Carib Scope

分类： business

  • President Simons naar Engeland voor gesprekken over investeringen en offshoresector

    President Simons naar Engeland voor gesprekken over investeringen en offshoresector

    On July 20, Suriname’s government announced that President Jennifer Simons will depart on Wednesday for a five-day working visit to the United Kingdom, where she will hold a series of high-level talks with leaders from major global financial institutions and private enterprises. The core mission of the trip is to unlock new investment opportunities, advance national economic development, and showcase the untapped potential of Suriname’s fast-growing offshore energy sector to the international business community.

    This official visit forms a central pillar of the Surinamese government’s broader strategy to strengthen cross-border partnerships and draw in foreign capital to support long-term national economic expansion. Simons is traveling with a small official delegation at the invitation of leading international financial bodies, with Finance and Planning Minister Adelien Wijnerman among the senior officials joining the trip. The President is scheduled to return to Suriname on Sunday, July 26, following the conclusion of all scheduled engagements.

    A key highlight of the visit is a planned meeting with senior leadership from Bank of America, one of the world’s largest and most influential financial institutions. According to a statement from the Surinamese government, discussions between Simons and Bank of America representatives will center on advancing inclusive economic development across Suriname and catalyzing new foreign direct investments that drive broad-based growth and strengthen the country’s overall financial resilience.

    Beyond financial sector talks, Simons will also meet with top executives from Subsea 7, a global industry leader in offshore engineering and energy infrastructure services. The bilateral discussions between the Surinamese delegation and Subsea 7 leadership will cover shifting dynamics in the global energy market, development of Suriname’s offshore infrastructure, expansion of maritime service capacity, and other areas of shared strategic interest for both parties.

    Government officials note that these scheduled talks align with Suriname’s ongoing, wide-ranging dialogue with global industry leaders focused on highlighting the economic opportunities emerging from the expansion of the country’s offshore oil and gas sector, and outlining the nation’s projected long-term economic growth trajectory to international investors.

    In addition to attracting new foreign investment, the working visit also prioritizes knowledge sharing and exchange of international best practices in public finance management, offshore sector development, and sustainable inclusive economic growth. The Surinamese government emphasized that the mission is geared toward building durable, long-term collaboration with global partners that will generate lasting economic opportunities and drive sustainable, job-creating investment for the people of Suriname.

  • Auslando Davis Selected for Global Beverage Scholarship

    Auslando Davis Selected for Global Beverage Scholarship

    A promising Antiguan hospitality professional has earned a spot among the beverage industry’s most exciting emerging talents, after securing a prestigious international scholarship that will open doors to global learning and professional development. Auslando Davis, who currently serves as assistant food and beverage manager at the renowned Curtain Bluff resort, beat out hundreds of high-caliber applicants from across the globe to claim the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Global Beverage Scholarship.

    The award marks a major milestone for Davis, granting him full access to the 24th annual Tales of the Cocktail Conference, one of the beverage industry’s most influential professional gatherings, set to take place in New Orleans from July 19 to 26. During the week-long event, Davis will have the unparalleled chance to connect with leading beverage innovators, master distillers, award-winning bartenders and industry executives from every corner of the world. Through immersive workshops, panel discussions, hands-on demonstrations and networking sessions, he will deepen his expertise, learn cutting-edge industry practices and expand his professional network on a global scale.

    For Davis, the opportunity is far more than a personal career boost—it is a chance to lift up the entire hospitality sector of his home nation. In remarks following the announcement of his selection, Davis emphasized his commitment to bringing the knowledge and insights he gains back to Antigua and Barbuda. “This is a tremendous opportunity to learn from some of the best in the global beverage industry and bring that knowledge and experience back home,” he said. He went on to share his plan to use his new skills to mentor emerging local bartenders and beverage professionals, working collectively to raise the overall service standard of Antigua and Barbuda’s thriving hospitality industry, which is a core pillar of the nation’s economy.

    Davis’s inclusion in the scholarship program also puts Antigua and Barbuda front and center on the international beverage stage, joining a diverse roster of nations represented at the annual conference. The event, which draws thousands of beverage professionals each year, serves as a global hub for sharing innovation, celebrating cultural cocktail traditions and shaping the future of the international hospitality and beverage sector. For the small Caribbean nation, Davis’s participation opens new opportunities to showcase its growing hospitality talent and build stronger connections with global industry partners.

