Royal Caribbean Group is experiencing robust momentum across its cruise brands, with guest demand and onboard spending showing notable growth heading into 2025, according to the company’s latest quarterly update. In the second quarter alone, Royal Caribbean delivered vacations to 2.3 million guests—marking a 10 percent increase over the same period last year. The company also reported load factors...
Barbados could see up to US$400 million in new investment deals financed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), as part of a broader US$2.5 billion pipeline of projects earmarked for the Caribbean region. Afreximbank President and Chairman, Professor Benedict Oramah, announced the figures during the opening of the 4th AfriCaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Grenada. He noted that Barbados...
A vibrant new destination is on the horizon in the Western Caribbean. Margaritaville, in partnership with Karisma Hotels and Resorts, is launching its first-ever resort in Honduras — the Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Roatan, set to open in 2027. Located on the idyllic shores of Turtling Bay, this will be the third resort in the Margaritaville Island Reserve collection and a major milestone for...
Caribbean Export recently participated in the inaugural ITC SME Ministerial Meeting and Global Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) Leadership Dialogue, held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in collaboration with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Afreximbank, the event brought together trade ministers and TPO leaders from around the...
Barbadian developer Mark Maloney is preparing to expand his footprint at Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) with a proposed $10 million airport hotel designed specifically to serve commercial flight crews. The hotel project plans have been submitted to the Planning & Development Department (PDD) and are currently awaiting approval. Once approved, Maloney estimates the hotel could be...
Construction has officially begun on one of Jamaica’s most ambitious resort and real estate ventures to date — a $1 billion development known as Harmony Cove, located in the Duncans area of Trelawny on the island’s scenic northwestern coast. Set across 2,300 acres between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, the project is a joint venture between the Government of Jamaica and the Nexus Luxury Collection....
The Central Bank of Barbados is preparing to launch a transformative Instant Payments System (IPS) in March 2026, a move that promises to make financial transactions faster, safer, cheaper and more inclusive across the economy. The IPS is part of the Barbados Payments Modernisation Project, being implemented with support from the World Bank, and is set to overhaul the island’s outdated and fragmented...
A newly listed beachfront resort in The Bahamas, priced at just under $25 million, is drawing attention not just for its location, but for what it reveals about the value of operational hospitality assets in the Caribbean. Located just seven miles from Exuma International Airport and under two miles from George Town, Hideaways at Palm Bay sits on nearly 800 feet of sandy beachfront along the island’s...
The Caribbean tourism landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation in 2025, led by Barbados, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. These destinations are at the forefront of a powerful resurgence driven by record-breaking visitor arrivals, expanded air connectivity, a wave of new luxury resorts, booming cruise traffic, and sweeping policy reforms aimed at boosting long-term travel revenue. This...
Marriott is expanding its luxury footprint in the Caribbean with the relaunch of one of Barbados’ most iconic beachfront resorts — Colony Club. Slated to reopen on September 1, the revamped property joins Marriott’s Luxury Collection, offering a refined escape along the island’s famed Platinum Coast. This marks a notable departure from Marriott’s recent all-inclusive trend in the region....