Carib Scope

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  • JetBlue unveils “Quisqueya la Bluebella” aircraft honoring Dominican culture

    JetBlue unveils “Quisqueya la Bluebella” aircraft honoring Dominican culture

    In a celebratory ceremony held at Las Américas International Airport in the heart of Santo Domingo, major U.S. carrier JetBlue has pulled back the curtain on its latest one-of-a-kind branded aircraft, dubbed “Quisqueya la Bluebella” — a vibrant, loving nod to Dominican heritage and the airline’s deep, long-standing ties to the island nation.

    The specially customized plane, an Airbus A320, showcases striking original artwork crafted by local Dominican artist Willy Gómez. Gómez’s design beat out other submissions to win the honor earlier this year, after a public voting campaign that invited community input to select the final artwork that would adorn the aircraft.

    Taking its creative inspiration from the beloved patriotic slogan “Quisqueya la Bella” (Beautiful Quisqueya, the historic indigenous name for the Dominican Republic), the design weaves together dozens of iconic symbols that define Dominican national identity. Scattered across the plane’s fuselage are images of dominoes, a staple of Dominican social life, alongside traditional instruments for merengue and bachata — the country’s world-famous musical genres. Completing the tropical, distinctly Dominican scene are lush tropical flowers, swaying palm trees, rolling ocean waves, and the Cigüa Palmera, the country’s official national bird. A bold colloquial phrase “Tamo’ aquí,” which translates to “We’re here,” is also prominently featured, serving as a public declaration of JetBlue’s enduring commitment to the Dominican community both on the island and across the diaspora in the United States and beyond.

    Speaking at the official unveiling event, JetBlue President Marty St. George took the opportunity to reflect on the airline’s more than two decades of operations in the Dominican Republic. He framed the custom aircraft as more than just a marketing piece, calling it a heartfelt tribute to Dominican national pride, centuries of rich culture, and the boundless creativity of the Dominican people.

    Today, JetBlue connects four major Dominican destinations — the capital city of Santo Domingo, Santiago, the popular tourist hub of Punta Cana, and Puerto Plata — to markets across North America. The airline currently holds the title of the carrier with the largest number of routes linking the Dominican Republic and the United States, a position it has built up over its 20-plus years of service in the region.

    Beyond revealing the new aircraft, JetBlue also made a major service announcement at the ceremony: this upcoming summer travel season, the airline will operate an average of 45 daily flights to and from the Dominican Republic, marking a substantial expansion of its already robust schedule. Alongside growing its commercial service, the company reaffirmed its pledge to continue supporting local community initiatives across the country that benefit Dominican residents.

  • Powerful women and men show drawing new national leaders

    Powerful women and men show drawing new national leaders

    As the countdown to June 21 ticks on, anticipation is rapidly building across Jamaica for the upcoming *Powerful Women and Men Perform for Charity* – a one-of-a-kind fundraising gala that brings some of the nation’s most prominent public figures out of their professional roles and onto the stage. Scheduled to kick off at 7:00 pm at the Jamaica College auditorium in Kingston, rehearsals are already in full swing, with participants from the country’s political sphere, private sector, and civil society refining their performances ahead of the big night.

    The roster of talent continues to expand, with new high-profile additions joining the lineup in recent weeks: Miss Jamaica World 2026 Nevaeh Allen, opposition culture spokesperson Nekeisha Burchell, and renowned designer and radio host Karen Booker are the latest names confirmed to take the stage. They join an already star-studded cast that includes House Speaker Juliet Holness, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett, whose acts are teased to leave audience members stunned.

    Event executive producer Cordel Green shared that attendees can expect a dynamic, surprise-filled program that showcases little-known, hidden talents of these leaders and influencers far beyond their usual work in government offices and boardrooms. “This isn’t just a show – it’s a chance to see the people who shape our country in a completely new light,” Green explained, noting that the event will also feature representation from Jamaica’s western region, with veteran Montego Bay-based journalists Lloyd B Smith and Janet Silvera, fresh off her successful Jill Stewart Memorial Run, joining the performance lineup.