  • Dominica’s Bee Natural highlights export challenges at regional IICA-CDB forum

    Dominica’s Bee Natural highlights export challenges at regional IICA-CDB forum

    A regional virtual forum hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has centered on the unique struggles that micro and small agricultural enterprises (Agri-MSMEs) across the Caribbean face when attempting to break into regional and international export markets, spotlighting two standout local businesses from Dominica and Antigua & Barbuda.

    The event, branded under the theme “Moving Products to Markets, Literally!”, forms a core component of a long-running collaborative initiative between IICA and CDB designed to remove the most persistent barriers to market entry for small agri-enterprises. The program supports participating businesses through export pilot trials, targeted support to boost production capacity, and expanded access to critical financing that many small operations struggle to secure.

    Dominica’s homegrown wellness brand Bee Natural was one of the featured businesses at the forum, with founder Terri Henry-Lovell sharing the company’s journey to build a customer base across multiple Caribbean nations. Henry-Lovell detailed that Bee Natural, which produces award-winning wellness goods crafted from locally harvested honey, beeswax and propolis, has made notable inroads into regional markets, but persistent logistical challenges continue to stunt its growth.

    She echoed a widespread frustration shared by small island-based Agri-MSMEs: affordable, reliable freight and logistics infrastructure remains severely limited across the region. For many operations, the only feasible way to move products to neighboring markets is to rely on traveling passengers to carry goods in their personal luggage, an ad-hoc solution that cannot support scalable long-term growth. Beyond unreliable transportation, forum participants identified a suite of additional barriers: inconsistent shipping timetables, exorbitant freight costs, burdensome and unclear cross-border customs procedures, steep packaging costs, limited cold storage capacity for perishable goods, and difficulty building partnerships with established regional distributors.

    Antigua & Barbuda’s Shade Hydroponics, known by its brand name SHAADE, also joined the forum to showcase its line of local products, which includes artisanal herbal teas, raw honey, fresh peppers and a range of other wellness goods. Like Bee Natural, SHAADE outlined the practical support that would allow the business to scale its distribution across the Caribbean.

    Diana Francis, IICA’s representative in Trinidad and Tobago and the project’s coordinator, emphasized that the initiative is built around delivering tangible, measurable commercial outcomes rather than generic capacity building. “This forum starts with the endgame – literally placing products on shelves, in homes across regional markets, and potentially beyond. This project wants to go beyond conventional capacity building and just telling Agri-MSMEs where the markets are. We want to help them put their products on the shelves and keep them there,” Francis explained.

    In its closing, the forum reaffirmed that Caribbean Agri-MSMEs already have the core components needed for export success: the region is home to passionate, skilled entrepreneurs crafting high-quality, innovative products that have strong demand in regional and global markets. To unlock that potential, participants agreed that cross-sector collaboration is non-negotiable. Stronger coordinated partnerships between national governments, logistics service providers, financial institutions and regional development agencies will be critical to breaking down systemic barriers and helping small agri-enterprises expand their footprint, strengthen regional trade, and drive inclusive economic growth across the Caribbean.

  • Cuba’s largest fishing industry enterprise to energy transformation

    Cuba’s largest fishing industry enterprise to energy transformation

    For months, the U.S. government’s ongoing blockade of fuel shipments to Cuba has created widespread instability across the country’s National Electric System (SEN), threatening critical industrial operations and putting thousands of jobs at risk. In response to this energy crisis, Cuban energy and fishing authorities have turned to renewable solar infrastructure to shore up power supplies at one of the nation’s most valuable export hubs, the La Coloma fishing complex in the western province of Pinar del Río.

    The flagship solar project currently under development at La Coloma will add 400 kilowatts of installed solar capacity to the facility, translating to an average of 2.3 megawatt-hours of clean electricity generated every day, according to official reports. Cuba’s state-owned newspaper Granma confirmed that construction on the project is already 80% complete, with final testing and grid connection work expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. Once fully operational, the new solar array will accomplish two core goals: it will guarantee continuous power for a large portion of La Coloma’s processing operations, eliminating the risk of costly production shutdowns amid rolling blackouts, and any excess power generated will be fed directly into the national grid to help ease broader energy shortages across the region.

    Yordan Nogueira Tapia, general director of Cuban state fishing company Epicol, which manages the La Coloma complex, outlined that complementary energy upgrades are already in motion to maximize the benefits of the new solar infrastructure. A dedicated energy storage system is currently being installed alongside the solar array, a modification that will allow the facility to store excess power generated during peak sunlight hours for use during cloudy periods or after sunset, drastically improving the facility’s overall operational efficiency.

