Divi Looks to Become Stronger Force in the Caribbean

Representatives of Divi Resorts had a lot to say to media at the recent 28th annual Caribbean Marketplace in Aruba. Travel Agent was on hand for the press conference, in which Divi elaborated on its recent announcement of the renovations of its properties throughout the Caribbean.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort in St. Maarten, which recently won several awards in 2007, has launched renovations of a number of guest rooms and public spaces, and is expanding the resort's timeshare inventory by about $25 million. Renovations, which have already begun, include the complete refurbishment of oceanview suites with new furniture, flooring, soft goods, kitchen cabinets and appliances. Toucans Café and the Sea Breeze Restaurant have been outfitted with new outdoor furniture and the Sea Breeze Pool deck was resurfaced in Brazilian stone. The resort's on-site fitness center has been relocated to a more spacious location and all equipment has been replaced. Also, the resort has converted its 14 hillside casita units into nine luxury one-bedroom suites available as timeshares. It is also converting 36 beachfront hotel rooms into 12 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom timeshare units. The units will feature upgraded amenities including LCD flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, kitchens with granite countertops and whirlpool tubs. The conversion of the hillside casitas was completed December 1 of last year and the new beachfront suites will be available in 2008.

At Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort in Aruba, construction is continuing on a new luxury collection of golf view suites. Alex Nieuwmeyer, regional director of resort operations for Divi Resorts Aruba and Bonaire, says that the golf courses are part of an ongoing effort to attract high-end clientele to Aruba.

Eighty-two of the estimated 240 Golf Villas have been completed and are available for occupancy, with another 52 scheduled to be completed by mid-2007. The Links at Divi Aruba gold course clubhouse is complete. Its two new restaurants are the casual Mulligans Bar & Restaurant and the Windows on Aruba; the latter overlooks the ninth hole and has full ocean views.

At Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort in Aruba, work is continuing on the development project that, once completed, will more than double the size of the resort. The foundation work is underway and the new building is scheduled to open in spring 2008. The development will add 140 suites in four eight-story buildings, each made up of studios, one-bedroom suites and two-and three-bedroom penthouses. It will also feature a beach club. The resort currently has 101 units.

Guest room renovations also continue at the Divi Southwinds Beach Resort in Barbados, with all pool and garden view suites to be remodeled by early 2007 (a total of 58 units). All guest suites will be repainted and will receive new windows, kitchen appliances and furnishings in a light blue-green tropical theme. Additionally, all lobby furniture has been placed and the pool deck has been refurbished.

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino in Bonaire recently announced that its on-site spa, The Touch, has been renovated. The full-service spa offers a range of services such as body treatments and manicures, many incorporating natural elements of the island, and spa packages. Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino has also recently gone wireless, with free Internet access now available throughout the property.

In 2007, Divi Carina Beach Resort & Casino in St. Croix will begin construction of an on-site driving range and an 18-hole miniature golf course. The course aims to complement the resort's tropical beachfront feel and will offer six water features and tumbling waterfalls.

Divi Resorts operates eight resorts on five Caribbean islands. Mark Steward, vice president of sales and marketing for Divi Resorts, says that, depending on volume, agents can get commissions anywhere from 10 to 20 percent.

For further information on commission rates and/or booking, contact Steward at 919-419-2917 or [email protected]. For general information on Divi Resorts, call 800-367-3484 or visit www.diviresorts.com.