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Task force to examine impact of smoking ban on tourism

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC - With the recent implementation of a ban on smoking in public places, Tourism Minister, Dr. Wykeham McNeil has announced that an inter-ministry task force will take a look at concerns about implications of the ban in the hotel sector. The decision to convene the task force was made at a meeting on Friday between representatives of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), the Tourism Ministry and the Health Ministry. The hotel sector has complained that the regulations could cause a major fall out in the sector.

Prime Minister urges hoteliers to look at the “big picture”

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC- Prime Minister Kenny Anthony has called on hoteliers to redefine their approach to the industry and do more to improve quality and mutually beneficial partnerships. Addressing the 49th annual general meeting of the St.Lucia Hotels and Tourism Association, the Prime Minister said developed countries such as the United States and Europe, which are major source markets for the industry, are currently jostling for number one status as visitor magnets.

Eight found dead off the coast of Grand Bahama

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC - The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of eight bodies on the beach in Grand Bahama early Saturday. They initially found six bodies including that of a child on a beach at Holmes Rock, shortly after, two more bodies were discovered near a sunken boat, half a mile from the shore. According to the police, it’s believed that all eight were illegal immigrants who were trying to make their way to the United States.

LIAT rapped over delays, missing shades

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -Customer service complaints against LIAT have soared to another level with one passenger planning an online petition to boycott the airline, while another passenger has had four hiccups in the last six weeks, culminating in luggage lost between St Vincent and Barbados. Both Sean Field of New York, and Barbadian Vincent Ramsey, a sales representative who depends heavily on the Caribbean airline, have expressed disgust and frustration with the service, claiming the airline has been unprofessional in dealing with their complaints.

Liat owners mull proposal to include Venezuela

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The shareholder governments of the regional airline, Liat, are discussing proposals that would allow Venezuela to have an interest in the airline, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced. Skerrit said Caracas has expressed an interest in investing in the regional airline company and that a draft agreement has already been provided to shareholders for their consideration.

APD and Caribbean families

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - A few weeks back the T&T Guardian carried a column by British High Commissioner Arthur Snell about Air Passenger Duty (APD). It defended the tariff and pointed out: 1) statistically there is no evidence to say APD stops tourism to the Caribbean; 2) the main problem with the Caribbean tourism product is it is too expensive; and 3) that APD “aims to offset the negative environmental effects of long-haul air travel.”

Dominican Republic industries want to take Haiti to court

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s business leaders propose charging Haiti at the World Trade Organization and other international bodies for imposing non-tariff barriers to local exports, in the heels of Port-au-Prince’s months-long ban on the imports of eggs, chickens, and plastic products as of last week. Haiti’s Private Sector Economic Forum approved the restrictions against Dominican products Last week, and also asked their government to bolster controls at the border.

China, Latin America, Caribbean forum opens

The second China-Latin America and the Caribbean Think Tank Forum opened Monday in Beijing.
China will work with Latin America and the Caribbean to implement agreements reached by the leaders of China and Latin American countries and enhance ties, State Councilor Yang Jiechi said at the forum's opening ceremony.
China attaches great importance to developing its relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, Yang noted.

A&B not unaware of US backlash

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Ahead of its first meeting this week, the WTO Remedies Implementation Committee (RIC), tasked with executing sanctions on United States, is cognisant that the super power may retaliate against Antigua & Barbuda.

Guyana to host Caribbean Agriculture Week

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - The planning for Caribbean Agriculture Week (CAW) 2013, the 12th edition of the Region’s premier agricultural event, will be hosted by the Government of Guyana, October 4-12, under the theme `Linking the Caribbean for Regional Food and Nutrition Security and Rural Development’.Preparations are moving apace for the event to be held at the Guyana International Conference Centre. The local steering committee (comprising members of the Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries, CARICOM, FAO & IICA) met on July 18 and decided on a number of planning issues.

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