Barbados is among several Latin American and Caribbean nations poised to benefit from a new strategic alliance between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), its private-sector arm IDB Invest, and the OPEC Fund for International Development. The three institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at unlocking co-financing opportunities in critical sectors across the region....
Big changes are coming to St Lucy as a multimillion-dollar development featuring nearly 400 homes and a luxury hotel is set to rise where the Arawak Cement Plant now stands at Checker Hall. On Friday, executives from TCL Group — owners of the Arawak site — revealed they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading construction firm Jada Group. Together, they plan to turn the...
Barbados has recorded a notable 31 per cent increase in visitor arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region in 2024, as luxury-seeking travellers from the Middle East continue to discover the island’s long-haul appeal. According to the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), the year-on-year growth in arrivals reflects a surge in interest from countries across the GCC—comprising...
Marriott International is introducing a bold new chapter in its hospitality portfolio with the upcoming launch of the first-ever W all-inclusive resort, set to open June 15 in Uvero Alto, Punta Cana. Designed as an adults-only escape with a fresh, vibrant edge, the new W Punta Cana promises a reimagined take on the all-inclusive experience. Guests can begin their day with sunrise yoga on the beach,...
Barbados and other CARICOM nations have successfully secured an exemption from a proposed United States tariff plan that threatened to drive up the cost of goods and disrupt shipping to the region. Following weeks of unified lobbying by CARICOM governments, private sector leaders, and regional stakeholders, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has ruled that the Caribbean will not be subject...
The Caribbean’s most important travel industry event returns from May 18–22, 2025, as the Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM) once again brings together the leading voices shaping the future of regional tourism. Hosted this year in Antigua and Barbuda, the event serves as a powerful platform for networking, business development, and innovation — with a spotlight on the entire Caribbean as a united...
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has greenlit a major new energy initiative—the Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility—targeting Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Developed in collaboration with the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and regional governments, the initiative aims to drive the transition to clean, reliable, and...
Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) is preparing to roll out a new grant programme aimed at fostering digital transformation and green innovation across the region. Set to launch within the next two months, the initiative targets entrepreneurs and firms developing solutions that promote climate resilience or digital competitiveness. “This is your opportunity to start with a little seed and...
Barbados’ recent credit rating upgrade by Moody’s is expected to lower borrowing costs, attract more investment, and create room for greater public spending—all positive signs for the island’s economic trajectory, according to leading economist Professor Justin Robinson. Moody’s decision to lift the country’s long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings from B3 to B2, while maintaining a...
Waldorf Astoria, Hilton’s flagship luxury brand, has unveiled plans for a new high-end residential resort in the Caribbean, marking a significant expansion into one of the region’s most sought-after destinations—Turks and Caicos. Scheduled to debut in 2028, the Waldorf Astoria Turks and Caicos on Dellis Cay will become only the second Waldorf-branded resort in the entire Caribbean and the first in...