Opinion

Caribbean Aviation Is Critical. That’s Why It Needs to Get Better.

Solving the Caribbean Air Tax Problem

It’s been an issue in the Caribbean for years: air taxes. But now, the tide seems to be turning, with the recent news that the Caribbean Community would be launching a review of taxes and fees on airline tickets in …

Op-Ed: The Future of Caribbean Air Transport

Living in the time of COVID-19 has underscored how difficult it is to maintain our distance. Many of us are longing for a time when we can feel comfortable to reconnect with our family and friends and restart regular economic …

Can Puerto Rico Redefine Tropical Travel Post-COVID-19?

The negative short-term economic global impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism industry has been devastating. Now, as the world begins to slowly reopen and potentially recapture their lost tourism industry, it is imperative to rethink and reassess how …

Op-Ed: A New Beginning for Puerto Rico

By Ricardo Álvarez-Díaz Two years ago last month, Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, ultimately taking more than 3,000 lives. It also exposed the structural vulnerabilities of existing buildings, and further exacerbated the already painful impact of a more than decade-long …

Editor’s Note: Abaco, Grand Bahama and the Comeback to Come

By Alexander Britell On Sept. 8, 1932, the biggest storm ever recorded in Abaco pummeled the island, destroying hundreds of homes and killing 10 people, just enough to land it on page 22 of the Sept. 9 edition of the …

Op-Ed: The Future of Dominican Republic Tourism

By Carlos Castillo Consul General of the Dominican Republic in New York Tourism and hospitality have become synonymous in the Dominican Republic. They are the mainstay of the economy, and a tremendous source of pride within our culture. New York …

Op-Ed: Rethinking Caribbean Cruise Port Revenues

By Robert MacLellan CJ Contributor Can tourism-dependent Caribbean governments learn something from oil producing countries? When relatively small and poor oil producing governments sought to get a fair price for oil – their main source of national revenue – they …

Editor’s Note: The Caribbean, After Irma

On Oct. 9, 1780, the Great Hurricane came to the Caribbean. Huracan San Calixto lasted 11 days in the West Indies, pummeling the southeastern Caribbean with terrifying winds as high as 200 miles per hour, destroying homes and livelihoods. Almost …

Doing Business in the Caribbean 2017: Central America Leading By Example

By Paul Hay CJ Contributor Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All is the 14th in the long-standing series of co-publications by the World Bank and International Financial Corporation (IFC). This annual report on the ease in doing business, now …

Caribbean History: Remembering Maurice Bishop

Our new Caribbean History feature takes a look at the major people and moments in the history of the region. By David P. Rowe One of the most important Caribbean leaders of the 20th century was Maurice Bishop. His career …

It’s Time for New Thinking on Caribbean Airlift

BY KAREEM YARDE CJ Contributor As a relatively unexplored topic, I recently wrote a research proposal concerning airline route development in the Caribbean region. This overarching review suggests that this is certainly a topic which the Caribbean region stands to …

Jamaica’s Opportunity to Shine

By DENNIS CHUNG CJ Contributor A few years ago someone asked me what I was passionate about. I mentioned that one of the things I really am passionate about is Jamaica and Jamaicans. It is that passion for Jamaica and …

Developing Jamaica’s Intellectual Capacity for Growth

BY DENNIS CHUNG CJ Contributor I recently made the point that the most important asset that Jamaica has is its three million residents, and that it is the underutilization of this asset that has caused us to attain average growth …

Creating a Culture of Development in Jamaica

And what Jamaica can learn from Antigua and Barbuda By Dennis Chung CJ Contributor Every time we come around to this time of the year — when we debate the budget, I swear that the arguments for and against are the …

Op-Ed: St. Vincent’s Major New Airport — And What’s Next

Weighing the impact of Argyle By Kareem Yarde Op-Ed Contributor It was recently announced with great fervor that St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be officially opening the Argyle International Airport (AIA) on February 14th 2017. Beset by challenges from …

What Cuba Means for Caribbean Travel

Looking ahead in Cuba By Alex Zozaya CEO of Apple Leisure Group History was recently made when American Airlines and Jet Blue became the first U.S. airlines to land passenger flights in Havana in more than 50 years. More U.S. …

Using Tech to Improve the Caribbean’s Business Environment

How “RegTech” could help the Caribbean By Ryan Peterson CJ Contributor In the famous words of legendary Bob Marley, “…don’t let them fool you…”. Despite the images of white sandy beaches, turquoise seas and milky coconuts, the Caribbean is notoriously …

Getting Local Government in Jamaica to Work

What local government means if we can get it to work By Dennis Chung CJ Contributor Last week I was driving around Montego Bay with the NSWMA regional manager and stopped by the Retirement dumpsite. As I drove around, I …