Caribbean states seek clarity on US travel restrictions Several Caribbean countries are breathing a bit easier after the  US disputed reports that it is considering implementing new travel restrictions that could affect six Caribbean nations—St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, Haiti and Cuba. According to the The New York Times, countries have been categorised into three levels of restrictions: a “red” list, where travel would be completely banned; an “orange” list, which would impose severe visa restrictions; and a “yellow” list, where nations have been given 60 days to address specific security concerns or face possible escalation to the other two categories. St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Kitts and Nevis allegedy fell under the “yellow” list, while Cuba has been placed in the “red” category, alongside Venezuela. The Times noted that the categorisation was based on concerns about “inadequate security practices for issuing passports, [...]

Cancun grapples with declining tourist arrivals as Punta Cana’s explosive growth Cancun, long a favored destination for American tourists in search of sun, sand, and relaxation, is facing increasing competition. The rising popularity of Punta Cana, coupled with operational issues at Cancun International Airport, security concerns, and changes in traveler preferences, is shifting tourism patterns. While Cancun remains a major draw, recent trends indicate a shift in where American travelers are choosing to vacation. Decline in Tourist Arrivals Recent data from airport authorities show a decline in Cancun’s international passenger numbers. In early 2025, the airport recorded 3.76 million passengers, down from 4.13 million in the same period of 2024—a nearly 9% drop. Part of this decline is attributed to the opening of a new international airport in Tulum, which is diverting some of the region’s air traffic. Airport Frustrations Impacting Travel Experience For many tourists, their first experience in Cancun [...]

CDB funding new tourism initiative in the Caribbean The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it is collaborating with the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in a new initiative to modernise tourism education and workforce development across the Caribbean. The region’s premier financial institution said that the project is also aimed at strengthening the Caribbean’s competitiveness in an industry vital to its economic stability. The Tourism Human Capital Development Project, funded through CDB’s Caribbean Technological Consultancy Services (CTCS) Network, will allocate about US$400,000 to update training materials, develop workforce management tools and deliver professional development programmes. Titled “Enhancing the Knowledge and Skills of Tourism Workers in the Caribbean Region”, the project aims to bolster the sustainability of the tourism industry, particularly for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The CDB said that by modernising educational resources, the initiative will enhance tourism curricula, improve workplace management and expand training opportunities for employers, workers [...]