Category Archives: Caribbean

Some had come for the beach, some had come for the sun, others had picked it because, at the time, the Covid numbers seemed reasonable. Many had chosen it over resort destinations because getting there seemed easy. Still others liked the idea of not having to take a test to enter the country.

Together, they made up around 25 of the mostly American, Canadian and British guests enjoying the Preferred Club adults-only pool at Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana on a recent weekend, even as Omicron drove coronavirus cases to record highs in the Dominican Republic.

The pool, which is roughly 10 lounge chairs wide, offered a peaceful retreat from the boisterous main pool, which snakes out from the buffet to the sandy stretch of coastline the resort shares with around 90 other all-inclusives.

In the Preferred area, a teacher from Chicago quietly read a book as new resort friends from Michigan and Ontario chatted about whether the woman hanging out on her rooms private terrace about three lounge chairs away, was quarantining. They were pretty certain she was, given that she had not left her room for days. This was a bummer. So, too, was the fact that at least three other Preferred guests had tested positive since theyd arrived.

Still, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

They, along with all the other visitors who filled the majority of Punta Canas roughly 42,000 hotel rooms that January weekend, were part of what many consider a rare pandemic tourism success story. In December the Dominican Republic drew 700,000 visitors from abroad, more than it had attracted not only before the pandemic, but in any single month ever, according to the Ministry of Tourism. That pushed 2021 totals to nearly five million visitors, more than any other country in the Caribbean. In December, some financial analysts calculated that the country was having its best year economically in 30 years.

And Punta Cana isnt the only getaway thats booming in the Dominican Republic. Las Terrenas, a small seaside town that tends to attract a crowd that despises all-inclusives, has exploded in popularity during the pandemic.

The Dominican Republics visitor figures have to do, in part, with its unconventional strategy for gaining a competitive advantage. Unlike most Caribbean beach destinations, the country doesnt require proof of vaccination, a Covid test or quarantine for most incoming travelers. Instead, authorities have chosen to manage Covid by pushing vaccination and mask wearing among those who interact with tourists. Nearly 100 percent of the 174,000 people who work in the tourism sector are vaccinated, according to the Ministry of Tourism. And though all-inclusive resorts require only a reservation to enter, many banks, government institutions and some shopping malls require proof of vaccination or a recent P.C.R. test.

We knew it was a risk and we wanted to take it, Jacqueline Mora, the deputy minister of tourism, said in a recent phone interview. The strategy has worked, she added, noting that the country estimates that it earned around $5.7 billion from tourism last year while maintaining a Covid death rate lower not only than Mexico, the other major beach destination to take a similarly lax approach to entry, but also many far more restrictive countries, including the United States.

Until recently, few pushed back. But as Omicron has driven Covid rates up by several hundred percent in the Dominican Republic (now categorized as Level 4, or very high risk, on the C.D.C.s rating system), infecting many vaccinated people, long-simmering resentments about letting tourists get away with so much have surfaced among some doctors, politicians and resort employees.

In early January, more than a dozen lawmakers endorsed a proposal, supported by the president of the Colegio Mdico, the Dominican Republics largest association of doctors, urging President Luis Abinader to require recent tests and proof of vaccination from visitors. The resolution calls the current policy discriminatory, given that Dominican residents have to carry a vaccination card or recent negative P.C.R. test, while visitors dont face the same requirements to enter Dominican territory. On Jan. 31, the government is requiring banks, shopping centers, restaurants and other public transport to ask for proof that customers have been boosted. Airports and all-inclusive resorts will not be affected.

Australia had been their first pick, but the borders there were still closed to visitors, said Michael Rogers, 28, an event planner from London, who was celebrating a belated honeymoon in Punta Cana.

Were the guinea pigs for our family. If we dont get it, he said, referring to Omicron, theyll all go on holidays.

Behind him, people were checking into Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana. In 2021, nearly half of the foreign tourists who went to the Dominican Republic stayed in Punta Cana, at places like Dreams or the Iberostar Grand Bvaro on popular Playa Bvaro. Each one of the areas 90 or so all-inclusive resorts is a bit different: Some are fratty party hubs, others are minimalist wonders. Some serve stale rolls. Some serve towers of fresh ceviche. Some cater to Americans, who made up nearly 60 percent of all visitors to the Dominican Republic last year. Others court Europeans, Latin Americans and Canadians who made up most of the other 40 percent.