    For the event’s long-time beneficiary, the Mustard Seed Communities, this annual gala has become a transformative source of support. Over the history of the *Powerful Women and Men Perform for Charity* show, the initiative has raised more than JMD $80 million for the organization, which provides care and housing for nearly 500 children impacted by HIV and abandoned youth across 12 facilities islandwide. All proceeds from this year’s event will continue to fund this critical outreach work.

    Organizers have made the event accessible to both in-person attendees and remote viewers, including Jamaicans living in the diaspora. Adult tickets are priced at JMD $4,000, with tickets for children under 12 available at JMD $2,000. Physical tickets can be purchased at any Fontana Pharmacy location across the country, including outlets at Loshusan, Sovereign Centre, Tropical Plaza, Sovereign Village Portmore, and Montego Bay, while digital tickets are available for purchase online via touchstonelink.com. For those unable to attend in person, the show will be broadcast via pay-per-view through the Alive Podcast Network, with a second streaming platform expected to be announced in the coming days.

    The 2024 event boasts widespread support from a diverse group of corporate and community sponsors, including Tastee, Optimum, Kinematix, Bloozick Media Productions, Viva Events, Phase Three Productions, Alive Podcast Network, Jamaica National Bank, Bank of Jamaica, Digicel, LP Azar, Touchstone Productions Limited, Fontana Pharmacy, Josephs Holdings, New Levels Décor (Sireta Hammond), Rainforest Seafoods, TVJ, The Gleaner, RJR 94FM, IRIE FM, Kool FM, Nationwide News Network, Mello FM, Suncity Radio and Roots FM.

  • Enhanced Games raises Usain Bolt record bonus to $10m

    Enhanced Games raises Usain Bolt record bonus to $10m

    After a promising debut in Las Vegas, the controversial Enhanced Games has announced a massive tenfold increase in the prize for any athlete who can dethrone Usain Bolt’s iconic men’s 100-meter world record at its 2027 second edition, catapulting the reward from $1 million to an unprecedented $10 million.

    The landmark prize adjustment was revealed in a shareholder update from Maximilian Martin, chief executive officer of the Enhanced Games organization, coming hot on the heels of the competition’s inaugural showcase. During the first Games, 13 participating athletes notched 21 personal best performances under the event’s unique medically supervised performance enhancement framework, a core policy that sets the Enhanced Games apart from traditional international athletics competitions.

    Bolt’s 9.58-second 100m record, set at the 2009 IAAF World Championships in Berlin, has stood unbroken for more than 15 years, and remains the high bar that the $10 million reward hinges on. The massive payout is the most high-profile step the organization has taken to draw elite competitors to its alternative model of athletics.

    Beyond the record-breaking bonus announcement, Martin shared key early success metrics from the first Games: the inaugural event secured over $32 million in total sponsorship deals, and cumulative viewership across linear television, streaming platforms, and social media channels outpaced the organizing team’s initial projections, signaling strong market interest in the unorthodox competition format.

    One of the biggest success stories from the debut event came from swimming, where Greek sprinter Kristian Gkolomeev walked away with $1.5 million after clocking a new 50m freestyle world record of 20.81 seconds. Organizers noted that this payout is the largest single prize ever awarded to a swimmer in the history of the sport.

    A core point of emphasis from the Enhanced Games organization is its commitment to competitor safety: all participants underwent rigorous pre-competition health screenings, and every athlete completed their events without major incident. With the 2027 Games already in active planning, organizers are also exploring opportunities to expand the Enhanced Games brand, including smaller satellite competitions and new endurance-focused sporting categories to broaden the event’s scope.

  • ROJ mobilises teams for Labour Day school projects

    ROJ mobilises teams for Labour Day school projects

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — What began as a company-wide volunteer drive turned 2026 Labour Day into a transformative day of community service for Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), the parent operator of iconic fast-food chains KFC and Pizza Hut across the island. The company coordinated hundreds of team members, building supplies, and catered meal support to upgrade eight primary and early childhood institutions across western Jamaica and St Catherine, delivering tangible improvements to learning spaces that serve local communities.

