Category Archives: Caribbean

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) A new restaurant is bringing a taste of the islands to downtown Grand Rapids.

Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine opened last weekend with an experience that doesnt stop at the plate. The restaurant at 55 Monroe Center NW immerses guests in Caribbean culture with original art everywhere, including traditional hand-painted metal coffee cups from the Dominican Republic, called jarros de caf.

The local artists can bring their pictures here, their art, and if customers are willing to buy it, then theyll be able to do that from here. So its a way of support also for our local artists, owner and chef Gilma DeLaCruz said.

Island music also floats through the Caribbean restaurant, which is the first of its kind downtown, according to DeLaCruz.

When you travel to the Caribbean, when you get to the airport, the first thing that they have is music, live music. So we want to be able to give you have that experience here without having to travel right now, (since) that is impossible to do, she said.

DeLaCruzs food made its mark on downtown Grand Rapids in September 2018 with the areas first Caribbean food truck, El Caribe. The pandemic forced the popular food truck to shut down for about 45 days, but it is once again feeding visitors in Rosa Parks Circle and other areas, now by pre-order.

DeLaCruz says inquiries from visitors in love with El Caribes food pushed her to expand to a place that wont have to close when winter hits.

With the food truck, we kept traveling and traveling and we had a lot of customers asking, When, where are you going to have a brick and mortar? When are we going to be able to find your food in one spot and not moving around? DeLaCruz said.

Some of the food that has made El Caribe so popular is on the menu at Art Caribbean, including the Cuban sandwich with plantain chips, steak jibarito made with plantains instead of bread, and empanadas made from scratch.

The menu also has some new options, including Caribbean nachos. Visitors can also order yuca fries and malanga fries.

Caribbean (food) is the seasoning, too. All of the flavors that we bring together in a meal when you taste it, its not just blend, but youll have different tastes, DeLaCruz said. Your taste buds will be able to have so many explosions when you try Caribbean food, from spiciness to sweet, being able to explore all of that in one dish.

Creating food is in DeLaCruzs blood. Her mother runs Rincon Criollo restaurant off Grandville Avenue near Clyde Park Avenue and her sister-in-law is the executive chef for Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

Her relatives inspired her to pursue a career in culinary arts and helped her open Art Caribbean, from the menu planning to preparing the space.

Were a very strong family and we try to support each other, she said. So when were open, youll see my mom here running around and telling me how to do things and how to open because thats how we are. We are a family of support and we have each others back.

DeLaCruzs restaurant combines her childhood experiences of growing up in the restaurant industry and in the Dominican Republic.

I wanted to bring, share with Grand Rapids, that culture, she said.

My husband and I have always traveled to Florida (and) New York. When we go there, we love the fact that we can visit so many different restaurants and be able to have that diversity. And we wanted to have that change here in Grand Rapids. We wanted to bring that diversity and food to the downtown area, she added.

COVID-19 delayed Art Caribbeans opening by about three months. While DeLaCruz was waiting, a riot erupted downtown near her restaurant.

I did not sleep at night, she said. My husband and I were sitting on in the bed and we were like, we dont know whats going to be tomorrow morning. I mean, if they, if our business got destroyed, whats next?

Daylight brought relief in the form of a friends phone call the restaurant only needed its sign fixed and windows cleaned.

My husband was able to come here and help other businesses clean up their windows, put boards up. And it was very amazing. The night of the riots (was) a lot of sadness, (being) anxious. And the next morning was happiness, seeing how our community came together to help clean up and get all these businesses back to open, she said.

DeLaCruz says challenges created by COVID-19 are still emerging.

Probably one of my biggest right now is food supply. Prices and food have gone up. So we have had to make changes to our original menu to make sure that were not losing money and still being able to offer authentic and quality food to our guests, she said.

DeLaCruz also had to change the dining experience, spacing out seating for social distancing, using disposable menus, adding hand sanitizing stations and utilizing outdoor seating set up by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. for takeout customers.

All staff will be wearing masks. Guests are asked to do so as well when theyre not eating.

We ask that every guest that comes in is also mindful of the staff thats here trying to offer you an experience, she said. That (we) all work together to make sure that were all staying healthy. So thats one of the challenges making sure that were all protecting each other.