    Beyond the main processing complex, solar energy is already being deployed to improve working conditions for fishing crews across Epicol’s operations. Six-kilowatt solar systems have been fully installed at all offshore lobster collection centers, the hub for Epicol’s top export product. These systems now provide consistent power for workers stationed at the remote centers, dramatically improving daily quality of life for crews that spend extended periods in isolated fishing zones.

    Similarly, most commercial fishing vessels operating out of La Coloma have now been fitted with portable solar power kits. The kits address a critical daily challenge for crews: amid fuel and liquefied gas shortages caused by the U.S. blockade, the solar kits provide reliable power for cooking food during long trips out at sea, eliminating a major hardship that previously disrupted fishing operations.

    For Cuba’s provincial and national economies, the stability of La Coloma is a high priority. The complex generates roughly $30 million in annual export revenue, making it one of the largest and most economically important industrial entities in all of Pinar del Río. By investing in domestic renewable energy to offset the impacts of the U.S. fuel blockade, Cuban officials are working to protect critical export revenue and preserve jobs while addressing immediate energy access challenges for workers.

  • US mango import ban threatens Dominican producers with US$1.5 million in losses

    US mango import ban threatens Dominican producers with US$1.5 million in losses

    The Dominican Republic’s mango production sector, centered in the southwestern province of Peravia, is grappling with projected losses of $1.5 million—equivalent to roughly 90 million Dominican pesos—after U.S. authorities halted imports of the country’s mangoes over confirmed fruit fly phytosanitary violations. The trade restriction has upended operations in the final weeks of the 2025 harvest, sending ripples through the local market and leaving nearly 100 small and medium producers in Baní, Peravia’s capital, facing severe financial uncertainty.

    German Báez, who leads the Banileja Association of Mango Producers (Abapromango), explained that the suspension has frozen all shipments from one of the nation’s six licensed mango packing facilities. Held up in the logjam are 55 containers of the popular Mingolo mango variety, scheduled for shipment to the U.S. in July and August, plus a separate 30-container order of Keitt mangoes earmarked for major U.S. importer Woodman. Beyond blocked exports, the sudden loss of access to the large American market has flooded local supply chains, pushing domestic mango prices down by nearly 50% in recent weeks.

    Details from a U.S. Department of Agriculture plant health inspection report, shared by industry insiders, reveal that the import ban stemmed from deep structural weaknesses in the Dominican Republic’s national phytosanitary monitoring system. Inspectors documented alarming discrepancies between on-the-ground field conditions and official government pest activity reports: multiple insect traps tested positive for fruit fly presence, despite official logs that claimed no pest activity in the monitored orchards. Additional violations included poorly maintained, outdated pest traps and inadequate orchard sanitation, with large piles of rotting fallen fruit left on the ground—conditions that drastically accelerate fruit fly reproduction and spread.

    Mango producers say the current crisis was entirely preventable. Báez and other sector leaders note that they flagged contamination hotspots to Dominican agricultural authorities as early as 2024, but no targeted preventive measures were ever implemented. Producers also point to systemic under-resourcing of the country’s plant health monitoring network, alleging chronic staffing shortages, months of unpaid back wages for field technicians, and a lack of basic transportation support to carry out routine inspections and pest control work.

    The sudden trade shutdown has sparked urgent fears over the long-term financial stability of Peravia’s mango sector, which supports thousands of working families across the province. Data from the Dominican Agricultural Bank shows that Peravia mango producers currently hold 496.4 million Dominican pesos in outstanding agricultural loans. Growers warn that an extended import suspension will leave many unable to meet their debt obligations, triggering widespread defaults that could put hundreds of small farms out of business and push dependent households into financial hardship.

    Amid the crisis, there is a small bright spot for producers: exports of Keitt and Kent mango varieties to the European Union remain fully open, with total annual shipments to the region on track to hit 9 million boxes in 2025. Even so, producers note that the U.S. market remains one of their largest and most profitable outlets, so the suspension cannot be offset by European demand alone.

    In response to the outbreak and subsequent trade ban, the Dominican Ministry of Agriculture has unveiled a 12-month Integrated Fruit Fly Management Plan, built on frameworks of Good Agricultural Practices and community-focused Integrated Pest Management. Scheduled to run from July 2026 to July 2027, the plan aims to suppress fruit fly populations, overhaul and strengthen national phytosanitary surveillance protocols, and rebuild trust with U.S. agricultural regulators and trading partners.

