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Jamaica.
Carnival generated over $600 million in 2024
Jamaica's Carnival kicks off on April 27. An event that continues to prove its economic worth, notes the Caribbean National Weekly in an article published on April 16. The Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, announced that Jamaica's carnival had generated around J$95.4 billion (around US$600 million) in total economic impact and supported around 115,247 full-time equivalent jobs in various sectors in 2024. The announcement was made at the presentation of the Jamaica Carnival Economic Impact Assessment held at the Tourism Product Development Company's boardroom in Kingston on Tuesday, April 15. "This landmark study, led by Dr. Michael Marshall of the University of the West Indies, provides convincing evidence of what we have long believed: that Carnival is not just a cultural celebration, but a powerful economic driver in Jamaica," said Minister Bartlett. The assessment examined the economic impact of Carnival from 2018 to 2024, analyzing its direct, indirect and induced impacts, as well as its investment potential for public and private players. For Edmund Bartlett, the carnival has become a "real economic engine". The event attracted around 5,400 international visitors in 2024, 75% of whom came from the United States. "These visitors spend an average of US$3,209 per person, injecting some US$12.5 million directly into our economy," he said. What's more, 54.5% of these visitors were first-time visitors. While international participation was impressive, local participation exceeded that of visitors, with some 7,400 Jamaican visitors. These participants spent an average of J$252,900, or around US$1,600. The only problem is that much of this value continues to flow overseas, particularly in costume production, where Chinese factories dominate the supply chain. "For many of our suits, we ship a prototype to China, then assemble them here," said Kibwe McGann, sponsorship director for Gen XS Jamaica.
Saint-Martin.
Traders angry after fire at Marina Royale
On Saturday, April 19, a fire broke out shortly after 3 p.m., affecting buildings at Marina La Royale in Marigot. In just a few hours, the flames destroyed the Bubble Shop diving club and damaged the neighboring restaurant, La Main à la Pâte, as reported by our colleagues at Le Pélican. A gendarmerie investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the fire. For several months, the association of shopkeepers and restaurateurs in Marigot has been constantly alerting the Collectivité to maintenance and safety problems in the area. Angered by the fire on April 19, the association's president, Yann Lecam, drafted an open letter addressed to the Ministers of the Interior and Finance.to the Ministers of the Interior and Overseas Territories, as well as to the Prefect, the President of the Collectivité and the President of the CCISM. The letter, which was transcribed in the Soualiga Post, reads in part: "Through the flames, an ancient cry is resurfacing: that of a territory that warns, relentlessly, but does not seem to be heard to the extent of the danger. (...) For what is burning today in Saint-Martin is much more than a building. It's an invisible frontier between the Republic and oblivion. We have been listened to, but let's be frank: we have not been heard. We've had exchanges, meetings and intentions. But there has been no response commensurate with reality. And the real thing is a burning building. What's real is the return of fear. The reality is the growing feeling that the Republic is less protective here than elsewhere. The State must take back control. "
Guadeloupe.
Spirit tourism laboratory and extended sugar campaign
On April 10, Guadeloupe inaugurated its national spirit tourism laboratory. "Tameteo.com explains: "The aim is to federate players in the sector throughout the territory and stimulate the development of this new experiential tourism. Spearheaded by the Riviera des îles de Guadeloupe Tourist Office, with the support of the Guadeloupe Departmental Council and the French Ministry of Overseas Territories, its aim is to create a national network of distilleries, distillers and distributors.Its aim is to create a national network of distilleries, rum producers, local authorities and tourism professionals to enhance the tourist and economic appeal of the producing territories. The laboratory aims to structure, supervise and promote all spiritourism-related initiatives in the French overseas territories and mainland France. It will also support SMEs and artisans, who account for 95% of the sector, by helping them create immersive tourist experiences combining heritage, culture and tasting.
