Richard Branson recently traveled to Jamaica to celebrate the relaunch and relocation of the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship.

After originally launching the center in Montego Bay in 2011, Branson’s Virgin Unite has moved the center to Kingston to be closer to the burgeoning innovation ecosystem in Jamaica’s capital.

“The spirit and energy of the Caribbean is like nowhere else in the world – this place buzzes with entrepreneurial spirit,” Branson said.

The non-profit Virgin Unite, founded in 2004, aims to “unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to create opportunities for a better world.”

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness also attended the launch, and discussed with Branson the state of the current business landscape and ways to raise the country’s GDP and support new business ventures of the future.

Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness with Branson.

“Ongoing support from both government and business is crucial to delivering entrepreneurs in the Caribbean with what they so desperately need – accessible investment options, business support, mentoring and global growth opportunities,” Branson said.
Both walked around a showcase of Branson Center entrepreneurs and listened to their business stories.

The group also held a panel about “the power of connection,” which Branson noted is central to the life and success of every entrepreneur.

“As I said at the event, in this day and age, the world is one world,” he said. “As business people you should try to think globally as much as you can. Try to make sure your brand is gonna work anywhere in the world.”

Branson called for global community action and for all sectors to work together and support each other.

“Entrepreneurs can solve some of Jamaica’s, and the world’s biggest problems. We must find bright and innovative thinkers, give them the support, encouragement and the community they need to build strong and socially responsible businesses,” he said.

It’s also another major boost for the city of Kingston, which has been seeing renewed investment, particularly in the tourism sector, with a new Courtyard Marriott and a major planned $50 million AC Hotel project.

The post Richard Branson Relaunches Entrepreneurship Center in Jamaica appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

If you’re planning a trip to Peter Island, the private island resort in the BVI, trust us when we tell you that there’s only one thing to order for breakfast.

But that’s not because there’s literally only one thing to order for breakfast at Tradewinds Restaurant; the impressive morning menu runs the gamut, from house-made granola to lobster scramble to a full-on buffet. It’s because the runaway hit on the resort’s breakfast menu is Jean Kelly’s Coconut-Crusted French Toast. And, like almost every other guest, you have to have it at least once (if not every morning).

Place your order and with impressive speed the sweet spread arrives at your table, four doorstops of thickly sliced fried bread, served with slices of banana, garnished with fresh coconut flakes, and accompanied by a vessel of warm pancake syrup. It looks like manna from heaven and it tastes like it, too, the crunch of the golden-brown bread crust giving way to a moist and fluffy texture. The local bananas add another almost tangy dimension of sweetness, further amplified by the pancake syrup. It adds up to a calorific and indulgent start to the day but it’s absolutely worth it – especially if you’re lucky enough to have the dish delivered by the woman it’s named for, Jean Kelly herself.

The oldest member of the Peter Island team, Miss Jean (also known as Mama Jean and Grandma Jean) has worked in the restaurant for more than 30 years. Wearing a personalized polo shirt and a yellow flower tucked into her hair, Miss Jean works the dining room like a pro, going from table to table saying good morning, cooing over babies and enquiring how guests slept. She moves with an energy we all wish we could possess at 71, and emanates a warmth so genuine and comforting that you feel as if she’s your own grandmother. Over the decades Miss Jean has become the unofficial ambassador of Peter Island, so it’s no wonder that back in 2010 a dish was named in her honor and to celebrate her contributions to the resort.

Originally it was going to be eggs Benedict, Miss Jean reveals, but she demurred because she’s “not really an egg person.” She and chef finally settled on French toast, which met her approval. Since then that seal of approval has been seconded by thousands of Peter Island guests, many of whom no longer even bother to look at the menu. “You know what I want,” we overheard one guest say to his waitress, playfully waving away the menu she attempted to set down.

“French toast again?” she asked.

Breakfast isn’t breakfast without it,” he replied.

And at Peter Island, that’s a fact.

The post The Best Breakfast in the British Virgin Islands appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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This summer, the British Virgin Islands’ Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina will host the second annual Scrub Island Blue Marlin Invitational.

The private island resort is located close to the BVI’s fishing grounds and the renowned North Drop.

The tournament will run from Aug 3-6.

“We’re excited to be hosting the Blue Marlin Invitational for the second year in a row and fully expect a record turnout,” said Federico Ciampi, resort manager at Scrub Island. “With such close proximity to the fishing grounds and the North Drop, anglers have found the Scrub Island Blue Marlin Invitational to be a breath of fresh air.”

At the requests from numerous billfish tournament teams, owners and captains, the Scrub Island Blue Marlin Invitational was created by Captain Skip Smith to give blue marlin enthusiasts easy access to exclusive fishing grounds and a protected harbor.

This year’s event will once again take advantage of the North Drop bite during the August full moon, ensuring the invitational will maintain its reputation as the “crème de la crème” of blue marlin bliss.

Captain Skip and Scrub Island Resort collaborated on the tournament with the hope of attracting U.S.-based teams who take advantage of the summer full moons, as well as teams from the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The post BVI Readies for Scrub Island Blue Marlin Invitational appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, has announced that he will visit Washington, DC, following the victory of statehood in the status referendum held on Sunday on the island, to notify Congress, the White House, and international forums of the results.

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A new food festival has come to the Dominican Republic.

Santo Domingo, one of the Caribbean’s emerging urban destinations, has launched a new culinary festival, SDQ Gastronomico, aimed at raising the city’s profile as a foodie hotspot.

The festival, which lasts from June 13 to July 1, features a series of events including a Restaurant Week, a Food Fest, a number of dinners, a culinary awards show and a flagship dinner on June 14 at the city’s Fortaleza Ozama in the heart of the city’s fabled Colonial Zone.

For more information, contact pamela@patepalo.do.

— CJ Staff

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