Caribbean News

Montserrat Premier Remembers St Patrick’s Day, First Covid Case & Encourages Vaccination

Published

3 years ago

March 17, 2021

“As a Government it is our intention to provide regular updates on key developments and decisions in a timely manner. We want to ensure that you are kept abreast of what is happening across Government and indeed the wider Montserrat community. That is why I am here this morning, as I wish to update you on a number of government activities taking place now and in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow is Wednesday March 17—a significant day for us on Montserrat for more reasons than one. It is St. Patrick’s Day, but it also marks one year since the Minister of Health and myself had the unenviable task of reporting Montserrat‘s first positive case of Covid-19 last year (in 2020). As we are all aware, following that confirmation, and over the following months we recorded 12 cases and unfortunately one fatality. Our thoughts and prayers are always with families who have suffered loss as a result of COVID-19.

Following that first wave of the virus, the island did not record any new cases for a seven-month period; and we were one of the few countries in the world to boast of such an achievement. But this did not happen coincidentally; but rather a collective effort by the hard working professionals in the Ministry of health and you the law abiding citizens of this country, who in spite of the discomfort caused by the various measures and protocols put in place, understood that they were in your best interest and you complied.

There is a light at the end of those dark days of 2020 which resulted in the disruptions of our lives, we now have a chance for Montserrat to revert to normality. If the border is to be fully opened, if we are to welcome back tourist to our shores and if other economic activities are to take off, we must first protect ourselves, our loved ones and the entire population.

“THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE”, “IT IS FREE”! And “IT IS SAFE” Together let us restore hope to this country— Please register and take your Vaccine.

As of Friday March 12, a total of 1078 persons have registered to receive the vaccine. 1001 persons have received their first dose and 130 persons have received their second dose. I am included in those numbers.

Now as we are in the St. Patrick’s week of activities, I must end on that note.

This year St. Patrick’s celebration is taking the form of virtual presentations, and the traditional St Patrick’s Day slave feast will have a different approach as announced by the Montserrat Arts Council.

However next year 2022, we are anticipating the return of an in person St. Patrick’s Festival even bigger and better than before, so save the date in your calendars. Once countries around the world begin to reap the benefits of the vaccination roll out then St Patrick’s celebration will return to what it was pre COVID-19! We will be celebrate together.

I also want to go further, Festival 2021 is another date in my calendar and I want you to put it in your calendar as well, we can have Festival 2021 if we adhere to the rules; if we take our vaccine; if 80% of the population is inoculated, then come December 2021 we will all celebrate again. That is the hope I have for you. That is the hope I want you to have for yourself, but you have to help us to help you because together we can.

HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY to all of you!”

Excerpts from National Address Delivered by Premier, Hon. Joseph E. Farrell

Caribbean News

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS SHINES AS A PREMIER DESTINATION AT THE 2024 SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL CONFERENCE

Published

13 hours ago

April 22, 2024

Shanieka

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) –April 11, 2024—The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by Commissioner Joseph Boschulte, Assistant Commissioner Alani Henneman, and Deputy Commissioner RoseAnne Farrington, traveled to Miami, Florida, to support Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and other local partners agencies for the 2024 Seatrade Cruise Global Conference.

To kick off the week-long event, the Department of Tourism sponsored the highly anticipated Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) barbecue, which was hosted by Governor Bryan.

Revered as a steady leader in the Caribbean tourism industry, the USVI delegation, which also included the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Port Authority, West Indian Company Limited, Magens Bay Authority, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Employee Retirement System, showcased the territory and its growing accessibility around the cruise industry to key operators and businesses.

“Cruise has been and continues to be a leading entryway for visitors into the territory, and Seatrade allows representatives from the USVI to interface with and share pertinent updates needed to continue fostering positive relationships throughout the industry,” explains Commissioner Boschulte.

