October 07, 2025 No comments
Dominica and Barbados Sign Landmark Tourism Partnership. Islands unite to promote multi-destination travel experiences for global visitors
DOMINICA/BARBADOS — Dominica and Barbados have signed a landmark tourism partnership through an agreement to collaborate on promoting their tourism products and offering enhanced multi-destination packages. The historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on October 1 at the Hilton Barbados Resort during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). The partnership between Dominica, the Nature Isle and Barbados, the Gem of the Caribbean— marks a significant step toward deepening regional ties and delivering greater value to travellers. The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) entered into the MOU to cement this step toward strengthening the appeal of both countries, promoting sustainable tourism and developing new vacation experiences for travellers. The MOU establishes a...
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October 07, 2025 No comments
RAPP’s journalism seminar highlights the importance of trust in the press
SINT MAARTEN/ARUBA - To foster dialogue on disinformation and restore trust in the press, Red Arubiano di Prensa Profesional (RAPP) organized its second seminar, ‘Rebuilding Trust in Caribbean Media’, focusing on public engagement, fact-checking, and mitigating digital threats. The Caribbean Journalism Seminar, held on Thursday, September 26, at Impact Hub Aruba, reflected today’s Caribbean reality, where disinformation spreads rapidly and undermines public confidence in the news. Through presentations and open dialogue, RAPP called on journalists to work together to strengthen transparency, ethics, and connection with the community. Speakers included international and local experts: Rosario Marina (Chequeado, Argentina): Demonstrated how fact-checking is a vital tool to combat disinformation in the region and how to integrate verification into newsroom workflows. Vincent Smit (1Almere, Netherlands): Shared editorial innovations...
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October 06, 2025 No comments
Successful conclusion to SOTIC 2025 in Barbados
BARBADOS/CARIBBEAN - The Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) concluded on a successful note at Hilton Barbados Resort last week, bringing together ministers, directors, executives, researchers and media under the theme “Reimagining Caribbean Tourism: Research, Relevance and the Road Ahead”. The dynamic program featured sessions on airlift, cruise development, sports tourism, medical and wellness travel, and the shifting dynamics of traditional and emerging markets. With a strong emphasis on research-driven insights, innovation and collaboration, the conference provided delegates with actionable strategies to navigate an evolving tourism landscape and ensure the sector’s continued vitality. From the Regional Youth Congress to vibrant cultural showcases, SOTIC 2025 captured the spirit of a united Caribbean, while providing a vital forum for...
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October 05, 2025 No comments
Minister Brug rejects Supervisory Council’s nomination for SZV Director. Orders restart of recruitment process
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, has rejected the recent nomination for the position of Director of SZV, citing serious irregularities in the recruitment process, which appeared to favor a particular candidate. Key concerns included scoring anomalies, insufficient expertise on the Nominating Committee, questionable handling of candidates, breaches of confidentiality, more importantly: non-compliance with statutory requirements. A number of applicants also submitted formal and informal complaints that reinforced these concerns. To restore public trust and ensure a transparent, merit-based process, the Supervisory Council has been instructed to restart the recruitment with the support of an independent recruitment firm. All procedures must strictly adhere to statutory and governance standards. The renewed process is...
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October 05, 2025 No comments
PJIAE AIRPORT CELEBRATES FIRST EVER MOVIE NIGHT FOR 250 KIDS
SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY-AIRPORT) - On Friday, October 3, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) proudly hosted its first-ever kids movie night, welcoming 250 children for an evening of entertainment, community connection, and joy. The free event was part of PJIAE’s ongoing community program and was fully booked just a few hours after registration opened, reflecting the strong enthusiasm and engagement from families across the island. The event aimed to strengthen the airport’s connection with the local community. Families gathered in the airport’s check-in area to enjoy a true cinematic experience, complete with complimentary popcorn, ice cream, and refreshments for both children and parents. “This program is about building bridges between the airport and the people of St. Maarten,” said Michael Cleaver, CEO and...
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