 |
MLT organizes full- and half-day tours of the El Yunque rainforest for visitors to San Juan, Puerto Rico. |
All we had to do was attend the 17th annual MLT University in St. Paul, MN, to come away convinced that MLT Vacations will remain a major player in Caribbean travel for years to come, with products and partnerships cutting across all categories and most of the main islands. Here’s a sampling:
Aruba
Ever since MLT started selling Aruba in October 2008, the destination has grown steadily. In fact, the island is pacing ahead of last year’s figures by a whopping 169 percent. With 200,000 air seats for the taking on Delta and Continental Airlines, both MLT’s partners, the destination is set for more growth.
MLT has tied up with 17 hotels in the high-rise, low-rise sections of the beach and downtown. The high-rise hotels are the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino; Westin Aruba Resort; Occidental Grand Aruba; Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa; Riu Palace Aruba; and Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort.
The low-rise resorts are Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort; Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort; Divi Dutch Village; Divi Village All Inclusive Villas; Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort; The Aruban Resort & Casino at Eagle Beach; Divi Aruba All Inclusive; Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive; and The Mill Resort & Suites. Lastly, in downtown Oranjestad, MLT offers the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino.
MLT organizes numerous activities through De Palm Tours, including Jeep tours, sunset sails, island tour and snorkeling adventures. It also runs a Discover Scuba course, and single one- and two-tank dives through Red Sail Sports. Car rentals are available through Avis.
Bermuda
Bermuda became part of MLT’s portfolio in March 2009. The island’s travel figures are ahead by 140.5 percent compared to last year. The 190,000 air seats being made available on Delta and Continental have opened up another window for expansion. Also, MLT’s recent addition of United Vacations will mean another 80,000 seats annually.
MLT represents the following Bermuda properties: The Fairmont Southampton; Tucker’s Point Hotel & Spa; Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa; Elbow Beach Hotel; Fairmont Hamilton Princess; Pompano Beach Club; Newstead Belmont Hills; 9 Beaches (closed until May 2011); Coco Reef Bermuda; Grotto Bay Beach; Surf Side Beach Club; and Rosedon Hotel.
MLT offers three tours—East End, West End and Deluxe East End. Car rentals are not allowed on the island.
Jamaica
MLT Vacations has been part of the Jamaica travel scene for more than 30 years. The company offers 54 Jamaica properties, including 18 in Montego Bay (from Half Moon Resort & Villas to Secrets Wild Orchid); 16 in Ocho Rios (from Riu Ocho Rios to Sandals Grande Ocho Rios Beach & Villa Resort); and 20 in Negril/South Coast (from Beaches Negril Resort & Spa to Grand Pineapple Beach Negril).
MLT has linked up with Tourwise Ltd. for tours that include horseback riding, ziplining, bamboo-rafting, climbing Dunn’s River Falls and the Bob Marley tour.
Dominican Republic
MLT’s portfolio in Punta Cana consists of 36 resorts, including Barcelo Bavaro Beach & Convention Center and Dreams Punta Cana. For those who want to get out and explore, MLT’s tours through Turissimo feature jungle safaris, four-wheeler tours, personal speedboat tours and day trips to Saona Island and Santo Domingo.
MLT has been serving Puerto Plata for 13 years, and currently sells 13 properties in Puerto Plata from the Allegro Puerto Plata to the Gran Ventana Beach Resort. It has tied up with Turissimo to provide tours throughout Puerto Plata, including the catamaran tour and four-wheeler tour.
Among MLT’s portfolio of eight properties in Santo Domingo are Hilton Santo Domingo and Meliá Santo Domingo. MLT-Turissimo tours extend from Santo Domingo to La Romana; day trips to Saona Island and Santo Domingo are available.
Puerto Rico
Twenty-three properties, including the Best Western San Juan Airport and The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, figure in the MLT Puerto Rico product. The company has taken on board Rico Sun Tours for the San Juan metropolitan area, day tours of Old San Juan combined with a visit to the Bacardi Rum distillery and full- and half-day trips to El Yunque rainforest.
Nassau, the Bahamas
Nassau has been part of MLT’s program for years. Since assuming management of Continental Airlines Vacations and Delta Vacations, MLT’s numbers to the destination have risen by more than 100 percent.
The company sells 14 properties in Nassau/Paradise Island. Its lineup extends from Breezes Bahamas to Atlantis, including four all-inclusive properties and Atlantis Dining Plans for the five Atlantis properties.
Among MLT’s tours and activities on Nassau/Paradise Island is the Sandy Toes day trip to a private island via catamaran. On the island, guests can snorkel, kayak, laze on the private beach or grab lunch and a few cocktails at the Sandy Toes Beach Bar. In addition, MLT offers city and country tours; deep-water swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cay Atlantis; and a number of dive options.
To book any of these Caribbean destinations through MLT Vacations, agents should visit www.worldagentdirect.com or call MLT’s reservations department at 800-727-1111.
 |
A suite at the Elbow Beach Hotel in Bermuda, one of a range of properties offered by MLT Vacations. |