Grenadian hotelier delivers headline address at SOTIC in the Cayman Islands

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (September 14, 2024) – Grenadian luxury boutique hotel owner, Janelle Hopkin, shared her vision for elevating Caribbean hospitality to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. Her blueprint outlines strategies to create immersive and personalized journeys for the guests of the future.

Her comments were part of her headline address at CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC), which took place September 2-6 at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach in the Cayman Islands. Hopkin, who serves as President & Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, was invited to speak from an operator’s perspective on navigating the evolving tourism landscape.

Drawing from the conference theme, “Caribbean Tourism: Fueling our Lifeblood”, Hopkin metaphorically compared the guest experience to the blood that carries vital elements for a healthy body. Just as blood transports oxygen, nutrients and waste to and from cells, the guest experience delivers all the essential components of a perfect stay to sustain the life of the Caribbean tourism industry.

Similarly, she likened the role of the heart as the “pump or engine” that facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to staff. In this instance she posited that “people are the heart of hospitality,” denoting that the human resource is the first pillar of her framework.

“Hospitality and tourism are fast-paced, and if we intend to remain competitive, we must invest more in our people. Staff training and skills development are crucial for long-term success. By equipping team members with the necessary knowledge, tools, and techniques – and keeping them updated with industry trends and best practices – they can boost productivity and consistently deliver high-quality, superior service that can enhance customer experience, improve customer satisfaction, and drive business growth,” she explained.

Referencing her own experiences as a hotelier, she outlined the four-part model (authenticity, individualization, innovation, and excellence) that has worked successfully to establish her resort as one of the premier Caribbean all-inclusive properties. This model has enabled her to deliver stays that are effortlessly bespoke – unique, memorable, highly distinctive, and shaped by local culture.

In her speech, once again referencing this year’s theme, Hopkin made the case for technology as the ‘fuel’. She opined that operators must invest in technology, calling on them to evolve their strategies and take advantage of the impact technological advances can make on their businesses.

Hopkin stated, “The flexibility of new technologies and architectures is enabling operators to rethink how they can harness technology to make it easier for their organizations to innovate and position themselves to provide new offerings and meet the needs of guests. Technology will also be key to better managing operations and maximizing overall performance, enhancing sales and marketing approaches, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.”

She further explained that “to meet the demands of future travelers, and to truly engage and convert what I like to call the ‘now consumer’ – a highly mobile, always-connected individualist – operators would need to embrace the technology these consumers use.” Accordingly, Caribbean hoteliers will need to address mobility holistically to determine ways to effectively integrate both guest and employee demands into their enterprise and property IT architectures and manage them across the guest life cycle.

As a third generation hotelier, and daughter of the late iconic Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin, Janelle Hopkin brought a youthful energy to the conference and spoke with optimism about the future for the sector. She closed by stating that if tourism is indeed seen as the ‘lifeblood of the Caribbean’, then it is imperative that more young hoteliers like herself understand that hospitality is now “part art, part science”, to ensure the region remains poised to meet the needs of the ever-evolving, “choice spoilt” voyagers of the future.

MONTEGO BAY, September 14 (JIS): Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, says Jamaica will take  one step closer to removing every single remaining school from the shift system during this school year.

The Minister, who was speaking to students, teachers, administrators and other stakeholders on opening day at the Ocho Rios Primary School in St. Ann, on September 2, said that while the shift system served a necessary purpose in the past,  the time has come to bring all schools back to their traditional all-day operation.

“This year, Ocho Rios Primary School will be joined by Naggo Head Primary, Bridgeport High, and Papine High in the transition from the shift system. Achieving these four schools will mean that by the end of this year, we will have only 27 schools left to de-shift. We are coming from 38 when I sat in the chair at the Ministry of Education and Youth in September 2020,” Mrs. Williams pointed out.

“All I can say is, we need to listen to our stakeholders all the time, not just assume that we know what’s good for them. Look at the pain that our students suffered under the shift system. This we wouldn’t know until we listen to them articulate it. I am, indeed, happy that I am part of this process of transforming the education system in Jamaica,” she added.

The Minister said that the transition to a single shift system should be seen as “more than just a change in the schedule,” but also as a promise fulfilled by the Government… “a promise to create a better, more balanced learning environment for our children for years”.

She said that while very few people would argue that the shift system has been a necessary part of the educational landscape, it also brought its own set of challenges, such as limiting the time students could spend learning, exploring and growing.

“Today, we are breaking free from those limits by moving to a single all-day shift system. We are giving our students more time, more opportunities and a school day that supports both their academic success and their overall health,” the Minister added.

“Today is a day of celebration. We are gathered here to mark an important milestone for Ocho Rios Primary School, which has been on the shift system since 1998, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with all of you as we stand at the beginning of a new school year,” the Minister said.