The 500-room Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana falls somewhere in the middle in terms of price and Tripadvisor ratings. On a recent Friday, staff members scanned visitors temperatures upon arrival and offered spritzes of hand sanitizer along with a glass of champagne. By check-in, many guests were no longer wearing their plane masks, but it was nearly impossible to find a staff member who was letting their nose peek out. This was the first hint that guests and employees follow different rules.

This generally works for the guests.

Weve been dealing with it for two years straight and sometimes you just want to throw in the towel and live a little, said Cara McQueeney, 27, a mental health worker from Concord, N.H., as she and her boyfriend awaited their final beachside dinner. She was not trying to be careless; shed been avoiding buffets. But she was glad that she didnt have to wear a mask.

Dealing with Covid feels more reasonable in the Dominican Republic, said Gaelle Berthault, 45, later that weekend. She, her husband and 9-year-old son had moved to Santo Domingo from Brittany early in the pandemic because they were so fed up with the restrictions they faced at the time in France, she said while sitting on the porch of a turquoise cabana in Las Terrenas on the countrys northern coast. She resented having to carry a government-issued permission slip on her walks, which she had to limit to one a day.

It felt like war time, she said.

Since she found a new job in Santo Domingo, she feels freer. On the weekends, her family explores coastal towns like Las Terrenas, where her son might spend the morning splashing in the pool of a boutique hotel before venturing to a beach. In Santo Domingo, public buses sometimes require proof of vaccination, but she has never taken one.

The arrival of the virus had come at a terrible time for the Dominican Republics tourism industry. In March 2020, when the World Health Organization upgraded the epidemic to a pandemic, the country had just recovered from a different crisis. In 2019, 10 American tourists had died there, several mysteriously passing away in their sleep. Ultimately, the F.B.I. deemed that the incidents werent connected, but it was not good publicity. Visitor numbers fell by 9 percent, according to Ms. Mora. And then, just as they bounced back, the pandemic shuttered its borders.

For the 174,000 people who work directly in the tourism sector it was a challenging time. Though the government gave them money, a number of workers, including a maid, butler, server and concierge, calculated that they took home one quarter to one half of what they normally made.

When the country opened back up to tourists in July 2020, authorities briefly required visitors to show the results of a recent test. Then in August, President Abinader, who has a long history in the tourism industry, took office. The strategy began to revolve around making entry as easy as possible. Through last April, the country offered to cover the costs of medical care, lodging and flight changes, should guests fall sick with Covid. The airport did continue testing some visitors randomly, a policy that continues, according to the Ministry of Tourism.

To this day, most other Caribbean nations require proof of vaccination, test results and, in some cases, quarantine, and they also may restrict hotel bookings to 30 or 50 percent capacity to mitigate viral spread, according to Michael Lowery, the executive vice president of consumer business for Apple Leisure Group, which owns Dreams resorts and CheapCaribbean.com, a vacation booking platform used by millions. He said that the Dominican Republic has been one of the two most popular destinations for his company during the pandemic behind Mexico because travelers dont want to deal with restrictions and because resorts fill up their rooms, keeping prices reasonable.

Theyve done a good job of keeping their borders open and allowing 100 percent occupancy in all the resorts, he said.

Large groups, even bigger than before, began to flock to the Dominican Republic, said TJ Murray, the owner of Punta Cana Tours, a booking site.

Couples who might not have considered the Dominican Republic previously for a destination wedding began to see it as a sure thing for guests traveling from across the world, said Jennifer Collado, the owner of a wedding and events agency based in Punta Cana.

By August 2021, about a year after the Dominican Republic reopened to tourism, you might have noticed something intriguing if you happened to be looking at Kayak.coms flight trends. For more than a month, destinations in just one country consistently displayed green, meaning they had generated more search interest than they had two years earlier: the Dominican Republic.

September, November and December were good months for the country. Tourism numbers surpassed prepandemic levels, and coronavirus case counts stayed low, typically hovering between 100 and 300 daily. But then Omicron hit. On Jan. 12, a record 7,439 people tested positive in the Dominican Republic, far more than any other day during the pandemic. On Dec. 29, the country also reported eight Covid-related deaths, more than it had seen in a single day in months.

