News
Scubaverse Team honoured in 2019 Caribbean Travel Media Awards
![](https://www.scubaverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/day-4-header.jpg)
Amidst the sounds and colours of a Barbados Tuk Band, courtesy of headline sponsor, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., the big winners of the 2019 Caribbean Travel Media Awards were revealed last week at an exclusive networking evening held at the Crowne Plaza London Docklands.
Shortlisted by a panel of 14 judges representing the industry, the winners across eight categories were each awarded a prestigious trophy with Certificates for runners-up, in the presence of visiting Caribbean ministers and UK Chapter members, including individual sponsors of the awards.
Caroline Robertson-Brown, Deputy Editor of Scubaverse Media, narrowly missed out on the top spot in the Best Consumer Feature award for ‘Treasure Island Barbados’ which appeared in the WINTER 2019 issue of Dive Travel Adventures magazine – go to page 72 HERE to read!
The first place in the Best Consumer Feature award went to Ronan O’Shea for his feature ‘Antigua Beyond the Beaches’ for Escapism Magazine. In third place was Nick Redman, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, for ‘Beq in Time.’ The Best Consumer Feature award was sponsored by the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism.
Here is the full list of the 2019 Caribbean Travel Media Awards winners, runners-up (2nd and 3rd place respectively) and sponsors:
Best Travel Trade Feature
- MARTIN STEADY for ‘A Journey to Belize’, Selling Travel
- In 2nd place: Andrew Doherty, TTG with ‘Jamaica Beyond The Beaches’
- In 3rd place: Kathryn Liston, Selling Travel, with ‘My Journey – St. Vincent & the Grenadines’
Sponsor: Discover Dominica Authority
Best National Newspaper Feature
- JULIET RIX for ‘Rediscovering Dominica two years after the Hurricane’, The Telegraph and Telegraph.co.uk
- In 2nd place: Ian Belcher, The Times for ‘How Grenada turned up the heat’
- TIED with James Henderson, The Telegraph for ‘Go Organic, local… and Jamaican’
- In 3rd place: Fiona Hyde, Irish Times, for ‘Holidaying solo on the honeymooner’s island of Saint Lucia’
Sponsor: St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Best Regional Newspaper Feature
- HANNAH STEPHENSON, ‘Spice of Life Grenada’, PA Media
- In 2nd: Priya Joshi, PA Media for ‘In Jamaica, The Jamaican Way’
- In 3rd place: Jane Harris, Waterfront Magazine with ‘Happy Landings Saint Lucia’
Sponsor: Saint Lucia Tourism Authority
Best Consumer Feature
- RONAN O’SHEA for ‘Antigua Beyond the Beaches’ Escapism
- In 2nd place: Caroline Robertson-Brown, Scubaverse, for ‘Treasure Island Barbados’
- In 3rd place: Nick Redman, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, for ‘Beq in Time’
Sponsor: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
Best Broadcast (TV & Radio) Feature
- AINSLEY HARRIOTT for Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen – Antigua, ITV
- In 2nd place: Greg McKenzie, BBC Travel Show for ‘Swapping dance moves for hard hats in Saint Martin’
- In 3rd place: Ainsley Harriott, Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen – Dominica, ITV
Sponsor: Bahamas Tourist Office
Best Online and/or Blog Feature
- MACCA SHERIFI for ‘What to do in Dominica-My Travel Guide’, An Adventurous World
- In 2nd place: Ursula Barzey, Caribbean & Co for ‘10 Islands To Visit in St Vincent & The Grenadines’
- TIED WITH
- Laura French, Lonely Planet, for ‘Wildlife, beaches and rum: Embracing Guadeloupe’s rustic charm’
- In 3rd place: Heather Cowper, Heather on her Travels for ‘Kaaboo Cayman Review’
- TIED WITH Ella Alexander, Harper’s Bazaar (Online) for ‘Beyond the beaches, a cultural guide to Jamaica’
Sponsor: Tobago Tourism Agency
Best Social Media Campaign
- #WhatCoolLooksLike campaign for TRAVERSE ANTIGUA CONFERENCE 2019
- In 2nd place: Charlie and Jess Wild for Kuoni & the Travel Project ‘Secret Antigua’
- In 3rd place: Ursula Barzey, Caribbean & Co for ‘Celebrating Creole Day& Other Things To Do In Saint Lucia’
Sponsor: Cayman Islands Department of Tourism
Best Caribbean Round Up
- AUDREY GILLAN & NICOLA TRUP for ‘A Caribbean Cook Up’, National Geographic Traveller
- In 2nd place: Lucy Thackray, Mandarin Oriental Magazine for ‘Six luxury trips from Canouan’
- In 3rd place: Jo Cooke, Travel Weekly for ‘Eight of the best Caribbean Cities’
Sponsor: Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Carol Hay, the CTO’s director of marketing for UK and Europe, said: “Congratulations to all the finalists and winners in the 2019 awards; the Caribbean Travel Media Awards have successively drawn a high standard of entries in all categories, each entry playing their part in raising awareness of the Caribbean as a region, and this year has been no exception.