    In an official press statement released Thursday, ROJ outlined that the initiative was intentionally structured around community needs already identified by its own employees. Rather than launching a disconnected corporate charity project, the company organized cross-location and cross-department teams to support schools located in the very neighborhoods where their team members live and work, grounding the effort in local connection.

    The eight institutions that benefited from the drive span the region: Cornwall College, Howard Cooke Primary, Edward Basic, Granville Primary and Infant, Bridgeport Basic, Priory Primary, St Peter’s Early Childhood Institution, and Bogue Hill Primary and Infant School. ROJ covered all required material costs for the projects, donating multiple buckets of paint, along with brushes, rollers, paint pans, and native saplings for campus landscaping. To keep volunteer teams energized through the full workday, the company also provided hot meals from KFC and Pizza Hut, plus cold refreshments for every work site.

    Across all participating schools, the core goal of the effort was simple but impactful: to create brighter, cleaner, more welcoming learning environments for both students and teaching staff. ROJ highlighted two sites in particular for their focused, community-integrated work: St Peter’s Early Childhood Institution in Falmouth and Bogue Hill Primary and Infant School in Montego Bay.

    At both locations, ROJ volunteer teams worked side-by-side with school administrators, parent groups, teachers, and local community volunteers. Campus walls were repainted in fresh, vibrant hues, faded playground artwork was restored, new trees were planted across school grounds, and deep cleaning work was completed throughout every building. Even young students found small ways to contribute to the upgrades, joining in the collaborative spirit of the day.

    For St Peter’s in Falmouth, the support went beyond cosmetic upgrades: ROJ’s team also completed critical repairs to the roof of a classroom that had sustained severe damage during Hurricane Melissa the previous season.

    Michael Black, Restaurant General Manager of Pizza Hut Whitter Village and lead coordinator for the St Peter’s project, said the day perfectly embodied what ROJ’s Labour Day service model was designed to achieve. “This was all about meeting a demonstrated need in the community and bringing the right resources to get the job done,” Black explained. “St Peter’s is a core institution for this area, and after the damage Hurricane Melissa left behind, we knew this work would change daily life for the kids here. What impressed me most was how seamlessly team members from different restaurants and departments came together to pitch in. Everyone understood why we were there, and that made all the difference.”

    Levene Sheriff, Marketing Officer at ROJ, added that the initiative allowed the company to support local community action in a way that felt authentic rather than performative, leaning into the existing connections ROJ employees already have with their home neighborhoods. “Across both of our brands, our team members are embedded in communities all over Jamaica, and many of them already volunteer for local causes on their own time,” Sheriff noted. “Labour Day gave us the chance to back that existing spirit of service with company resources — whether that’s building materials, catered meals, or extra volunteer hands. Our goal wasn’t to launch something new from the top down; it was to strengthen the work that was already happening in these school communities.”

    For Gillian Brissett, Principal of St Peter’s Early Childhood Institution, the volunteer drive came as a much-needed boost after months of uncertainty following the hurricane. “We are truly grateful for every bit of support the ROJ team gave St Peter’s,” Brissett said. “They showed up ready to work from the minute they arrived, and it was so encouraging to see parents, teachers, and even our own students join in. The school looks completely different now, brighter than ever, and after everything we went through with Hurricane Melissa, this means more than we can say. Support like this reminds us that the wider community hasn’t forgotten us, and that we all have a stake in these kids’ education.”

    By the end of the 2026 Labour Day, the effort had brought together more than 200 participants from ROJ, local schools, and the surrounding community, all united around the shared goal of building better learning spaces for Jamaica’s children. By leveraging its existing employee network to target local needs, ROJ was able to deliver impactful upgrades to multiple schools while keeping the work rooted in personal connection, practical action, and community-focused service.