    Producer organizations, however, are calling for faster, more comprehensive action to address the crisis in the near term. Their proposed additional measures include rolling out georeferenced digital pest tracking for all traps, organizing community-wide cleanup campaigns to remove fallen and rotting fruit from orchards, and expanding government support to process surplus mangoes into value-added products such as purees, juices, and preserves. Producers argue that diversifying into processed goods will reduce the sector’s overreliance on the volatile U.S. fresh export market and create a more stable revenue buffer for small growers against future trade disruptions.

  • Rising living costs pushing more Bahamians to build ‘side hustles’

    Rising living costs pushing more Bahamians to build ‘side hustles’

    Across the Bahamas, skyrocketing living costs have reshaped the nation’s labor landscape, pushing growing numbers of locals to balance multiple roles and launch small side businesses just to cover basic expenses. Workers and industry leaders across the country now agree that a single traditional 9-to-5 income is no longer sufficient to sustain most households.

    For some Bahamians, these side ventures have gradually grown into full-time, self-sustaining careers. For others, they remain a critical financial buffer that helps cover monthly utility bills, support extended family members, and bridge gaps between paychecks. Kendenique Deleveaux, founder of communications and project management firm Mommy Hustle, opened her business out of urgent necessity after losing her full-time position at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite holding multiple advanced degrees and years of professional industry experience, she spent months struggling to land a new full-time role.

    “In our community, relying on just one income simply does not work anymore,” Deleveaux explained. “Nearly every extra stream of income people build here is born out of the need to survive. This business was born from that need – it came from me having to make sure I could put food on my own table.”
    Deleveaux recounted that potential employers repeatedly turned her away, telling her she was overqualified for the open roles she applied for. At one point, she even debated removing some of her credentials from her resume to appear more appealing to hiring managers. After discussing the dilemma with her late parents, she chose not to downplay her professional accomplishments, even as that choice left her locked out of formal employment opportunities.

    “So many doors were slammed in my face, so many people refused to give me a chance,” she shared. “There were women in high-level positions who could have picked up a phone, made one single call, and gotten me a job – but none of them did.” Her circumstances shifted when a sitting member of parliament, whom she had no pre-existing personal connection to, offered her a short-term consulting role. Today, Deleveaux holds multiple professional roles: she works as a consultant for the Ministry of Labour and Public Service, hosts a popular weekly radio segment called Kenny’s Korner, works as an independent communications strategist, and continues to grow Mommy Hustle through hosted events and client projects. Multiple streams of income have allowed her to build a more stable, higher quality life for her family, she said.

    Deleveaux noted that widespread unfair hiring practices, which prioritize personal connections over formal qualifications, push many Bahamians into entrepreneurship by default. “People get positions because of who they know, not what they can do,” she said. “You can outperform the person in the role by miles, but you’ll never get the opportunity because you don’t have the right connections. It’s not a fair system, but it happens every single day across the country.”

    This reality is particularly disheartening for Bahamians who study abroad and return home eager to contribute to their communities, only to find themselves locked out of formal work due to a lack of connections. Deleveaux says she receives messages every day from employed and unemployed women across the country via social media, asking for advice on launching their own small businesses because their single paychecks are not enough to cover household expenses. She has observed a sharp increase in the number of women turning to entrepreneurship solely to pay bills and support their families.

    “People are just trying to keep their heads above water, and they want to do it the right, legitimate way,” she added. When asked whether the Bahamian government is doing enough to support financially struggling residents, Deleveaux said that while opportunity programs do exist through the government, residents have to take initiative to seek out and access those resources themselves.

    Clement McKinney, owner of Ambition Mobile Barbering, followed a similar path, turning a casual side hustle into a full-time career after realizing his stable banking job offered little room for financial or professional growth. McKinney worked in the banking sector for eight years while cutting hair for clients on the side. He first developed an interest in barbering during high school, and later earned formal certification through the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Initially, he saw barbering as just a practical skill to cut hair for friends and family, but demand gradually grew into a full business. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he left banking to pursue mobile barbering full-time after discovering his side business earned twice as much as his corporate salary.

    “By offering a mobile, convenient service, I saw that people were really willing to pay for what I was offering,” McKinney explained. “I doubled my income when I made the jump. When I was working at the bank, I hit a ceiling – I couldn’t advance, I couldn’t grow into new areas. My frustration built up until I decided to take a leap of faith and bet on myself.”