Commissioner Boschulte was featured on the Caribbean Spotlight panel moderated by renowned industry leader and FCCA CEO Michelle Paige, who referenced the Commissioner being named the 2023 Caribbean Tourism Executive of the Year by Caribbean Journal and shared how exceptional the publication’s acknowledgment of his accolades are. Paige referenced Caribbean Journal’s spotlight paragraph reading, “No Caribbean destination has seen more growth in the last three years than the U.S. Virgin Islands, which kicked off a full-fledged tourism renaissance just after the onset of the pandemic and hasn’t looked back. And so much of that growth can be directly tied to the expert stewardship of Boschulte, who helped craft an innovative, flexible response to the challenges of the pandemic and has continued to drive the USVI’s performance with a data-driven, creative approach to modern tourism.”

Commissioner Boschulte and Deputy Commissioner Farrington joined Governor Bryan for meetings with leading cruise lines, including Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Carnival Corporation & plc, amongst others, to discuss continued partnerships, expansion opportunities, and industry updates.

As the global cruise industry continues to restabilize following challenges incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Thomas and St. Croix experienced a 13% growth in 2023 over 2019, with West Indian Company Dock, Crown Bay Dock, and E. Abramson Marine Facility welcoming more than 1,600,000 passengers from 495 total calls for the year. With a 58% year-over-year passenger increase from 2022 to 2023, the USVI continues to grow and is projected to experience another 5% increase in cruise passenger arrivals in 2024.

Commissioner Boschulte also highlighted the remarkable success of the USVI and Caribbean region, stating, “I am proud to see the Caribbean’s appeal continue to captivate travelers. Our collaborative efforts with partners like FCCA and the Caribbean Tourism Organization underscore the unity of our region, ensuring unforgettable experiences for visitors while highlighting the unique strengths of the U.S. Virgin Islands. With a safe, welcoming destination and a shared commitment to tourism, we embrace our role as an integral part of the Caribbean community.”

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

Caribbean News

Key Partners Sign on as Main Sponsors of CTO’s Sustainable Tourism Conference in Grenada

Published

15 hours ago

April 22, 2024

Shanieka

BARBADOS (April 18, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has secured key industry partners and sponsors for the upcoming Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2024), hosted by the CTO in partnership with the Grenada Tourism Authority in Grenada to be held April 22–24.

Partners and sponsors for STC 2024 include LINK Strategic Partners, Little Caribbean NYC, Royal Caribbean International, Silversands Grenada Beach Resort, and Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada Resort.

Airline partners include interCaribbean Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Sponsors of the Caribbean Sustainable Tourism Awards are the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association, Grenada Investment Development Corporation, International Institute of Tourism Studies at the GW School of Business, and World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards.

Media partners signed up for the conference are Breaking Travel News, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Media Corporation, and Wanderlust.

As a testament to its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Royal Caribbean will be staging a series of exclusive events at the conference. This will include a sustainability ship tour and onboard luncheon, the first of its kind at a CTO Regional Conference.

Dona Regis-Prosper, CTO’s Secretary-General and CEO, expressed appreciation for the cruise line’s support, stating, “We are delighted to have Royal Caribbean as a sponsor for our Sustainable Tourism Conference. The company’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism perfectly aligns with the objectives of our conference, and we eagerly anticipate showcasing their exemplary practices to our delegates.”

Royal Caribbean will offer an exclusive tour of Explorer of the Seas where delegates will have the unique opportunity to explore the energy efficiency initiatives and industry-leading environmental programs implemented on the vessel. Led by subject matter experts, participants will witness firsthand the intricate operations within the Engine Control Room and gain insights into the diligent waste management sorting processes that occur around-the-clock, 365 days a year.

“Royal Caribbean Group is thrilled to support the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Sustainability Conference,” expressed Wendy McDonald, Regional Vice President, Government Relations, Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Group. “We are keen to foster meaningful collaboration with our destination partners to advance sustainable solutions across the Caribbean that not only preserve our planet but also energize local communities.”