The hospitals are full; children, old people, everyone, sick with Covid, said Dr. Senn Caba, the president of the Colegio Mdico.

He blamed the governments lax entry policy for the suffering. Though people who work in the tourism sector may be largely young, healthy and vaccinated, they can still transmit the virus to family members and others. (Only 54 percent of the population overall is fully vaccinated.)

According to the tourism ministry the spike is not a reason to adjust the countrys approach.

Omicron is everywhere, and testing requirements offer countries little more than the illusion of security, Ms. Mora said. Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association, a trade organization representing nearly 300 airlines, echoed this argument in a recent statement.

Asked if interacting with potentially contagious visitors all day made him nervous, Maiken Mercedes, a server at Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana, said, What gives me fear is not the virus, its not making money for my family. Other employees in the hospitality industry also expressed concerns that more restrictions would mean fewer guests.

But there has to be a way to encourage responsible tourism, said Ivan Lorenzo, a senator for the Dominican province of Elas Pia, which shares a border with Haiti.

We cannot rationalize the human losses with what we generate economically, he said.

Neither he nor several hospitality workers interviewed were convinced that requiring tests would derail the countrys growth. In fact, some found the suggestion that the lax policy is whats drawing people to the Dominican Republic insulting.

No matter how much they try not to think about the coronavirus, at the end of the day, visitors have to think about it because the United States, Canada and many other countries require a test to re-enter.

For Kelly Lynn Gasper, 57, a behavioral health nurse from Oakley, Mich., the possibility was particularly nerve-wracking because early in her one-week visit with her 18-year-old daughter to Punta Cana, shed started to feel like she was coming down with something. She took two rapid tests shed brought and tested positive twice, she said.

Ms. Gasper was conflicted about how to proceed, but ultimately opted not to spend her whole vacation in her room, instead upping her mask wearing and avoiding indoor spaces. As her daughter, Caitlyn Gasper, whod already had Omicron back home, pointed out, other people were probably positive around her, but didnt know it, so why should she be penalized for testing positive?

Much to her relief, Ms. Gasper tested negative that morning at the resort clinic. The results had come so fast within a couple of minutes, instead of the 15 that is more typical she had wondered about their accuracy.

Kris Milavec, 59, of Concord Township, Ohio, did not share Ms. Gaspers skepticism, because earlier that day her husband and one other member of her group of nearly 20 had quickly tested positive and were now stuck in their rooms.

As to whether it was worth it, given that her husband, an anesthesiologist who was expected back at the hospital, was apparently stuck abroad, Ms. Milavec paused.

I dont think it was worth it, she said as the rest of the group posed for poolside photos in their matching white outfits.

Enzo Conte, the owner of a software company in Quebec, would also prefer not to get Omicron. But if hes going to get it, he said, it might as well be while hes staying at a beachside villa in the Dominican Republic. Since early December, he has been alternately vacationing and working remotely from Las Terrenas.

Should he test positive, he said, Ill just stay a little longer.

Hogla Enecia Prezcontributed research from Santo Domingo.

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Why Is Everyone Going to the Dominican Republic? - The New York Times

Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its newest ship, the Wonder of the Seas, from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Marseille, France.

The fifth ship in Royal Caribbean's Oasis class will make its official debut in Fort Lauderdale on March 4, launching seven-day cruises to the Caribbean. The Wonder will reposition to the Mediterranean this summer, sailing cruises from Barcelona and Rome.

New for the Oasis class on the Wonder will be an eighth neighborhood, the Suite Neighborhood, which will have an elevated Suite Sun Deck with a plunge pool, bar, loungers and nooks. The first four ships in the Oasis class have seven zones called neighborhoods, such as the Boardwalk and Central Park.

The ship will also introduce the Vue, a cantilevered bar high above the pool deck that has a colorful mosaic canopy overhead after sunset, and Wonder Playscape, a top-deck, underwater-themed adventure play area with slides, climbing walls and an interactive mural activated by touch.

The Wonder of the Seas' Suite neighborhood has a sundeck. Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean

The Wonder also will have a new restaurant in the fleet, the Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar.

