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St. Kitts is open and welcoming travellers

St. Kitts is pleased to report that initial assessments have been completed and the island is resuming normal operations, as it was fortunate to escape major damage from the passage of Hurricane Maria to its south.

All hotels in St. Kitts are fully operational and those properties that do not engage in regular seasonal closures are open and servicing guests.

St. Kitts’ Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport (SKB) reopened and began welcoming flights on September 20. The Port Zante cruise pier did not sustain damage and Park Hyatt remains on track to debut in November.
We continue to extend our thoughts and prayers to our Caribbean brothers and sisters in those islands which took a direct hit from Maria and to everyone who has been or will be impacted by the storm. Our sincere thanks to those who have kept St. Kitts & Nevis in their hearts and prayers.
St. Kitts

Hotel Updates as of September 25-26, 2017:

  • Golden Rock Inn – 9/21 – FB Messenger – Hotel will re-open on October 4th, 2017 as scheduled
  • Marriot St. Kitts Beach Club – 9/25 – Facebook Post: “At this time, Marriott’s St. Kitts Beach Club remains open. The St. Kitts Operations team is assessing any potential impact on the resort from the recent hurricanes. As always, the safety and security of our Owners, guests, and associates is a top priority. For more information, please call the resort hotline at (800)-306- 9506.”
  • Ocean Terrace Inn – 9/22 – FB post “Earlier this week, Hurricane Maria passed the south of St. Kitts and Nevis. We are happy to report that there has been no property damage to OTI. The hotel remains open and operating for guests.”
  • Oualie Beach Resort – 9/25 – Hotel Email: 9/25 – Hotel Email Message – We are pleased to inform that Oualie Beach Resort is fully operational since Hurricane Maria. The waves actually brought more sand to the beach which after clearing the seaweed from the shore will make the beach even more large and beautiful! Water Taxis are also fully operational for transfers from St Kitts (currently from Christophe Harbour) to Oualie Beach.
  • St. Kitts Marriott – Fully operational
  • Park Hyatt – Fully operational
  • Sugar Bay Club – Fully operational
  • Timothy Beach Resort – Fully operational
  • Royal St. Kitts Hotel – Fully operational

St. Kitts

Portland Cider Company Supports Caribbean Attempts to Restore Tourism

Portland Cider Company

As a portion of the Caribbean islands struggle to recover from the passing of two Category 5 hurricanes within a matter of weeks, The Portland Cider Company lends a hand of support the in encouraging Portlanders and everyone alike to visit anyone of the 30 islands ready-and-waiting for tourists.
“The travel and tourism sector is very important to our business here,” said owner Jeff Parrish of Portland Cider Company.  Portland Cider Company’s taproom and cidery sits about 20 minutes outside the Portland city limits and hosts a hundred thousand visitors each year.  A testament to Portland’s high levels of tourism, Portland Cider Company expanded to include a second, 28 tap location referred to as the Cider House, just last year.
Keeping in mind the entire Caribbean economy relies on tourism, and in the wake of the United Nations’ estimated cost of up to $1 billion dollars in damage to the islands hit the hardest, Portland Cider’s support comes on the heels of announcing its partnership with Houston based Velour Imports.    “We couldn’t agree more with Velour Imports mission to bring craft cider to the masses in travel destinations,” said Parrish.  He went on to say, “We’re one of the first US craft ciders to make the big push into this market, and we’re excited to partner with Velour Imports.”
Portland Cider Company and Velour Imports are excited to announce a new partnership and the launch of Portland Cider’s large range of craft ciders in travel retail outlets located from the Caribbean to South America, places like the Cayman Islands, Panama, and Brazil.  Known for their English inspired ciders made with 100 percent fresh-pressed NW apples, Portland Cider Company offers a diverse range of tropical, dry, sweet and unique ciders for the traveler. Find Portland Cider Co.’s extensive and diverse product offerings including bottles or cans of Kinda Dry, Sorta Sweet, Apple, Hop’ Rageous, Sangria, Passion Fruit & Pearfect Perry.
Visit: https://www.portlandcider.com/

Relief efforts continue for Barbuda

While Antigua, the larger and more populous of the two-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, has reopened for business following the passage of Hurricane Irma, Barbuda with its 1,600 residents has just begun a long road to recovery.

Over ninety-five per cent of the buildings on Barbuda, including private properties and Government facilities, were destroyed or extensively damaged in the category 5 storm.
To speed-up the relief and rebuilding efforts, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda declared a State of Emergency for Barbuda only and evacuated some residents on a voluntary basis. At the same time, emergency supplies of bottled water, cots and medicines have been purchased by the Government and planes chartered to fly them into the country.The Government of Venezuela has also made two aircrafts available to transport goods for Barbuda as well as a medical team of 20 doctors and nurses experienced in disasters.Relief efforts, coordinated by the National Office of Disaster Services along with the Red Cross, have started in earnest with multiple relief flights and vessels landing on Barbuda.