    Ambition Mobile Barbering has now been in operation for eight years, and McKinney encourages other Bahamians to turn personal passions into viable businesses, rather than pursuing side hustles solely out of financial need. Even so, he acknowledged that rising living costs have pushed him to explore additional income streams to keep up with rising expenses.

    Don Williams, chairman of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, confirmed the broader trend this week, noting that both elevated living costs and demand for a better quality of life are driving growing numbers of Bahamians to launch side businesses. Williams said the Chamber has recorded a steady increase in the number of people converting side hustles into full-time formal enterprises, a shift that is helping fill labor gaps across multiple industries.

    He added that for many workers, a traditional 9-to-5 role is increasingly unable to cover basic expenses, while many others choose entrepreneurship because they want to build a future that does not depend on an employer. “The current generation of workers wants far more independence,” Williams explained. “They want more free time, more flexibility, more disposable income, and they don’t want to answer to a boss. Even if people call them the microwave generation for wanting fast results, it’s that drive for independence that is boosting productivity across the country, just like the rise of AI has.”

    Williams noted that younger Bahamians have more opportunities to build their own businesses than previous generations, and many are taking full advantage of those openings. While many people continue to run side ventures while holding full-time traditional roles, most ultimately hope to leave formal employment behind and work for themselves full-time.

  • WestJet adds new nonstop Winnipeg–Punta Cana route for winter 2026-27

    WestJet adds new nonstop Winnipeg–Punta Cana route for winter 2026-27

    Canadian carrier WestJet is continuing its strategic expansion in Caribbean leisure travel with the launch of a new nonstop air route connecting Winnipeg, Manitoba, to the top Dominican tourism hub of Punta Cana, slated for the 2026-27 winter travel season. The new weekly service is scheduled to launch on November 28, 2026, marking the first direct air connection for Manitoba-based travelers to Punta Cana during the peak winter holiday and vacation period, when cold weather drives high demand for warm Caribbean getaways.

    Alongside WestJet’s route expansion, sister vacation brand Sunwing Vacations has confirmed the relaunch of its popular vacation packages to the Dominican’s Puerto Plata region, with scheduled flights set to resume on November 4, 2026. Sunwing’s complete 2026-27 winter travel schedule, which operates through April 30, 2027, is already open for customer booking across all channels.

    WestJet officials noted that the network expansion in the Dominican Republic directly addresses rapidly rising consumer demand for winter travel to Caribbean and Mexican leisure destinations. The move also aligns with the airline’s long-term strategic growth plan for the high-demand winter travel season, which is one of the busiest periods for leisure carriers serving Canada’s market.

    “We’re excited to offer our guests more ways to swap their snow boots for sandals in the destinations that matter most to them,” said John Weatherill, WestJet’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasizing the carrier’s focus on meeting traveler demand for convenient, direct access to top vacation spots.

    Industry analysts and tourism stakeholders expect the new Winnipeg-Punta Cana route to deliver mutual benefits for both Canadian travelers and the Dominican Republic’s tourism sector. As the second-largest source of international tourist arrivals to the Dominican Republic, Canada represents a critical market for the country’s tourism-driven economy. The new nonstop connection will open up the country’s most popular beach and resort destination to a whole segment of Canadian travelers who previously relied on connecting flights to reach Punta Cana, boosting overall visitor numbers and supporting local tourism jobs and businesses.

  • Cathay Pacific launches Hong Kong–Santo Domingo connection via Madrid

    Cathay Pacific launches Hong Kong–Santo Domingo connection via Madrid

    Hong Kong-based global carrier Cathay Pacific is advancing its strategic expansion across Latin America and the Caribbean through a new codeshare partnership with Spanish airline Iberia, which adds Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, to its growing global route network. This collaboration will enable passengers to book seamless through-travel between Hong Kong and the Dominican Republic, with a single connection through Madrid Barajas Airport.

    Notably, this new agreement marks the first time that the Dominican Republic, alongside Argentina, has joined Cathay Pacific’s official network, filling a long-standing gap in the carrier’s coverage of the Latin American region. The move is designed to deepen air connectivity between the Asian hub of Hong Kong and diverse markets across Central America and the Caribbean, opening new travel opportunities for both leisure and business passengers.

