Barbados has been officially approved for Series “A” shareholder status by the Board of Directors of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, marking a major milestone in the island's international financial standing. This upgrade, CAF’s highest level of membership, positions Barbados for greater access to development funds and grants the country a seat on the bank’s board,...
Barbados is looking to deepen ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region as part of its global tourism expansion strategy. The Caribbean destination welcomed a high-level delegation from the Middle East to its flagship trade show, Connect Barbados, which returned this June for the first time since the pandemic. The four-day event, held from June 23 to 26, 2025, brought together leading travel...
Montego Bay is preparing to mark a major milestone in its tourism landscape with the debut of its first-ever Marriott-branded hotel—a contemporary AC Marriott set to transform the city’s iconic Hip Strip. Announced by Sandals Resorts Executive Chairman Adam Stewart, the 165-room property will be built on the former site of Sandals Carlyle and will feature a European Plan (EP) model—moving away...
Barbados is reshaping its tourism strategy to focus not just on increasing arrivals but on boosting visitor spending and deepening economic impact, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill announced on Tuesday. Speaking at the opening of Connect Barbados 2025, the minister unveiled a bold, multi-pronged approach that includes the establishment of a Visitor Spend Task Force, a...
A landmark collaboration between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the CARICOM Committee of Central Bank Governors aims to accelerate green investments across the English-speaking Caribbean, offering new hope for climate resilience, economic growth, and sustainable development in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions. At the core of this agreement is the creation of a regional...
Barbados is set to deliver another thrilling season of cricket in 2025, with the island once again taking center stage in the Caribbean's sporting calendar. From international tours to the ever-popular Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Kensington Oval and the Three Ws Oval will play host to both seasoned stars and rising talent. Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or a casual visitor, these events promise...
Barbados is set to take center stage on the global music map this July as GRAMMY®-winning Afrofusion artist Tyla headlines the highly anticipated Tipsy Music Festival 2025, right in the heart of the island’s colourful Crop Over season. The South African sensation will make her Caribbean debut on Sunday, July 20, delivering her chart-topping hits against the tropical backdrop of one of the Caribbean’s...
Barbados has once again proven its prowess in the world of rum, as Stades Rum Distillery’s Planteray Cut & Dry secures a coveted spot among the Top 10 Best New Cocktail Products of 2025 at the internationally acclaimed Spirited Awards. These awards form part of the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail conference, held annually in New Orleans, USA. The coconut-infused Cut & Dry is the only...
SeaDream Yacht Club has revealed an enticing lineup of 16 new Caribbean voyages set for November and December 2027, with New Year’s celebrations extending into early January 2028. Designed to emphasize the yachting lifestyle over traditional cruising, the itineraries will feature 28 destinations across some of the Caribbean’s most secluded and upscale islands. The upcoming voyages aboard the...
The West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA) is spearheading an expansion of the Caribbean Rum Trail, a multi-country initiative aimed at enhancing tourism and showcasing the region's rich rum-making heritage. This trail connects visitors with distilleries, rum shops, and cultural sites across CARICOM nations, offering an immersive experience into the Caribbean's storied relationship...