The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, in partnership with leading travel and wholesale companies, is offering travel agents a bonus commission on reservations booked with its new Travel Agent Stimulus Program.

The Spring Sparkles in Style offer at the Hotel Carl Gustaf & Spa in St. Barth includes a one-bedroom suite deluxe accommodation for two people with private plunge pool and terrace overlooking Gustavia harbor or a two-bedroom suite deluxe accommodation for four people with private plunge pool and terrace overlooking Gustavia harbor. It includes a chilled bottle of champagne served in suite upon arrival; daily Continental breakfast served in suite; access to the fitness center; Wi-Fi access in suite and roundtrip airport transfers. A complimentary added-value includes a daily rental car (excluding insurance and fuel).

Sol Meliá announced results for the 2008 financial year which reflect the negative impact the global economic crisis is having on the travel industry and which are also affected by their comparison with the record results achieved in 2007.

According to a published report by Hospitality Jamaican, A Gleaner Publication, eight Jamaican boutique resorts are now touting themselves as gay-friendly. The eight, which are mainly small hotels, villas and guest houses spread across the island, are welcoming gay and lesbian couples. While many locals still may not be too fond of the idea, it does open the destination up to an estimated $64.5 billion annual market. According to the article, this segment can fit the classic definition of DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) households. This relative absence of children leads to a greater potential for leisure travel due to resulting higher levels of disposable income.

Travel Agent sat down with representatives of the Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino and learned of a new agent-friendly website, as well as an exclusive deal, the company will soon launch. Following the footsteps of sister property Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, the resort will launch a website in the next two weeks where agents can customize their clients’ trips and have access to a booking engine. A creative deal offered by the resort, dubbed the “Write Off Promotion,” hasn’t been officially released yet, but Peggy Muzo, director of sales for the property, told Travel Agent that anyone who books now through April 15, the tax deadline, can write off their last night’s stay at the hotel. A four-day minimum is required. The Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino officially opened February 3, becoming the newest full-service, branded resort on Curacao in more than 15 years. It has 273 rooms, including 14 suites. It also has a spa with eight treatment rooms, a 15,000-square-foot casino with slots and table games and, perhaps one of the most innovative ideas we’ve heard of in a long time, its own, custom-made beach. The beach, which sits above sea level, is located adjacent to the resort’s freshwater infinity pool, both offering great views of the Caribbean Sea.

Half Moon is offering meeting planners over $3,000 worth of added incentive to meet at the 400-acre resort located in Rose Hall, Jamaica. The resort’s Lets Meet in Jamaica promotion gives groups of 15 rooms or more complimentary welcome reception with hors d’oeuvres; roundtrip, on-island airport transfers with personalized meet and greet service for all group participants; private resort check-in with welcome drink; and wireless Internet service as well as meeting rooms and function space for group events.