Normally, the restaurant could fit 50 people. Coronavirus precautions cut that in half.

Its day by day. I mean, we were at a point where we asked ourself, Are we going to go through this? We thought this was not going to happen. And then they decide to open this (outdoor seating) thing, she said.

While there have been plenty of obstacles, DeLaCruz remains positive and determined to diversify downtown.

There is a lot of opportunities for us to create new things, she said. Grand Rapids is growing and its such a beautiful city that sometimes we lack the movement of making change. So Im here to make a change, to make a difference, to be part of a community and to bring something new to everybody.

Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine will celebrate its grand opening Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m.

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Art Caribbean Fusion Cuisine brings island experience to downtown GR - WOODTV.com

The Covid-19 pandemic struck the Caribbean at the height of high season, when snow birds, primarily from the United States, pack the beaches for winter and spring break, and provide the revenue to see resorts and sometimes entire countries through the lull of summer and fall.

But in recent years, islands like Puerto Rico and the Bahamas have developed a strong summer business, fueled by bargain seekers, adventure travelers and families.

Now, as the region begins to reopen to international travelers, it faces not just the challenge of the pandemic, but the financial blow dealt by the absence of cruising and the onset of hurricane season.

Excluding Guyana, the Caribbean economy is expected to contract by 3 percent in 2020, according to the World Bank.

Were not fooling ourselves. We fully expect to see a slow return of travel, said Frank Comito, the chief executive and director general of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, which represents 33 national hotel associations in the region. We expect those that do open up in the coming months will take some time to see hotel occupancy levels even approach 50 percent.

As countries reopen, most are mandating face masks indoors and social distancing.

Other restrictions vary widely. Aruba will reopen to Canadians, Europeans and most Caribbean nationals on July 1, and to visitors from the United States on July 10. St. Maarten has announced its airport will reopen July 1 as long as Covid-19 cases remain at zero. The Cayman Islands, a nation much less reliant on tourism (about 30 percent of its economy) compared to many of its neighbors, will wait until September. St. Barts is among several islands requiring a negative Covid-19 test of arrivals or offering one on the spot (for 155 euros, or about $175). Bonaire and Curacao will reopen July 1, to some Europeans.

The U.S.A. is not part of this reopening phase due to the fact that it is still considered high risk, according to a letter from Bonaire tourism to its travel partners.

As governments have clarified their policies, airlines, including American, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest, plan to resume service to many Caribbean destinations in July.

When they do, theyll be flying into a hurricane season that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted could be above normal. In May, it forecast 13 to 19 named storms, including three to six major hurricanes at Category 3 and above.

The region has been experiencing above-normal storm levels since 1995 because of warmer ocean temperatures, weaker trade winds and other factors.

Caribbean nations, perennially watchful, hope to salvage a summer season before the peak of storm season in September.

Were hoping to get going June, July and August to give the economy an injection we need and then hopefully get through hurricane season, said Joseph Boschulte, the commissioner of tourism for the United States Virgin Islands.

The following are plans for five island destinations reopening now.

On July 1, the Bahamas plans to enter Phase 2 of its reopening, welcoming overseas visitors. Travelers age 2 and older must present a negative Covid-19 test taken within 10 days of arrival. They must also submit an electronic health visa that asks questions, including where they have traveled in the last six weeks, and receive clearance to travel.

As we look at the return of tourism, all data is showing Americans are interested in domestic travel, but because of proximity they are considering the Bahamas a domestic stop, said Joy Jibrilu, the director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, adding that 82 percent of visitors are from the United States. Thats working to our advantage.

Some resorts, including Baha Mar, the luxury development on Nassau, will remain closed until October.

But the Bahamas largest resort, Atlantis Paradise Island, plans to reopen beginning July 30. By mid-month, it expects to have nearly 60 percent of its 3,786 rooms open. Its water park and dolphin swim facilities will be open along with its casino and 20 restaurants.

Normally, July and August are two of the resorts busiest months, attracting families on summer vacations.

We recognize not everyone will be comfortable initially traveling, said Audrey Oswell, the president and managing director of Atlantis. If we get to 50 percent occupancy, Id be thrilled.