    To accommodate the growing demand created by this network expansion, Cathay Pacific has outlined plans to upgrade its existing Hong Kong-Madrid route. Starting October 25, 2026, the carrier will increase service frequency from four weekly rotations to a daily operation, adding three extra flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to the schedule. This frequency boost will not only support the new codeshare connections but also improve travel options for passengers heading directly to Spain or transferring to other European destinations.

    Beyond the addition of Santo Domingo, Cathay Pacific also revealed that it will launch new codeshare services to two additional Brazilian destinations: Fortaleza, a popular coastal tourism hub in northeastern Brazil, and Recife, another major urban and economic center in the same region. Like the Santo Domingo route, these new connections will also route through Madrid, leveraging Iberia’s existing extensive network across Latin America.

    Prior to this latest round of expansion, Cathay Pacific already operated codeshare services with partner airlines covering key destinations across Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. The inclusion of Santo Domingo extends the carrier’s reach into the Caribbean, creating more flexible travel itineraries for passengers moving between Asian markets and the Caribbean-Latin American region. Industry analysts note that the expansion aligns with Cathay Pacific’s broader post-pandemic strategy of rebuilding and growing its global network by tapping into under-served emerging markets through strategic partnership rather than costly independent route launches.

  • Regering roemt Hakrinbank als economische steunpilaar bij 90-jarig jubileum

    Regering roemt Hakrinbank als economische steunpilaar bij 90-jarig jubileum

    On a landmark Saturday gathering held at the Royal Ballroom of Paramaribo’s iconic Hotel Torarica, Suriname’s top government officials have publicly honored Hakrinbank, one of the nation’s core systemically important financial institutions, as the bank marked 90 years of supporting the country’s economic growth.

    The event, which brought together the bank’s business banking clients, was addressed by Vice President Gregory Rusland, who stood in for President Jennifer Simons, and Minister of Finance and Planning Adelien Wijnerman. Both leaders highlighted the critical, decades-long contribution the institution has made to Suriname’s economic development since its founding by Otto René Gottlieb Vervuurt on June 28, 1936.

    Speaking on behalf of the president, Rusland extended congratulations to Hakrinbank’s board of commissioners, executive management, staff, shareholders, and long-standing clients. He emphasized that trust forms the fundamental foundation of any resilient national economy, noting that the bank’s nine-decade legacy is not just a milestone for a financial institution, but a testament to nine decades of sustained confidence from the Surinamese public and business community. “Ninety years stands for vision, entrepreneurship, resilience, and above all else, trust,” Rusland told attendees.

    Minister Wijnerman echoed this praise, noting that Hakrinbank’s rise to become one of Suriname’s leading system banks has been supported by constructive public-private cooperation and a government policy that limits state involvement strictly to its role as a shareholder. Looking ahead, the minister urged the broader Surinamese financial sector to prepare for emerging challenges, including rising cybercrime threats, shifting labor market dynamics, and ongoing volatility in global money and capital markets.

    At the same time, Wijnerman pointed to significant new growth opportunities driven by Suriname’s expanding oil and gas sector, booming hotel industry, large-scale infrastructure projects, and growing transport segment. These developments, she noted, will drive increased demand for sophisticated financial services, expanded credit access, and strategic business advisory from the country’s banking sector.

    To position itself for this new era of growth, Hakrinbank’s Chief Executive Officer Rafiek Sheoradjpanday used the anniversary event to launch two new flagship initiatives aligned with the bank’s long-term future strategy: a utility-scale solar energy project and an artificial intelligence (AI) development program.

    Sheoradjpanday explained that both projects advance the bank’s core ambition to strengthen sustainability and innovation across its operations. The institution plans to expand investments in renewable energy projects, forge new partnerships with environmental organizations including the Suriname Conservation Foundation, and scale up access to sustainable financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

    Alongside its sustainability push, the bank is continuing to accelerate the digital transformation of its services. It is developing enhanced mobile banking products for both retail and business clients, and integrating AI and advanced data analytics to improve customer experience and strengthen institutional risk management frameworks. Today, nine decades after its founding with a core mission to support local Surinamese entrepreneurs and stimulate national economic development, Hakrinbank remains one of the most important financial institutions in Suriname.

  • The rise of regenerative tourism

    The rise of regenerative tourism

    By Azubah Adams

    First, I wish to honor the passing of my long-time teaching colleague, Ms. Sharon Francis. Her lasting contributions to national development leave a profound void, and I extend my deepest condolences to her family and loved ones during this difficult time.