The ship's Fort Lauderdale cruises will sail in March and April and visit the line's private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay; Nassau, Bahamas; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

From Barcelona and Rome, the ship will visit Naples and Florence, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and Provence, France.

The Wonder will return to Florida to sail year-round out of Port Canaveral, starting in November.

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Wonder of the Seas delivered to Royal Caribbean - Travel Weekly

By NAN STAFF WRITER

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Jan. 27, 2022: Two Caribbean organizations are among the winners of Rihannas foundations grants to tackle climate change in underserved communities.

Rihannas Clara Lionel Foundation, (CLF), has committed $15 million to 18 organizations working on climate justice across the U.S. and Caribbean in partnership with #StartSmall, Jack Dorseys philanthropic initiative.

The Caribbean winners are the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and The Caribbean Climate Justice Project.

CYEN is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Caribbean young people by facilitating their personal development and full involvement in environment and sustainable development. CYENs work spans addressing youth unemployment, enriching climate resiliency, water resource management, notably their Stay Alive and Thrive Climate Action campaign to raise public awareness about the urgent need to mitigate and adapt to climate change across the Caribbean and around the globe.

The Caribbean Climate Justice Project seeks to raise awareness and educate broadly on the threats to communities across the Caribbean caused by climate change, and catalyze action on the necessary responses at the household, community, national and regional levels. The Caribbean Climate Justice Projects work spans over 20 countries, educating communities about the disproportionate impacts of climate change, advocating for systems change on a global scale, and networking to connect Caribbean communities and abroad to optimize impact and promote knowledge and resource sharing.

CLF was founded in 2012 by Robyn Rihanna Fenty in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite.

CLF is shifting how the world responds to natural disasters through emergency preparedness and community resilience projects. CLFs education work tackles barriers to access through holistic initiatives around the globe. Through the voices of Rihanna and her fans, CLF also advocates for policy and systems change while mobilizing people to take action in response to the worlds injustices.

Current programs include primary and secondary education programs in Malawi, Barbados, and Senegal; emergency response programs in the Caribbean and across the globe; and the Clara Lionel Foundation Global Scholarship Program.

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Rihannas Foundation Supports These Two Caribbean Organizations In Climate Fight - Caribbean and Latin America Daily News - News Americas

Most people fantasize about Caribbean destinations when they dream of paradise. To help highlight some of the Caribbean's best spots both popular and off the beaten path 10Best needs you to vote for the Caribbean's best resorts, beaches, attractions, bars, distilleries, golf courses and restaurants.

You can vote once per category, per day until voting ends on Monday, February 14 at noon ET. The winners will be announced on Friday, February 25.

Click on each category below to vote:

Caribbean travelers have no shortage of things to see and do

There's more to the Caribbean than just beautiful beaches (though we love those, too). From waterfalls and caves to ziplines and historic sites, Caribbean travelers have no shortage of things to see and do. We asked a panel of Caribbean travel experts to nominate their 20 favorite attractions, and now we need you to choose the 10 best.

Vote: Best Caribbean Attraction

Help us name the 10 best Caribbean beaches by voting for your favorite

Beach junkies and sun lovers will find some of the world's most spectacular stretches of sand on the islands of the Caribbean. With so many palm tree-lined, silky sand expanses leading down to warm, azure water, it's hard to narrow it down to just 20. But that's the task we gave our panel of Caribbean travel experts. Now it's your turn to crown the Caribbean's best beach.

Vote: Best Caribbean Beach

The Caribbean could be called the beach bar capital of the world

Nothing says "vacation" quite like sipping a tropical cocktail while digging your toes in the sand. The Caribbean could be called the beach bar capital of the world, with countless places to sip the day away. We asked a panel of Caribbean travel experts to nominate their favorites, and now it's your turn to pick a winner.

Vote: Best Caribbean Beach Bar

Help us find the 10 best Caribbean golf courses

Laid-back, fun, insanely beautiful these are a few of the phrases you could use to describe the experience of golfing in the Caribbean, and there are more choices than ever for teeing off in the tropical sun. Vote for your favorite Caribbean golf course once per day until voting ends on Monday, February 14 at noon ET.

