “finance the reconstruction and purchase of equipment for the airport’s terminal” and be used to make the airport more resilient to extreme weather.
The approved project will be financed by the Netherlands government through the World Bank-managed Saint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund. Reconstruction will be co-financed by an additional $50 million from the European Investment Bank and $7 millionfrom Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V., the airport’s operating company.
Harlem show seeks artists
The Harlem Fine Art Show is coming to Manhattan Feb. 16 through 20, but the time is now for artists to register for the event — called the “largest traveling African diasporic art show in the U.S.”
Painters, sculptors, photographers, illustrators, print makers, jewelry designers, and mixed media artists and other creators are being sought for the juried exhibition and sale, which will be held at Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave.Visit hfas.org/show-exhibitors to register. For more information about becoming an artist exhibitor and fees, call (800) 376-2860 or send email to pgardner@jwdenterprisesinc.com.