Centered around the theme of The 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Purpose and Partnership, STC 2024 aims to address pressing issues facing the Caribbean tourism industry and foster collaboration among stakeholders to promote sustainable development. The conference is poised to deliver impactful discussions and initiatives that will drive positive change within the region’s tourism sector.

For more information about the conference and details on registration, visit caribbeanstc.com.

Caribbean News

CTO’s Caribbean Media Awards 2024 to Celebrate Excellence in Journalism

Published

15 hours ago

April 22, 2024

Shanieka

NEW YORK (April 18, 2024) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced the return of its Caribbean Media Awards, the prestigious honor given to journalists and influencers whose work has significantly contributed to the promotion of Caribbean tourism.

The awards ceremony, set to spotlight outstanding media contributions from the United States and the Caribbean, is scheduled to take place amidst the vibrant celebrations of Caribbean Week in New York, from June 16 to 21, 2024.

Submissions from public relations agencies, member countries, and the journalistic community are welcome.

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Caribbean Media Awards,” stated CTO Chairman Kenneth Bryan, who serves as Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands. “These awards are not just about recognizing excellence, they are a testament to the enduring spirit of the Caribbean and its vibrant culture. Our goal is to spotlight the stories that capture the heart of the Caribbean, stories that inspire, inform and engage audiences worldwide. It’s a celebration of the impactful narratives that contribute significantly to our tourism landscape.”

Entries are sought in the following award categories:

Best Feature Article or Story: Recognizes excellence in long-form storytelling (print or online) that provides in-depth analysis, compelling narratives, and unique perspectives on Caribbean culture, history, etc.

Best News Reporting: Honors exceptional reporting of breaking news, events, or issues of significance to the Caribbean region that demonstrates accuracy and journalistic integrity.

Best Podcast/Radio: Celebrates excellence in podcasting/radio reporting, whether itʼs storytelling, interviews or discussions offering engaging and informative Caribbean content.

Best Photojournalism: Celebrates impactful visual storytelling through photography, capturing the essence of life in the Caribbean region, from daily life to cultural events, natural landscapes, or social issues.

Best Video Production: Honors outstanding video production, including broadcast news segments, short films, or online video content that showcases the richness and diversity of Caribbean culture, people and landscapes.

Best Social Media Campaign: Recognizes innovative and effective social media campaigns (by journalists or influencers) that engage audiences, raise awareness, or promote positive change on issues relevant to the Caribbean region.

Best Personal Immersive Story: Highlights a feature story that demonstrated time in the destination, integration and deep exploration of off-the-beaten-path in a destination.

Diaspora Journalist of the Year: Honors members of the Diaspora community who impact tourism in the Caribbean region through their storytelling.

Emerging Journalist of the Year: Spotlights the achievements of up-and-coming journalists, reporters or content creators who have demonstrated exceptional talent, potential and commitment to excellence in Caribbean media.

Only entries submitted by CTO government members, their public relations agencies or qualified media shall be eligible.

Minimum circulation for newspaper or magazine entries is 20,000 (1,000 for Caribbean media).

All entries must have been published or broadcast in the 2023 calendar year.

Only one entry per person per category will be accepted.

Submissions should showcase creativity and thoughtful knowledge of the Caribbean and have a provocative story angle.

Criteria for the judging of entries shall be:

Content – Relevance, accuracy, cohesiveness of material, adherence to journalistic standards
Structure & Form – Relevance of topic, clarity, pace, structure (introduction, development and conclusion), presentation of information and ideas
Title – Relevance of title, concision, clarity
Quality of Language – Use of language, quality of syntax, quality of sentence structure
Originality – Originality of ideas, ability to spark audienceʼs curiosity, boldness, creativity

Entries that do not meet the selection criteria will be disqualified.

Depending on their assessment of the standard of entries, the judges may withhold awards in any category as they see fit. They may also ascribe “Special Mention” (without award) to an entry where warranted.

Decisions of the judges shall be final.

Entrants are required to submit their contributions at https://bit.ly/caribbeanmediaawards by the deadline of May 8, 2024.