In the meantime, Mrs. Williams said the Government is also focused on improving the infrastructure of  schools, making sure every student learns in a safe, modern and inspiring environment.

She reminded that the school system took a big hit from Hurricane Beryl on July 3, when more than 300 schools suffered different degrees of damage, noting that “we looked at that number and of the over 300, some 107 of them were so damaged that if we did not fix them, school would not begin today”.

CONTACT: GARWIN DAVIS

JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the 26th Interpol Americas Regional Conference, on September 11, 2024, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis said that it was a “distinct honour” to welcome participants and said that their assembly at the event in The Bahamas reflected the “critical need for a unified and strategic response to the growing complexities of transnational crime.”

“From organized criminal networks to cyber threats, human trafficking, and the illegal arms and drug trades, these challenges transcend borders, requiring solutions that are grounded in international cooperation,” Prime Minister Davis said, at the event held at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island.

He added:  “Interpol is a cornerstone in fostering these high-level partnerships, enabling law enforcement agencies to work seamlessly across jurisdictions. Through collaboration, intelligence sharing, and joint operations, we fortify our collective security framework. The strength of our partnerships lies not only in our shared commitment but also in the integration of our resources, expertise, and resolve to protect our citizens and secure our region.  It is this collective effort that will ensure we remain resilient in the face of evolving threats.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that, in the “rapidly changing world,” criminal networks were becoming more sophisticated and adaptable, making it essential that the approach to combating those threats evolved in tandem.

“No single nation can face these challenges alone,” he said.  “The need for a shared, coordinated response has never been more critical.”

“Our collective success depends on our ability to work together, pooling our resources, intelligence, and best practices,” he added.  “This shared approach strengthens our capacity to anticipate, prevent, and respond to criminal activities that threaten the safety and stability of our nations.

“By aligning our strategies and deepening our cooperation, we not only enhance our national security efforts but also contribute to the overall security of the region.”

Prime Minister Davis stated that The Bahamas recognized the importance of that collaboration.

“We have invested in advanced technology, reinforced our legal framework, and enhanced our law enforcement capabilities,” he said.

“However, these efforts are only as strong as the partnerships we build with our international counterparts. Our shared commitment to safeguarding our societies is what makes this conference, and our continued cooperation, so essential.

He added:  “While we often focus on the technical aspects of crime prevention — intelligence sharing, law enforcement strategies, and legal frameworks — it is essential that we never lose sight of the human cost. Behind every statistic lies the reality of individuals and families whose lives are disrupted or destroyed by the impact of crime. Whether it is human trafficking, drug smuggling, or violent crime, the human toll is profound, particularly in vulnerable communities.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that In the Caribbean and Latin America, they had seen firsthand how organized crime infiltrated societies, exploiting economic vulnerabilities and eroding social cohesion.

“The illicit activities we face not only undermine our economies but also compromise the very fabric of our communities,” he said.  “This makes it all the more important that we address not just the symptoms of crime but the root causes that allow these networks to thrive.”

“By strengthening our cooperation through Interpol, we not only enhance our ability to dismantle criminal networks but also to protect the most vulnerable among us,” he added. “Our shared commitment must extend beyond law enforcement; it must also focus on reducing the socioeconomic conditions that make our citizens susceptible to criminal exploitation. Addressing this human impact is key to ensuring lasting security and stability across our region.”

Prime Minister Davis noted that, as they all reflected on the discussions and collaborations during the conference, it was clear that the strength of their relationship had never been more important.

“The challenges we face are dynamic, but so too are the opportunities for deepening our ties and enhancing our collective security,” he said.  “This conference represents not just an exchange of ideas, but a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to a safer and more secure future for our nations.”

He added:  “Moving forward, it is vital that we continue to build on the progress made here. Our collaboration through Interpol must remain proactive, adaptive, and resilient. By reinforcing our partnerships and constantly evolving our strategies, we will be better equipped to anticipate and respond to emerging threats.”

Prime Minister Davis expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Interpol for its leadership and for facilitating those critical conversations.

“I also extend my heartfelt thanks to each delegate here for your ongoing dedication to the safety and security of our region,” he said.  “The outcomes of this conference will resonate far beyond these walls, shaping the future of our cooperative efforts in combating transnational crime.”

“Before we conclude, I warmly invite you to experience why ‘It’s Better in The Bahamas’,” Prime Minister Davis added.  “Take some time to enjoy our beautiful sun, sand, and sea, and discover the richness of Bahamian hospitality and culture.”

PHOTO CAPTION

Photos show official remarks being delivered at the 26th Interpol Americas Regional Conference, Atlantis Resort, September 11, 2024 by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, INTERPOL President Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi, and Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander.     (BIS Photos/Eric Rose)