Jamaica reopened its borders to international visitors on June 15, with guidelines to be reviewed every two weeks. Currently, visitors must be preapproved for entry via an online travel authorization that assesses an applicants health risk. Beginning July 10, travelers from areas deemed high risk currently those areas include Arizona, Florida, New York and Texas must show proof of a negative Covid-19 test taken within seven days of arrival.

Travelers are restricted to a newly designated Resilient Corridor along the north coast from Negril to Portland (a second corridor in the area of the capital of Kingston is open to business travelers).

Properties that are allowed to reopen must pass a Covid-19 Compliant test, which includes protocols such as sanitizing public touchpoints like elevator buttons every two hours, installing automatic doors or a person to open and close doors, and moving as many activities as possible outdoors.

Resorts are reopening gradually. Sandals Montego Bay reopened June 16; five more Sandals siblings will roll out through October. The Tryall Club, the 2,200-acre property with 75 rental villas in Montego Bay, has announced it will reopen Aug. 1. The all-inclusive Sunset at the Palms in Negril plans to reopen July 9. The 55-room boutique Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios has yet to name its date, though management expects it may be in late July.

We dont feel we have the level of demand to warrant opening, said Kyle Mais, the general manager of the Jamaica Inn. Airlines are a big part of the formula. Were seeing more demand in the later part of the month as more flights are being announced.

Puerto Rico has announced it will reopen for inbound tourism on July 15. Arriving travelers will have to show the results of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours, or be tested on site and, if positive, go into quarantine for 14 days at their own expense.

Beaches on Puerto Rico are open, though the island-wide curfew, in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., has been extended to July 22. Restaurants are operating at 75 percent capacity and casinos, set to reopen July 1, are administering temperature checks at entry.

To encourage travel, several hotels are offering deals, including the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, which is offering a three-night stay for the price of two through the end of the year (from $199 a night).

This year will undoubtedly be an anomaly in San Juan, which normally hosts more than 500 cruise ships a year. A quieter Puerto Rico might interest some visitors, but its a financial blow to the island that sustained devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017 and, earlier this year, a cluster of earthquakes.

The summer tourism season has evolved and isnt solely dependent on locals any more, but this year local tourism is going to restart tourism engines here on Puerto Rico, said Brad Dean, the chief executive of Discover Puerto Rico, which promotes tourism on the island.

Saint Lucia officially reopened its borders on June 4 and expects its first international flights the first week of July. Arriving passengers must provide the results of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 48 hours of arrival.

About a dozen hotels on the island have applied for a new, required Covid-19 cleaning certification that includes protocols for sanitizing luggage on arrival, maintaining a nurses station, updating housekeeping standards, dispensing hand sanitizer and reorganizing dining areas to meet social-distancing requirements.

The Moorings, which offers crewed and bareboat yacht charters, will reopen its St. Lucia base on Aug. 1 with disinfected boats, linens provided in sealed bags and the advice to passengers to bring their own snorkel gear as it will no longer be provided.

Saint Lucia is fortunate to have strong occupancy year-round and a number of hotels are keen to reopen because they still have business on the books, said Karolin Troubetzkoy, the president of the Saint Lucia Hospitality & Tourism Association.

On June 1, the United States Virgin Islands entered the fourth of its five reopening phases, which include welcoming tourists who must undergo temperature checks and health screenings upon entry.

Tourism authorities are hoping that the increase in scheduled flights in July and the recent reopening of such high-profile resorts as the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas will encourage travelers to take a summer vacation in the islands.

The U.S.V.I. is ripe to benefit from people who want to stay under the U.S. flag, said Mr. Boschulte, the tourism commissioner.

Until the pandemic, the islands were on track to host 1.5 million cruise passengers this year, 1.4 million of them to St. Thomas. While many of the ship-dependent shops on the main street in the capital of Charlotte Amalie remain closed, other businesses are carrying on.

Our key restaurants are open with proper precautions and Gladys callaloo soup is as great as ever, said Gerard Sperry who guides St. Thomas Food Tours, naming a popular downtown restaurant.

On St. Croix, the Buccaneer resort remained open throughout the pandemic to essential workers and reopened to tourists June 1 with a glass shield on the front desk, restaurant capacity reduced by 50 percent and a closed bar, though cocktails may be delivered to your chaise longue.

