Bahamas News
World Travel Awards joins World Spa Awards at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay
United Kingdom, September 4, 2017 – London – World Travel Awards has confirmed that its Grand Final Gala Ceremony 2017 will join World Spa Awards at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa in Vietnam.
Both the World Travel Awards Grand Final and World Spa Awards will take place on the evening of 10 December at the luxury five star beach resort, welcoming hundreds of hospitality leaders from across the region and around the world.
The decision to combine World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremonyand World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony will give nominees and delegates a heightened exposure on the night, as well as increasing the networking opportunities on offer. The event will be a showcase of both the best of Vietnamese hospitality and the global spa and wellness industry.
World Travel Awards President Graham Cooke said: “Having taken the decision to combine both the World Travel Awards Grand Final Gala Ceremony and World Spa Awards Gala Ceremony, it is a pleasure to confirm they will both take place in early December at the incredible JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa.”
Enviably situated on the pristine island of Phu Quoc – a lush, hidden paradise off the southern coast of Vietnam – JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa transports guests back to the bygone era of the early 20th century, with Bill Bensley’s whimsical design of a mythical academy of Lamarck University offering a world of fantasies, and JW Marriott’s legendary services with exquisite detail evident throughout the property.
However, the standout at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is without a doubt the resort’s flagship spa, Chanterelle – Spa by JW, with unique mushroom-themed design as references from Alice in Wonderland, offering an unconventional guest journey and an unparalleled experience in an imaginative space.
The spa boasts a VIP treatment room with its own luxurious bath, sauna and steam room, seven treatment rooms and one VIP treatment room, two reflexology rooms, two express treatment rooms, a sauna and steam room and a beauty salon.
“We are extremely proud and honoured to host both the 24th annual World Travel Awards Grand Final and the 3rd annual World Spa Awards at the incredible JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa,” said Ty Collins, General Manager at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa.
“A lush resort that is a destination unto itself, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay embodies the academic narrative across its enriching experiences of true luxury. As a host of the two prestigious events, we look forward to celebrating the pinnacle of the both the global tourism and spa industry during a spectacular Gala Ceremony event at our hotel resort.”
World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.
Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective successes within each key geographical region.
World Travel Awards Gala Ceremonies are widely regarded as the best network-ing opportunities in the travel industry, attended by government and industry leaders, luminaries, and international print and broadcast media.
World Spa Awards is a dynamic awards programme, launched in 2015, and is designed to drive up standards within spa and wellness tourism by rewarding the organisations that are the leaders in the field.
For more information about World Travel Awards, please visit the official website www.worldtravelawards.com, while there is more information on the World Spa Awards at www.worldspawards.com.
Press Release: World Travel Awards
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