Meanwhile, on April 23, our RCI colleagues devoted an article to the extension of the sugar harvest until July 12. The sugar cane harvest in Guadeloupe will continue for two weeks longer than planned," emphasized RCI. While tonnage targets have been maintained, initial indicators of cane richness and purity are significantly lower than in previous years. "Nicolas Philippot, deputy general manager of the Gardel plant, explains that saccharin content is "clearly down". He explains: "If I compare April 20, date to date, today, we're at 7.25, compared with 9.19 and 9.34 in 2023 and 2022. So we're almost two points below what we're used to seeing. Purity is important to us because it determines our ability to transform sucrose into sugar. So here we are at 80 purity, compared with 85.15 or even 85.56 in previous years. This means that we have both lower richness and lower sugar yields. "We'll therefore have to revise the dosage for ti-punches in the coming months.
Trinidad and Tobago.
Traveler shot dead leaving airport
Last Thursday, April 17, a man was shot dead as he left Trinidad Piarco International Airport. According to the Trinidad Express, the fatal shooting took place at around 2:30am near the arrivals area, where the victim was walking towards a waiting black SUV. Gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, killing one man and wounding another. The wounded man reportedly fled and returned to the customs department. Police sources told L'Express that over 30 empty shell casings were found at the scene, including 5.56 mm and 9 mm cartridges. Officers from the North Central Division and the Homicide Bureau responded to the scene. According to Loop News, airport security personnel described the aftermath of the incident as "traumatic", with terrified passengers abandoning their luggage and rushing for cover. An airport employee highlighted the disturbing timing of the attack, which came just days after the end of the national state of emergency aimed at curbing gang violence. This is the second homicide reported since the official end of the state of emergency on April 13. The state of emergency was declared on December 30, 2024.
Dominican Republic.
A digital transformation agreement with Costa Rica
The Dominican Today reports in an article dated April 23 that the government and Costa Rica have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen digital transformation and cybersecurity, focusing on the mutual recognition of digital signatures. Virtually signed by Indotel President Guido Gómez Mazara and Costa Rican Minister of Science and Technology Paula Bogantes Zamora, the pact establishes a strategic alliance aimed at guaranteeing secure, interoperable digital trust services between the two countries. "The agreement enables the seamless use of each country's digital certificates, improving access to secure electronic services and fostering innovation," the newspaper points out. "It also lays the legal and technical foundations for collaboration in e-governance.
Virgin Islands (US).
Bill to ban credit card surcharges rejected
On April 17, the Virgin Islands Consortium reported the rejection of Senator Blyden's bill. The bill aimed to ban surcharges on credit and debit cards in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It met with strong opposition at a Senate hearing on Wednesday April 16, with lawmakers ultimately voting to keep the measure in committee. While supporters presented the bill as a way to ease the financial burden on consumers, most senators expressed concern about the unintended consequences for small businesses and pricing models in general. Drawing on the support of some of his colleagues, Senator Blyden argued that implementing such legislation would benefit consumers, locals and visitors alike. "Customers have been hit hard, and rising prices and interest rates are just one example," he argued. Consumers are now facing a new catastrophe that is draining money from customers and businesses alike, and damaging our competitiveness as a tourist destination. "A speech that failed to convince the Senate assembly.
Cuba.
Mandatory electronic visas from July 1
From July 1, 2025, travelers wishing to visit Cuba will have to comply with a new measure: the introduction of the electronic visa (e-Visa). This system replaces the traditional tourist card, a procedure that has long simplified access to the island. This digital shift is designed to modernize and secure administrative procedures, according to the Cuban government. The aim of this transformation is to centralize visa applications and reduce processing times.
Haiti.
Macron and "the unjust force of history
In an article published on April 23, Courrier international looks back at the statements made by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on the subject of the debt imposed by France on Haiti after its independence. "The announcement was eagerly awaited on the Caribbean side," wrote the editor of the Haitian daily Le Nouvelliste, Frantz Duval, who continues: "Two hundred years after French King Charles X issued an order recognizing Haiti's independence in exchange for heavy financial reparations, Emmanuel Macron declaredOn April 17, Emmanuel Macron declared that this act had "subjected[ised] the people of Haiti to a very heavy financial indemnity" and had confronted them, "from the moment of their constitution, with the unjust force of history". In recognizing this historic fact, the President of the Republic marks "a first in the history of both countries. "For Frantz Duval, we must "take note" and "give credit for this step" to the French president. "With this symbolic gesture, Emmanuel Macron goes further than any of his predecessors," says the editor-in-chief, who nevertheless questions the form chosen for this declaration ("a sober text from the Élysée") and its unresolved substance.
