Arbor Day, observed internationally on November 16, stands as a powerful reminder of the critical role trees play in environmental sustainability and humanity’s duty to protect the planet. Communities worldwide commemorate this day by planting trees, revitalizing green spaces, and raising awareness about climate change and biodiversity. While the date may vary across countries, the core mission remains consistent: fostering a greener, healthier, and more resilient Earth.
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ABHTA Announces Nominees for Rising Star and Young Hotelier of the Year
The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) has unveiled the nominees for the prestigious Rising Star of the Year and Young Hotelier of the Year awards, set to be presented at the 2025 Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Awards. These accolades aim to honor the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry, celebrating their dedication and professionalism in enhancing service standards nationwide.
This year’s nominees hail from some of the country’s most renowned establishments, including Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Cocos Hotel, Hawksbill Resort Antigua, Jumby Bay Island, Keyonna Beach Resort, Mill Reef Club, Royalton Antigua, Royalton CHIC Antigua, Sandals Grande Antigua, Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas, and Trade Winds Hotel. According to the ABHTA, these individuals embody the passion and excellence that drive Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism sector forward, contributing to elevated guest experiences and fostering industry-wide innovation.
The winners will be revealed on November 29, 2025, during the Tourism Awards Gala, hosted at Sandals Grande Antigua under the theme “Mirror Ball Gala – A Night to Reflect and Shine.” The event is a collaborative effort between the ABHTA, the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment, and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), highlighting the collective commitment to recognizing and nurturing talent within the hospitality industry.
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Employee and Supervisor of the Year Nominees Announced For 2025 Tourism Awards
Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism industry is gearing up for a grand celebration of excellence as the nominees for the 2025 Tourism Awards have been unveiled. The prestigious event, organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA), is scheduled for November 29, 2025, at the luxurious Sandals Grande Antigua. Titled ‘Mirror Ball Gala – A Night to Reflect and Shine,’ the ceremony aims to honor the remarkable contributions of tourism professionals across the nation. Key categories include ‘Employee of the Year’ and ‘Supervisor of the Year,’ spotlighting individuals who have exhibited exceptional dedication, skill, and enthusiasm in their roles. The nominees hail from some of Antigua’s most renowned hospitality establishments, such as Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Cocobay Resort, Cocos Hotel, Hawksbill Resort Antigua, Hermitage Bay, Jumby Bay Island, Keyonna Beach Resort, Mill Reef Club, Royalton Antigua, Royalton CHIC Antigua, Sandals Grande Antigua, Siboney Beach Club, Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas, Trade Winds Hotel, and The Escape at Nonsuch Bay. The ABHTA emphasized that the awards are a tribute to the individuals who propel the success of the country’s leading industry and foster a culture of excellence. The winners will be announced during the gala, marking a significant milestone in the tourism calendar and a moment to reflect on the resilience and growth of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality sector.
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Education Director Urges Full Participation in OECS Student Census
Clare Browne, the Director of Education in Antigua and Barbuda, has passionately appealed to students, parents, and educators to actively support the upcoming 2025 OECS Student Census. Describing it as a pivotal initiative, Browne emphasized that the census transcends mere data collection, aiming instead to provide profound insights into how students ‘learn, live, and thrive’ within their educational environments. He highlighted that the findings will inform policy decisions focused on equity, quality, and inclusivity, ensuring the education system evolves to meet the diverse needs of students. The census, conducted by trained enumerators, guarantees a straightforward, confidential, and respectful process for all participants. Browne urged students to participate confidently and called on parents and educators to offer their unwavering support. ‘Together, we are shaping an education system that truly listens — one that responds to the needs, dreams, and voices of every child across the OECS,’ he stated. This initiative marks a significant step toward regional educational enhancement.
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Ministry of Works Reports Steady Progress on Community Road Projects
The Ministry of Works in Antigua and Barbuda has reported significant progress in its nationwide infrastructure development initiatives during October. Over 36,000 cubic feet of concrete were produced last month, facilitating the ongoing rehabilitation of roads, curbs, and drainage systems across multiple communities. In a recent update, the Ministry revealed that its concrete plant generated 36,585 cubic feet of poured concrete, enabling construction teams to accelerate their efforts in various districts. Preparations are also underway for the much-anticipated restoration of All Saints Road, a critical artery in the country. This project is being carefully coordinated with APUA’s national repiping initiative to ensure alignment and minimize disruptions to the public. A comprehensive update on the All Saints Road restoration is expected after next week’s Cabinet meeting. The Ministry expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming the nation’s infrastructure. “The best is yet to come,” the statement concluded, signaling optimism for future developments.