Tourism Minister Asot. Michael said: “The Government will do whatever it takes in the short term to get Barbuda on its feet again. However, the best way to help our islands as we return to normal is for visitors to continue with their vacation plans or make plans to visit us soon to experience at first hand the warmth and hospitality of our people”.

Anyone wishing to immediately contribute to the relief effort can do so by sending donations to special accounts set up by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda exclusively for the disaster relief.

Details on Disaster Relief Donations can be found here.


UN Secretary-General visits Dominica

UN Secretary-General

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres visited Dominica on Sunday, October 8, 2017. He was met and welcomed by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and Foreign Minister Francine Baron. Both met briefly at the Canefield Airport VIP Lounge before heading off via helicopter to the Kalinago Territory.

Following the visit to the Kalinago Territory, the delegation met at the Office of the Prime Minister in Roseau. President Charles Savarin also attended the meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office.Following the meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office, the UN Secretary-General had an audience with the Cabinet of Ministers of Dominica. Also in attendance was the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr. Irwin LaRocque.
Following the meeting in the Cabinet Room, the Prime Minister and the Secretary-General held a joint Press Briefing.

SLTA attends the 23rd World Routes Development Forum

SLTA
CTO Marketing Director for UK and Europe Carol Hay With Minister for Tourism Hon. Dominic Fedee and SLTA Chair Agnes Francis

Immediately following Saint Lucia week in the United Kingdom, Minister for Tourism, Hon. Dominic Fedee,  and the Chairperson of The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA), Agnes Francis, attended the 23rd World Routes Development Forum, in Barcelona Spain. The World Routes Forum presents an unrivalled platform for route development professionals to discuss, develop and plan network strategy. This year, World Routes was attended by 3,000 delegates, representing 130 Tourism Authorities, 110 countries, 300 airlines and 700 airports.
Minister Fedee and SLTA Chair conducted face-to-face meetings with officials from 8 airlines including Condor/Thomas Cook, British Airways, Southwest Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines. The meetings provided the forum to discuss opportunities to increase service to the destination and the possibility of adding services out of new gateways.
Officials also held discussions with Azul Brazilian Airlines and Air France to examine opportunities for airlift out of Latin America and direct service out of France.
Tourism officials also met with Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier out of the United States, which expressed great interest in working with the destination to increase airlift out of the United States.
“Brazil and France represent significant opportunities for growth. Tour operators in these markets are showing increased interest in selling our destination. Airlift represents our largest hurdle with these markets.  We will continue to work with airline stakeholders like Azul and Air France to explore the opportunities to gain access to these large and lucrative markets,” says SLTA Chair Agnes Francis.
More on: Saint Lucia

Journey Music Production releases Rum and Boom Riddim

Rum and Boom Riddim

Journey Music Production headed by ANG artist Patexx has ended the Summer with the release of the Rum and Boom Riddim.

Raymond Lowe projects manager and spokesperson for the Journey Music label states that the Riddim features some of Dancehall Upcoming artists alongside a few veterans.
​
Screechy Dan and Red Fox have once again joined forces and intend on making “Real Yard Man” another household track. The duo have already released the video for “Real Yard Man”, which gives you the real authentic vibes of being a yardie. So far they are receiving great reviews.
Another Artist Making extreme waves is Dovey Magnum, her Bawl Out track have the females going crazy. The video has already been completed and awaiting its official release.
SLR artist Feedo can also be heard on the riddim and relating to what so many pray about. His single “Poor Life” speaks about not wanting to be poor and understanding the struggle is real. Poor Life video is currently being filmed.
Another video schedule for release is “Stay” by Ajrenaline. The New York based artist lets his lady know he is not going anywhere. “No matter what dem seh mi a stay.”
Artiste featured on Rum and Boom Riddim includes Patexx, Dovey Magnum, Feedo, Ajrenalin, Alfray, Diestro, Froggy aka Badda General, Gail So Gorgeous, Jinyus, Red Fox and Screechy Dan.
According to Lowe Rum and Boom is one of the many to come productions from the Journey Music camp which currently is working on the new project Sunshine Riddim.

SOLEIL Arts & Heritage Festival Schedule

Arts & Heritage Festival

Arts & Heritage Festival
Arts & Heritage Festival

Greater resilience necessary to confront 'new normal'

Greater resilience necessary to confront 'new normal'

Greater resilience necessary to confront ‘new normal’ – CARICOM Secretary-General at agriculture meeting.