  • Dominican government introduces first fully digital minor travel permit

    Dominican government introduces first fully digital minor travel permit

    In a major step forward for public administration modernization in the Caribbean, Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader has officially unveiled the nation’s first completely digital Minor’s Exit Permit (PSM), an innovative online tool crafted to cut through red tape for traveling families and advance the government’s broader digital transformation agenda. This rollout marks a key milestone under the administration’s flagship Zero Bureaucracy Program, a sweeping initiative that targets the elimination of unnecessary administrative barriers and aims to cement the Dominican Republic’s position as one of Latin America’s most digitally advanced public sectors by 2028.

    Unlike the outdated, paper-heavy system it replaces, the new digital platform empowers eligible parents and legal guardians to complete the entire exit authorization process remotely from any location across the globe. Gone are the requirements for in-person office visits, printed physical documentation, and days-long waiting periods that once plagued the permit application process. The new system integrates cutting-edge digital tools including biometric identity verification, legally recognized digital signatures, and electronic notarization, while also enabling seamless data interoperability with the country’s Central Electoral Board. This connected infrastructure allows the approved permit to be electronically linked directly to a minor’s passport, enabling instant digital validation at border checkpoints during travel.

    Speaking at the official launch ceremony, President Abinader emphasized that the push to modernize government services is rooted in a core commitment to improving daily life for all Dominican citizens. By overhauling clunky outdated processes, the administration is delivering services that are not only more efficient, but also more transparent and secure for users. Senior government officials also outlined the shortcomings of the old system that made the overhaul necessary: for years, applicants faced extensive wait times, convoluted paperwork requirements, and in some cases, informal and formal costs that added up to as much as 30,000 Dominican pesos per application.

    The complete redesign of the Minor’s Exit Permit service was a collaborative effort between the Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Migration and the Zero Bureaucracy Program, with technical and financial support from global philanthropic organization Bloomberg Philanthropies. Officials used the launch event to tease upcoming reforms, confirming that additional high-impact government services — including new business registration and commercial construction permitting — will undergo the same full digital transformation in the coming months and years, as part of the nation’s long-term public sector modernization strategy.

  • Dominican Republic and United Nations analyze impact of Haiti crisis

    Dominican Republic and United Nations analyze impact of Haiti crisis

    In a high-level diplomatic gathering hosted in Santo Domingo, officials from the Dominican Government and the United Nations System convened their Fourth Political Dialogue this week, centering discussions on the far-reaching political, economic, social and security ramifications of Haiti’s prolonged ongoing crisis, and its disproportionate cross-border effects on the Dominican Republic.

    Leading the closed-door talks were Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and Julia del Carmen Sánchez, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the country. Throughout the meeting, the two top representatives delved into how Haiti’s multifaceted breakdown of order continues to strain core pillars of Dominican national life, including domestic stability, societal cohesion, long-term sustainable development progress, and the country’s standing within the broader Caribbean region.

    Attendees used the dialogue as an opportunity to conduct a full review of policy measures the Dominican state has already rolled out to mitigate the cascading consequences of the neighboring crisis. Particular focus was placed on key priority areas: cross-border administration and control, the strain on local public services, the protection of national security, upholding human rights standards for both migrants and local populations, and preserving domestic social stability along the shared border.

    Beyond assessing existing response efforts, the two sides also mapped out new avenues to deepen collaborative work between the Dominican government and the United Nations. These potential next steps include designing flexible adaptive mechanisms for UN support to the Dominican response, and maintaining continuous, up-to-date analysis of the fast-shifting situation on the ground in Haiti to inform evidence-based policy adjustments.

    By the close of the gathering, both the Dominican Government and the United Nations System issued a joint reaffirmation of their shared commitment to sustaining strategic dialogue and coordinated cooperation. The long-term partnership remains focused on addressing regional instability, tackling growing humanitarian needs stemming from the Haitian crisis, and advancing inclusive sustainable development across the island of Hispaniola.

  • Fitz-Henley rejects criticism of Anderson appointment, accuses PNP of ‘maligning patriotic Jamaicans’

    Fitz-Henley rejects criticism of Anderson appointment, accuses PNP of ‘maligning patriotic Jamaicans’

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — A senior ruling party official has launched a sharp rebuke of Jamaica’s main opposition party, accusing it of a pattern of bad-faith attacks against qualified public servants who agree to serve in key government roles.

