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Sandals Resorts Awarded CARPHA’s Highest Health and Safety Honour

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July 30, 2025 – Montego Bay, Jamaica – Through consistent implementation of regional health protocols and active monitoring systems, Sandals Resorts has become the only hospitality group in the Caribbean to have every one of its 19 properties certified by the Caribbean Public Health Agency CARPHA with the Healthier Safer Tourism Award. This collective recognition has earned Sandals the distinct honour of being designated a Healthier, Safer, Destination (HSD) — the first hotel group ever to receive this title.

The awards were presented at a special ceremony hosted at Sandals Montego Bay, where Dr Lisa Indar, executive director of CARPHA, commended the brand’s consistent and proactive health efforts across its entire regional portfolio. According to Dr Indar, “this isn’t just about recognition. It’s about real-time response and prevention that protects not only guests but also local communities.”

Sandals’ regional footprint includes seven resorts in Jamaica—Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean, Sandals Negril, Sandals Ochi, Sandals South Coast, Sandals Royal Plantation and Sandals Dunn’s River—as well as its flagship Beaches resort in Negril. The company’s presence continues across the region with Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Halcyon Beach and Sandals Regency La Toc in Saint Lucia, Sandals Royal Bahamian in the Bahamas, Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, Sandals Grande Antigua, Sandals Grenada, Sandals Royal Curaçao, Sandals Saint Vincent and Beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Each of these resorts met CARPHA’s rigorous standards by going through a process of active and confidential reporting, addressing any form of threats with urgency, while ensuring that at least 10 percent of the team completed certified training in the prevention and control of infectious diseases within the hospitality sector.

Jeremy Jones, regional managing director for Sandals and Beaches Resorts in Jamaica, called the recognition a critical validation of the brand’s standards. “What makes this award truly special,” he said, “is that every single one of our resorts is recognised—not just as individually safe, but collectively forming the region’s first Healthier, Safer Destination. That’s a game-changer for tourism in the Caribbean.”

The Healthier Safer Tourism award, launched by CARPHA in 2020 through its Tourism and Health Programme, serves as a measurable traveller health assurance tool. It is backed by major regional and international bodies including the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC). Properties that earn the award are publicly listed by CARPHA and will soon be linked to other tourism and health websites to help travellers make more informed choices.

Dr Indar underscored the significance of the partnership with Sandals, noting that “CARPHA has a long-standing, public and private relationship with Sandals, collaborating since 2012 on promoting health and safety in tourism. This historic milestone underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to tourism health, safety and environmental responsibility across the Caribbean as well as demonstrates its novel, trusting, strong partnership with CARPHA.”

With the Caribbean being the most tourism-dependent region in the world, the HST designation not only enhances the guest experience but also reinforces long-term economic resilience. Jones added, “CARPHA provides a safe environment for reporting and supports the hospitality and tourism industry in our region. Whenever something goes wrong with tourism in the Caribbean, we all get nervous, we all start to wonder what the best solution is and what CARPHA does for our resorts is to provide that level of safety and comfort.”

“Our long-standing relationship with CARPHA has played an invaluable role in helping us to champion the culture of health, safety and well-being across all our resorts. Together we have strengthened our systems, empowered our team members and set high standards to ensure that our guests, team members and community members are always protected. This ongoing collaboration reminds us that health and safety are not just policies, it is shared commitment that brings us together, inspires confidence and builds a stronger, more resilient tourism industry,” Jones further elaborated.

With this latest achievement, Sandals continues to set the regional standard for responsible tourism, reinforcing its legacy not only as a leader in luxury all-inclusive travel, but as a brand that puts the health and safety of its guests, staff and communities at the forefront.

Captions:

Header: (L-R) Keston Daniel, visitor-based surveillance coordinator – CARPHA, Jeremy Jones, regional manager director – Sandals Resorts, Jamaica, Dr. Lisa Indar, executive director – CARPHA and Gavin Palmer, corporate manager, environment, health and safety at Sandals Resorts.

Insert: Sandals Resorts representatives share in a celebratory photo op with CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr Lisa Indar (6th left) and Visitor-Based Surveillance Coordinator, Keston Daniel (left).

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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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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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