“I would like to personally thank all the entrants who took time to submit their entries and express my gratitude to our headline sponsor, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, our individual award sponsors who very generously provided the prizes and the Judges for taking time out to review the entries.”
Find out more about the work of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) at www.onecaribbean.org.
News
Coming Soon – 52 Assignments
![](https://www.scubaverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/52.jpg)
52 Assignments
Underwater Photography By Alex Mustard
In this new book in the bestselling 52 Assignments series we take a dive into the world of underwater photography with a practical guide that will allow photographers to capture images from completely different angles. Intrepid underwater photographers can explore all the ways they can get creative with their craft following the advice of one of the world’s most celebrated underwater photographers. This book is a mission brief, a portfolio of photographic workshops, a personalized journal and an inspirational guide to putting the creativity back into your craft. It is filled with a year’s worth of weekly commissions and concepts for conceiving and composing exciting photos beneath the waves. The assignments range from getting the perfect supermacro shot of life on the seabed to creative use of the available light for moody photos of wrecks. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet with underwater photography or you are a seasoned pro looking for some fresh ideas, you’ll find an assignment here that will teach and inspire you.
“This isn’t a book to simply read, it is a book for those who really want to develop skills and improve.” – Alex Mustard
Full of technical advice and professional tips, 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography includes journal space for you to add your own notes, lists and tech specs, creating a unique journal in which you can record the journey you have made with your imagery. Complete the assignments weekend by weekend over the course of a year, or dip in every time you need to.
The book will be published on the 8th October by Ammonite Press.
RRP: £12.99
Watch out for our review here on Scubaverse!
Blogs
NovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
![novoscuba](https://www.scubaverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Main-Image-scaled.jpg)
The diving world thrives on passion and adventure, but for many dive store owners, the financial and operational challenges can be as deep as the ocean.
NovoScuba, an emerging force in the diving world, is on a mission to transform this landscape for the better. With a revolutionary approach to dive store and training agency partnerships, NovoScuba is setting new standards for how dive stores can thrive while keeping their focus on delivering exceptional diving experiences.
A New Paradigm: NovoScuba’s Bold Mission
NovoScuba’s mission is straightforward yet profound: to disrupt the traditional dynamics between dive store owners and training agencies. Traditionally, dive stores have been subjected to substantial fees charged by training agencies, for membership, materials and certifications. These costs have often placed a heavy financial burden on store owners, cutting into their profits and limiting their ability to offer competitive prices to customers.
NovoScuba flips the script by offering a model where dive stores earn money, instead of paying high fees. Dive stores receive commissions for every student they register, and their certification costs are covered. This new model not only boosts profitability but also ensures clients get top-quality training at unbeatable prices.
Financial Upsides: Earn From Student Registration
NovoScuba’s approach is simple yet revolutionary. Dive stores partnering with NovoScuba can earn commissions for every student they enroll.
Here’s how it works: For every student enrolled through NovoScuba, dive stores receive a commission. Each student enrolled will receive their e-learning materials and certification credit included in their subscription. This arrangement is a significant departure from the traditional model, where dive stores often struggle to manage high overhead costs related to training fees and certification expenses.
NovoScuba’s approach ensures that dive stores can focus on what they do best—providing top-notch diving experiences—without being bogged down by excessive financial burdens, and the need to carry large stocks of materials.
Quality Training at a Great Price
NovoScuba stands out by offering high-quality, ISO certified, training that doesn’t break the bank, in fact our students will pay less than with most competing agencies. Clients benefit from top-notch education and safety standards at competitive prices. Dive store owners can confidently promote NovoScuba’s programs, knowing they’re offering fantastic training at affordable rates. This balance of quality and affordability helps dive stores build a strong reputation and attract more customers.
