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Jamaica wins title for Leading Destination in the Caribbean

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

#Jamaica, August 29, 2023 – Jamaica sores above other countries in the region being voted as the Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Caribbean and The Americas gala ceremony.

The ceremony was held on Saturday August 26th, 2023 at Sandals Grand St. Lucian, marking the opening of the WTA’s landmark 30th anniversary Grand Tour 2023 – a global search for the finest travel and tourism organizations.

The island also claimed other titles as the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port, Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board and the Caribbean’s Leading Airport.

The Leading Cruise Port award was for Falmouth, one of Jamaica’s largest piers and the port for Royal Caribbean, which Donovan White, Director of the Jamaica Tourist Board said do a lot for the country given the connections they create for onshore excursions.

Additionally, it was pointed out by White that the awards for Leading Cruise Destination and Leading Cruise Port are encouraging amid challenges that need overcoming in the cruise sector which he described as slowly recovering since the pandemic.

Considering this, he informed them that they are working with partners to get back to back to normal.

“The itineraries in the northern Caribbean have had troubles over the last two years since COVID and we continue to work with them to seam those out so that we get back to regular porting.”

There is still much to do for the improvement of the country despite the awards as expressed by White, as reported by Loop News, to which he spoke.

“We are working. You hear Minister Edmund Bartlett speak all the time about making the Jamaica Tourist economy and to do that we have to do a lot more.”

He continued to highlight some of the work needed.

He said, “we have to transition our road networks into full highway systems, we have to complete the 15,000 rooms in seven years that we promised,” adding, “we have to continue to bring new investment into open new tourist attractions, we have to get the small and medium size businesses to understand what linkages are, understand what role they need to play in driving the tourism economy of Jamaica, because at the end of the day, it is a team game and Jamaica has to work as a team not only to ensure that we win these awards, but we continue to grow.”

Though the country won many awards, White expressed that the ones that are most heartfelt are the Leading Tourist Board of the Caribbean and the Leading Caribbean Destination, highlighting that the island has set a standard to which all tourist boards are compared, adding that it is important for the island to keep that standard high.

“For Jamaica to own those awards, the tourist board award we have won for 17 consecutive years. It tells me that we have set a standard by which all tourist boards are measured, so we can’t afford to drop that standard, we live by that standard. It’s for us to lose it, and I don’t see the team wanting to lose that anytime soon. It is really dedicated to the hard work of the team of the JTB to continually win that award,” he maintained.

Jamaica won a list of other awards such as:

  • Caribbean’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction: Dunn’s River Falls and Parks
  • Caribbean’s Leading Airport Lounge: Club MoBay at Sangster Airport
  • Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Resort: Golden Eye
  • Caribbean’s Leading Destination Management Company: GO Jamaica Travel
  • Caribbean’s Leading Home Port: Port of Montego Bay
  • Caribbean’s Leading Hotel: Half Moon Jamaica
  • Caribbean’s Leading Hotel Residences: The Tryall Club
  • Caribbean’s Leading Independent Car Rental Company: Island Car Rentals
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All Suite Resort: Jamaica Inn
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All Inclusive Resort: Sandals Dunn’s River
  • Caribbean’s Leading Luxury All Inclusive Villa: Fleming’s Villa @ Golden Eye
  • Caribbean’s Leading Meetings and Conference Centre: Montego Bay Convention Centre
  • Caribbean’s Leading New Resort: Sandals Dunn’s River
  • Caribbean’s Leading Tour Operator: Go Jamaica Travel
  • Caribbean’s Leading Travel Agency: Go Jamaica Travel

Other Caribbean countries won awards including The Bahamas with the Caribbean’s Leading Luxury Island 2023 award; The Turks and Caicos with the Caribbean’s Most Romantic Destination 2023 award; and St. Lucia with the Caribbean’s Leading Nature Destination 2023 award.

To see all the other awards given see: https://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners/2023/caribbean

Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Caribbean News

Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Caribbean News

Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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