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Solar-Powered Desalination Marks Major Breakthrough for Antigua’s Agricultural Future
A groundbreaking solar-powered desalination project in Antigua has achieved a significant milestone, marking a new era in agricultural innovation. The Blubber Valley Osmosis Plant, a collaborative effort between the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Antigua’s Ministry of Agriculture, and Texas Tech University, is transforming brackish groundwater into vital irrigation water for the nation’s key crops. This initiative leverages cutting-edge reverse osmosis technology powered entirely by solar energy. The system extracts water from a nearby APUA well, processes it through a reverse osmosis unit, and stores it for agricultural use. Each cycle yields approximately 2,000 gallons of low-salinity water suitable for irrigation and 1,000 gallons of brine concentrate. While the permeate is ideal for crop irrigation, managing the brine remains a critical challenge to prevent soil salinity buildup. To address this, the Ministry’s technical team is researching salt-tolerant crops that can thrive with slightly brinier water without harming the soil. Antigua’s diverse soil types—calciferous in the north, clay-heavy in the central plains, and volcanic in the south—will be used to evaluate the system’s effectiveness across different regions. Professor Shane Walker of Texas Tech University praised APUA for its infrastructure support, emphasizing the project’s potential to enhance water security and agricultural resilience. Luke Nedd, FAO National Project Coordinator, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with FAO’s mission to promote climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices. “This project demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can work together to build a more resilient agricultural sector,” Nedd stated. The next phase involves direct engagement with farmers to implement the technology, further strengthening Antigua’s agricultural future.
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Joyful Noize Gospel Karaoke: A New Platform for Faith, Unity, and Community Engagement in Antigua
St. John’s, Antigua — Antigua’s vibrant community and faith-based entertainment landscape is poised for a transformative experience with the launch of Joyful Noize Gospel Karaoke. Scheduled for Saturday, December 7th at the renowned Sun City Bar & Restaurant, this event, spearheaded by the distinguished Dr. Stanshaw Cornelius, promises to blend worship, performance, and fellowship into a unique celebration of faith, gratitude, and unity.
Petron Thomas, a prominent entertainment manager, emphasized the event’s significance, stating, ‘Such initiatives are vital for fostering community cohesion, creating shared positive experiences, and offering a creative outlet for individuals to express their faith.’
In a strategic move to ensure sustained impact, organizers have announced that Joyful Noize Gospel Karaoke will become a monthly tradition, held on the first Sunday of each month. This recurring event aims to serve as a consistent platform for spiritual engagement and cultural enrichment, bringing together churches, youth groups, families, and the broader public.
Key Highlights of the Event:
– Inspirational gospel karaoke performances
– Uplifting spiritual encouragement and fellowship
– A family-friendly atmosphere conducive to community networking
– Exclusive food and beverage offerings by Sun City Bar & RestaurantAdmission is free, and attendees are encouraged to reserve tables early to secure their spot. Joyful Noize Gospel Karaoke transcends mere entertainment, evolving into a dynamic platform for faith, culture, and unity in Antigua. It stands as a cornerstone for community engagement and spiritual celebration, with the potential to positively influence local dining, hospitality, and tourism sectors.
For media inquiries, partnerships, or reservations, please contact Sun City Bar & Restaurant at (268) 781-7199 or 781-5296.
