The Bahamas, March 25, 2025 – Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to announce the opening of the 2025 Carleton Williams Scholarship. This year the scholarship is open to all sixth-grade students attending public schools with a 3.0 GPA or above in Grand Bahama.

The scholarship rotates annually between primary students at Garvin Tynes Primary in New Providence and  . The winning scholar is awarded a scholarship to a local private school for the full six years of high school, subject to a minimum GPA requirement.

This year’s scholarship application will close on Sunday, May 11^th, 2025. Their applications will be reviewed by a panel, followed by an interview with the finalists.

The award which launched in 2016 was created to honor Carleton Williams CBE on his retirement as Chairman of the Board for Caribbean Bottling Company. Since then, this scholarship has impacted the lives of 10 students and their families.                                                                                                                                                                                                           The 2025 recipient will join CBC’s vibrant scholarship community, consisting of: Selena Cartwright, 2024; Timothy Kemp, 2023; Leonardo Sands, 2022; Maliyah Edgecombe, 2021; Angela Sands, 2020; Gabriel Hall, 2019; Kennedi Knowles and Anajah Culmer, 2018; Kailena Pinder, 2017 and 2016 inaugural scholarship winners, D’Ron & T’Ron Strapp on their academic journey.

Maliyah Edgecombe, a tenth-grade student at Bishop Michael Eldon Highschool and the 2021 recipient shared how this scholarship affected her life.

“This scholarship has made a great impact on my life. It has not only given me financial support but motivation to pursue in my academic and career goals.”

With CBC’s support, Edgecombe can explore her talents and passions. She is a member of various clubs and organizations such as: Key Club, The Governor General Youth Award (GGYA), Student Christian Movement (SCM), tennis, Georgia School of Dance (ballet, jazz and drama) and she plays clarinet in her church’s band.

Edgecombe recalled the moment her dreams became reality when she was informed that she had been chosen as the 2021 Carleton Williams Scholarship recipient.

“When I was informed that I was chosen for this scholarship, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions; gratitude, excitement and relief! I was elated to know that I was chosen from a myriad of students.” she expressed.

Upon the opening of this year’s scholarship, Edgecombe shared her support to the hundreds of students who will be applying or considering it.

“I would like to encourage those who are applying for the scholarship that no matter the outcome, the effort you put into applying for this scholarship is already a step toward your future. Keep pushing forward, remember that hard work pays off and never stop believing in yourself!”

Application closes May 11^th. For all those interested in applying or know someone who would benefit from this award visit www.cbcbahamas.com for complete details and to access the application.

Photo Caption: New Providence scholarship recipients posing during the 2024 Carleton Williams Scholarship workshop. (L-R) Angela Sands, 2020 recipient; Selena Cartwright, 2024 recipient, Zakiyah Neely and Karla Wells-Lisgaris, CBC’s Commercial Officer.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, March 25, 2025 – St. Vincent and the Grenadines has recorded a 25.6% year-on-year increase in stayover arrivals, surpassing its target and marking a 39% rise over 2019, one of the country’s strongest tourism years before the global health pandemic.

For the first time in the nation’s history, stayover arrivals exceeded 100,000 visitors.

Minister of Tourism Carlos James attributed the impressive growth to several key factors, including a sharp increase in airlift with four new carriers added in Q4 of 2024, a booming yachting and cruise sector, and expanded hotel development. New properties such as Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, La Vue Hotel, and Mayah’s Hotel have contributed significantly to the destination’s appeal.

Adam Stewart, Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, described the record-breaking surge in visitor arrivals as a “game-changing achievement we are incredibly proud to have influenced.” He noted that the opening of Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines has exceeded expectations and brought something truly extraordinary to the island.

Looking ahead to 2025, Minister James emphasized plans to sustain this momentum, with additional room stock in the pipeline, including the Marriott St. Vincent, which will break ground this year with 250 additional rooms.

March 25, 2025 – World Travel Awards, (WTA) has announced that Cancún, Mexico has been selected to host its Latin America Ceremony 2025. The world-class city will welcome travel and tourism figureheads for the red-carpet on 27 September.  The announcement was made at a VIP signing in Madrid, organised by Secretaría Municipal de Turismo Cancún, on the eve of FITUR International Tourism Trade Fair 2025.

WTA’s debut reflects the buoyancy of the travel and tourism sector in Cancún and the beautiful state of Quintana Roo. Nestled on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, the destination offers the perfect blend of majestic beaches, historic sites, rich culture and a wealth of activities.

Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards, says: “After receiving applications from a strong field of prospective destinations, I am delighted to announce that World Travel Awards has selected Cancún as the Official Host Destination of the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025.”

“I look forward to welcoming travel industry leaders from across Latin America to experience the many delights of Cancún, from fabulous beaches, tropical forests and legendary nightlife to ancient Mayan sites.”

Juan Pablo de Zulueta, Municipal Secretary of Tourism, Cancún: says: “We are honoured that, for the first time, we have been unanimously chosen to host the World Travel Awards Latin America Ceremony 2025 in Cancún. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms.”

WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

WTA gala ceremonies are widely regarded as the best networking opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.