There’s another major new initiate aimed at fostering the Caribbean startup sector.

It’s called CaribbeanIdEA, and it’s the newest program aimed at developing the Caribbean’s burgeoning startup ecosystem.

The program, a joint initiative between VentureHIVE, the US State Department and USAID, aims to connect entrepreneurs in the US and the Caribbean, with a focus on cultivating and growing innovative Caribbean businesses.

The program is a seven-week virtual accelerator with a five-day bootcamp for 10 Caribbean-based entrepreneurs running high-growth businesses.

The Caribbean IdEA BoomCamp, which starts June 6, will focus on providing support, engaging diaspora mentors and experts and creating “tangible and measurable impact,” according to organizers.

So who’s eligible for the Caribbean IdEA BoomCamp?

Those who have small or medium-sized enterprises seeking to scale, with a focus on a product, service, technology or innovation that will serve as a capacity-building tool; CEOs will need to commit to being an active participant in the virtual program, as well as come to Miami for a full week.

That means entrepreneurs have to answer the question: will the idea grow the local business ecosystem and have an impact on the Caribbean?

For more information, visit here.

Powered by WPeMatico

Is this the best beach in the Caribbean? We ranked it number one in our landmark 2015 ranking. What do you think?

Either way, this is almost certainly the best beach in Anguilla: Rendezvous Bay.

Here’s what it’s like on the sand:

Powered by WPeMatico

With more than 30 beaches; a location just beyond the hurricane belt; and a fascinating Dutch-influenced heritage, Curaçao is a must for travelers in search Caribbean with a serving of culture on the side. But it’s so much more than that — from dozens of world-class dive sites to a burgeoning foodie culture, Curaçao is increasingly on the radar of travelers, particularly in the United States. And with several non-stop flights from the US, there’s no better time than now to plan a visit than right now. If you’re headed to the Dutch-Caribbean isle, take our tips for some of the best places to stay. CJ Travel Editor Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon has more.

Baoase Luxury Resort With just 23 suites and villas, this south-side boutique is perfect for vacationers in search of high-end tranquility. Elegant Bali-inspired rooms (some with outdoor tubs and showers); a beach complete with it’s own tiny island; and a superb restaurant make Baoase a standout. This is the best hotel in Curaçao, bar none.

Santa Barbara Beach & Luxury Resort Go all-inclusive or room-only at this   350-room resort that has all the bells and whistles you’d expect: three pools; four restaurants; a spa; an 18-hole golf course; and, of course, an inviting swath of white sand.

Avila Beach Hotel Just outside Willemstad, past meets present at Curacao’s oldest continuously operated hotel, combining an 18^th-century mansion with 150 sleek and modern rooms. Excellent meeting facilities make this a good choice for business travelers, while twin beaches and an infinity pool please the tag-alongs.

Sonesta Kura Hulanda Village & Spa Smack in the center of Willemstad, this unique hotel is in a restored colonial village complete with scenic courtyards, sculpture gardens, and even a museum. Its 82 rooms are furnished with antique reproductions; and two pools, a pair of restaurants and a spa complete the package.

Kura Hulanda Lodge and Beach Club The Sonesta’s sister hotel, also a GHL, is a classic resort set on a beautiful white coral beach. About 30 minutes from the airport, this is one of the island’s great hideaways, also boasting a top-level dive shop.

Floris Suite Hotel & Spa Ditch the kids and head for this adults-only 72-room resort about 10 minutes’ drive north of town. You won’t be on the beach (the strand at Parasasa, however, is just a five-minute walk away) but you will enjoy chic contemporary suites (some with kitchens); a luxurious spa; and a large, palm-shaded pool from where you can order chaise-side lunch service.

Powered by WPeMatico

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Can you learn to cook a three-course Bahamian meal in three-and-half hours?

One Nassau company thinks so.

Tru Bahamian Food Tours, which has been offering culinary walking tours in the Caribbean capital since 2013, has just launched their latest foodie temptation: a cooking class and “lunch experience.”

Led by Elijah Bowe, executive chef at Nassau’s historic Graycliff hotel and restaurant, the class begins with a cocktail and snack. Then students help chef prepare the meal – a sampler of a typical home-cooked Bahamian Sunday lunch or dinner that features seasonal seafood and guava duff, a popular local dessert – picking up basic cooking skills, local food knowledge and perhaps a little Bahamian dialect along the way. Then the group repairs to a private dining room to enjoy their feast, accompanied by a glass of wine from Graycliff’s 250,000-bottle cellar.

“Our team is thrilled to be able to introduce this unique cooking class experience to Nassau visitors,” said Alanna Rodgers, founder of Tru Bahamian Food Tours. “We’ve been developing this product for over a year now, and think it is a perfect complement to our signature Bites of Nassau Food Tasting & Cultural Walking Tour. The cooking class allows our guests to slow down and connect with Bahamian cuisine and culture on deeper level by going behind the scenes and learning how to prepare a traditional Bahamian meal with their own hands.”

Classes, limited to a maximum of a dozen participants, cost $136 per person, and include a take-home Nassau dining guide; a selection of chef’s recipes; and a branded Graycliff apron.

Go to trubahamianfoodtours.com for more details.

Powered by WPeMatico

Travel giant Sunwing has officially made its newest flight to Grand Bahama.

The new flight from Houston, Texas arrived with 189 visitors last week.

It was welcomed by a delegation including Bahamas Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe and Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville.

Tourism officials said they anticipated that the new route would bring tourists to the island from as many as eight US cities.

Texas is apparently a growing market for Bahamian tourism, officials said.

Powered by WPeMatico