Your Brand is Your Business: NovoScuba’s Commitment to Showcasing Your Identity
At NovoScuba, we understand that your brand is your most valuable asset, and we’re committed to putting it front and centre. Unlike agencies that charge high fees to promote their own brand, we believe in investing in yours. With NovoScuba, you won’t be paying to advertise someone else’s logo alone, — our focus is on showcasing your unique identity. Certifications prominently feature your brand, as well as the training agency, reinforcing your store’s image and brand every step of the way. We’re here to support and elevate your brand, ensuring that your investment directly benefits your business.
Affordable Membership: An Investment in Your Success
NovoScuba’s membership model is designed with dive store owners in mind. Membership fees are kept low and include annual Pro member fees for your team. Payment can be made monthly or annually in your local currency, avoiding the hassle of exchange rate fluctuations. NovoScuba promises no exchange rate changes without a six-month notice, ensuring financial stability and simplifying budgeting. With a membership lasting 12 months from date of joining, you’ll enjoy a full year of NovoScuba’s benefits and support.
Streamlined Operations: Simplifying Your Workload
Handling administrative tasks can be a challenge, but NovoScuba makes it easier. We’ve streamlined certification procedures and reduced paperwork to help dive stores operate more efficiently. Certification processing is quick and straightforward, allowing more focus on teaching and customer service. Our system minimises bureaucracy by storing necessary forms in student profiles, reducing paperwork and administrative delays.
Crossover Made Easy
For dive stores looking to transition to NovoScuba’s model, the crossover process is designed to be smooth and hassle-free. NovoScuba provides support to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible, helping dive store owners integrate into the new system with minimal disruption. Experienced dive Pros don’t need to undergo extensive retraining. Our crossover is designed to familiarise Pros with NovoScuba’s user-friendly platform, standards and course structures, and not to waste time and expense re-training in water.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll be ready to offer top-notch training through NovoScuba.
Comprehensive Business Support and Training Included in Your Membership
NovoScuba goes beyond financial benefits by offering experienced support and training. This value added service includes:
- Business Training: Optimise your operations with guidance on marketing, customer service, and best practices.
- Marketing and Promotion: Access resources to attract new customers and boost your store’s visibility. Enjoy cross promotions with NovoScuba to gain increased exposure.
- Ongoing Support: NovoScuba’s commitment to its partners extends beyond initial training and setup. The company offers ongoing support to address any issues or questions that arise. This continuous support ensures that dive store owners have a reliable resource to turn to whenever they need assistance.
Embracing Digital Natives: Instant Evolution and Continuous Improvement
NovoScuba’s digital-native approach is a game-changer. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, we ensure our services evolve and improve swiftly. Dive stores benefit from instant updates, the latest features, enhancements, and effective solutions, keeping them ahead of the curve. This continuous improvement helps dive stores stay competitive and deliver exceptional services. Whether it’s a new course update, additional marketing resources, or improved e-learning functions, NovoScuba’s digital infrastructure ensures that dive stores are always equipped with the most current and effective solutions. This continuous evolution not only helps dive stores stay ahead in a competitive market but also ensures they consistently provide top-quality services to their clients.
Why Is NovoScuba Doing This? – Fair Profit Sharing for Greater Access and Growth
At NovoScuba, we’ve taken a bold step by paying commissions to stores rather than following the traditional model of training agencies charging high fees. Our mission is to make diving accessible to everyone and to foster a growing community of new divers and continued education. By redistributing profits more equitably between stores and training agencies, we aim to create a more supportive and collaborative environment within the industry. We believe this approach not only helps individual stores thrive but also stimulates overall growth and innovation in diving. Our commitment to fair profit sharing reflects our dedication to the long-term health and expansion of the diving community.
![novoscuba](https://www.scubaverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Image-5-scaled.jpg)
Everyone is getting a piece of the pie.
Getting Started: Join the NovoScuba Revolution
Ready to revolutionise your dive store experience? NovoScuba is here to support your journey toward reduced costs, increased profitability, and enhanced operational efficiency. Get in touch with our team to learn how NovoScuba can transform your business.
For more information, email info@novoscuba.com or visit www.novoscuba.academy.
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