Month: February 2014

Haiti Reports Big Jump in Tourist Arrivals

New Book Takes a Photographic Look at Richard Branson’s Necker Island

Above: Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands (Photo by Russell James) By the Caribbean Journal staff Photographer Russell James has unveiled a new book that offers a unique glimpse into Sir Richard Branson’s private hideaway, Necker Island, in the …

VIDEO: Costa Rica Tourism Highlights “Happiness” in New Campaign

Above: Cocles Beach in Limon on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast By the Caribbean Journal staff Costa Rica has debuted a new series of video campaigns to promote its tourism sector, all under the theme of “happiness.” The four videos highlight …

What’s Holding Back Jamaica’s Reforms

By Dennis Chung CJ Contributor ANYONE who has been reading or listening to my recent commentaries would realize that I am fully in support of the reform agenda otherwise known as the IMF programme in Jamaica. Similarly, anyone who has …

Joint Bahamas, US Efforts “Critical” to Fighting Transnational Crime

Above: a signing ceremony in Nassau this week (BIS Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Collaborative efforts between the Bahamas and the United States are “critical” to tackling the “constant assault” of transnational crime,” according to Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred …

VIDEO: Jimmy Fallon’s Barbershop Quartet Covers Shaggy’s “It Wasn’t Me”

Above: Jimmy Fallon and his “Ragtime Gals” barbershop quartet By the Caribbean Journal staff Jimmy Fallon channeled Jamaican music star Shaggy with his latest “Barbershop Quartet.” Fallon, the new host of NBC’s “Tonight Show,” frequently uses his “Ragtime Gals” barbershop …

7 Caribbean Regattas For March and April

IT’S THAT time of year again. During March and April, the Caribbean plays host to some of the finest yachting events in the world. Each year, the top international circuit of sailing comes to the region, and the best events …

Trinidad Courts Investment in Shanghai

Above: Port of Spain (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff Invest Trinidad and Tobago hosted a business forum in Shanghai on Thursday aimed at courting investment from China. The forum, which was hosted in collaboration with the China Council …

Trinidad Opens Embassy in China

Above: the opening ceremony of Trinidad’s new Embassy in China (Photo: OPM Trinidad) By the Caribbean Journal staff Trinidad and Tobago has officially opened an Embassy in China. The new Embassy opened in Beijing on Wednesday, inaugurated by Trinidad and …

Turks and Caicos Airport Expansion Project Eyes Late 2014 Debut

Above: a rendering of the completed terminal By the Caribbean Journal staff Construction on the airport terminal expansion project in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos is 60 percent complete, according to the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority. The project is …

Absolut to Debut Carnival-Themed Vodka in Trinidad and Tobago

Above: Absolut Karnival By the Caribbean Journal staff A Swedish spirits mainstay seems to be right at home in Port of Spain. Absolut Vodka announced Thursday that it would be debuting a new vodka under a carnival theme in time …

Casa Hines Private Residences Club Opens Doors in Rincon, Puerto Rico

Above: Casa Hines By the Caribbean Journal staff The Casa Hines private residence club project has officially opened its doors in Rincon, Puerto Rico. The first phase of the property consists of a 14,000-square-foot main villa. It is located on …

Antigua and Barbuda Unveils Monument to Sir Viv Richards

Above: the monuments’ recent unveiling (Photo: ABG) By the Caribbean Journal staff Antigua and Barbuda has officially unveiled a monument to legendary cricketer Sir Viv Richards outside the cricket ground that bears his name. The statute of Richards raising his …

The Caribbean’s Best Mega Villas – 2014

THERE ARE villas and there are villas. These are the latter. We call them mega villas — the large properties with at least six bedrooms that aren’t just vacation homes —they’re vacation estates. These are properties of a different level, …

VIDEO: Yohan Blake Joins Freerunners to Market Thomson Cruises

Above: Yohan Blake in the “DreamRunners” ad By the Caribbean Journal staff It’s a whole new take on cruise marketing. Thomson Cruises has unveiled its newest ad, which features Jamaican sprinter and Olympic Gold Medalist Yohan Blake showcasing the beauty …

Governments of Dominica and Brazil Sign Visa Waiver Agreement

Above: Dominica (CJ Photo) By the Caribbean Journal staff The governments of Dominica and Brazil have signed a new visa waiver agreement. The new agreement means residents of Dominica and Brazil can travel between the two countries without the need …

United Airlines Launching New Service From Washington to Nassau

Above: a United Airlines plane By the Caribbean Journal staff United Airlines will be launching nonstop service from Washington, DC to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning in June, the company announced. The service, which will operate out of United’s hub at Washington-Dulles …

Meet the Caribbean: Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe in 9 Photos

Our latest edition of Meet the Caribbean heads to the island of Marie Galante in the Guadeloupe Islands archipelago, one of the rum and sugar production hubs of the Caribbean — and home to great food, white -sand beaches and intoxicating …

Bermuda Economy Contracted By 2-2.5 Percent in 2013: Report

Above: Bermuda By the Caribbean Journal staff Bermuda’s GDP contracted by between 2 and 2.5 percent in 2013, according to estimates from the island’s Ministry of Finance included in the recently-released National Economic Report. That was lower than the economy’s …