    In my earlier columns, I examined the careful balance Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) must strike between expanding its tourism industry and protecting the one-of-a-kind natural and cultural assets that draw visitors to the nation. I also outlined how deeper collaboration between the agricultural sector and the hospitality industry could elevate visitor experiences while opening new economic doors for local farmers and small business owners.

    That discussion naturally leads to a framework that is quickly reshaping the future of global travel: regenerative tourism.

    This movement is far more than just another trendy industry buzzword. As SVG grows its tourism footprint — with Sandals Saint Vincent expanding its room capacity and Argyle International Airport adding new international flight routes — a critical question emerges: is merely maintaining our current assets enough to secure long-term success?

    At its core, regenerative tourism reorients the industry away from prioritizing the sheer number of incoming visitors to measuring success by the net positive value each visit creates. Instead of relying solely on tourist arrival figures as the key metric of growth, this philosophy centers cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and community uplift as the most important markers of meaningful progress.

    ### A New Mindset for Modern Travel

    Global traveler priorities are shifting dramatically. Today, more visitors than ever are seeking trips that are authentic, eco-conscious, and socially impactful. Data from Booking.com’s annual Sustainable Travel Report confirms that a growing majority of global travelers want their trips to leave destinations in better condition than they found them. Regenerative tourism was developed to directly answer this growing demand.

    Unlike traditional tourism models that frame destinations as a disconnected collection of hotel rooms, sightseeing spots, and beaches, regenerative tourism approaches destinations as interconnected living ecosystems, where nature, local culture, community well-being, and economic activity are deeply intertwined. Its goal is not simply to cut down on tourism’s negative footprint — it is to actively leave destinations better off.

    This framework draws its core inspiration from regenerative agriculture, a practice that goes beyond preserving existing farmland to actively rebuild soil health, restore damaged ecosystems, and boost biodiversity. When applied to tourism, the core principle remains the same: visitors should contribute to the long-term vitality of the places they travel to enjoy.

    ### Clarifying the Distinction: Sustainable vs. Regenerative Tourism

    Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, they represent vastly different levels of ambition for the travel industry.

    Sustainable tourism centers on one core question: how can we stop causing harm to destinations? A traveler embracing sustainable practices might stay at an eco-certified hotel, reuse towels to cut water use, avoid damaging sensitive coral ecosystems, and dispose of waste responsibly. These practices are undeniably important — they reduce environmental harm and help preserve precious natural resources.

    Regenerative tourism asks an entirely different question: how can tourism actively improve the destination we visit?

    Rather than just steering clear of damaging coral reefs, for example, a regenerative-minded traveler might join or fund local coral restoration projects. Instead of buying mass-produced imported souvenirs and food, they intentionally seek out locally grown produce, locally owned accommodations, and community-led experiences that keep tourism revenue cycling within local Vincentian economies.

    This difference is subtle but transformative. Where sustainable tourism seeks to maintain what already exists, regenerative tourism seeks to restore what has been damaged. Instead of casting travelers as passive consumers of a destination’s offerings, it positions them as active partners in strengthening local communities, protecting fragile ecosystems, and building long-term economic resilience.

    This shift also demands new thinking from tourism businesses. Hotels and resorts no longer stop at reducing their own waste or cutting carbon emissions. They become active contributors to local development by sourcing produce from nearby farmers, backing local conservation projects, investing in cultural preservation, and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. When tourism operates this way, every stakeholder gains: communities grow stronger, ecosystems become healthier, and visitors leave knowing their vacation created lasting, positive change.

    ### What Could Regenerative Tourism Look Like in SVG?

    Opportunities to implement this model already exist across SVG’s islands.

    #### Mainland Saint Vincent: Tying Together Culture, Agriculture, and Community

    On the mainland, regenerative tourism can be built around the existing resources and traditions that already give Vincentian communities their unique identity. Local culture is already a core draw for visitors, and events like Vincymas prove that tourism can support a broad creative economy, from costume designers and seamstresses to musicians, performers, food vendors, and dozens of other skilled workers that make the celebration possible.

    But under a regenerative framework, culture becomes more than just a spectacle for visitors to observe. This model creates space for deeper engagement: visitors can join costume-making workshops, hear traditional cultural stories directly from community members, watch local craft demonstrations, and interact with the people who keep these traditions alive. This approach strengthens local creative industries while ensuring more economic benefits stay within local communities.

    Agriculture offers another powerful opportunity for growth. For years, policymakers and industry leaders have discussed agritourism as a way to diversify SVG’s tourism offerings. Regenerative tourism expands this idea further by building a stronger circular economy that connects farmers, tourism businesses, and visitors directly.

