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Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada Anticipates Strong 2024 Business

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The resort has decided to defer its scheduled September closure and will remain open throughout all of 2024

 

GRENADA (August 7, 2024) – Despite the impact of Hurricane Beryl on Grenada’s sister islands in the Grenadines, Spice Island Beach Resort, one of Grenada’s premier resorts, is reporting strong bookings and is buoyed about the upcoming winter season.

Bolstered by increased airlift to the destination and following extensive renovation to its public spaces in 2023 (including expanded restaurants, intricate new tiling, furnishings, and a softer color palette of nudes and neutral tones throughout the property), the AAA Five Diamond award-winning resort is well-positioned to attract more regional and international visitors eager to explore the island’s breathtaking scenery and experience its warm hospitality.

“Summer occupancy is strong, and we have already closed several room categories for the Festive season over Christmas and the New Year,” Janelle Hopkin, President and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort noted, while disclosing that the resort has has decided to defer its scheduled September closure and will remain open throughout all of 2024.

The destination enjoys nonstop airlift from Toronto, Miami, Boston, Charlotte, and New York. Additionally, flights from the U.K. have increased, ensuring greater accessibility for travelers from around the world.

“We continue to see strong bookings from our major market in the U.K., however we have also seen an upsurge in U.S. bookings, particularly from the Northeast corridor,” said Hopkin.

To further elevate its appeal, Spice Island Beach Resort is focused on promoting its key strengths and differentiators, including offering the “Ultimate Caribbean Luxury Retreat for guests to Rest, Relax and Recharge.”

“Guests are more focused on the holistic benefits of vacation – and are using their vacations more intentionally with a focus on resetting and recharging their mind, body and soul,” Hopkin observed.

Grenada is also experiencing a surge in popularity, strengthened by increased international attention, new developments and marketing momentum spearheaded by the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA). “Spice Island Beach Resort, like all Grenada properties, is working collaboratively with the GTA, to ensure that the island’s hotel product benefits from our collective efforts,” the Grenadian businesswoman mentioned. “The island is trending from a tourism perspective, and we just need to keep it going,” she added.

Hopkin attributed the progress to a marked shift towards experiential travel, which enhances Grenada’s appeal, drawing in travelers who seek authentic, immersive encounters: “Grenada is one of the islands that still feels very much like a Caribbean island off the beaten path, which is what people are essentially looking for.”

She is optimistic about the future, noting the energy of innovative, dynamic teams within the tourism sector. And with major international brands also entering the market, there is significant potential for growth.

To sustain this upward trend, Hopkin emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the public and private sectors as they work together to achieve common goals and ensure Grenada remains a top choice for travelers seeking authentic Caribbean experiences.

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Widow’s Testimony Recounts Night Haiti President Was Killed

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MIAMI, Florida — Emotional testimony from Martine Moïse, the widow of assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, has given jurors in a U.S. federal courtroom a chilling account of the night gunmen stormed the presidential residence and killed the country’s leader.

Martine Moïse took the stand this week in Miami as part of the ongoing trial of several men accused of helping plan and finance the July 7, 2021 assassination, a crime that plunged Haiti into political crisis and remains only partially solved.

She told the court that armed men forced their way into the president’s private home in the hills above Port-au-Prince during the early morning hours, firing multiple shots at her husband while she lay beside him. She testified that she was also wounded in the attack and survived by pretending to be dead until the gunmen left the room.

According to prosecutors, the plot involved a group of foreign mercenaries, including former Colombian soldiers, along with Haitian and Haitian-American suspects. Investigators say some of the men believed the mission was to detain the president, but the operation turned into an assassination.

The Miami trial is focusing on the alleged role of South Florida businessmen and others accused of organizing or financing the plan, part of a wider international investigation that has stretched across several countries.

More than four years after the killing, the question of who ultimately ordered the assassination remains unanswered, with suspects still in custody in both Haiti and the United States as the case continues to unfold.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Jamaica Joins Afreximbank Agreement, Strengthening Africa–Caribbean Partnership

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CARIBBEAN — Jamaica has become the 13th CARICOM member state to accede to the African Export-Import Bank Establishment Agreement, further strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

The development was confirmed during the 50th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, where an Afreximbank delegation led by George Elombi and Kanayo Awani met with Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to advance cooperation.

Prime Minister Holness thanked the bank for its support following Jamaica’s recent hurricane, noting that Afreximbank financing helped restore critical infrastructure including water, electricity, sewage systems and roads, while also assisting reconstruction efforts aimed at building stronger resilience to future disasters.

The meeting also focused on broader development opportunities tied to Jamaica’s membership in the agreement. Discussions included rebuilding and modernising infrastructure such as railways, hospitals and other public facilities, while strengthening regional transportation and trade networks to improve the movement of people and goods across the Caribbean.

Afreximbank has been expanding its presence in the Caribbean as part of its strategy to connect Africa with the region often referred to as “Global Africa.” The bank has already committed billions of dollars in financing and trade support to Caribbean economies in recent years, including funding for infrastructure, trade facilitation and private sector investment.

By joining the agreement, Jamaica gains expanded access to Afreximbank’s financial instruments, technical support and trade networks designed to promote commerce between Africa and CARICOM states.

Regional leaders say the growing partnership could unlock new opportunities in areas such as trade, logistics, tourism, manufacturing and cultural exchange, strengthening economic cooperation between the two regions with deep historical and diaspora ties.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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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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