Festivals To Attract Caribbean, Mexico Clients

Beautiful weather, beaches and upscale resorts are all good enough selling points for Caribbean and Mexico enthusiasts, but a festival or event may determine when your clients decide to make the trip.

So, Travel Agent decided to scope out some upcoming festivals in these regions to tell your clients about.

Here’s just a few that caught our attention.

St. Maarten to Host Fashion Tradeshow This Month
Traditionally known for its cuisine, St. Maarten is broadening its horizon in August. The international fashion and beauty industry will be on hand for the second annual Caribbean World Beauty & Barber Tradeshow (CWBBT) in St. Maarten from August 23-30. Produced by Stile Diva Inc., the CWBBT is aimed at “increasing trade opportunities and the exchange of expertise between North American and Caribbean industries,” according to a written release. The event attracts attendees from Canada, the U.S., the Caribbean and—new this year— attendees from Africa as well. The week-long fashion and beauty event will take place at different hot spots around the island of St. Maarten. For a complete event schedule, visit www.cwbbt.com.

Cozumel Resort to Host Divers Octoberfest
The Wyndham Cozumel Resort and Spa and Sand Dollar Sports invites your diver clients to join them at Octoberfest 2008. No, not that Octoberfest, so replace your drinking shoes with your scuba fins. The annual dive event gives divers the chance to explore Cozumel's reefs and marine life while enjoying a number of activities including tours, shows, parties and contests each evening. This year's Octoberfest celebration will take place in Cozumel from October 4-11. Created in 2003 by Wyndham Cozumel Resort and Spa (formerly the Reef Club) and Sand Dollar Sports as an end of year dive celebration, Octoberfest takes place annually and provides an opportunity for divers to discover Cozumel's underwater scene. Visit www.wyndhamcozumel.com.

Hockey in Barbados?
Attracting teams not only from the Caribbean but from Europe, the U.S., South America and other parts of the world as well, the Banks International Hockey Festival kicks off August 17 and runs through August 23. The tournament is divided into men’s, women’s, veterans and mixed-team divisions and the games are fiercely contested. Agents can contact Ricky Clarke, telephone at 246-429-8943 or [email protected].

Food Festival in Barbados
Ok, now a food festival definitely makes more sense for Barbados than a hockey tournament. Not to say the hockey event won’t be interesting, but Barbados might arguably be the site of the best food in the Caribbean. Throw in food from the rest of the world, and your clients are looking at a pretty balanced meal. From October 3-11, celebrity chefs from around the world get together with the best chefs on Barbados for four days of five-star food, festivals, events and parties at venues across Barbados. Agents should contact the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association at 246-426-5041 or [email protected]. Visit www.bhta.org.

Food, Crafts and Big Yachts in Bonaire
The 41st Bonaire Regatta kicks off October 5 and runs through October 11. The event will include stands with local criollo food, souvenirs and handicrafts and local bands performing on stage every day of the week. The 63-foot Taima will be one of the biggest yachts on display. Visitors are urged to book their flights to Bonaire early, as the demand for seats is high for this event. Agents should Tourism Corporation Bonaire at 00-599-717-8322.