The promise of a more connected Caribbean The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment in its history. Its traditional vulnerabilities are exacerbated by growing geopolitical instability; the accelerating impacts of climate change; and the profound social, economic, and cultural shifts triggered by rapid technological innovation. As a collection of developing states, the region faces disproportionate risks that demand more than isolated or knee-jerk responses. These threats are nothing short of existential, and urgent collective action must be taken if the region is to build resilience and chart a From regional development meetings to town hall discussions, there is a clear consensus: We must move more decisively from talk to action to realise our immense promise. Yet too often we find ourselves separated by barriers that hinder our collective progress. The Issues We Face The challenges facing the Caribbean are well documented. Small island economies struggle with the volatility of global markets, [...]

Nicaragua celebrates 500 years of founding of the city of Granada Nicaragua celebrated the 500th anniversary of the founding of the city of Granada, the oldest in the country, with a series of cultural, gastronomic and artistic activities that brought together local families and visitors. Located on the shores of Lake Cocibolca, Granada, the oldest city in Nicaragua, was founded in 1524 by the Spanish. Known as "The Great Sultana", it is considered by historians as a jewel for its rich history, colonial architecture, natural landscapes and the idiosyncrasy of its people. The celebration began on the morning of Sunday, December 8, with a serenade in Plaza Xalteva. Attendees shared cake and participated in the preparation and tasting of the largest vigorón in the country, a typical dish of the city, on the emblematic La Calzada street. Likewise, a vibrant cultural parade was held. Folk groups from the department of Granada, [...]

Robust start to cruise tourism season in Jamaica With Jamaica having welcomed 1.1 million cruise passengers since the start of the year, the 2024/2025 cruise tourism season got off to a strong start with 10 vessels calling on the three main resort ports, with some 34,519 passengers and a combined crew of 13,137 between December 2 and 5, 2024, according to Ministry of Tourism figures. The most recent vessels to dock created history for the port of Falmouth on Thursday, December 5, when the Disney Treasure, the latest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, made its inaugural Caribbean call on that town, concurrently with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Celebrity Ascent also on its inaugural visit. Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett has hailed the early and robust start to the season as further proof of the recovery of the cruise sub-sector, which suffered a major setback in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic [...]

UN Tourism Artificial Intelligence Challenge With AI and advanced technologies reshaping the travel industry, 2024 presents a key moment to redefine tourism. As international travel reaches full recovery, the challenge focuses on using AI to improve personalized services, streamline operations, and elevate customer engagement, delivering scalable solutions that bring measurable results. The UN Secretary-General's report highlights the need for accessible technology and AI solutions that close the digital divide. This vision drives the UN Tourism AI & Deep Tech Start-up & Scale-Up Challenge, which aims to spark innovation in tourism with practical, high-impact AI applications across the tourism value chain. Objectives Innovate: Support AI-driven solutions that enhance efficiency and transform traveler experiences across the tourism ecosystem. Adopt: Ensure AI adoption is equitable, providing access to all communities and fostering widespread participation and benefits from these technologies. Drive Growth: Foster AI solutions that optimize operations and improve service delivery, benefiting stakeholders across [...]