Jamaica and Singapore are partnering on the development of a special economic zone in Jamaica, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Holness met last week with Daniel Seah, deputy director of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise and representatives from the Special Economic Zone Authority to discuss the partnership.

Holness said the “development of the SEZ will greatly impact Jamaica’s economic development as all Jamaicans should benefit from the Zone.”

Many Caribbean thought leaders have long called for the region to look more to Singapore as the model for small-island economic development.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Jamaica, Singapore Partnering on Special Economic Zone appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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Antigua’s private-island resort, Jumby Bay, has launched a pioneering new Crossfit program.

The program, ICE NYC at Jumby Bay, is the result of a partnership with New York-based Crossfit studio ICE NYC.

The program is led by ICE’s most elite trainers and offers unique CrossFit classes, which combine different kinds of high-intensity physical training.

“As health and wellness become increasingly important to our guests, we are looking at travel and fitness in new and creative ways that elevate the overall guest experience and go beyond the traditional hotel gym offerings,” said Andrew Hedley, managing director of Jumby Bay and regional vice president of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.  “Given many of our guests’ involvement in and commitment to CrossFit, as well as ICE NYC’s reputation for offering the most high-end, luxurious CrossFit programming in Manhattan, a partnership with ICE NYC was a natural fit, and we are thrilled to offer our guests this special program on-island.”

The program kicked off in December and will continue with sessions in 2017.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Antigua’s Jumby Bay Now Offers CrossFit appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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The Caribbean’s leading travel conference is seeing a surge in buyer interest this year, according to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association.

The CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace begins Tuesday, with 15 new buyers from almost 12 countries having registered to participate in the event, which will take place at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas.

Buyers are matched with Caribbean suppliers (i.e. hotels, tour companies and tourism departments) during the two-day program featuring thousands of appointments.

“Caribbean Travel Marketplace is a platform for our members to conduct and increase their business by meeting with buyers from all over the world,” said CHTA CEO Frank Comito. “We look forward to some very robust discussions in the Bahamas as we position the region as the best place in the world to visit for business or leisure.”

New buyers companies include DERTOUR/Fiesta Travel from Bulgaria; DELUXEA from Czech Republic / Slovakia; France’s Island Consulting and Spots D’Evasion France; Germany’s EWTC; Caribbean Blue from Ireland; Poland’s DERTOUR and Luxury Travel Management; Trelco Limited (IHG QATAR) from Qatar; Russia’s Luxury Resorts Collection; Solbooking and TUI from Spain; and Britain’s AZUZOO Limited, dnata and Love Holidays.

— Caribbean Journal Staff

The post Surge in Buyer Interest for Caribbean Travel Marketplace appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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They’ve been hidden away in the far reaches of Grand Cayman inside a tropical forest.

Here, in the Northside area of the island are a marvelously preserved collection of caves that rival any in the Caribbean: Crystal Caves.

The group of around 105 caves includes some as old as 25 million years, full of stunning stalactite and stalagmite crystal structures and other formations of time, all formed by single drops of water.

While area residents long knew of the caves’ existence and breadth, it wasn’t until the 1990s that a full-fledged exploration was conducted of all the island’s caves.

The new attraction from Christian and Ole Sorensen, the stewards of the famous Harrison’s Cave in Barbados, has quickly become one of the Cayman Islands’ must-visit destinations, with regular guided tours that take about an hour and a half.

See more in the latest video above.

— CJ

The post VIDEO: Grand Cayman’s Secret Caves appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Following a week-long trial, a federal jury in Puerto Rico has convicted four individuals for participating in bid rigging and fraud conspiracies at an auction for public school bus transportation services in Puerto Rico’s Caguas municipality. Gavino Rivera Herrera…

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