Reggae Boyz Triumph Over Panama To Take Third Place in Concacaf Nations League

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. March 25, 2024: Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz secured third place in the Concacaf Nations League Sunday, defeating Panama 1-0 in the consolation play-offs, thanks to Dexter Lembikisa’s impressive first-half goal.

Dexter Lembikisa #2 of Jamaica moves the ball upfield against Andres Andrade #16 of Panama in the first half of the 3rd Place Match of the CONCACAF Nations League Finals at AT&T Stadium on March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)

This victory at AT&T Stadium in Texas marks their highest finish in the tournament, bouncing back from a previous defeat against the USA.

Lembikisa, on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Heart of Midlothian, delivered the decisive goal. Looking forward, the team prepares for Copa America, facing Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela in the opening round.

Royal Caribbean Suspends Visits To Haitian Resort

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News Americas, MIAMI, FL, Mon. March 24, 2024: In response to heightened violence and unrest in the region, Royal Caribbean has halted visits to Labadee, its private resort on Haiti’s northern coast. The decision comes following a travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department, urging individuals to avoid travel to Haiti and ranking the country at a Level Four advisory, aligning it with nations like Russia, Syria, and Burkina Faso.

People walk past burned bodies and an armed police officer monitoring a street after gang violence in the neighborhood on the evening of March 21, 2024, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 22, 2024. More than 33,000 people fled Port-au-Prince this month as the Haitian capital was overrun by well-armed gangs triggering political chaos in the impoverished Caribbean nation, the United Nations has said. (Photo by CLARENS SIFFROY/AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement reported by Cruiseindustrynews.com, Royal Caribbean announced the temporary suspension of visits to Labadee across its entire fleet, citing an abundance of caution amidst the evolving situation in Haiti. The company emphasized its ongoing monitoring and assessment of the situation in collaboration with its Global Security & Intelligence Team.

Labadee, Haiti.

Notably, Royal Caribbean clarified that neither passengers nor crew members have encountered violence or threats during previous visits to Labadee.

With several ships scheduled to visit Labadee in the upcoming days, Royal Caribbean has opted for alternative arrangements. Instead of docking at Labadee, ships will either spend an additional day at sea or extend their stay at other destinations, such as Falmouth, Jamaica, Nassau in the Bahamas, or Perfect Day at CocoCay, another resort owned by the company.

Haiti shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, which itself is under a Level 2 travel advisory, urging visitors to exercise increased caution.

The decision to suspend visits to Labadee follows previous travel advisories issued for Haiti, including a do-not-travel alert in July 2023. The State Department cited concerns over kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Subsequently, in the same month, the U.S. government ordered the evacuation of family members of U.S. government employees and non-emergency personnel from Haiti. Restrictions were also imposed on the movement of American government personnel within the country, limiting their activities to confined areas around the Embassy and imposing curfews and travel restrictions.

Royal Caribbean’s suspension of visits to Labadee underscores the challenges posed by escalating violence and instability in the region, prompting adjustments to ensure the safety and security of its passengers and crew.

Four Caribbean Nations Unite To Set Citizenship Investment Floor

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. March 25, 2024: In a significant move towards cooperation and standardization, the leaders of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Kitts & Nevis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to align their Citizenship by Investment Programs (CIPs).

This agreement introduces a uniform minimum investment price of USD 200,000; enhances regulatory collaboration, promotes transparency, and establishes a regional authority for oversight.

The initiative aims for full implementation by June 30, marking a pivotal step towards more coordinated economic strategies in the region. Notably, Saint Lucia did not participate in this agreement, sparking discussions about its implications. For more information, details see the IMI – Investment Migration Insider

Caribbean Businesses Embracing Digital Transformation, PwC Survey Reveals

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News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. March 25, 2024: A PwC Caribbean Digital Readiness Survey 2024 reveals significant strides in digital transformation among Caribbean businesses, emphasizing the critical role of artificial intelligence in driving change.

Nearly half of the businesses report seeing returns on digital investments, with a focus on customer experiences, decision-making, and brand enhancement.

PwC’s Global Hopes and Fears Survey, which finds that the majority of workers do not appear to have clarity on how their job requirements may change. What’s more, workers whose jobs don’t require specialised training appear the least likely to see change coming.

Only 15% of these respondents say the skills required to do their jobs will change in the next five years, compared with 51% of their counterparts whose jobs are more specialised.
Encouragingly, 68% of Caribbean respondents see their leader as a champion for digital transformation. However, only 59% believe their leadership is sufficiently digitally savvy and helps the workforce think in new ways.

When respondents were asked about the barriers to upskilling their workforce, the top three were: Lack of time (40%), lack of budget (36%) and lack of strategic focus on training (28%).

The survey underscores the importance of CEO leadership in digital transformation, the rise in Digital IQ, and the challenges posed by cyber vulnerabilities and legacy systems. It highlights the need for continued investment in digital tools, skills, and infrastructure to maintain competitive advantage and respond to the fast-evolving digital landscape.

For a comprehensive overview, visit PwC’s website​ (PwC)​.

Hilton Makes Strides In Caribbean Expansion

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News Americas, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, Mon. Mar. 25, 2024: Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has announced the signing of an agreement to welcome Palacio Provincial to the Curio Collection by Hilton, marking an exciting expansion for the renowned hotel chain in the Caribbean.

Owned by Hostal El Convento and managed by International Hospitality Enterprises (IHE), the prestigious Palacio Provincial Hotel, situated in the heart of Old San Juan, will join over 160 distinctive, upscale hotels and resorts under the Curio Collection by Hilton brand. This move represents Hilton’s inaugural venture into the historic city.

Palacio Provincial, a charming 43-room boutique hotel, resides within the Old San Juan Historic District, boasting a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Following a meticulous restoration in 2021, the property seamlessly blends timeless elegance with modern luxury, offering guests an unforgettable experience.

“We are delighted to announce the signing and forthcoming conversion of Palacio Provincial to Curio Collection by Hilton, expanding Hilton’s presence in Puerto Rico to include such a sought-after destination,” stated Pablo Maturana, Vice President of Development for the Caribbean and Latin America at Hilton. “This signing underscores our commitment to growing our robust pipeline in the region and nearly doubling our footprint in Puerto Rico.”

Nestled within an architecturally significant building, Palacio Provincial boasts chic interiors that exude urban sophistication and laid-back charm. Its guest rooms feature thoughtfully designed spaces, including 12-foot wooden window doors leading to Juliet balconies, offering picturesque views of Old San Juan.

Palacio Provincial offers an array of culinary experiences, including the Consular Restaurant & Bar, nestled in an oasis-like courtyard, and the Atelier Rooftop Terrace, providing stunning views of San Juan Bay and the Colonial city. The property also offers versatile event spaces, ideal for gatherings of all sizes.

Hilton currently operates nine hotels across six of its leading brands in Puerto Rico and more than 30 hotels across the broader Caribbean region. Palacio Provincial will extend the benefits of Hilton Honors, the company’s award-winning guest-loyalty program, to its guests.