Story continues

Vote: Best Caribbean Golf Course

Unwind at these Caribbean resorts

Powdery soft sands, crystal clear waters, sumptuous accommodations and exquisite service characterize these top tropical escapes in the Caribbean, chosen by a panel of Caribbean travel experts as the best in the region. Help us crown 2022's Best Caribbean Resort.

Vote: Best Caribbean Resort

The rum is the only thing more popular than the beaches

If there's one thing the Caribbean is known for as much as its beaches, it's rum. The spirit was first distilled on the islands during the 17th century when sugar plantation slaves discovered that molasses a byproduct of the refining process could be fermented into alcohol.

Caribbean rum producers have spent the centuries since perfecting the process of distillation, aging and blending, and many of the world's best rums come from the Caribbean. We asked a panel of Caribbean travel experts to nominate their favorite distilleries, and now we need you to pick the top 10.

Vote: Best Caribbean Rum Distillery

From fine dining to seafood shacks along the beach, there's plenty to eat in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is a melting pot of cultures and ethnic influences, and that diversity is reflected in its food. Culinary gems here range from fine dining to beachside seafood shacks serving up dishes good enough to make even the most discerning foodie swoon. We asked a panel of Caribbean travel experts to nominate their favorite restaurants in the region, and now we're calling on you to choose a winner.

Vote: Best Restaurant in the Caribbean

Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on 10Best.com on Friday, February 25.

10Best is a part of the USA TODAY Network providing an authentically local point of view on destinations around the world in addition to travel and lifestyle advice.

This article originally appeared on 10Best.com: What are the best Caribbean resorts, attractions and restaurants? Vote now

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What are the best spots in the Caribbean? Vote now - Yahoo News

Thursday, January 27th 2022 - 09:26 UTC Violence has been on the rise for more than 15 years, resulting in some 335,000 people dead and 93,000 missing since 2006

Two Canadian tourists and one Argentine hotel manager have been found murdered in less than a week, in Mexico's Riviera Maya area. These events have once again put the spotlight on violence in this region full of beach resorts.

The Crdoba-born Federico Mazzoni, who emigrated to Mexico in 2002, was found lifeless in the bathroom of the Mamita's Beach Club hotel in Playa del Carmen where he worked, less than a week after the murder of two Canadians shot dead by a fellow countryman at a Xcaret hotel, it was reported.

Mazzoni's murder apparently took place Tuesday afternoon when two men shot him twice in the head. According to the newspaper El Universal, Mexican journalist Vctor Hugo Vargas, who knew the victim, said that gangs related to drug trafficking had demanded him an extortion fee, which he refused to do.

Federico became a prisoner of the violence that is experienced in southern Mexico. The authorities are trying to squeeze drug trafficking in tourist areas, so the criminals are looking [for other ways] to get easy money, Vargas explained. Criminal organizations often threaten and extort hotel workers to sell drugs, the reporter also pointed out.

Last week, Canadians Robert James Dinh and Thomas Cherukara, 34 years old each, were murdered at the Xcaret hotel not far from Playa del Carmen. Mexican authorities have announced the arrest Tuesday of two suspects, one Mexican and one Canadian, but a third perpetrator is said to be still at large. The case seems to be linked to a vendetta between Canadian mafia groups of Vietnamese origin dedicated to drug trafficking and money laundering for an outstanding debt.

Back on Nov. 5, two people were shot dead by a commando of 15 mercenaries who traveled on speedboats in Puerto Morelos, halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, also in the state of Quintana Roo, near the Belize border.

On Oct. 21, a German and an Indian national were murdered in Tulum, a short distance from Puerto Morelos, while three women, two of them of Dutch origin and one German were injured during a fight between drug dealers at the La Malquerida bar.

Violence has been on the rise for more than 15 years, resulting in some 335,000 people dead and 93,000 missing since the government launched its war against the cartels in December 2006, which has also hit other tourist areas on the Pacific coast, such as Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta.

Tourism in Quintana Roo accounts for 1.4% of Mexico's gross domestic product (GDP).

(Source: ANSA)

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Violence on the rise on Mexico's Caribbean beaches - MercoPress

A German fugitive suspected of killing five people and who escaped prison has twice been spotted on a Caribbean island, according to a report.