We are seeking a very specific guest who puts their safety and the staff safety as their number one concern, said Elizabeth Armstrong, the general manager and third-generation owner of the resort where occupancy may hit 35 percent in July.

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5 Caribbean Vacation Destinations Reopening This Summer - The New York Times

(CNN) North American travelers may not be able to head to the Mediterranean, Greek Isles or other iconic European destinations this summer for that idyllic beach vacation, but a dreamy seaside escape isn't out of reach.

Some Caribbean islands, world-renowned for their miles of unspoiled beaches and crystal-blue waters, are cautiously and carefully reopening their borders to international visitors.

The island of St. Lucia began a phased reopening on June 4.

Courtesy of Anse Chastanet

The Caribbean is an idyllic tropical paradise, and an easy distance from the East Coast of the United States. The region usually offers fantastic value during the summer low season, which coincides with the beginning of hurricane season.

Assuming one is willing to accept the complications and risks associated with traveling during Covid-19 (and this is still a pandemic), as well as the weather, these reopenings offer something of a holiday lifeline for the lockdown-weary souls.

Risk and reward

First, according to Carmen Teresa Targa, a co-owner of the San Juan, Puerto Rico travel advisory firm Condado Travel, these storms don't usually kick up until the end of August and tend to peak in September.

Second, cases of coronavirus in the Caribbean have been relatively low.

According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), as of June 15, the islands had 39,102 confirmed cases of the virus and 1,021 deaths -- compared with the 7.8 million confirmed cases globally. For perspective,the Caribbean is comprised of 33 islands, areas or territories and has a population of 44 million people.

Recovery experts

Finally, the Caribbean's familiarity with relief efforts following various devastating disasters has resulted in a hard-won fluency in the language of recovery, creating a scenario that allows for opening its borders sooner rather than later.

Frank Comito, the CEO and director general of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, says, "Given our experience at surmounting Zika and devastating storms, we know how to rebound quickly, and it's no different with Covid-19," he says.

Half Moon Jamaica is once again welcoming visitors.

Courtesy of Half Moon, Jamaica

Comito adds that his association has been aware of Covid-19 since January and had a webinar with the region's hotels about the virus in early February that discussed health protocols.

Exactly how open the Caribbean is to international travelers depends on where you want to go. Overall, Comito says that 69% of the region's 2,000 hotels are expected to be open, either partially or fully, by the end of July.

Turners Beach is a delightful spot on the southwest coast of Antigua.

Shutterstock

More fights

American Airlines, one of the biggest carriers to the Caribbean, resumed its service between Miami and Antigua in early June.

On June 15, it resumed service to Jamaica from Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte, and on July 7, according to spokesperson Laura Masvidal, more operations to the region will resume as more destinations open. (American's service from the US mainland to San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix continued to operate through the pandemic, although the number of flights were reduced).

With a June 1 opening, the US Virgin Islands was among the first in the Caribbean to welcome leisure travelers again. The phased reopening allows hotels, villas and Airbnb rentals to have overnight guests, while bars and restaurants can serve diners at 50% capacity. Public beaches are also open, but social distancing is a must.

Little Cinnamon Beach in St. John, US Virgin Islands

Anne Finney/NPS

Targa says that her agency saw an interest in Caribbean vacations as soon as the US Virgin Islands reopened for leisure.

"I hadn't had sales or calls in months, but the phone has been ringing since June 1st," she says. "The people calling are mostly travelers from the US, and many are inquiring about villa and home rentals for several weeks or more. They're fed up with being home for so long."

USVI, Puerto Rico are in demand

Keith Waldon, the founder and director of the Austin-based luxury travel agency Departure Lounge, had the same experience.

"Our clients, being upscale travelers who wouldn't normally go the Caribbean in the summer off-season, are calling and requesting luxury villas in St. Thomas," he says. "Since it's part of the US, people seem to be comfortable with traveling there as opposed to an international destination where they may be more tentative."

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.

Courtesy Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve

It's this very reason why Puerto Rico is also shaping up to be another popular island to visit. Although not officially reopening for leisure until July 15, US citizens can go now without a passport since it's a US territory.

And as Puerto Rico has been reeling in recent years, in constant recovery mode because of Hurricane Maria and multiple earthquakes, travelers can feel good about helping the local economy recover by spending their tourist dollars.

