Black
Gold On The Beach: Websites Deliver African American Professionals
To The Caribbean
Oakland,
CA
(BlackNews.com) - "The Caribbean Escape - Summit at The Westin
St. John (US Virgin Islands, August 16-21, 2005)" is a new
Caribbean vacation catering to Black professionals. African
American websites in Atlanta, Los Angeles, the San Francisco/Oakland
Bay Area and Washington DC are using the power of the Internet
to market this new vacation experience, which offers adventure,
beach fun, R&R, and networking. "Incredibly, this is the only
nationally marketed Caribbean resort vacation that caters
to African American professionals, particularly those 35 years
and older," says Paul Mixon, tour operator. (For Caribbean
Escape trip information, visit www.viplineup.com/caribbeanescape2005.asp)
The Internet marketing engine behind Caribbean Escape includes
BlackNLA.com (Los Angeles), FLOWInsiders.com (Washington D.C.),
Izania.com (National), the RAAPNetwork.com (Atlanta) and VIPLineup.com
(San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area). Reaching over 250,000 subscribers
weekly, the group's involvement in this first time effort
stems from their desire to fill a growing void and demand
in vacation offerings to older Black professionals. According
to a Digitial Marketing Services survey, a majority of African
Americans read online ads, and 46% find them informative compared
to 26% of the general population. Online marketing appears
to be an effective way to reach this market.
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Mixon
understands the power of the internet, which is why
he presented the concept to Michael DeFlorimonte, CEO
of VIPLineup.com, a San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area lifestyle
and entertainment website for urban professionals. After
realizing the uniqueness of the trip, DeFlorimonte immediately
reached out to selected African American websites in
other major cities. "The networking component, specifically
the opportunity to meet like-minded mature (35 and older)
Black professionals from other cities in an upscale
vacation environment is a strong attraction."
Mixon is already known for its successsful Black Boater's
Summit (British Virgin Islands), a 7 day yachting adventure
for African Americans, now in its eighth year. Market
indicators point toward the success of Caribbean Escape.
The underserved African American travel and tourism
market now approaches $40 billion annually; travel,
online, and population growth rates among Blacks regularly
exceed those of the general market; and over 9.3 million
African Americans live in households of $60,000 or more.
Given these trends, Mixon's group of savvy online marketers
may be well on their way to attracting Black gold.
The Caribbean Escape differs from other organized African
American trips, which typically appeal to a younger
audience, are cruise ship based, or lack an island adventure
component. Caribbean Escape vacationers can opt for
a Resort only package, or the more extensive Premium
Inclusive package, which includes excursions to the
British Virgin Islands, yacht cocktail parties, dinners,
parties, entertainment and hospitality discounts on
shopping, spa, drinks, golf and other hotel amenities.
"We created a travel experience that gives vacationers
plenty of options," says Mixon. "To top it off, Black
Boater's Summit participants will join Caribbean Escape
attendees at The Westin for the final 2 days of the
trip."
For Caribbean Escape trip information, visit:
www.viplineup.com/caribbeanescape2005.asp
Press Release photos - visit:
www.viplineup.com/caribbeanescape2005-prphotos.html
Press Contacts:
Paul Mixon, tour operator
(510) 222-6308, pmixon@honeyletstravel.com
Cherice Calhoun, President - BlackNLA.com (323) 363-0866,
calhoun@blacknla.com
Michael DeFlorimonte, CEO - VIPLineup.com
(415) 203-9801, michaeld@viplineup.com
Al Flowers, Principal/Co-Founder - FLOWInsiders.com
(703) 623-3039, al@flowinsiders.com
Roger Madison, CEO - Izania.com
(614) 855-4428, rmadison@izania.com
Robert Martin, Founder & GM - RAAPNetwork.com
(404) 775-4118, rmmartin@raapnetwork.com
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