Business View Caribbean - July 2016 51
Raaijmaakers says that 100 percent of its guests were
from Sweden, flown there via direct charter from Stock-
holm on tours arranged by Langley Travel Sweden. To-
day, the majority of guests are from France, followed
by Sweden, Germany, the United States, Canada, Bel-
gium, and Switzerland.
While there are many places to stay in Guadeloupe,
Raaijmaakers believes that the Fort Royal has some
distinct competitive advantages. “We have the largest
hotel rooms in Guadeloupe,” he says, “and then we
offer different packages.” (Guests can choose among
breakfast only, half-board, or all-inclusive.) “We offer
two products: bungalows and hotel rooms, which is
unique on Guadeloupe; we have free Wi-Fi in the guest
rooms and public areas, which is also unique on Gua-
deloupe; we have a panoramic sea view restaurant
and beach bar.”
In addition, the Resort boasts the most extensive ex-
cursion program on the island as well as the most
water sports and activities including jet skiing, wind-
surfing, boating, kayaking, deep sea fishing, and div-
ing. The world-famous Cousteau Underwater Reserve
is located off nearby Pigeon Island. The Langley also
sports a young, multi-lingual team of employees, the
better to cater to its international clientele. Raaijmaak-
ers adds that the majority of his staff is local, while the
remainder is European.
Over the past few years, the Resort has continued to
update the property. It has already renovated its en-
tire restaurant and buffet area and Raaijmaakers says
there is a possibility of adding more rooms. “But our
first priority is to modernize the current facilities that
we have,” he maintains. “We have a plan to improve our
guest rooms and bungalows. It’s quite a major project
