The Caribbean Private Sector Organization (CPSO) has welcomed the decision by Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to allow full free movement of people by October 1, 2025. This move follows the rules set by the CARICOM Treaty and the Enhanced Cooperation Protocol. The CPSO is now encouraging all other CARICOM countries to do the same by December 31, 2025. At the 49th...
The Caribbean’s top tourism summit is heading back to Bridgetown. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has announced that the 2025 State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) will be held in Barbados from September 30 to October 3 at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Widely considered the most influential platform for shaping the region’s tourism future, SOTIC 2025 will unite a diverse group of...
Imagine a rooftop bar suspended over the ocean, the world’s largest pool at sea, and a glass-domed AquaTheater where aerialists, acrobats, and DJs come together beneath the stars. Welcome aboard Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class cruise ship—and a revolutionary leap forward in vacation experiences. After nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland,...
Barbados is poised to become the first country to pilot a new regional debt-for-resilience facility, a groundbreaking financial model designed to redirect costly debt repayments toward sustainable development and social investment. This innovative mechanism—supported by four major multilateral development banks—will allow participating Caribbean nations to swap expensive government bonds for...
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has announced the highly anticipated return of two of its signature events — the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and Taste of the Caribbean — both set to take place November 16–18, 2025, at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort. These flagship events will unite tourism and hospitality professionals,...
Barbados’ financial system reached a record size in 2024, with total assets rising to $30.3 billion, according to the latest Financial Stability Report (FSR) released by the Central Bank of Barbados and the Financial Services Commission (FSC). This represents a notable increase from $29 billion in 2023, with credit expansion across multiple financial institutions fueling the growth. Commercial Banks...
Los Cabos has just welcomed a striking new addition to its luxury hospitality landscape. Following a dramatic transformation, the iconic Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos has officially reopened as a Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort — marking the brand’s first all-inclusive offering in Los Cabos and ushering in a bold new era for the beloved Pacific coast property. Perched along...
Blue Diamond Resorts has announced its entry into Marriott International’s prestigious Luxury Collection with the addition of Paraíso de la Bonita, A Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adult All-Inclusive — a landmark move that signifies the group’s expansion into the ultra-luxury all-inclusive space. Marking a highlight in Blue Diamond Resorts’ 15th anniversary year, the partnership...
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has launched an ambitious new blueprint to redefine the future of tourism across the region. Titled the “Reimagine Plan 2025–2027,” this strategic roadmap moves beyond recovery and calls for a complete transformation of Caribbean tourism into a driver of innovation, inclusion, and resilience. Unveiled in New York, the Barbados-based CTO's plan outlines a...
Barbados is stepping boldly into the digital era: as of July 1, 2025, its Immigration Department has officially launched an online entry visa application portal, enhancing convenience and efficiency for travellers worldwide. This new portal joins the EZPay+ online payment system, which has handled all immigration payment types since March 14, 2025. At the press conference held at Immigration HQ on...