The catastrophic hurricanes that ripped through Caribbean territories recently were likely to be the “new normal”, and provided the evidence of the reality of climate change, Caribbean Community Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said Friday.

The impact of the storms also pointed to the need for the Region to build greater resilience to face the new normal, Ambassador LaRocque said.

He was at the time delivering remarks at the opening of the 71st Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on agriculture that convened Friday morning at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana. The Meeting is being held as the Region is grappling with the devastating effects of two Category Five Hurricanes – Irma and Maria – on some CARICOM Member States and Associate Members.

The Ministers of Agriculture have prioritised climate change, risk management, building resilience and climate smart agriculture agenda over the day-long session.

“These climatic events of the past month were unprecedented.  Never before have two category five storms ravaged the Region in one season.  Never before has a hurricane moved from category one to category five inside 36 hours as Hurricane Maria did.  Events like these are likely to be the new normal and provide proof positive of the reality of climate change”, the Secretary-General said.

The devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria to the agriculture and fisheries sectors was a stark example of that fact, the Secretary-General added. The hurricanes destroyed the agriculture sectors in Dominica and Barbuda.

He pointed to the strong appreciation that Ministers of Agriculture had for the inherent fragility of the sector, especially to climatic events, and underscored the importance of rebuilding the sector in the affected countries in the shortest possible time.

Among the matters the Ministers will address at the Meeting is the establishment of a Regional Agriculture Emergency Sub-Committee which will have responsibility for the development of a regional emergency response protocol to safeguard human and livestock health.

“That response must also include plans for the sector to rebound in the shortest possible time.  It must look at the provision of planting and other material to assist in the production of short term food crops.  This would be critical in feeding the population and assisting in respect of food security.  And it would also be an important factor in getting the agriculture sector in the affected countries back on track”, the Secretary-General said.

Please see CARICOM Secretary-General Opening Remarks 71st Special COTED (Agriculture)

SLMDA members get challenged at CME Conference 2017

SLMDA

The St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association – SLMDA partnered with the Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI, Cave Hill Campus for the 13th Annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) Conference under the theme “Recreating, Re-educating and Redefining the boundaries.”

Librarian at UWI Cave Hill Campus, Beverly Wood said the theme of the conference fits well with her university’s mission to advance learning, create knowledge and foster innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean and the Wider World.
“I give kudos to the SLMDA Executive for constructing this programme. I encourage all of us to get involved in the CME process. We all have something to offer.”
President of the SLMDA, Dr. Alphonsus St. Rose noted that the two day conference brought colleagues together for robust discussions on various issues of interested to them. This year’s theme he added spoke broadly to the notion of change which the association will have to confront in the coming years.
“It is also a philosophical construct to inspire confidence in a collective effort that captures the essence of an urgent call to action. Our mandate is to lead and to advocate with unwavering commitment to fairness good conscience and equity.”
Keynote speaker and Director of the Department of Sustainable Development at the OAS, Cletus Springer stated that what is need from the membership of the SLMDA at this time is fierce, unyielding commitment.
“This is not a time for passive engagement; this is not a time for self-serving thoughts and actions.  This is not a time for standing on the sidelines with fail interests. This is a time for rolling up your sleeves and getting into the trenches. It’s a time for preaching the gospel of preventative healthcare in every nook and cranny of our island, in our churches, in our schools and in our community centres. It is a time for engaging in meaningful research into troubling health trends. It is a time for pushing the boundaries of thought. It is a time for thinking globally and acting locally with vigor and with purpose.   ”
The CME Conference was held at The Bay Gardens Hotel, September 29th 2017.
SLMDA Report
More on: Saint Lucia

ICAEC: Chartered Accountants Celebrate Accountants’ Week

ICAEC

The St. Lucia branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Eastern Caribbean (“ ICAEC ”) will be celebrating Accountants’ Week under the theme “Promoting Accountability – an Imperative for Economic Development” from October 11 – 18, 2017 with the following objectives:
·       To promote awareness of the ICAEC within the wider business community;
·       To promote the accounting profession and its value to the community at large;
·       To promote accountability in both the public and private sectors.
ICAEC President Andrea St. Rose said “the theme for the celebration was influenced by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Accountability Now initiative as well as the global movement towards improving financial reporting within the public sector.”
Several activities have been planned for the week which begins with a cocktail reception on October 11, 2017 during which Mr. Mariano Browne, a former Vice President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean and a former Government Minister in Trinidad and Tobago will address the gathering.   Other activities include continuing professional development training in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), career presentations at selected schools and an open forum presented in association with the St. Lucia Employers Federation and the Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) where free business advice will be given to small business owners.   Small businesses are encouraged to take advantage of the forum. 
Further information on the accountants’ week celebration can be obtained on the ICAEC’s website at www.icaec.org

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