Norman Volker Franz, 52, has been on the run since busting out of prison in Portugal in 1999. But cops in Germany believe an eagle-eyed citizen visiting the Caribbean saw the most-wanted man while visiting Curaao, the Daily Mirror reported.

A German tourist saw a man on the island in April who matched Norman Franzs description, North Rhine-Westphaliapolice said. He knows that he is not allowed to be near Germans. They might recognize him.

Interpol authorities put out a red alert last February in an updated request to the public for help in tracking Franz down, saying he should still be considered armed and dangerous decades after his latest escape.

Franz has a long history of violent and organized crime, including armed robberies, the international law enforcement agency said in a statement. He was convicted of murder in 1996, after throwing a grenade into a car which killed two of its occupants.

Franz received a life sentence for the slayings but escaped from a German prison by sawing through the bars of his cell in March 1997, the Mirror reported.

Franz, who was preparing to start classes at a technical college in Germany at the time of the killings, was part of a gang that targeted banks, smuggled cigarettes and traded weapons.

Franz and three other men lured the victims before tossing a grenade into their vehicle, killing two. He was later arrested at a toll booth while trying to sneak into France with his 23-year-old girlfriend, the Mirror reported.

Franz then allegedly killed three security guards in two shootings in Germany over the next four months before he was arrested in October 1998 for a second time in Albufeira, Portugal, the newspaper reported.

Interpol said Franz had been working in the real estate business at the time while living with his family under the aliases of Carsten Mller and Michael Stuever.

Franz proceeded to break out of prison a second time by again cutting through the window bars of his cell at a Lisbon prison, the Mirror reported. He has since managed to elude authorities across the globe.

A reward of more than $36,000 is being offered by Europol for information leading to Franzs arrest.

As there is an outstanding warrant of arrest for Norman Volker Franz on suspicion of robbery and murder in five cases, he is subject of world-wide searches, the agency said in a notice on Europes most-wanted fugitives.

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German fugitive Norman Volker Franz spotted on Caribbean island: cops - New York Post

As Transparency International (TI) publishes their annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) this week, it will be interesting to see where certain countries land: 2021 has been a bumper year for corruption.

In Britain, corruption has been on the minds of journalists, academics and practitioners alike, as Boris Johnson tries to get himself run out, the only hope of him continuing his innings lying with Sue Gray.

However, in the ex-British territories of the West Indies this is not a popcorn moment. Similar scenes of state capture unfold in these islands and, to be honest, it is just not cricket. Very few politicians here play with a straight bat and even when caught out, the umpire is seemingly blind. Spectators are leaving in droves: a massive brain drain has weakened Caribbean economies significantly over the past five decades, alongside cronyism, state capture and procurement fraud. The politicians left behind to run these countries are the most unqualified and unscrupulous one can find, a state referred to as a kakistocracy.

Resources continue to be drained by corrupt infrastructure projects, while expenditure in health and education, critical to nation building, remains insufficient. But as these sectors fall behind the rest of the world, a new player has emerged in the Caribbean. In 2018, Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean country to officially sign up to Chinas $4tn global belt and road development initiative. Suriname, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and even the progressive leadership in Barbados followed (et tu Mia?). Jamaica was last in to bat and did not put up much of a resistance.

So what is China trying to achieve? Neocolonialism? Cynics would say there is no such thing as a free lunch. Just ask Sri Lanka and Uganda. The Hambantota port development project in Sri Lanka, led by the China Harbour Engineering Company, was predicted to fail and lived up to that expectation. The new Sri Lankan government, after struggling to make payments on the debt, handed over the port on a 99-year lease, including 15,000 acres of land. More recently, China has been forced to deny reports that it will gain control of Ugandas Entebbe international airport if the country defaults on debt repayments.

An old quote attributed to John Adams states that the way to subjugate a country is through either the sword or debt. China has assiduously chosen the latter. Debt deals have provoked criticism against Xi Jinpings belt and road initiative and insinuations that his global investment and lending programme is nothing more than a trap, fuelling corruption and autocratic behaviour in struggling and vulnerable democracies.

Some believe that the intent is twofold: to gain strategic trade footholds in the Caribbean and Latin America through debt and duress and to snare allies in its escalating feud with Taiwan. Taiwans remaining friends include Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines. Much can be said for the rich kid who owns the bat you can play as long as you are not mates with Taiwan. This will of course manifest in the UN arena as Xi buys more support though his use of corrosive capital.

