Connect with us

News

To protect new guests, Airbnb promotes safety benefits of booking through the platform

Published

on

  • Trust for Airbnb is very important, therefore guests should always book their stays through the platform in order to obtain protection of Airbnb’s secured processes and safeguards.
  • Airbnb reminds users of the campaign launched with ALAI and Despegar in order to prevent scams during the Holidays.

 

Tuesday, December 10, 2023- Airbnb believes in building a community based on trust. This is why guests should always book and pay for their stays on-platform in order to be protected with the Safety tools that Airbnb has available. With this in mind, Airbnb also shares how new users have been using the platform to travel since last year.

New data shows that more people are using Airbnb Platform and the community has been growing since 2022.

To protect these new guests, as well as all-time guests, Airbnb recommends for guests to stay on Airbnb – don’t go off platform to communicate with another user or to pay for a booking. Here are five benefits of staying on-platform while booking stays especially around Holidays since people who are planning to book vacations might be targeted by scammers:

  1. Aircover: Once you book through Airbnb platform, your booking comes with AirCover. AirCover includes access to a 24-hour Safety Line with specially-trained safety agents who will assist you with your safety issues day or night.
  2. Protection of your information and account: Keeping your personal information secure is important. Our Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use personal information, how personal information is shared, and privacy rights. Also, we highly recommend that guests always pay within the platform in order to keep their account and reservations secure.
  3. Direct Customer Service with Airbnb: If you only communicate, book, and pay on the Airbnb Platform, this will help ensure you’re protected by Airbnb’s secure processes, this will also give you direct access to contact our customer service in case of an emergency or issue that might arise during an active reservation. Our specialized agents will be able to support you 24/7.
  4. Direct Active Numbers for local Emergency Services: In the Safety Center when a user indicates they’re having a safety issue, Airbnb provides local emergency contact numbers.
  5. ID Verification: Identity verification is an important part of building that trust within our community. All booking guests and primary Hosts getting booked globally on Airbnb Platform are required to have undergone the verification process. Any primary Hosts who did not complete the verification process by the end of June 2023 had their calendars blocked, preventing them from accepting any more bookings. Similarly, guests who have not completed the verification process will not be able to book on Airbnb.

“As a platform that works to build trust within the community, Airbnb works constantly to improve their safety tools which are always available and included in each reservation”. Said Flavia Matos, Director of Public Policy in Airbnb for Latin America

With the safety of users in mind, in alliance with ALAI and Despegar, Airbnb recently launched a campaign to try and help consumers stay protected from third-party travel scams. The campaign  in LATAM aims to help people to understand how to book safely within the platform and prevent scams during vacations or Holidays. You can find out all the tips and recommendations to always book safely on digital platforms below. For Airbnb safety is very important. This is why we are constantly working to create new tools and give users information to keep the community safe.

Continue Reading

News

Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

Published

on

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

Published

on

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Monument Supports Hands for Hunger With Paradise Plates Debut  

Published

on

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ leading wine and spirits distributor, proudly supported Paradise Plates, Hands for Hunger annual fundraiser with a flavorful offering of its newest product, Monument Beverage Co.

Monument, which launched this July and is available across six major islands, made its Paradise Plates debut. Guests enjoyed three bold flavors: Peach Passion, Ginger-Lime and Melon Fizz as they socialized throughout the evening.

Monument brand ambassadors engaged guests with knowledge on the ready-to-drink beverage’s unique taste and look. Many attendees were delighted to learn that Monument is 100% Bahamian-made and owned and enjoyed seeing the various national landmarks on the packaging.

The booth was adorned with vibrant brand colors, striped arches, tropical florals and a photo worthy backdrop featuring Monument cans filled with florals cascading down the wall.

At the end of the event, the entire Monument inventory had finished, making Monument’s Paradise Plates debut a huge success.

For more details on Caribbean Wines & Spirits, new products and specials, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING