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  • Another setback for Equity Insurance appeal as tribunal delays hearing

    Another setback for Equity Insurance appeal as tribunal delays hearing

    Equity Insurance Company Limited’s latest legal bid to reverse the Financial Services Commission’s (FSC) decision to shut down the firm hit a major procedural hurdle this Monday, when preliminary disagreements pushed back the start of its high-stakes appeal hearing and pushed the final substantive proceeding out to mid-October.

    The case, which was originally scheduled to open before the three-member Financial Services Appeals Tribunal (FSAT), was entirely consumed by pre-hearing procedural disputes that will now be sorted out at a dedicated case management conference slated for July. Following guidance from FSAT chair Justice Christopher Blackman, a retired High Court judge, both legal teams for the insurer and the regulator agreed that the window of October 12 to 16 is the appropriate timeframe to schedule the full substantive hearing.

    Alongside pushing back the main hearing, the tribunal issued three key procedural rulings on Monday. First, it formalized the deferral of the substantive appeal to October. Second, it delayed a separate application by Equity Insurance to amend its official appeal grounds, after the company’s supporting affidavit was found to contain factual inaccuracies. Third, it formally dismissed a “statement of protest and reservation of rights” submitted by the insurer as procedurally inappropriate.

    Explaining the dismissal of the protest statement, Justice Blackman noted that the document included a false claim that the company had been forced to work on separate winding-up proceedings while the appeal was pending. He clarified that a prior High Court order issued by Justice Dr. H. Patrick Wells on April 10 explicitly paused all winding-up actions until the FSAT ruled on the appeal, leaving no valid foundation for the protest.

    Equity Insurance, represented by senior counsels Alrick Scott KC and Larry Smith KC, has pushed back against the tribunal’s rulings. Scott rejected the finding that the amendment application was defective, arguing that the application notice explicitly and thoroughly addressed the specific seventh ground for appeal that the tribunal flagged as missing from the affidavit.

    “We reject the suggestion that the application is defective, because we dealt specifically with the specific ground in our notice of application,” Scott told reporters following Monday’s proceedings. He also defended the insurer’s decision to file the protest statement, noting that it was intended to formally document the company’s objections over the tribunal’s failure to order document disclosure, as well as what the firm calls an unreasonably tight hearing timetable.

    Scott emphasized that the timetable set by the tribunal, which was appointed only in February, was always unrealistic for a complex, high-stakes commercial appeal. He added that a late affidavit filed by the FSC on Sunday, on behalf of restructuring manager Craig Waterman, also contributed to the need to reschedule the full hearing. Waterman was present at Monday’s proceedings in his official capacity as the regulator-appointed restructuring lead for the struggling insurer.

    Senior Counsel Garth Patterson, representing the FSC, backed the tribunal’s dismissal of the protest statement, calling the unusual filing unnecessary. Patterson, who has 40 years of experience in legal practice, said he had never encountered such a document being submitted to an appeals tribunal in his career, and agreed with Justice Blackman that it was redundant to the tribunal’s record.

    Monday’s procedural dispute is the latest chapter in a months-long legal battle between the insurer and the national financial regulator. The conflict dates back to March, when the FSAT rejected the FSC’s request to suspend Equity Insurance’s appeal entirely. At that time, FSC attorney Amanda Best had asked the tribunal to pause the appeal while a separate High Court application to wind up the insurer moved forward.

    That separate High Court application was ultimately dismissed by Justice Dr. H. Patrick Wells in a 77-page ruling. Justice Wells found that the FSC had failed to establish a clear legal basis for immediate winding-up, and warned that forcing liquidation at that stage would undermine the statutory appeal process. He did leave the door open for the FSC to renew its application after the FSAT rules on the current appeal, and noted that the regulator could ask the court for guidance if the appeal process suffers unreasonable delay.

    The entire dispute traces back to August of last year, when the FSC seized regulatory control of Equity Insurance, citing long-standing unresolved breaches of multiple financial sector laws and ongoing risks to the policyholding public.

  • CAF commits US$10 billion to boost regional integration across Latin America and the Caribbean

    CAF commits US$10 billion to boost regional integration across Latin America and the Caribbean

    Against a backdrop of rising global geopolitical instability, shifting trade patterns, and economic volatility, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) has announced a landmark $10 billion investment initiative set to run through 2031, aimed at accelerating deepened regional integration across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

    The commitment was formally revealed by CAF Executive President Sergio Díaz-Granados at the conclusion of the International Forum on Regional Integration, hosted by CAF in the Colombian coastal city of Cartagena in May. The high-level gathering assembled a diverse cross-section of stakeholders: senior government officials, leaders from multilateral development bodies, private sector executives, academic experts, and regional development partners to collectively chart actionable strategies for advancing cross-border cooperation across the LAC region.

    Caribbean stakeholders took a prominent role in the forum’s discussions, with senior representatives in attendance including Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank; Ambassador Wayne McCook, Assistant Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Ian Durant, Director of Economics at the Caribbean Development Bank; Martín Portillo, Chief Engagement Manager for Central America and the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF); and Natalie McGuire, Curator at the Barbados Museum & Historical Society.

    Per CAF’s official announcement, the $10 billion allocation will be directed to eight high-priority sectors critical to integration: cross-border physical and digital infrastructure, intra-regional trade expansion, food security, renewable energy transition, sustainable tourism, technological innovation, logistics network modernization, and cross-border mobility. The overarching goals of the investment are to close persistent development gaps between regional economies, upgrade connectivity across the region, and strengthen LAC’s global competitiveness at a time of unprecedented global economic uncertainty.

    Díaz-Granados framed deepened regional integration as a non-negotiable strategic imperative for LAC nations to build long-term resilience, drive shared growth, and improve their global positioning. In his remarks at the forum, he noted that growing geopolitical frictions, fragmented global trade systems, volatile financial markets, and widespread macroeconomic uncertainty have sharply increased the urgency for coordinated regional action. He emphasized that closer integration will empower LAC countries to secure stronger positions in global value chains, speed up the transition to low-carbon energy systems, strengthen domestic and regional food security, and adapt to rapidly shifting global production trends.

    “Integration is the answer to protecting our strategic ecosystems, creating jobs, addressing informality, and defending the democratic values that underpin our coexistence, freedom, and future,” Díaz-Granados stated.

    A key deliverable from the Cartagena forum was the signing of the *Declaration on the Convergence of the Processes and Mechanisms of Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean* by 15 major regional institutions. Signatories included the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA), the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), among others. The declaration calls for a more coordinated, strategic approach to integration by aligning the priorities, resources, and expertise of existing regional bodies, eliminating redundant efforts, and unlocking new opportunities for cross-organization collaboration.

    CAF’s new investment pledge builds on the institution’s 30-year track record of backing regional integration efforts. To date, the development bank has approved 118 credit operations totaling $16.73 billion for integration-focused projects across the region. Over the past five years alone, CAF has scaled its support to target priority areas including cross-border physical connectivity, productive sector development, digital transformation, regional energy integration, and environmental conservation.

    In closing, Díaz-Granados stressed that the region must move beyond strategic planning and accelerate the delivery of tangible integration projects. “Regional integration has already achieved important progress, but it must now enter a more ambitious phase of implementation. Fewer barriers, more infrastructure. Fewer diagnoses, more projects,” he said.

  • Long Bay Zen Resort to Feature AI Concierge, Robotic Services and Over-Water Chapel

    Long Bay Zen Resort to Feature AI Concierge, Robotic Services and Over-Water Chapel

    Antigua and Barbuda is set to welcome a game-changing luxury tourism development that blends cutting-edge smart technology, sustainable operations, and one-of-a-kind experiential offerings, as developers unveil plans for the $200 million Long Bay Zen Resort. Positioned to attract high-value travelers to the Caribbean island nation, the 113-room property is being constructed on the former grounds of the iconic Long Bay Hotel, with major construction kickoff slated for later this year, carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

    At the core of the resort’s unique value proposition is its approach to integrated technology, framed by developers as “invisible service”. The centerpiece of the resort’s smart ecosystem is an AI-powered concierge, engineered to craft fully customized travel itineraries, coordinate all guest reservations and services, and even predict visitor preferences before they are requested. Beyond the concierge, the property will deploy automated transportation carts for guest movement across the grounds, smart in-room systems that automatically adjust lighting and climate to guest habits, and autonomous robots that manage routine operational tasks from amenity deliveries to facility maintenance. Unlike many tech-forward hospitality concepts that push innovation to the forefront, project lead Sophie Zhong emphasized that the technology is designed to stay in the background, amplifying rather than distracting from the resort’s core focus on tranquility.

    “Guests will feel only peace, comfort, and the rhythm of the sea. But behind that stillness is a world-class smart system for operations,” Zhong explained during the project’s official launch event.

    One of the resort’s most anticipated standalone attractions is a custom-built over-water chapel perched above Long Bay’s iconic turquoise coastal waters. Developers say the venue is purpose-built to tap into the fast-growing luxury destination wedding market, boosting Antigua and Barbuda’s overall appeal as a top choice for high-end romantic getaways and events.

    Sustainability is woven into every layer of the development, addressing both local infrastructure needs and global climate goals. The project includes purpose-built renewable energy systems and an on-site desalination plant, designed to cut strain on local public utilities while drastically reducing the resort’s overall carbon footprint. The coastal site, a known critical nesting ground for endangered sea turtles, has also required rigorous environmental planning, with all sustainability frameworks aligned to support Antigua and Barbuda’s national goals for balanced tourism growth and marine conservation.

    The project has earned full backing from the Antigua and Barbuda government, with senior officials noting it aligns perfectly with the nation’s shift toward quality-focused tourism growth. Rather than prioritizing sheer increases in visitor arrivals, the administration is targeting higher-spending travelers who deliver greater economic benefit to local communities. Prime Minister Gaston Browne praised the development’s vision, noting that its design fits seamlessly with the nation’s natural landscape and cultural identity.

    “We’re looking for quality, more so than quantity,” Browne said. “They have come up now with the most exciting design, one that is in keeping with our environment and the cultural ethos of the country.”

    Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez added that the Long Bay Zen Resort reflects a broader shift in global luxury traveler expectations, as modern high-end visitors increasingly prioritize wellness, authentic local experiences, and fully personalized service over generic hospitality offerings. For Antigua and Barbuda, the development marks a key step in evolving its tourism product to meet 21st-century traveler demands while advancing long-term environmental and economic goals.

  • Epicurean Workers Secure Wage Increase and Enhanced Benefits Under New Collective Bargaining Agreements

    Epicurean Workers Secure Wage Increase and Enhanced Benefits Under New Collective Bargaining Agreements

    Workers at Antigua and Barbuda-based pastry firm Pastry Ltd., which operates under the trade name Epicurean, are set to see tangible improvements to their compensation and working conditions after the company finalized a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Antigua & Barbuda Workers’ Union (ABWU).

    The landmark deal, which will take effect July 1, 2025 and run through June 30, 2028, delivers structured annual pay increases for both frontline line staff and supervisory personnel. Entry-level and frontline line employees will gain a $0.50 hourly raise each year of the agreement, a adjustment that works out to an annual pay increase of nearly 4 percent for most workers. For supervisory staff, the annual hourly raise is set at $0.80, which also delivers an annual average pay increase close to the 4 percent mark.

    Beyond base salary adjustments, the agreement expands a range of supplementary benefits designed to ease workers’ job-related costs and improve work-life balance. Both worker cohorts will see upgrades to their meal allowances and call-out pay, while supervisory staff will receive an increased uniform allowance to cover the cost of work attire. One notable policy update expands paternity leave for eligible workers from three days to five full days, giving new fathers extra time to care for their newborns and build early bonds with their growing families.

    The deal also addresses transportation safety and convenience for workers working late shifts. Under the previous company policy, workers ending shifts after 9 p.m. only received transportation to a local bus terminal; the updated agreement guarantees direct private transport from the workplace to employees’ homes, eliminating the need for late-night public transit connections.

    A new death-in-service benefit has also been added to the contract, providing critical financial support to the families of employees who pass away while still actively employed by the company.

    Kem Riley, who serves as both ABWU President and Senior Industrial Relations Officer, characterized the negotiations as collaborative and productive. “We are pleased to conclude these negotiations which resulted in a fair package of benefits for the workers,” Riley said in a statement following the signing. He added that the union’s core priority throughout the bargaining process was to ensure worker compensation kept up with the country’s rising cost of living, while supplementary benefits would cut down on out-of-pocket job-related expenses and reduce daily inconveniences for employees.

  • Belize Pushes to Expand Airlift as Departure Fees Raise Concerns

    Belize Pushes to Expand Airlift as Departure Fees Raise Concerns

    In a challenging turn for Belize’s $2 billion tourism sector, the country has been forced into urgent action to rebuild its air connectivity after losing two major low-cost carriers – Spirit Airlines and JetBlue – within a single six-month window. The departures have left a gaping capacity gap that threatens to curb visitor arrivals and undermine years of growth in the country’s largest economic driver, pushing tourism officials to accelerate negotiations with potential new airline partners.

    In an interview published June 22, 2026, Belize’s Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler confirmed that his team is working at an accelerated pace to court both established and new carriers to fill the void left by the departing budget airlines. Early progress has already been made: Bermuda Air has committed to launching new scheduled routes into the country, which will add much-needed inbound capacity in the coming months. Mahler added that multiple other carriers have expressed formal interest in entering the Belize market within the next 12 to 18 months, and the ministry is conducting extensive outreach, due diligence, and offering targeted financial incentives to help new routes launch and remain sustainable long-term.

    Notably, Mahler revealed that JetBlue – one of the two carriers that exited the market recently – has signaled it is open to returning to Belize once it completes its ongoing corporate restructuring process, a transition that many major global airlines have undergone in the post-pandemic landscape.

    Despite these small wins, the industry faces a major structural barrier that has tourism operators deeply concerned: the country’s high airport departure fees, which eat into the already razor-thin profit margins that define low-cost and ultra-low-cost carrier business models. Industry analysts have long noted that departure fees are a make-or-break factor for budget airlines when evaluating new routes, as even a small fee increase can push a marginal route into unprofitability.

    Mahler acknowledged that reducing departure fees would make Belize far more competitive in attracting budget carriers, noting that independent industry research consistently confirms that lower departure fees correlate directly with greater airline interest in new destinations. However, he confirmed that the tourism ministry holds no regulatory authority over setting departure fees, and no ongoing negotiations are underway to adjust the fee structure to a more competitive level. “That’s the reality, we can’t do anything about it,” Mahler stated in the interview.

    To offset this challenge, Belize is leaning into its core natural and geographic advantages to attract carriers. The country holds a strategic position within easy flying distance of major North American tourist markets, the source of more than 70% of Belize’s annual visitors. It also offers a one-of-a-kind tourism product that combines dense rainforest inland adventures – including ancient Maya ruin exploration and wildlife spotting – with world-class Caribbean marine activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and beach getaways, a diverse offering that appeals to a wide range of traveler demographics.

    The outcome of Belize’s push to rebuild its airlift network will have major ripple effects across the national economy, as tourism accounts for nearly 40% of Belize’s total GDP and employs more than one in four Belizean workers. Officials warn that sustained gaps in airlift could lead to lower hotel occupancy, reduced consumer spending across local businesses, and slower growth planned infrastructure upgrades designed to support long-term tourism expansion.

  • New SVG Tourism Authority CEO lays out results-driven vision

    New SVG Tourism Authority CEO lays out results-driven vision

    On Monday, at a press conference held in Villa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, incoming Chief Executive Officer of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) Shafia London outlined her bold, inclusive vision for the nation’s tourism sector ahead of her official 1 July start date. London, who will serve a three-year contract after returning home following a decade of work across the Caribbean region, has pledged to build a results-focused, collaborative tourism framework that delivers widespread benefits to all Vincentian communities.

    London opened her remarks by expressing gratitude for the appointment, emphasizing that her core mission is to serve the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She framed tourism as far more than a single industry, positioning it as the central economic engine that touches every corner of the nation – from the northern community of Fancy to the southern tip of Mayreau. The sector empowers a broad cross-section of workers, she noted, including taxi drivers, small-scale tour operators, local farmers, artisans, hotel staff, and fisherfolk, weaving economic opportunity into every village, family, and generation.

    Acknowledging the solid foundation laid by previous tourism leaders, staff, and policymakers, London highlighted the significant momentum the sector has already built. She noted that stay-over visitor arrivals have recorded double-digit growth in recent years, driven by major investments in hotel infrastructure, new international air routes, and the tireless work of industry predecessors. Building on this progress, London outlined a clear two-part immediate mandate: continuing to grow visitor arrivals, and elevating the overall visitor experience to exceed traveler expectations from arrival to departure.

    London stressed that the nation’s greatest competitive advantage lies in its unique authenticity, rather than imitation of other Caribbean destinations. “We are a small nation, but we are a remarkable one,” she said. “Our strength is our authenticity, our culture, our diverse, unspoiled beauty, and our people. That is our competitive advantage, and we are going to protect it, package it properly, and present it to the world with confidence.”

    After months of preliminary research, London identified three core strategic positioning platforms for SVG’s tourism brand, pending consultation with cabinet, the SVGTA board, and key industry stakeholders: adventure and nature tourism, a global sailing paradise, and authentic culture and celebration.

    For the adventure and nature platform, London laid out a 2027 vision for a structured, internationally certified immersive eco-tourism network across SVG’s existing trails and natural sites. The plan calls for trained local guides, formalized safety protocols, and adherence to globally recognized sustainable tourism standards, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to protecting its natural assets.

    In the sailing segment, London proposed an aggressive push to establish SVG as the premier sailing capital of the Caribbean. Key initiatives include expanding mooring infrastructure, implementing dedicated ranger systems, improving wastewater management for yachting visitors, partnering with international yacht charter companies, and curating exclusive official yachting experiences that position SVG as a top global sailing itinerary.

    For culture and celebration, London argued that SVG’s existing events calendar should be developed into a intentional strategic economic and branding asset. The plan calls for professional packaging of iconic local events including Vincymas, the Bequia Regatta, and Garifuna heritage celebrations, alongside targeted investment in artisans, storytellers, and heritage sites to transform raw cultural assets into compelling, marketable visitor experiences.

    Drawing on her background in engineering, London emphasized that sector success will be measured by tangible, hard data rather than empty rhetoric or ceremonial announcements. For London, success is defined as growing the number of high-value visitors who respect SVG’s culture, environment, and communities, increasing average length of stay and visitor spending, improving sector infrastructure, creating new quality jobs, and ensuring widespread local community benefit. Her overarching vision is to position SVG as the Caribbean’s most uniquely diverse destination, where travelers across all three core tourism segments can engage with the nation’s authentic natural and cultural heritage, while every community, business, and family shares in the sector’s growth. The ultimate goal, she noted, is to deliver such exceptional experiences that visitors return home as passionate brand ambassadors for SVG.

    London acknowledged that delivering this ambitious vision will require unprecedented coordination across the public sector, private industry, local communities, and the Vincentian diaspora. Improving accommodation capacity, maintaining bookable visitor products, and preserving the nation’s pristine natural sites demands collaborative action across all levels of society, she said, issuing an open invitation for all stakeholders to join the effort as active builders, not passive observers. “SVG can only be built by all of us moving in the same direction with the same intent,” she noted.

    In the coming weeks ahead of her official start, London plans to conduct a nationwide outreach tour, meeting with tourism stakeholders at every level – from frontline workers and small business owners to airline partners and community leaders. She emphasized that she will spend dedicated time in rural and outer-island communities, to ensure tourism benefits people where they live, not just in popular tourist hubs. Her goal is to build a sense of ownership and opportunity for ordinary Vincentians across the entire sector.

    Closing her remarks, London reaffirmed her commitment to delivering results and transforming the SVGTA into a more proactive, outcome-focused organization. “I return home committed to listening, to working, and to delivering,” she said. “In the months ahead, you will see this Tourism Authority show up differently — with focus, with urgency, and with results. The future is bright. Let’s build it together.”

  • Prime Minister Mitchell to attend oil and gas summit in Suriname

    Prime Minister Mitchell to attend oil and gas summit in Suriname

    As Caribbean nations position themselves to tap into the region’s untapped offshore energy potential, Grenada is taking a proactive step to engage with global industry stakeholders: Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell will lead a senior delegation to the 2026 Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit (SEOGS), a leading regional industry gathering set to convene in Paramaribo, Suriname that draws top energy leaders, policymakers, and investment stakeholders from across the globe.

    Joining Mitchell on the delegation is Nazim Burke, chair of Grenada’s Technical Oil and Gas Working Group, alongside a team of specialized technical experts. The makeup of the delegation underlines Grenada’s formal commitment to integrating its energy strategy with the rapidly shifting dynamics of the Caribbean regional energy sector.

    The 2026 summit coincides with a critical turning point for host nation Suriname, which is transitioning from years of major offshore hydrocarbon discoveries to launching its first commercial crude oil production. This milestone marks a definitive shift from the exploration phase to full-scale industrial development, making it an ideal time for neighboring energy aspirants to observe and learn from the process. For Grenada, the summit will serve as a valuable opportunity to gain first-hand insight into industry best practices, effective regulatory frameworks, and proven strategies for managing energy resources in line with responsible and sustainable development goals.

    Grenada has been actively positioning itself as the Caribbean’s next major hydrocarbon production hub. The small island nation holds significant advantages for energy development, including a geographically strategic position in the Caribbean basin and an offshore territory that geoscientific surveys have identified as highly prospective for commercial oil and gas reserves. Currently, Grenada is moving forward with structured initiatives to unlock this untapped energy potential.

    During the summit, Mitchell is scheduled to deliver a keynote Presidential Address on Tuesday, 23 June, where he will outline Grenada’s official vision for balanced energy development, cross-border regional cooperation, and inclusive sustainable economic growth. Beyond his keynote, the prime minister will take part in closed-door leadership dialogues and one-on-one bilateral meetings with other global and regional energy stakeholders. Meanwhile, the rest of the Grenadian delegation will participate in a full schedule of keynote sessions, open policy debates, and solution-driven panel discussions focused on the future of energy across the Caribbean and global markets.

    SEOGS’ executive summit is projected to draw more than 1,000 registered attendees this year, including sitting Heads of State, national Energy Ministers, public sector energy regulators, leaders from top international oil companies (IOCs), executives from national oil companies (NOCs), energy industry contractors, cutting-edge energy technology providers, global financial institutions, and independent energy investors. Core discussion themes for the 2026 event center on advancing a just transition to a sustainable energy future and harnessing hydrocarbon resources to drive inclusive national and regional economic development.

    Grenada’s decision to participate at the highest level reflects the island nation’s forward-thinking approach to energy development: by engaging directly with global energy trends, strengthening collaborative ties with neighboring Caribbean energy producers, and learning from early movers like Suriname, Grenada aims to ensure that any future domestic energy development aligns with its core national priorities of environmental sustainability, economic diversification beyond traditional tourism reliance, and building long-term economic resilience.

    Following his address to the summit on 23 June, Prime Minister Mitchell is scheduled to return to Grenada. More information on summit speakers and programming is available via the official Suriname Energy website.

  • Shafia London is new CEO of SVG Tourism Authority

    Shafia London is new CEO of SVG Tourism Authority

    On Monday, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA) made a key leadership announcement: seasoned business and civic leader Shafia T.T. London will take office as its new Chief Executive Officer on July 1, tasking her with steering the Caribbean nation’s tourism sector through a period of targeted strengthening, modernization, and sustainable expansion.

    London brings nearly 20 years of impactful, forward-thinking leadership experience spanning local and regional markets to her new role. She built her early career foundation in local economic development as Executive Director of the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce, before launching a distinguished corporate trajectory that began with a marketing manager position at St. Vincent Brewery Ltd and ultimately led to senior regional executive appointments.

    Her career ascent included multiple executive roles at Barbados-based Banks Holdings Limited Group, the parent company of Banks Breweries and PINEHILL Dairy, where she progressed through roles as group marketing manager, group commercial manager, and finally country head. Later, as country head for AB InBev — the world’s largest brewing conglomerate — she oversaw cross-market operations across Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica, consistently delivering strong revenue growth and expanded market reach. Her strategic vision and operational performance earned her the 2022 title of Top ABI Business Leader for the Caribbean and Latin America, a testament to her industry standing.

    After a corporate merger and acquisition, London stepped into the role of general manager at the SLU Group of Companies, a member of the KOSCAB group, where she led operational optimization and large-scale business transformation projects. Most recently, she served as First Vice President of the Barbados Manufacturing Association and as SVG’s technical representative to the Caribbean Private Sector Organization.

    In an official press release announcing the appointment, SVGTA highlighted that London’s decades of broad corporate leadership experience will be a critical asset as the authority works to build stronger cross-sector partnerships, attract targeted tourism investment, and embed greater commercial discipline into its operations. Beyond her corporate career, London is also an active entrepreneur, a background the authority says will give her a unique perspective on strengthening connections between the tourism sector and local businesses — especially small and medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of many local communities.

    Outlining her core priorities upon taking office, London emphasized a commitment to actionable execution and measurable, equitable outcomes. “Together with the minister, board and team at SVGTA, my immediate focus as CEO is to transform our destination as a brand, elevate our marketing strategies, and forge stronger alliances with local, regional and international stakeholders,” London stated. She added: “Attracting and bringing visitors and investors is part of the mission. Just as crucially, we must enhance the on-island experience for every visitor while expanding opportunities for local communities — ensuring the economic benefits of tourism are felt widely and equitably.”

    The SVGTA Board of Directors noted that London’s rare combination of deep marketing and commercial expertise, hands-on entrepreneurial experience, and broad regional industry connections makes her uniquely positioned to lead the authority at a time of significant growth opportunity and sector transformation.

    Academically, London boasts an impressive resume: she holds a Master of Business Administration with distinction from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus, a Master of Science in biochemical engineering from University College London, and a First-Class Honours Bachelor of Science from UWI St. Augustine. She is currently completing a doctor of business administration. A product of St. Vincent’s local education system, she is an alumna of Langley Park Government School and St. Vincent Girls’ High School, was awarded a national scholarship in 2003, and has earned multiple honors for academic excellence.

    Beyond her professional and academic accomplishments, London maintains a deep commitment to civic and community service. She made history as the first female president of the Rotary Club of St. Vincent, and actively supports a wide range of youth and social development initiatives across the region. Her community contributions earned her the GTM Regional Unsung Hero Recognition.

    A native of Dickson Village, St. Vincent, London is the daughter of the late popular local talk show host EG Lynch and Millicent Johnson. She is married to former attorney general Grenville Williams and has two sons.

    The press release concluded that under London’s leadership, which pairs sharp business acumen with a demonstrated commitment to community uplift, SVGTA is poised to enter a dynamic new era of growth. The organization expects to elevate St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ global profile as a top travel destination while cementing tourism’s role as a powerful, inclusive engine for local economic development. As a reminder, SVGTA is the official body tasked with promoting and developing tourism across the island nation, working to position the country as a competitive contender in both regional and international travel markets.

  • FL Technics receives FAA Certification for aircraft maintenance facility in Punta Cana

    FL Technics receives FAA Certification for aircraft maintenance facility in Punta Cana

    Global aircraft maintenance provider FL Technics has officially entered the Dominican Republic’s aviation market after winning key approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to deliver full maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services out of its newly built Punta Cana base.

    The Part 145 Repair Station Certificate, one of the most rigorous certifications in global aviation maintenance, was issued after the FAA completed a months-long comprehensive audit of FL Technics’ new facility. Regulators verified every operational detail of the site, from the company’s standardized maintenance protocols and the precision of its technical equipment to the professional qualifications of its staff and the layout of its infrastructure, confirming it meets all international safety and performance standards.

    With this regulatory greenlight, FL Technics can now serve commercial airlines and aircraft leasing companies that operate throughout the Caribbean and broader Latin American region. U.S.-based carrier JetBlue has already signed on as the facility’s first commercial customer, underscoring immediate industry demand for high-quality MRO services in the area.

    Spanning 20,000 square meters, the purpose-built Punta Cana facility is engineered to deliver full base maintenance services for two of the world’s most widely used narrow-body aircraft families: the Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737 series, which make up the bulk of fleets for regional and U.S. airlines operating across the Americas.

    As the facility ramps up operations, FL Technics is building a local Dominican workforce from the ground up, with ongoing support and training provided by veteran MRO experts from the company’s global network. The firm has outlined a clear long-term plan to gradually hand over full operational leadership of the base to local Dominican aviation professionals as the team gains experience.

    This FAA certification comes on the heels of a separate approval from the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation, clearing all regulatory hurdles for the company’s launch. The project is a core part of FL Technics’ long-term strategic investment in the Dominican Republic, with major expansion already mapped out. The company plans to grow the facility from its current five maintenance bays to 20 over the coming years, with the ultimate goal of establishing Punta Cana as a leading regional MRO hub serving U.S. carriers and local airlines across North, Central, and South America.

  • FCCA honors David Collado for leadership in Dominican cruise tourism

    FCCA honors David Collado for leadership in Dominican cruise tourism

    PUERTO PLATA — At the 2026 Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council meeting hosted in the Dominican Republic’s coastal city of Puerto Plata, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) has bestowed a prestigious honor on David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism. The award recognizes Collado’s exceptional leadership and far-reaching contributions to the rapid expansion of the Caribbean nation’s cruise sector over recent years.

    The award presentation took place during a high-profile gathering that drew senior C-suite executives from the world’s largest cruise lines and top tourism industry stakeholders from across the globe. In its citation, the FCCA spotlighted the Dominican Republic’s consistent upward trajectory in cruise passenger arrivals, the ongoing expansion of its network of port destinations, targeted upgrades to enhance visitor experiences, and the widespread economic gains that the booming cruise sector has delivered to local communities across the country.

    The trade organization went further to praise the Dominican Republic’s rise to become one of the most dynamic and sought-after cruise hubs in the entire Caribbean region. This status, the FCCA noted, stems from a combination of the country’s strategic geographic positioning, strong air and sea connectivity, world-class tourism infrastructure, and a forward-looking long-term strategy to build a high-value, interconnected multi-port cruise network that caters to diverse traveler demands.

    Accepting the award, Collado expressed sincere gratitude to the FCCA for the recognition, and reaffirmed the Dominican government’s unwavering commitment to deepening collaboration with cruise line operators, national port authorities, the local private sector, and grassroots community groups. The minister stressed that cruise tourism remains a core pillar of the country’s national economic development strategy, noting its outsized role in driving job creation and opening new economic opportunities for residents in every region of the Dominican Republic.

    This year’s PAMAC meeting brought together top leadership from nearly all of the world’s leading cruise brands, including Royal Caribbean Group, Carnival Corporation & plc, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Margaritaville at Sea. The high-level participation from global industry leaders further reinforces the Dominican Republic’s standing as a critical, trusted strategic partner for the global cruise industry, underscoring its growing influence in the regional tourism landscape.