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Couple’s Scottish wedding guests donate to animal charities
A Barbadian couple’s unconventional wedding in Scotland has turned into a significant boon for animal welfare charities in their home country. Jevan Jutagir, founder of Red Advertising & Marketing, and his bride, Danielle St-Pierre, tied the knot at the historic King’s College Chapel in Aberdeen, a venue with personal significance for Jutagir, a former University of Aberdeen Student Union president. The ceremony, attended by guests from Barbados, Trinidad, and Canada, featured traditional Scottish kilts but broke from tradition in one key aspect: instead of receiving conventional wedding gifts, the couple asked their guests to donate to two Barbados-based animal welfare organizations, Ocean Acres Animal Sanctuary and Safe Cats of Barbados. The response was overwhelming, with donations totaling $15,000 (approximately £5,700). In a statement, Jutagir explained their decision, emphasizing their comfortable lifestyle and desire to channel their guests’ generosity toward a cause they deeply care about—animal welfare. The couple, who are passionate about animals and share their Barbados home with cats, tortoises, and even monkeys, highlighted the growing issue of unwanted pets and unchecked breeding in Barbados. They expressed hope that their initiative would inspire others to support these charities, which work tirelessly to rescue and rehome stray animals. The newlyweds described the donations as a meaningful start to their married life, thanking their guests for their generosity.
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Regionale dialoog moet cacao-industrie nieuw leven inblazen
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI), recently hosted a two-day regional dialogue on the future of the cocoa industry. Held from November 13 to 14, 2025, at the UWI School of Education in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, the event brought together government representatives, academic institutions, producer organizations, private sector stakeholders, and regional development partners. The primary focus was to create a roadmap for revitalizing the Caribbean cocoa industry, particularly emphasizing fine-flavor cocoa. Anne Desrochers, FAO specialist in plant production and protection, opened the workshop on behalf of FAO subregional coordinator Renata Clarke. She highlighted the Caribbean’s comparative advantage in producing some of the world’s most distinctive cocoa varieties but stressed the need for coordinated action to address productivity and sustainability challenges. ‘The Caribbean has a proud cocoa heritage, but we must strengthen collaboration to modernize the sector,’ Desrochers stated. She emphasized that science, innovation, and regional cooperation could transform the industry into a model for sustainable agricultural development. The FAO has supported the cocoa sector in the Eastern Caribbean for several years, providing training and capacity-building for over 300 stakeholders in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Trinidad and Tobago is one of five global demonstration countries under the FAO’s One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, with cocoa as the priority commodity. The program aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of key agricultural value chains. Karen Lee Lum of the CRC provided an update on the OCOP initiative, which began in Trinidad and Tobago in 2022 and is now entering its second phase with support from China’s South-South Cooperation. ‘Trinidad and Tobago’s fine-flavor cocoa is unique—it is one of only seven countries worldwide exporting 100% of its production as fine-flavor cocoa,’ Lee Lum noted. The new phase, valued at $5 million, will expand to 15 countries, focusing on research, farmer engagement, market access, and green technologies. The workshop facilitated discussions on country-specific progress, innovation exchange, and consensus-building for a regional strategy to further develop the cocoa industry. The roadmap aims to promote sustainable production, added value, and improved market opportunities for Caribbean cocoa.
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Antigua and Barbuda Showcases Culinary Talent at Twin UK Dining Events
The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) recently hosted a series of exclusive culinary events in the UK, spotlighting the vibrant flavours and rich heritage of the twin-island nation. Held during the World Travel Market 2025, the events featured Antiguan-born Chef Kareem Roberts and Barbudan-born Chef Keshia Sakarah, both celebrated for their innovative contributions to the UK culinary scene. Organized by Cherrie Osborne, Director of Tourism UK & Europe, the back-to-back dinners aimed to elevate Antigua and Barbuda’s profile as a premier destination for gastronomy and culture. The first event took place on November 6th at The Burleigh Arms in Cambridge, where Chef Roberts curated a bespoke tasting menu blending traditional Antiguan ingredients with modern techniques. Guests were also treated to an exclusive preview of his debut cookbook, *Cassava & Cardamom*, which delves into the heart of Antiguan cuisine. The following evening, Chef Sakarah hosted a second intimate dinner at The Pilgrim Hotel in Paddington, presenting a pan-Caribbean tasting menu inspired by her travels and ancestral roots. The event coincided with the release of her acclaimed cookbook, *Caribe: A Caribbean Cookbook with History*, praised for its rich storytelling and contemporary approach to traditional dishes. Colin C. James, CEO of ABTA, emphasized the importance of these collaborations in showcasing the islands’ authenticity, creativity, and cultural pride. These events not only highlighted the culinary talents of Antigua and Barbuda but also reinforced the islands’ reputation as a destination where world-class cuisine, innovation, and culture thrive alongside their natural beauty.