    Imagine if more hotels sourced the majority of their fresh produce from local farmers that use climate-smart, sustainable growing practices. Visitors would get fresher, more authentic meals, while their spending directly supports Vincentian producers, encourages the adoption of more sustainable farming techniques, and keeps more tourism revenue cycling through rural communities. In this model, every meal becomes an investment in local livelihoods.

    This approach is far from an unrealistic dream. Farmers across Saint Vincent already supply fresh produce to local hotels and restaurants, proving the foundation for a regenerative tourism model is already in place. Strengthening these existing connections will create more opportunities for rural communities while making local agriculture a core, visible part of the visitor experience.

    #### The Grenadines: Protecting Island Heritage and Growing the Blue Economy

    In the Grenadines, regenerative tourism must center the unique value of the nation’s maritime traditions and coastal communities. SVG’s reefs, seagrass beds, and coastal ecosystems are some of its most valuable tourism assets, but they face growing pressure from yachting traffic, marine recreation, and the impacts of climate change.

    A regenerative approach protects not just the natural environment, but also the traditional knowledge, skills, and cultural practices that are tied to the sea. On islands like Bequia, for example, traditional boatbuilding is a one-of-a-kind cultural heritage that highlights the deep connection between Vincentians and the ocean. Creating opportunities for visitors to learn these traditions directly from craftspeople, while ensuring the artisans benefit financially, helps preserve this important cultural asset for future generations.

    At the same time, a regenerative model can tie visitor spending directly to community-led conservation projects. Visitors can contribute to coral restoration, mangrove rehabilitation, marine conservation education, and support sustainable livelihoods for local fishers transitioning to eco-tourism work. The core goal is simple: tourism should leave our marine environments and island communities stronger, not weaker.

    ### Is This Model Viable for SVG?

    Some may question whether modern travelers are willing to embrace this approach, but existing evidence across the Caribbean shows it works. Regenerative tourism does not force travelers to participate in unpaid conservation work; instead, it designs experiences that naturally encourage positive contributions, while attracting travelers whose values already align with responsible travel.

    Several Caribbean destinations have already proven this model can succeed. In Negril, Jamaica, Rockhouse Hotel has built robust local supply chains and invested heavily in local education through its charitable foundation, proving that even small accommodations can generate major positive community impact. In Belize, resorts partner with national marine conservation organizations, giving visitors the chance to directly support reef protection while enjoying world-class diving. Closer to SVG, Saint Lucia’s iconic Jade Mountain resort has invested in coral restoration and environmental stewardship for decades, proving luxury tourism and ecological responsibility can reinforce one another. In Tobago, Castara Retreats has built its entire business model around community integration rather than isolating tourists from local life, encouraging visitors to spend directly with local businesses and take part in daily village life.

    These examples make one thing clear: regenerative tourism is not an abstract, untested theory. It is already a working model across the Caribbean.

    ### The Next Natural Step for Global Tourism

    This framework does not mean sustainable tourism has failed. On the contrary, sustainability remains an essential foundation for responsible travel. But today’s interconnected environmental, economic, and social challenges demand that we think beyond simply maintaining what we already have. Regenerative tourism is the natural next evolution of the responsible travel movement. Instead of asking tourism to do less harm, it asks tourism to do more good.

    For a small destination like SVG, this shift can create a major competitive advantage in the global travel market.

    ### Looking Ahead

    Regenerative tourism aligns perfectly with the core values that have always made SVG special. Our greatest strengths have never been massive chain resorts or manufactured tourist attractions. They have always been our people, our tight-knit communities, our stunning natural landscapes, and our unfiltered authenticity.

    By strengthening partnerships between tourism and agriculture on the mainland, and expanding community-led marine conservation across the Grenadines, SVG can build a tourism industry that creates lasting shared value for all residents. Tomorrow’s travelers are increasingly seeking destinations where their visit leaves a positive legacy. They do not just want to visit paradise — they want to help paradise thrive.

    If SVG embraces regenerative tourism, it will not only remain one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations. It can also become a regional leader, proving that tourism can strengthen local communities, restore damaged natural ecosystems, and build shared prosperity that lasts for generations.

    * Azubah Adams is a hospitality and tourism development professional with a focus on sustainability. The opinions expressed are the author’s own and do not represent the editorial stance of iWitness News.*