    Senator Abka Fitz-Henley, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, made the comments in response to recent questions from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) over the appointment of Ambassador Antony Anderson as chief executive officer of the newly established National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). The PNP’s public statement, released earlier this week, centered on whether Anderson completed the formal application process for the high-stakes post before Prime Minister Andrew Holness finalized his appointment Wednesday.

    While the PNP acknowledged Anderson’s long record as a trusted technocrat with decades of experience in Jamaica’s military and policing sectors, the party said it held legitimate concerns about transparency and fairness in the NaRRA CEO recruitment and selection process.

    Fitz-Henley pushed back against these claims in an official statement released Thursday, defending Anderson’s appointment and dismissing the PNP’s scrutiny as a regrettable and unfounded smear campaign. He emphasized that Anderson, a retired Major General, has a long track record of cross-partisan public service to Jamaica, including serving as chief of defence staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) during most of the previous PNP administration. The minister argued that the opposition’s attempt to cast doubt on Anderson’s ability to lead NaRRA is entirely unprofessional and unwarranted.

    To further back up the appointment, Fitz-Henley outlined Anderson’s deep professional qualifications: he is a trained engineer who previously commanded the JDF Engineer Regiment before rising to lead the entire armed force. He also noted that the selection process was fully legitimate, pushing back against the PNP’s claims of irregularity. Per details shared by the prime minister, 85 candidates submitted formal applications for the role, which was eventually narrowed down to a shortlist of seven finalists. Anderson was the top candidate selected from that group, Fitz-Henley confirmed.

    He also rejected any questions about the integrity of the selection panel, noting that its members are widely respected public figures with experience serving on similar panels across multiple government administrations. The panel included the cabinet secretary, chairman of the Port Authority of Jamaica, and chairman of the Public Services Commission, three senior institutional leaders with long records of public service.

    Beyond the specifics of Anderson’s appointment, Fitz-Henley argued that the PNP’s criticism fits a broader pattern of the opposition unfairly targeting Jamaicans who take on critical public service roles under the current government. He cited a list of other public servants, including prosecutor Paula Llewelyn, Ambassador Rocky Meade, financial expert Kedesha Rochester, economist Professor Peter Blair Henry, and policy analyst Dennis Chung, all of whom he claimed were subjected to unfair opposition attacks in the past.

  • Condé Nast Traveller includes Punta Cana on list of best tropical getaways

    Condé Nast Traveller includes Punta Cana on list of best tropical getaways

    The Dominican Republic’s premier tourism hub, Punta Cana, has added another prestigious accolade to its growing collection of international recognition: Condé Nast Traveller has named the Caribbean coastal gem one of the “11 Best Tropical Vacation Destinations in the World.” This latest honor further cements the nation’s reputation as a must-visit travel hotspot in the Caribbean, boosting its global visibility among leisure travelers.

    As one of the most respected publications in the luxury travel space, Condé Nast Traveller highlighted a range of standout features that set Punta Cana apart from competing tropical getaways. The magazine drew particular attention to the destination’s postcard-perfect palm-fringed shorelines, energetic after-dark entertainment scene, consistently warm year-round climate, and world-class seasonal whale-watching excursions. It framed Punta Cana as a rare destination that caters equally to travelers craving quiet relaxation and those chasing thrilling outdoor adventure.

    Widely known as the Caribbean’s iconic “Coconut Coast,” Punta Cana draws more than millions of international tourists to its shores annually. Its enduring popularity stems from a unique combination of luxury all-inclusive resorts, powdery white-sand beaches, turquoise crystal-clear coastal waters, and a diverse menu of outdoor activities suited for every age and interest.

    For its 2026 curated list of top tropical destinations, Condé Nast Traveller selected locations that deliver ideal conditions for core tropical vacation activities: swimming, scuba diving, immersive nature exploration, and low-key beach getaways. Punta Cana shares a spot on the list with other globally celebrated tropical destinations, including the Maldives, the Bahamas, the Philippines, and French Polynesia, putting it in elite company among the world’s best beach travel spots.