The charms of Old San Juan abound.

Brekke Fletcher, CNN

Waldon says that his company has seen many requests for Puerto Rico. "It's a place that feels international, yet it's not," he says.

While travel values abound in Puerto Rico, a few luxury hotels are promoting their exclusivity during a time when people are looking to avoid crowds.

An entry level room at the same hotel, however, doesn't have to break the bank. Targa says that she can book clients with rates starting at $299 that include breakfast, an as-available upgrade and a $100 hotel credit.

Coronavirus-free St. Barthelemy

On the higher-end scale as a vacation spot, St. Barthelemy, a luxurious island escape that has been coronavirus-free since April, reopened June 22 to international travel. On this date, according to a news release from the local tourism committee, all beaches, restaurants, boutiques and water sports can go about business as usual.

Hard to find a bad view on the tony island of St. Barthelemy

Brekke Fletcher, CNN

But entry isn't straightforward: Visitors will be asked to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test that was taken within three days before their arrival. In addition, if they're planning on staying more than a week, they are required to take a second test on the seventh day after they arrive.

"St. Barts, like usual, is on the dream list of where people want to travel to," says Waldon. "Besides summer, we're already getting bookings through December and into the next year."

And as wary travelers look to spring 2021, a refurbished St. Barts property, Le Guanahani, will again be welcoming visitors, this time under the Rosewood umbrella, following a rebuild.

Aboard the Voyager ferry to St. Barts from St. Martin

Brekke Fletcher, CNN

But wait, there's more!

Other possibilities for a more immediate beach holiday in the Caribbean include the Dominican Republic, which opened to international visitors on July 1; Jamaica, which opened on June 15; and the Bahamas, with a July 1 reopening date.

According to a July 29 press release from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. the island is reopening its borders July 12 -- but with restrictions, "On arrival in Barbados, travelers will be required to present evidence of a negative result of a PCR Covid-19 test and bar code to clear immigration." the press release stated.

The Ocean Club, Four Seasons, in the Bahamas is offering a fourth night free.

Rupert Peace / Four Seasons

Attractive packages and reduced rates are widely available on all three islands, even at luxury hotels.

A bargain? No. But it is less than half the price of what the same offer would cost come high season in December.

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With Europe off limits, US travelers look to the Caribbean - CNN

Regional Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Latin America and the Caribbean in a context of low growth and, above all, of marked inequality and vulnerability, with growing poverty and extreme poverty, weakening of social cohesion and expressions of social discontent.

Cases continue to increase in Latin America and are currently at or near the highest levels observed since the start of the pandemic in all countries.

Most countries in the region have weak and fragmented health systems, which do not guarantee the universal access needed to address the COVID-19 health crisis.

The impact on the health of personnel on the frontlines, which often lack sufficient and adequate personal protection equipment (PPE), continues to be high.

The crisis is also having a considerable impact on womens access to healthcare and, in particular, to sexual and reproductive health services. Lockdown measures enforced in countries have also led to a sharp increase in gender-based violence.

Contraceptives are expected to suffer shortages or stock outs by the end of this year. In the Caribbean, preliminary findings of the stock monitoring risk assessment show stock out of family planning methods and several challenges in ensuring life-saving commodities in the coming months.

The pandemic is showing increased incidence among vulnerable populations, particularly indigenous people, afro-descendants, prisoners, migrants, and LGBTI people.

Urgent funding is needed to meet rising needs

Originally posted here:

Latin America and the Caribbean Region COVID-19 Situation Report No. 5 (Reporting Period: 1 - 30 June 2020) - Argentina - ReliefWeb

How intriguing that Pirates of the Caribbean should be looking to Margot Robbie to lift the saga from the depths and out, once again, into the West Indian sunlight. The series has regularly dipped its toe into the potentially bountiful narrative trope of the female pirate surviving and thriving in a mans world, with Keira Knightley, Penlope Cruz, Zoe Saldana and, latterly, Kaya Scodelario among those to have swished cutlasses and swung from the rigging.

And yet the saga has had its issues with gender representation. Scodelario spent most of 2017s Dead Men Tell No Tales being ogled by Johnny Depps much older Captain Jack Sparrow. Previously, Knightleys journey from damsel in distress to (briefly) pirate king of the famed nine pirate lords ended with her back on land and spending her days longing for the once-a-decade return of Orlando Blooms tedious Will Turner.

