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Jamaican PM Holness sworn in as Head of Government

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#Kingston, Jamaica – JIS News – September 8, 2020 – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, was on Monday (September 7), sworn in as head of the Government for the third time.

Photo by JIS News

This follows the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) victory in the General Election held on Thursday (September 3) to form the Government for a second consecutive term.

Mr. Holness was sworn in by Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen during a ceremony at King’s House, where he took and subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office.

In his address, the newly appointed Prime Minister thanked the people of Jamaica, who, from 2016, have “entrusted your hopes and dreams to us”.

“With industry, enterprise and partnership, we set about fulfilling your dreams and keeping your hope alive,” he said, adding that there is still much more work to be done.

Mr. Holness said he is “humbled and honoured that the people of Jamaica have seen it fit to give me an opportunity to once more be the chief steward of their affairs”.

From JIS News

“Thank you for your vote and support, and I commit once again to use every fibre of my being and all the energy of my spirit for the advancement, fulfilment and prosperity of the people of Jamaica,” he said.

The Prime Minister contended that the Government has been given a mandate to move with speed and alacrity “in fulfilling the great destiny of this country”, vowing that “we will not squander it”.

“We will use it wisely to build public trust, continue the partnerships for prosperity, to be inclusive and caring for the poor and vulnerable, to be prospecting and enterprising in fulfilling the dreams and ambitions of the youth and make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, raise families, do business and retire in paradise,” he pledged.

Mr. Holness also outlined several initiatives the newly formed Government will be undertaking to aid in building a stronger society and economy as the country combats the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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In the meantime, the Governor-General noted that the ceremony signals “the start of a new phase in the life of our nation” and formally congratulated Mr. Holness, “whom his Parliamentary colleagues and the people of Jamaica have chosen once again for this high office”.

“It could be said of him that one good term deserves another. It could also be said that a higher authority than exists on the human plane has divinely ordained that he should be placed where he is today,” he said.

“Our country is in good hands and our democracy works for us,” the Governor-General said.

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Caribbean News

As Uncertainty Grows, Aquila Doubles Down on Destination Training

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Aquila Managing Partner Melanie Colpitts with Ed Limon, cofounder of Winged Whale Media, at Seatrade in Miami last month

Miami, Fl, May 12, 2025 – As the cruise tourism industry navigates global economic recalibration and rising geopolitical uncertainty, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is doubling down on its mission: training Caribbean destinations to deliver exceptional guest experiences, no matter the climate.

At Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, Aquila Managing Partner Melanie Colpitts emphasized the growing importance of workforce development as a strategic advantage. “When travelers are more selective with their spending, it’s the destinations that consistently deliver excellence that will stand out,” said Colpitts.

With the energy on the show floor buzzing, Aquila led strategic conversations focused on future-proofing the Caribbean’s tourism product through long-term training investments. From cruise line executives to destination decision-makers, the message was clear: quality training pays off.

Aquila, a leading training partner for the cruise industry for more than 15 years, unveiled new initiatives at the conference, including immersive VR-based programs developed in collaboration with Winged Whale Media. The team activated a dynamic takeover of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) booth, hosting live demonstrations, mini-training sessions, and interactive activities that illustrated how technology can enhance both the visitor experience and community capacity.

Product development and sustainability were front and center in this year’s training dialogue. “Destinations want to build experiences that are not only memorable but meaningful and sustainable,” said Colpitts. “It’s about enriching the guest journey while protecting and celebrating the culture and communities that make the Caribbean so special.”

With global economic uncertainty on the rise, Aquila is urging destinations not to retreat but to double down on service delivery. “Even if arrivals dip, we must exceed expectations for guests. That kind of experience drives powerful word of mouth – and training is the foundation,” added Colpitts.

As the official training partner of the FCCA, Aquila remains committed to raising performance standards across the Caribbean and Latin America, equipping destinations with the skills and tools to compete – and win – on the global stage.

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Caribbean News

Haiti in Crisis: Children and Families Caught in the Crossfire of Gang Violence

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

 

Haiti, May 15, 2025 – Haiti is facing an escalating humanitarian catastrophe as gang violence continues to spread across the country, forcing tens of thousands to flee and placing children at immense risk. According to the United Nations, a recent spike in armed conflict in the Lower Artibonite and Centre Departments has displaced over 66,000 people in less than two weeks — including at least 15,000 children. The displaced now seek shelter in overcrowded rural zones or makeshift sites, where access to clean water, food, and basic healthcare is dangerously limited.

Between April 28 and May 3 alone, over 16,000 people fled their homes in Lower Artibonite, with families living in precarious conditions and reliant on emergency aid. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is leading coordination efforts to support national authorities in addressing priority needs. In response, UNICEF has deployed mobile clinics, delivering essential pediatric care and immunization services to nearly 2,000 people. Hygiene kits and nutritional support are also being distributed to prevent further deterioration of health conditions in displacement sites.