    The publication emphasized that what makes Punta Cana truly unique is its ability to balance lively entertainment options with quiet, serene spaces for rest. This versatility, it notes, makes the destination one of the most well-rounded full-service vacation spots in the entire Caribbean region.

    Beyond bolstering Punta Cana’s reputation among travelers, the recognition reinforces the Dominican Republic’s expanding, increasingly influential position in the global tourism market. It also spotlights Punta Cana’s persistent popularity among travelers planning 2026 tropical vacations, Caribbean resort stays, and beach-focused getaways.

    Tourism has long been one of the Dominican Republic’s core economic pillars, contributing billions to the national economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. As the nation’s top draw for international visitors, Punta Cana plays an irreplaceable role in growing the country’s global tourism brand and driving economic growth across the sector.

  • Sanna Moore makes splash on reggae scene with ‘I Rise Up’ performance

    Sanna Moore makes splash on reggae scene with ‘I Rise Up’ performance

    In the vibrant music landscape of Kingston, Jamaica, a dynamic young teenage talent is rapidly turning heads and winning over crowds with electrifying, soul-stirring live performances. Nineteen-year-old Sanna Moore, a student at St. Andrew High School for Girls, recently left a packed audience awe-struck at the “To Mom With Love” concert hosted at the AC Hotel Ballroom, where her soaring interpretation of Andra Day’s modern anthem of resilience *Rise Up* cemented her reputation as a rising star to watch.

    As Moore’s rich, powerhouse vocals echoed through the ballroom’s walls, the raw, emotional intensity of her delivery sent tangible electricity through the crowd, leaving listeners with involuntary chills and a collective jolt of energy. More than just a cover performance, Moore’s rendition of the track felt like a deliberate, confident coming-out: a defiant, clear statement that a bold new voice had arrived on Jamaica’s storied music scene.

    For Moore herself, the sold-out concert confirmed what she had long known: her passion lies in connecting with live audiences. “As soon as I stepped on stage, all my nerves just melted away,” she shared in a post-performance interview. “Watching the crowd feel the song right along with me? That moved me more than I can say.”

    Moore’s journey from a music-loving student to an emerging professional performer has been shaped by mentorship from some of Jamaica’s biggest names, most notably iconic reggae artist Etana. A classically trained violinist and vice president of her school’s Wind and String Ensemble, Moore grew up immersed in a diverse range of musical styles, from reggae and R&B to neo-soul, gospel, and traditional Nyabinghi music. She counts a roster of groundbreaking women in music as her core influences, including Rihanna, Jobe Jay, Lila Iké, Ella Mai, and Etana, whose uplifting, relatable lyrics have resonated with her since childhood.

    A fateful meeting during Jamaica’s annual Reggae Month changed the trajectory of her burgeoning career. After introducing herself to Etana at an Emancipation Park concert, Moore was invited to sing an impromptu performance for the star. “She told me she got goosebumps when I finished,” Moore recalled of the encounter. “That moment changed everything for me—it gave me so much confidence to keep going.”

    Etana didn’t just praise Moore’s talent: she also offered tangible guidance, encouraging the young artist to stay optimistic, build her own catalog of original work, and embrace the vital role Black women play in reggae and global entertainment. That connection soon opened an unexpected professional door: Etana’s management team reached out to Moore’s father, respected Jamaican businessman Dwight Moore, to express interest in collaborating with the teen.

    The partnership quickly led to Moore’s first major gig, a performance slot at the acclaimed Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, which introduced her to a far larger audience and solidified industry interest in her work.

    Today, Moore is balancing her rising music career with a key academic milestone: she is currently preparing to sit for her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this June. But she has already set her sights on what comes next, planning to use the upcoming summer break as a launchpad to release her first collection of original music. For fans and industry observers alike, all signs point to a long, impactful career ahead for Sanna Moore—a fresh, unapologetically fierce new voice with stories the world is eager to hear.