One can argue that the Caribbean islands dont have much choice the pandemic has been merciless to their economies. Should they approach the International Monetary Fund, cap in hand, and be subjected to austerity measures that make governments unpopular with their people? Is there another option?

A recent photo of Clive Lloyd, captain of historys most successful West Indies cricket team and one of the most successful test captains of all time, being knighted drew mixed reactions. The sight of Lloyd bending the knee, not in support of Colin Kaepernick, but to receive an affirmation from the monarchy of Britain, the ex-colonial masters, ignited fresh debate about reparations.

Could reparations be the strategic tool for Europe to remove Chinas hold on the Caribbean, and for these islands to throw off the shackles of poor governance, underdevelopment and inequality once and for all? It could be pure genius.

In 2013, the Caricom Reparations Commission (CRC) was established by the Caribbean heads of governments to establish the moral, ethical and legal case for the payment of reparations by all the former colonial powers to the people of the Caribbean for the crimes against humanity of genocide, the transatlantic slave trade and the racialised system of chattel slavery.

To deliver the CRCs mandate, the Caricom Reparations Justice Program asserts that victims and descendants of these crimes have a legal right to reparatory justice, and that those who committed these crimes, and have been enriched by proceeds, have a reparatory case to answer. The CRCs action plan includes debt cancellation, alongside financing of programmes including technology transfer, literacy, health and indigenous peoples development. It could take a long time to get all the parties to the table a frequent remark by an old professor of mine resonates: If you want to not get something done form a committee. But it is an opportunity.

Transparency Internationals 2021 index will reveal global corruption continuing to thwart opportunity, to hamstring countries abilities to protect public health and their economies during the pandemic. There has been no progress, only more allegations of Covid procurement fraud and corrupt contracts awarded to ministers friends and family.

Last year, Delia Ferreira Rubio, the chair of Transparency International, said: Its a corruption crisis. And one that were currently failing to manage. It is a sentiment unlikely to have changed.

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Reparations to the Caribbean could break the cycle of corruption and Chinas grip - The Guardian

During the first few weeks of a new year, many people set aside time to pick fresh goals for the months ahead. Two of the most commonly chosen new years resolutions are traveling more and putting a focus on health and wellness.

There are a number of wellness travel trends emerging for 2022, including prioritizing physical fitness and focusing on travel as self-care. Combining travel and physical and mental health through taking a wellness-focused vacation is an ideal way to bring both of these goals to life.

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Playa Hotels & Resorts, a company with several all-inclusive properties in prime beachfront locations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, makes satisfying these new resolutions a breeze.

From the start of the pandemic, the resort company has made the health and safety of its guests and employees a priority, and it continues to do so today with enhanced sanitization and wellbeing measures in place throughout its properties.

In addition to outstanding cleaning protocols, though, Playas hotels are ideal for health and wellness-focused vacations and help set travelers up for success in accomplishing their 2022 goals.

Its not hard for guests of these resorts to either stick to their daily fitness routines or try a new workout while on vacation, as the properties have spacious facilities with everything a fitness guru would need.

For example, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic is a wellness travelers paradise. The property is home to a 14,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art gym with a modern design and designated areas for cardio, strength workouts and classes including TRX, spinning, yoga, step and Pilates. Guests also have access to personal fitness trainers throughout their stay.

Another area of wellness Playa Hotels & Resorts focuses on is spa experiences. The spas on the properties invite guests to wash their worries and any stressors they may be carrying away with a variety of treatments such as massages, facials and more.

Take for example Radiant Spa at Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica visitors can immerse themselves in a Soothe Spa by The Sea treatment, where theyll enjoy full relaxation in a cottage near the ocean surrounded by the Caribbean breeze and sounds of waves softly meeting the sand.

In addition to spacious workout facilities and unique spas, Playa also encourages guests to fuel themselves with nutritious food by offering healthy options on the menus throughout the restaurants. Travelers will easily find lots of fruits, vegetables, fresh protein and more.

Playas properties are mainly located on pristine beaches in tropical areas, and feeling the soft sand and warmth of the sun tops off the wellness experience as a whole. Fresh air, sunshine and a dip in the ocean are enough to help guests feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle whatever it is they need to do when they get back home.

