St. Maarten continues to assist travelers during these hard economic times by making it more affordable to vacation on the Dutch side of the island with the launch of a SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings winter promotion affording discounts up to 25% off nightly room rates at select hotels, plus $50 per day credit, per room booked, in the form of  “SXM Bucks” to be used at participating restaurants, casinos, car rentals, shops, spas and attractions, resulting in up to $1,700 in savings on a one-week vacation.

Offer valid on bookings made by Nov. 30, 2009 for a minimum of four nights, for travel Dec. 1, 2009 through April 15, 2010.

“In the current economic climate, travelers are looking for added-value when planning their next vacation,” said Frans Richardson, Commissioner of Tourism & Economic Affairs, Aviation and Sports for St. Maarten. “With SXM bucks, visitors have the ability to earn money during their stay so that they can enjoy many of the island local establishments.”

SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings participating hotels include Belair Beach Hotel, Coral Beach Club, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Princess Heights, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa and Wyndham Sapphire Beach Resort.  Horizon View Beach Hotel, Joshua Rose Guest House and Turquoise Shell Inn are participating in the promotion with up to 25% off rates only.

Guests will receive the $50 “SXM Bucks” upon arrival based on the number of days they are staying.  “SXM Bucks” can be redeemed up to one year from date of issue.  The variety of booking discounts are valid at select hotels for travel through Dec. 1, 2009 through April 15, 2010.  Certain restrictions apply.

The $50 “SXM Bucks” per day spending credit can be used at the following retailers:

• Restaurants: Antoine’s, Pineapple Pete, Ric’s Place, Saratoga, Beau Beau’s, Fusion, Infinity, Islan Flava, The Tides Restaurant, La Cucina, Molasses and Sopranos Restaurant
• Shops: AMA Jewelers, Ballerina Jewelers, Bedazzled Jewelers, Caribbean Gems, Diamonds International, Lucky Too Gift Shop, Lucky Too Jewelers, Shipwreck Shops, St. Maarten Guavaberry, Effy Collection and Tanzanite International
• Casinos:  Casino Royale, Diamond Casino, Golden Casino
• Spas: Good Life Spa, Indulgence by the Sea, The Spa and Vitality Oasis Spa
• Attractions:  Aqua Mania Adventures, Exquisite Water Sports, Xaro Tours, Atlantis Adventures and 12 Metre Challenge
• Car Rentals:  Best Deal, Hertz, U-Save, Value, Avis and Rolex

For more information about the SensAAtional St. MAArten Savings, “SXM Bucks,” and participating hotels visit St. Maarten Official site.

Great Bay, St. Martin (September 1, 2009) – Winair has launched a new initiative which according to many is geared at seeing people travel at an exceptionally low rate. Launched under the umbrella of Winair airfare fest the promotion will run from September 7th to October 31 this year.

Managing Director Edwin Hodge said that the promotion will be open to the airline’s nine destinations and already purchases for the 41,000 odd seats have already begun since August 28th. “Beginning August 28th we have already begun seeing passengers taking advantage of our latest promotion as many persons wants to be part of this mega airfare fest,” Buncamper said.

VP of Marketing Claudio Buncamper however warned that tickets for the promotion are non refundable and instant purchase is required within 24 hours. He also said that all Winair Fares for this promotion are available at 25% discount of the regular fare.  Winair traditional low day trip fares have also been further lowered, examples are like follows:  St. Maarten to Saba or St. Eustatius as low as US$ 81.00 roundtrip including all taxes and surcharges.

Those latest promotion forms part of a number of series of new and exciting promotions that the airline has been introducing. However, Management said that it forms part of the airline’s attempts to creating a stimulus package for persons who travels in an attempt to assist in reducing the impact caused by the financial crisis.

Management pointed out that the airline also sees its as part of its responsibility in lending assistance by way of enhancing its travelling public while at the same time enhance business related opportunities for the islands that it has flights to and from. This, Hodge said will help significantly in stimulating business in the traditional slow season whilst giving some relief to its passengers.

He noted that the public should take advantage of the promotion noting that despite the evident global challenges facing the region that Winair has sought to ease some of the challenges by introducing such extraordinarily low fares.

News from AVSNewsOnline

The airline JetBlue is offering very attractive packages to the friendly island of St. Maarten from major U.S airports. At the airline’s website, users will find great deals to St. Maarten and St. Martin that start as low as $519.

JetBlue flies out from several New York airports as well as Washington D.C., Virginia, Massachusetts, Vermont, North Carolina and Maine. The airline’s promotion to the Friendly Island offers travelers a great alternative to destination and low prices.

Passengers from the JetBlue airline may choose from hotels such as Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino at Maho Bay and the Princess Heights Hotel in Dawn Beach.

The Getaway Vacation Packages offered by JetBlue apply for travel departing the U.S on Sonday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday and return flights on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday. Those interested in the JetBlue St. Maarten and St. Martin Getaway deals will need to know that the prices advertised are per person and based on double occupancy.

Other local and air travel taxes and fees are applicable as well as rates may vary depending on travel date and availability.

Aside from the island’s great beaches, St. Maarten offers the largest safari reserve St. Maarten Park, the largest of its kind in the Caribbean. The zoo also exhibits botanical and floral gardens as well as a reptile house, Squirrel Monkey Island, aviary and nocturnal exhibit.

Check with your local agent or access JetBlue’s website for more information on how to take advantage of these special deals.