  • Winners of Mr and Miss Supranational Jamaica titles to be announced on Sunday

    Winners of Mr and Miss Supranational Jamaica titles to be announced on Sunday

    This Sunday, Jamaica will crown its next representatives to the global Mister and Miss Supranational competition, with 10 handpicked finalists putting weeks of rigorous preparation on the line at the intimate, boutique-style final event hosted at Kingston’s iconic Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Hope Road.

    In the lead-up to the coronation, contestants have undergone an extensive multi-week training program designed to build more than just stage presence, covering everything from personal grooming and physical fitness to communication skills, tourism advocacy, and holistic personal growth. Ahead of the final event, the group gathered for a preparatory retreat at Princess Hotel & Resorts in Hanover, where they put on an spontaneous impromptu fashion show for attendees and completed a branded photoshoot against the backdrop of the resort’s coastal landscape.

    Serene Lloyd, public relations manager for Princess Hotel & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to welcome the pageant contestants. “Hosting the group here was an absolute pleasure,” Lloyd shared in an interview with Jamaica Observer Online. “This was a wonderful chance to showcase our destination and the signature luxury experience Princess Resorts is known for. The pageant has such a engaged, wide audience, and we’re eager for their followers to see the natural beauty of our property and come experience it for themselves.” She added that contestants had full access to the resort’s amenities during their stay, exploring the grounds, interacting with staff, enjoying the island’s signature beachfront access, sampling local cuisine, and making the most of their retreat ahead of the final competition.

    Barbie Mudahy, the national pageant’s coordinator, noted that this year’s cohort of finalists stands out for their range of strengths, far beyond conventional pageant standards of appearance. “This year’s group is incredibly strong,” Mudahy explained. “What really stands out is the diversity of their personalities, confidence, and stage presence. Every single contestant has grown noticeably throughout the preparation process, so this competition is about much more than looks. We’ve watched each person step into their own identity, becoming more polished, comfortable, and prepared with every passing week.”

    The training program has been intentionally structured to be comprehensive and transformative, Mudahy explained. Each week, contestants work with industry experts on a new area of personal and professional development, spanning topics from grooming and fitness to public communication, wellness, and long-term personal growth. “Both the contestant preparation and the production itself involve months of hard work, so attendees can expect nothing less than an exciting, unforgettable experience this Sunday,” she added.

    Several local industry partners have contributed to the contestants’ training this cycle. The Design Essentials hair care team has worked closely with both female and select male contestants, educating them on long-term hair health and handling styling throughout the competition, with industry professional Marcia Lindgaard Calendar donating her time and expertise to the initiative. Contestants also benefited from a detailed educational session with certified trichologist Karl Richmond, who deepened their understanding of evidence-based hair and scalp care practices.

    For the male competitors, Jamaica’s HEART College of Beauty Services provided professional barbering services, keeping contestants well-groomed and helping them refine their personal presentation for the stage. All contestants completed public speaking and communication training with coach Adrian Atkinson, a session Mudahy called “extremely valuable” for building confidence and strengthening interpersonal and on-stage communication skills.

    Fitness, a core focus of any pageant preparation process, was supported by Fit Farm Fitness Centre, which opened its facilities to all contestants. In addition to conventional fitness and health training, contestants also learned basic personal protection skills during their fitness programming, an addition that added practical value to their preparation. Tourism advocacy training was also a key component of the curriculum: Belinda Sutherland-Dowe from Jamaica’s Tourism Product Development Company Limited led sessions on the history of Jamaican tourism, the country’s cultural tourism brand, and how to effectively market Jamaica as a world-class travel destination as national representatives.

    The four 2026 Miss Supranational Jamaica finalists are Deborah Gordon (affiliated with Dacx Production), Melissa Oliver (of Fit Farm Fitness Club), Rasheda Green (representing Design Essentials), and Antonni James (of Glam by O’Neil). The six male competitors vying for the 2026 Mister Supranational Jamaica title are Jordain Chambers (Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited), Kasheem Green (The Dental Place), Leopold Smith (All Signs), Laurence Pinnock (Cooyah), Sean-Pierre Coke (Knutsford Express), and Andrew Brown (The Prom Shoppe).