By Ray Chickrie Caribbean News Now contributor ISTANBUL, Turkey — Guyana attended the 34th meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC), which was held last week in Istanbul, Turkey. Representing Guyana at the meeting was its permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Ten-Pow, who […]

The post Guyana pushes trade and investment at OIC meeting in Turkey appeared first on Caribbean News Now.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

As coral reefs continue to dwindle around the region, more and more initiatives are looking to plant new coral and save dying reefs.

But in order to plant the coral, it has to grow somewhere.

That’s the plan for a major new project in the Bahamas: the Coral Farm Education and Research Centre, a Grand Bahama operation whose manager, Coral Vita, is dedicated to growing coral reefs.

The project broke ground in East Grand Bahama this week.

Coral Vita uses technology that grows corals up to 50 times faster, while “strengthening their resiliency to climate change threats,” according to a statement.

The new center is “adding to what is already a very powerful brand in The Bahamas, as a country that is on the cutting edge of conservation in marine and life sciences,” says Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard.

“This project, to me, seems to be a natural option to that, along with the regeneration of the mangroves. These natural defenses, while may seem outlandish or scientific from the outset, will provide us with natural defenses and cost-effective defenses to protect what we have in our country,” Pintard says.

— CJ

The post A New Coral Farm Is Coming to The Bahamas appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados is primed for a significant increase in airlift to the island this month.

American Airlines is set to launch a wave of new and expanded flights to the destination.

“High-level airline partnerships have been a cornerstone effort for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI).  This strategy has led to increased airlift and the introduction of new gateways including Fort Lauderdale, Boston and Newark,” said said Petra Roach, U.S Director for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “We are ecstatic to see the increase in service from American Airlines, which will add millions in economic impact to Barbados.”

The Sea Breeze Beach House in Barbados.

Beginning Dec. 19, American will launch daily nonstop service from Charlotte to Barbados, with thrice-daily service set to launch from Miami to Barbados on the same day.

The daily Charlotte flights will run through April 2 and from June 6 to Aug. 19, with Saturday-only service in the interim.

The American flights will operate three times daily through April 2 and from June 6 through Aug. 19, with twice-daily service in between those periods.

That will mean an almost 50 percent increase in capacity to Barbados from April through August.

“We are extremely pleased to see that American Airlines has continued its commitment to growing its capacity to Barbados well into 2019 and continues to help us in surpassing the tremendous visitation figures seen during the past few years,” said the Kerrie Symmonds, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport. “In 2017, Barbados welcomed 188,970 U.S. visitors and we anticipate surpassing 200,000 visitors from the U.S. in 2018 – improving on last year’s already significant 30-year record.”

“This investment in Barbados is not something that we take lightly as we know that there are several other destinations which are eager for additional lift so we will be immediately implementing a very targeted promotional program to ensure that we stimulate the demand for this capacity,” Symmonds said.

The post Barbados Set for Big Increase in Airlift appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico

… than originally estimated.
The Puerto Rico Planning Board’ … associations through October.
Puerto Rico economist Jose Caraballo said … The report comes as Puerto Rico struggles to emerge from … the economic crisis continues, Puerto Rico‘s governor and …

Powered by WPeMatico

By the Caribbean Journal staff

In a major development for regional aviation in Latin America and the Caribbean, United Airlines has announced an agreement with Panama’s Copa Airlines and Colombia’s Avianca for a joint business agreement.

The agreement, still pending government approval, would include integrated service, new nonstop routes, additional flights on existing routes and reduced travel times, among others, according to a statement from United.

“The carriers expect the JBA to drive significant traffic growth at major gateway cities coast to coast, which is expected to help bring new investment and create more economic development opportunities,” the companies said in a joint statement.

“We are delighted to further solidify our existing partnership with United Airlines and look forward to increasing service options for our customers by working more closely with Avianca,” said Pedro Heilbron, Copa Airlines’ chief executive officer. “We believe this agreement benefits our passengers by providing competitive fares and a superior network of more than 275 destinations throughout Latin America and the U.S., and promotes further growth and innovation within the airline industry in the Americas.”

The agreement is also expected to provide customers with more code share options, competitive fares and “a more streamlined travel experience.”

“This agreement represents the next chapter in U.S.-Latin American air travel,” said Scott Kirby, United’s president. “We are excited to work with our Star Alliance partners Avianca and Copa to bring much-needed competition and growth to many underserved markets while providing a better overall experience for business and leisure customers traveling across the Western Hemisphere.”

All three airlines operate a large network of flights to the Caribbean.

“We are certain that together we are stronger in the United States – Latin America market than any of the three airlines individually,” said Hernan Rincon, Avianca’s executive president – chief executive officer. “This partnership will allow Avianca to strengthen its position as a first-level player in the airline industry in America as we will expand our scope in the continent with United and Copa, offering better connectivity to our customers.”

The post United Airlines’s New Partnership With Avianca and Copa appeared first on Caribbean Journal.

Powered by WPeMatico