As a fantasy series in which ancient gods prowl the oceans, immortality is real and our barmy buccaneers can switch from life to living death at the touch of a magic gold sovereign, you might think Pirates of the Caribbean would have little need for historical realism. Yet the idea of a female pirate surviving at sea for long without having to disguise herself as a man (like the real-life 18th-century figures Anne Bonny and Mary Read, as well as Cruzs Angelica in 2011s On Stranger Tides) seems even more fanciful than the existence of a fountain of youth. Having a woman on board was often considered to be bad luck during the golden age of piracy, because captains feared their presence would cause crew members to fight among themselves. And yet, it seems highly unlikely that Disney would consider transforming the swashbuckling series into a scurvy seadog take on Albert Nobbs even if that story is surely a fascinating one that will one day be told far away from the world of blockbuster cinema.

Margot Robbie, if she ends up signing on the dotted line, wont exactly be stepping into Depps well-worn boots. There remain separate plans for a reboot in the main Pirate timeline, though it is unclear at this stage whether Captain Jack Sparrow would make an appearance in the wake of Depps on- and off-screen struggles in recent years. If the Robbie project takes off, it is easy to see Disney quietly putting any other plans back in Davy Joness locker to focus on what works. Theres little doubt the studio sees the new film as a star vehicle for the Australian actor, or it would not have hired Robbies Birds of Prey screenwriter Christina Hodson to work on the script.

Hodson also wrote Transformers spinoff Bumblebee, miraculously taking a franchise that was once so macho that you wondered if the Autobots and Decepticons ran on pure testosterone and working it into a gentle, pleasingly complex coming-of-age tale that seemed to have more in common with the Iron Giant, ET or Disneys Big Hero 6. The studio will no doubt be hoping that she can work similar magic on Pirates of the Caribbean, which at its best was a joyous chance to catch top-notch character actors such as Depp, Geoffrey Rush and Ian McShane at the peak of their furniture-chewing powers, but at its worst descended into lazy, sexist retread territory with plots eventually becoming so foggy and convoluted that most of us would rather have joined Joness doomed crew on the Flying Dutchman rather than be forced to unravel them.

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Can Margot Robbie save Pirates of the Caribbean from irrelevance? - The Guardian

Jamaica adds forestry and land use to updated climate plan and toughens goals for energy. UK, due to host UN talks, hails greater climate ambition

Jamaica has become the first Caribbean nation to submit a tougher climate action plan under the Paris Agreement by adding targets for forestry and stepping up curbs on greenhouse gas emissions from energy.

The UK, which will host the next UN climate summit in November 2021, delayed from 2020 because of Covid-19, praised the move and urged other nations to follow suit as quickly as possible.

Worldwide, Jamaica is the 11th nation to submit an updated plan, or nationally determined contribution (NDC), at the five-year milestone of the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Jamaicas new NDC is more ambitious than its previous one, the Jamaican government said in a submission to the United Nations, outlining the new goals worked out despite the coronavirus pandemic.

The nation was at risk from more intense hurricanes, sea level rise and a drying trend across much of the island, it said.

Norway sets electric car record as battery autos least dented by Covid-19 crisis

The new goal marked an upgrade by addressing land use change and forestry emissions, and committing to deeper emission reductions in the energy sector, it said.

By 2030, it promised to reduce emissions in the two sectors by 25.4% below business as usual (BAU) levels, and by a deeper 28.5% if the country gets international support.

By 2030, emissions covered by the plan would fall by between 1.8 and 2.0 million tonnes of carbon dioxide relative to the projected BAU levels of 7.2 million tonnes, it said. That was more ambitious than a decline of 1.1 to 1.5 million tonnes under the original plan.

The NDC did not project Jamaicas total emissions in 2030. The first NDC in 2015 projected that the nations emissions would rise to 14.5 million tonnes by 2030 under business as usual, from 13.4 million in 2025.

The NDC said Jamaica would work in future to widen the NDC to include all sectors in the economy. Forests cover more than half of the island.