To start creating your wellness-focused vacation, contact a travel advisor or visit http://www.playaresorts.com.

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Wellness-Focused Vacation Options in Mexico and the Caribbean - TravelPulse

JetBlue plans to cut service this spring to 12 routes, including seven to the Caribbean: between Newark and Antigua, Barbados, Haiti and St. Thomas; JFK and Bermuda; Philadelphia and San Juan; and Raleigh-Durham and San Juan.

The remaining five route cuts will affect domestic U.S. destinations.

Most of the routes were added in response to pandemic travel trends "to help us bring immediate cash in the door," said Philip Stewart, manager of corporate communications.

"As our customers return to more expected booking patterns, these changes will free up aircraft time that we can deploy into other areas of our network that hold the most strength and relevance to our network strategy in the long term."

"Even with these reductions, most of which operated less than daily, we still expect our 2022 schedule to be our biggest ever, and we'll continue to grow our fleet with new aircraft throughout the year," he said.

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JetBlue will cut service on seven Caribbean routes this spring - Travel Weekly

Spectrum of the Seas will shift to offer cruises from Singapore in Spring 2022.

Royal Caribbean announced Spectrum of the Seas will sail from Singapore beginning April 11, 2022.

This move means Spectrum will begin sailings six months earlier than originally scheduled.

The ship will offer 3- and 4-night "cruises to nowhere". Bookings are now open for reservations.

"We know that vacation time is precious and choosing how to spend it is more important than ever, which is why we are thrilled to welcomeSpectrum of the Seas one of the most advanced ships in the world, to Singapore in April making Singapore the cruising destination of choice," said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

"We have seen incredible demand for Royal Caribbean cruise holidays in Singapore. Having hosted more than 178,000 Singapore residents since we restarted cruising, bringing Spectrum six months early is truly exciting. The combination of experiences specially designed for the Asian market, together with signature Royal Caribbean favourites on board, will make Spectrum a huge hit."

Spectrum changed homeports because Hong Kong began forcing Royal Caribbean to cancel sailings. Instead, she will shift to Singapore.

The arrival of Spectrum of the Seas will also mean a Royal Caribbean ship will remain in Singapore when Quantum of the Seas moves to Alaska for the summer 2022 cruise season.

Spectrum is the first Quantum Ultra Class ship in the fleet, and has a few special offerings.

Sky Pad Asias first, this virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure is where guests can strap in, don a headset and transport themselves to another time and planet.

Suite Enclave Royal Caribbeans first and exclusive space for the exquisite Royal Suite Class Star, Sky and Sea accommodations in a private area, featuring exclusive floor access, an elevator, private restaurants and a dedicated lounge area.

Two70 Boasting stunning 270-degree ocean views by day and transforming into a multidimensional theatre by night, this transformative space flaunts six agile Roboscreens, breathtaking live performers and mind-bending aerialists to create unimaginable visuals.

SeaPlex The largest indoor active space at sea, featuring bumper cars, laser tag, fencing, archery and more.

Star Moment A lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends come together to belt out and sing like stars.

Family Friendly Accommodations From exterior balcony staterooms to interconnected rooms, to the signature two-level Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multiroom retreat complete with its own slide and cinema that also doubles as a karaoke stage, theres an array of staterooms designed for the whole family.

Signature Experiences A bold lineup of guest favourites are on deck, including theFlowRidersurf simulator, theNorth Star, an all-glass observation capsule which ascends 300 feet above the ocean to deliver incomparable 360-degree views; andRipCord by iFly, the first sky diving experience at sea.

A World of Flavours There are 19 dining options that serve up a variety of cuisines, includingHot Pot, an authentic Chinese dining experience;Teppanyaki, a celebration of Far East flavours cooked in Japans traditional teppanyaki style; andSichuan Red, a new specialty dining experience tailored just forSpectrum, where diners can savour a bold tapestry of spices and Sichuan flavours. Signature classics include imaginative cuisine atWonderland, American steakhouseChops Grilleand authentic rustic fare and handmade pasta atJamies Italian.

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Royal Caribbean redeploys Spectrum of the Seas to Singapore for April 2022 - Royal Caribbean Blog