If CBI Must Go, What Comes Next for the Caribbean? Commentary by Terrance Rey Back in the day, when Dr. Claude Wathey was the dominant political figure in St. Maarten, I remember hearing about an idea that sounded very much like what today we would call an economic citizenship or Citizenship by Investment programme. I was a young kid then. Politics, whether local or international, was hardly at the top of my list of concerns. I was more interested in whether Paper Garden had received the latest Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, Avengers and Fantastic Four comic books so that I would…
Author: The Publisher
Dominica Seeks Economic Safeguards as EU Pressures Caribbean Nations to End Citizenship Programmes From our correspondent ROSEAU, Dominica, October 28, 2026 — The government of Dominica is seeking assurances that its economy will not be adversely affected by European Union demands for Caribbean countries to discontinue their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes. The issue has become a priority for Dominica and several other members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), following indications that the European Union wants the programmes phased out by June 2028. According to the Dominican government, countries that fail to comply could risk losing visa-free…
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau Promotes New Contour Airlines Route to St. Thomas From our correspondent PHILIPSBURG, October 28, 2026 — The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) has launched a series of promotional activities in St. Thomas to boost awareness of Contour Airlines’ new nonstop service between the two islands, which commenced on October 5, 2026. The initiative aims to stimulate travel, strengthen regional cooperation and renew social, cultural and economic connections between St. Maarten and the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The direct route, restored after more than two decades, is expected to make it easier for families, friends and…
Carnival Corporation Projects Double-Digit Cruise Growth for Bonaire by 2027 From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 28, 2026 — Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, has projected a significant increase in cruise capacity for Bonaire by 2027, highlighting the island’s growing importance within its southern Caribbean itineraries. The outlook was presented by Marie McKenzie, the company’s Senior Vice President of Government and Destination Affairs, during the annual Bonaire Tourism Summit held on September 24 at the Van der Valk Plaza Beach Resort. Speaking under the presentation title “A Global Fleet, A Local Partner,” McKenzie revealed that current deployment…
CTO and ICF to Convene Caribbean Tourism Leaders on European Market Opportunities From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 28, 2026 — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and international tourism consultancy ICF are set to bring together senior regional tourism officials and industry executives in London on November 5 to discuss the Caribbean’s competitiveness in the United Kingdom and wider European travel markets. The invitation-only CTO-ICF Tourism Visionaries Circle will take place during World Travel Market London under the theme, “What Does Europe Want Next? Reimagining the Caribbean for the Conscious Traveler.” The event will be hosted aboard the Sunborn…
FAO Partnership Targets Improved Greenhouse Production in Dominica From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 27, 2026 — Efforts to advance climate-smart agriculture in Dominica have received further support through a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). As part of the initiative, 30 participants drawn from farming, greenhouse operations, construction, agricultural extension services and student and youth groups received specialised instruction from FAO Protected Agriculture Specialist Jervis Rowe. The programme addressed ways to improve greenhouse design and construction, strengthen day-to-day management and select appropriate inputs for better…
Dominican Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit Describes Voter Confirmation Exercise as Successful From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 27, 2026 — Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of Dominica’s Voter Confirmation exercise, which officially concluded on October 14, 2026. Administered by the Electoral Office, the 12-month initiative formed part of the country’s electoral reform programme and included the provision of voter identification cards to individuals whose applications were approved. Addressing the media, Skerrit said the process had been conducted on the basis of equal treatment and compliance with the law. While acknowledging that the exercise had…
Grenada Opens 2026–2027 Cruise Season with 192 Calls Scheduled From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 27 2026 — Grenada officially launched its 2026–2027 cruise season with the arrival of the Coral Princess at the Melville Street Cruise Terminal, ushering in a new period of economic activity for businesses and individuals involved in the tourism industry. The season is expected to feature 192 scheduled cruise calls through May 2027, including visits to Carriacou, with vessels ranging from large cruise liners to luxury ships and sailing vessels bringing visitors to the destination. The season is expected to create opportunities for tour…
Dominica State College Claims Double Victory in Under-20 Athletics From our correspondent Roseau, Dominica – October 27, 2026 — Dominica State College (DSC) emerged as the leading institution in both Under-20 divisions at the recent Athletics Meet, with its boys’ team securing 98 points and the girls’ team finishing with 115 points. The results gave the college first place in both categories and highlighted the strength of its student-athletes across the competition. DSC’s success extended beyond the overall team standings, as its competitors earned gold, silver and bronze medals in several track and field events. Individual athletes and relay teams…
PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN — Two American college students dreaming of spending New Year’s Eve in St. Barths may have unknowingly illustrated one of the biggest challenges facing travelers to the Caribbean’s most exclusive island this upcoming high season: finding an affordable and reliable way to get there. In a recent email received by AirStMaarten, a university student from Los Angeles explained that she and her best friend had been researching ways to spend the holiday season in St. Barths. They had investigated accommodations, airline connections and alternative transportation options, hoping to make their dream vacation financially possible. Their proposed…