Airlinesclimate obligations postponed as UN body endorses industry proposal

Fantastic to see Jamaicas NDC showing greater climate ambition and scope during these difficult times, Alok Sharma, the president of the Cop26 talks and UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, wrote in a tweet.

We ask all countries to publish their own ambitious NDCs as soon as possible.

However the UK itself risks missing the 2020 deadline in the Paris Agreement for submitting an updated NDC. A spokesperson said the government was committed to bringing forward a plan well ahead of Cop26.

The World Resources Institute think-tank says the 11 NDCs submitted so far account for just 2.9% of global emissions.

Jamaicas NDC said Covid-19 had hit the nation hard, especially in its big tourism sector.

The pandemic has also had a ripple effect on rural livelihoods which rely predominantly on the climate sensitive fisheries and agriculture sectors, it said.

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Jamaica becomes first Caribbean nation to submit tougher climate plan to UN - Climate Home

Health and Tourism Partnership Addresses COVID-19 Risks to Travelers and Employees

MIAMI The Caribbeans health and tourism authoritiesCOVID-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Forceannounced a new initiative to help safeguard the health of travelers and employees during arecent virtual press conference, unveiling comprehensive health safety guidelines supported by an aggressive training schedule aimed at reaching thousands of the regions tourism employees in the coming weeks and months.

The initial set of guidelines includes detailed checklists backed by health safety training for various tourism industry sectors, including ground transportation, accommodation providers, food and beverage, and attractions.

General health safety protocols have also been created and will be supported with training delivered by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to a wide cross section of employees and owners in the tourism industry.

Companies in the region which participate in the training will be recognized, and accommodation providers which also join CARPHAs online Tourism Health Information System (THiS) will be eligible to receive the Caribbean Travel Health Assurance (CTHA) Stamp , adding further assurance to travelers about their commitment to health safety.

Building upon a unique partnership established over five years ago by CARPHA and the regions public and private sector tourism stakeholders, and recognizing the severe negative impact which COVID-19 could have on the tourism-dependent economies of the region, CARPHA, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) started working on COVID-19 preventative and education initiatives early in February.

This led to the formalization of the COVID-19 Caribbean Tourism Task Force a month later between CARPHA, CTO and CHTA, and later joined by the Jamaica-based Global Tourism Resiliency and Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECSC).

Not intended to replace specific national and territorial guidelines, or those being put in place by specific hotels and the industry, the procedures serve to reinforce and complement existing policies which have been drawn up to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The initiative has also been put in place to provide support particularly for the independent hotels, tourism-related businesses, and smaller destinations which lack the expertise or resources to develop their own.

The task force undertook a review, which engaged a cross representation of Caribbean tourism stakeholders, of health safety protocols and guidelines for tourism protocols issued by a range of destinations, industry enterprises, and regional agencies and are further synced with global protocols, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

We started working with this (initiative) in January with the Member States and we have been leading the regional health response in this matter of COVID-19. Public health is our mandate, and in looking at how we can ensure we open up to tourism safely, we had guidance from not only our own technical sources but also the guidance and the wisdom of those in the field, said Dr. Joy St. John, CARPHAs Executive Director.

The leadership of both CHTA and CTO expressed their commitment to the engagement of tourism and industry partners in improving and maintaining health and safety standards throughout the region and were thankful for the expertise of the partners in delivering an impressive compilation of protocols.

CHTA CEO Frank Comito and CTO Acting Secretary General Neil Walters expressed that such collaborative partnerships are critical to the sustainability of the tourism sector on which many countries and territories depend for their economic survival.

The task force members agreed that disseminating the guidelines and beginning theessentialwork of training industry stakeholders while navigating the changing nature of the industry and the global economy were urgent priorities.

Also joining in the launch were Dr. Didicus Jules, Director General for the OECSC; Dr. Lloyd Waller, Executive Director for the GTRCMC; and CHTA President Patricia Affonso-Dass, who each reinforced their support and the importance of the initiative.

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Caribbean Unveils Initiatives To Support Reopening Tourism - South Florida Caribbean News

Johnny Depp isnt having a great time lately. The actor is mired in controversy with ex-wife Amber Heard. And its been nearly a decade since hes headlined a big hit movie. Still, fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean series are up in arms over apparent news Depp has been replaced. But he hasnt. At least not yet.

