Jamaica to Ban Plastic Lunch Boxes by Year End "There are some skews or variants of deodorants and facial soaps that have plastic beads in them that are deleterious to human and marine health. There is no sewage-based system on Earth that would extract these plastic beads before they are put out into the environment. So, we are looking at the items that can be removed from our waste stream" The Jamaica government says a ban will be imposed on the use of plastic lunch boxes, effective December 31, this year, as efforts continue to shift to more sustainable options. Minister Without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Matthew Samuda, said that the elimination of lunch boxes will represent an extension of the existing ban on single-use plastic items that was implemented in 2019. “We made the initial change as it related to Styrofoam; there was a [...]

Biodiversity and tourism appear among top plans for Cuba Authorities today pointed out the relevance of the link between biodiversity and tourism, as part of the programs both for the recovery of the travel industry in the nation and to protect the environment. A report by the island’s Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) said Wednesday that the integration of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in the development of sustainable island tourism is a significant motive for the immediate future. He added that Cuba is committed to a tourism that represents an important source of income for the country, but with care about its development and added that the excessive growth of this sector could cause a gradual impact on the environment, so sustainability is becoming increasingly important. In this context, the project Integration of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in the development of sustainable tourism in Cuba (as it is [...]

Summer Tourism Boom as Celebrities Flock to Jamaica "As of May 10, 2023, the island has welcomed just over 1.5 million total visitors, with provisional gross earnings exceeding US$ 1.6 billion for the same period. The 2023 summer is gearing up to be the best summer in the history of tourism in Jamaica,” says Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett. Already, 1.4 million seats have been secured, representing a 16% increase over the previous best in 2019. Jamaica’s main source market, the United States of America, has locked in 1.2 of these seats. “We are expecting a load factor of some 87.5%, which means that 1.2 million visitors will come to Jamaica over the summer period and will bring revenue of some US$1.5 billion just within that period of June to August,” says Mr Bartlett. Travel bookings are currently showing a rise of 33% compared to summer 2022 and the anticipated [...]

Cayo Largo, Cuba: Ultimate Traveler's Guide Known for its pristine beaches, the tiny white sand cay of Cayo Largo del Sur - or simply, Cayo Largo - is one of the most sought-after destinations in Cuba for travelers. Cayo Largo is located far off the coast of mainland Cuba - so is visiting Cayo Largo worth the trip? We certainly think so! In this ultimate guide to Cayo Largo del Sur, we share where to stay in Cayo Largo, the best things to do in Cayo Largo, and how exactly to make the most of your time in this Caribbean paradise. From enjoying long, lazy days along crystal clear waters to exploring the island's natural, remote beauty, you're sure to love your travel experience in Cayo Largo. One of Cuba's pristine cays, Cayo Largo del Sur is a gem too few travelers visit. Our ultimate (local!) guide to Cayo Largo del [...]