The situation for children is especially dire. Many are being exposed to or directly affected by violence, including forced recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, and family separation. UNICEF and its partners are responding by establishing child-friendly spaces and delivering psychosocial support to more than 1,400 children. Specialized case management is underway, with at least 150 high-risk cases referred to protection services.

Despite these efforts, humanitarian needs far exceed current funding. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan identifies over $44 million needed for child protection alone. Yet, to date, only about $68 million of the total $908 million required for the entire country has been secured—just 7 percent of the target. As Haiti braces for the approaching hurricane season, the urgent call for international support has never been more critical.

Haiti’s complex crisis—driven by gang control, political instability, and chronic underdevelopment—demands sustained global attention. Without swift, coordinated action, an entire generation risks being lost to violence, displacement, and neglect

PHOTO CAPTION:  © UNICEF/Herold Josep

Dozens of people displaced from the Haitian communes of Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau attend hygiene awareness sessions in Boucan Carré.

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Caribbean News

Caribbean Tourism Maintains Strong Growth in 2024, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels

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Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General & CEO, Caribbean Tourism Organization

BARBADOS – The Caribbean tourism sector continued its robust recovery and expansion in 2024, with international tourist arrivals reaching an estimated 34.2 million, according to a new report from the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). This represents a 6.1% increase compared to 2023, and a 6.9% rise above pre-pandemic levels, marking the second consecutive year that the region has outperformed the 2019 benchmark.

The CTO’s “Caribbean Tourism Performance Review 2024” highlights the region’s resilience and enduring appeal, driven by factors such as strong demand from the United States, a rebounding Canadian market, and enhanced air connectivity.

Key Highlights from the Report:

  • Overall Growth: The Caribbean saw approximately 34.2 million international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) in 2024, an increase of 6.1% over 2023 and 6.9% over 2019.
  • Top Arrivals: The Dominican Republic remained the Caribbean’s most visited destination in 2024, welcoming 8.5 million tourists. Jamaica followed with 2.9 million arrivals, while Cuba (2.2 million), The Bahamas (1.9 million), Aruba (1.4 million), and Puerto Rico (1.0 million) reported top numbers. Collectively, these six destinations accounted for approximately 56 percent of all visitor arrivals to the region.
  • YOY Growth: The highest year-over-year growth in tourist arrivals was recorded in Montserrat, which saw a 29.4 percent increase, followed by St. Vincent & the Grenadines (27.2 percent), Belize (22.8 percent), and Curaçao (20.3 percent). These destinations posted the strongest relative gains in visitor numbers across the Caribbean in 2024.
  • Pre-pandemic Growth: Compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019, Curaçao emerged as the best-performing destination with a 51.1 percent increase, followed by St. Maarten with 48 percent growth, and 41.8 percent in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • Source Markets:
  • The United States remained the top source market, with approximately 16.8 million arrivals, a 3.5% increase from 2023 and 7.9% above pre-pandemic levels.
  • Canadian arrivals reached 3.3 million, a 4.0% increase compared to 2023, though still slightly below 2019 levels.
  • European arrivals showed slower growth, with a 1.4% increase to 5.3 million, representing 89.4% of 2019 levels.
  • Driven by ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity and services across the region, intra-Caribbean travel experienced growth in 2024. Residents of the Caribbean took an estimated 1.6 million tourist trips within the region – an increase of 5.1% over 2023, though still only 79.2% of pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.
  • The South American market saw the highest growth in 2024, with arrivals reaching 2.0 million by the end of the year, marking a 17.8% increase. This sustained growth led to a 19.7% rise compared to 2019’s arrivals. Improved political and economic stability, along with strong travel demand in key markets like Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, contributed to these results.
  • Cruise Sector: The Caribbean cruise industry experienced a significant rebound, with 33.7 million cruise visits in 2024, a 10.3% increase over 2023, and a 10.9% increase over pre-pandemic levels.
  • Hotel Sector: The Caribbean hotel sector also performed strongly, with occupancy rates reaching 66.6%, a 0.8% increase from the previous year, and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) increasing by 4.2% to US$437.02.

Challenges and Outlook:

“Tourism in the Caribbean is expected to continue growing in 2025. However, due to prevailing economic uncertainties and slowdowns in major source markets during the first quarter of the year, the pace of growth is projected to be more moderate than earlier forecasts suggested,” said Aliyyah Shakeer, CTO’s Director of Research. CTO now anticipates that overnight visitor arrivals will increase by 2% to 5%, reaching approximately 35 million. The outlook for the cruise sector remains positive, with cruise arrivals expected to grow by 5% to 7%, approaching 36 million visitors.

“The Caribbean’s continued growth is a testament to the strength of our regional collaboration and the enduring appeal of our destinations,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

“Despite geopolitical uncertainty and global economic challenges, our sector has shown remarkable resilience. To maintain this momentum, we must double down on strategic investments, innovative partnerships, and sustainable practices that protect our people, our culture and our environment. The future of Caribbean tourism is not only bright – it is ours to shape,” she added.

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