Martinique has so much to discover; the Martinique Travel Show welcomes all to explore

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Crystal clear waters, majestic landmarks, a world of green with lush vegetation, superb cuisine with sophisticated flavours, some of the best rum in the world, events and festivals all year long, a rich history and vibrant culture, and a secret headquarters for romance, Martinique is ranked among the most alluring and enchanting destinations in the world.

Martinique has a magic all its own. There is this endearing West Indian warmth in the island’s personality. It is an island with style and so much more.

From May 18^th, 2021 – May 20^th, 2021, The Martinique Tourism Authority (MTA) held their first ever virtual international trade show, The Martinique Travel Show. They were successfully able to help tour operators, travel agents and media learn more about the Martinique’s exciting destination developments.

MTA was able to work with a great group of partners for this year’s event, some being: American Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, Air Belgium, Club Med, Skuzup, and Bambou Hotel, amongst many others. The island of flowers was awarded the safest destination in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Quality Index, and ranked #1 in the prestigious “ Emerging destinations” category of Travellers “Choice ® Best of the Best awards” for destinations on TripAdvisor for 2021.      

Between my multiple Zoom meetings, I was able to take a quick peek at what is happening on the beautiful island of Martinique. I was not surprised that even through the pandemic, the island has remained resilient.

Visitors were introduced to Martinique Hotel, Top Industry picks, which included: BAKOUAHOTEL, FRENCH COCO HOTEL, LA PAGERIE HOTEL, all sharing a piece of the island’s paradise. The hotels are expressly designed to blend elegance and comfort with nature, and there are even charming West Indies style hotels located in the resort areas.

If you want to try something a little different, you can experiment with Martinique’s unusual accommodations. Some of the more interesting ones include:

Le Domaine des Bulles
Here you can enjoy an exceptional wellness experience in Le Vauclin. If you are brave enough to do it, you can sleep in an air-conditioned bubble space in a private nature area. Your choices: Mineral Bubble, Water Bubble, or the Air Suite.

Sphair de Lune
This is a modern, eco-friendly property, and once again, the brave at heart can stay in a transparent tent with all the comforts of a bedroom and a view of the sea and sky.

I remember during my time on the island, I fell in love with the colourful, flavourful, cuisine of Martinique. You can taste the combination of Africa, Europe, and the Indies, in their light-hearted spicy and sweet dishes. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea, it brings tasty treasures such as: queen conch, titiri, clams, brigots, and snapper. Blend this with: West Indian bay leaves, thyme, chives, lemon, and hot pepper, the subtle seasonings that bring out all the taste.

The travel show allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the culture, and experience the history of the island. There is the Musée Frank Perret, Mémorial de la Catastrophe de 1902. The museum commemorates the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée, which destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre. It is the oldest museum in Martinique, and after the 2018 renovations, it now boasts a striking contemporary design.

There is the La Savane des Esclave, located in a sprawling park in Trois-llets. It is an open-air museum dedicated to the history of Martinique. It features reconstructed indigenous and Creole villages along with exhibits detailing what life was like on the island during and after the slavery era.

You like the outdoors. You will enjoy taking a walk in the Jardin de Balata, a three-hectare park that holds 3,000 types of indigenous ora and fauna, including some 300 species of palm trees just outside of Martinique’s capital.

For my water lovers, you can awaken your senses with a diving adventure in Martinique! Beginners and experienced divers alike, your Martinique diving experience will give you a unique glimpse into the secrets of the ocean.

Finally, for my animal lovers, there is the Martinique Zoo, which houses: monkeys, jaguars, pumas, lories, giant anteaters, and more is located

Latouche Plantation, which dates back to 1643. Perfect for all age groups, it has low-impact walking trails that wind through the property in the shadow of the towering Pitons du Carbet. This gives visitors the chance to easily view wildlife from Australia, Africa, and South and Central America.

Whether it is enjoying the experience of swimming in crystal-clear water with a temperature of more than 25°C, exploring an incredible array of natural landscapes, or enjoying a leisurely walk along the Presqu’île de la Caravelle peninsula, Martinique has so much to discover. You just have to get there. Find out how to create your ultimate escape vacation by visiting https://us.martinique.org/.