A transformative new $1.3 billion hospitality and real estate project is taking shape in Saint Lucia, setting the stage for the island’s largest tourism development to date. The multi-phase A’ila Resorts project, located at Mount Pimard in Rodney Bay, is already under construction and advancing ahead of schedule. Unveiled at the Caribbean Investment Summit in Antigua, the development represents a...
Prime Minister Mia Mottley is calling for deeper transport connections between Barbados, Latin America, and the wider Caribbean to strengthen trade, tourism, and regional influence. Speaking at the unveiling of interCaribbean Airways’ new aircraft, Spirit of Barbados (VQ-TBB), at Grantley Adams International Airport on Tuesday, Mottley described the moment as one of national pride but also a chance...
July brought encouraging news for the Caribbean hotel sector. Regional hotel occupancy held steady at around 65.5 percent, showing only a slight dip of 0.1 percent compared to the same period last year. Importantly, this was the smallest decline in several months, suggesting renewed momentum for the industry. Traditionally one of the slowest months of the year, July often presents challenges for...
Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has taken a major step toward deepening regional trade and collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Panama Maritime Authority. The agreement, finalized last Friday, is designed to expand commercial linkages, promote sustainable maritime practices, and unlock new opportunities for mutual economic growth. The MoU creates a framework that positions...
The world of ultra-luxury, small-ship cruising is welcoming a new icon. Following in the wake of Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, Orient Express is preparing to make its mark on the seas with the debut of its first ultra-luxury yacht. Starting next year, the legendary brand will launch the Orient Express Corinthian, which it calls the “world’s largest luxury sailing yacht.” The vessel’s inaugural...
Sagicor Financial Company Ltd has reported significant gains in revenue and investment income from its insurance business in Barbados for the first half of 2025. According to the company’s unaudited condensed financial statements for the six months ending June 30, Sagicor Life Barbados recorded insurance revenue of $130.6 million, up from $124.8 million in the same period last year. For the second...
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has awarded an estimated USD 420,000 in grants to twenty women-owned and led Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (WMSMEs) across seven of its Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs). The funding, delivered through the Bank’s SheTrades Caribbean Regional Hub Grow and Go Grant Facility, is aimed at helping these entrepreneurs expand operations, access new markets,...
Banks Holdings Limited (BHL), one of Barbados’ leading beverage conglomerates, has officially joined the Coca-Cola family following a US$186 million acquisition involving multiple Caribbean companies. On August 1, BHL chairman Luis Alvarez and country manager Shafia London confirmed that Coca-Cola’s KOSCAB Holdings Ltd acquired majority ownership of SLU Beverages Ltd on July 31. SLU Beverages,...
A new era of Caribbean hospitality has arrived with the debut of Ordovician Beach Resort, a 47-room luxury retreat on Isla Grande within Portobelo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overlooking Panama’s pristine northern Caribbean coast, the resort pairs refined design with environmental stewardship and a deep commitment to uplifting its surrounding communities. Named after a geologic era...
Hilton has officially made its debut in the U.S. Virgin Islands with the launch of Hampton by Hilton St. Thomas, a 126-room waterfront property offering sweeping harbor views, modern amenities, and a prime location just steps from the cruise pier. More than just Hilton’s first hotel in the territory, this opening marks a historic milestone — it’s the first newly built hotel to open in the USVI in...