Many fans would prefer a new Pirates of the Caribbean doesnt happen at all without Depp. And its not hard to see why their fandom of the series is so tied to the actor. After all, were talking about a movie based on a theme park attraction, one which no one expected to become a hit at all.

Yet, Depps Oscar-nominated performance as Jack Sparrow sorry, Captain Jack Sparrow steered the movie to just the right sensibility. His character work elevated the project and is directly responsible for spawning a franchise. So, of course, its hard for some to imagine a version without him.

RELATED: Why the Pirates of the Caribbean Series Should End

And yet, the series has been suffering for years. The first movie led to two generally well-regarded sequels, and together they make for a solid adventure-fantasy trilogy. But the trouble began with 2011s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Although the fourth movie was a financial hit, it attempts to make Jack Sparrow the center of the story for the first time. The previous three centered on Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley). This allowed Depp to run amok as the twitchy wild card.

Depps performance also suffered in the most recent two sequels. And in order to help the brand survive, Disney is looking to a shared universe model. News recently broke that Margot Robbie will lead a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. But she isnt serving as the series Depp replacement.

RELATED: Are the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies Available on Disney+?

Robbies movie will not, however, serve as a straight-up reboot of the franchise. But Disney does have one in the works. Although details are scarce right now, rumors have long swirled that Karen Gillan would lead this new incarnation of Pirates of the Caribbean. Fans have long thought the actor could play Redd, a character featured in the Disney theme park ride.

Gillans casting also makes a ton of sense, considering her action-heavy role in the Jumanji movies. After all, that series has adopted a similar tone as Pirates of the Caribbean. Plus, Gillan plays the fan-favorite role of Nebula in the Disney-owned Marvel Cinematic Universe. The future is dim for Jack Sparrow, but fans upset about his exit are getting worked up prematurely.

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Don't Worry, 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Hasn't Replaced Jack Sparrow -- At Least Not Yet - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Royal Caribbean is hoping to beat its competitors to the open seas.

Assuming it will be safe to cruise again in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down cruising since March, Royal Caribbean on Thursday said it will start sailing again on Sept. 16, a few days ahead of Carnival and Norwegian.

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Carnival and Norwegian had previously announced a Sept. 30 start date.

But whether its Sept. 16 or Sept. 30, it all depends on the course of the virus which has spiked again in record numbers in Florida, the launching pad for many cruise lines as well as a skeptical public that has read about numerous instances of virus outbreaks on cruise ships.

In the meantime, a Royal Caribbean executive seemingly settled the argument over whether buffets will return.

Rest assured, Linken DSouza, the companys vice president of food and beverage operations, said according to CruiseRadio.net, the buffet will exist.

Previously, there had been much speculation about the return of the buffet due to concerns over the virus.

Buffets, however, will not look like they have in the past.

Weve worked through a variety of different scenarios, DSouza said, from employee service to individual portions to individual tons for self-service to finger [gloves] that you can [use to] pick up hot dishes. There may be some small modifications that allow us to ensure that we have a really great, healthy return to service, but your favorites and what youre used to at the (buffet) will still be there.

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Royal Caribbean Shares Update on Cruising Start Date and the Future of the Buffet - TravelPulse

The Tourism Minister,Francisco Javier Garca, was optimistic about the restart of tourism operations in the country. The Dominican Republic will regain its leadership in the region with the arrival of thousands of visitors, he said.

He stated that to guarantee the well-being and health of tourists, nationals, and foreigners, the authorities approved a rigorous protocol, which begins to apply immediately.

Tourists from all over the world were eager to see the arrival of this great day, the restart of operations in tourism, the sector that contributes the most foreign exchange to the Dominican economy, he said.

He stated that together with the health protocol, a broad promotion campaign will be launched in the country and abroad that will guarantee that tourists continue to prefer our country as their favorite destination.

Today is a great day for Dominican tourism, after the forced restrictions imposed by the pandemic.But rest assured that tourists from all over the world will once again choose us as their favorite destination and we will regain our leadership in the region, emphasized Garca.

He also recalled that the health protocols, approved by consensus withAsonahores, is the best guarantee that tourists will visit the Dominican Republic, according to a statement.

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Garca: DR will regain its leadership in the Caribbean with the arrival of thousands of tourists - Dominican Today