CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, May 19, 2017: The University of the Virgin Islands Research & Technology Park, (UVI RTPark), will celebrate Caribbean Week in New York and Caribbean American Heritage Month in the USA with a Big Apple VIP Investment Showcase Reception this June.

The event is set to introduce the opportunities of the RTPark program to business leaders and key members of the Caribbean Diaspora in New York and highlight the many advantages to doing business with the RTPark program and the US Virgin Islands.

The UVI RTPark program, established in 2002, is a specialist economic development agency that aims to successfully establish the U.S. Virgin Islands as a premier business destination of choice for firms in knowledge and technology intensive sectors. It gives many qualified entrepreneurs and business owners an opportunity to #WorkFromTheBeach by benefiting from generous tax incentives while they enjoy the lifestyle of an island paradise.

Investment projects that are focused on quality are screened for their likelihood of fit in the RTPark program. The priority sectors include bio-medical devices, personalized medicine applications, wellness and healthcare management, energy research and systems, including renewable and clean technology, energy efficiency, energy management and sustainability solutions, as well as firms that will draw on advances in marine science. The RTPark has also had success in attracting Internet advertising firms, technology-mediated entertainment companies and advanced logistics and supply-chain management firms and recently welcomed Intellectual Global Concepts LLC and Anvil 1 LLC as clients.

“The RT Park program is at a very exciting stage. Ten years after our first client, we have fine-tuned the application process and now offer impact investors a unique opportunity and have drawn twenty new companies to the Virgin Islands since 2015,” said RTPark executive director Dr. Gillian Marcelle. “Our recent clients are involved in projects that build the pipeline of skills in the US Virgin Islands and bring new ways of doing business to the Territory while the owners of these businesses enjoy living in an island Paradise.”

The RTPark program is headquartered in a US $13 million, LEED certified green two-storey, 18,000 square foot building near the main entrance of the University of the Virgin Islands, Albert A. Sheen campus just off of the Queen Mary highway, in St. Croix.

For more information about the UVI RTPark, call 340-692-4300, email [email protected].

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SOURCE: UVI RTPark

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia J. Persaud

[email protected]

718-476-3616

TORONTO, May 15, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – This September, Caribbean Pride 2017 will take over CHIC Punta Cana from September 16 to 23, for a week-long celebration of pride, diversity and community. With Punta Cana’s sexiest and most luxurious all-inclusive resort as the venue, this event will be filled with fun activities, tons of entertainment including international DJs and drag performances, and sets the standard for future Caribbean Pride Weeks all through the tropics.

“We are proud to join in the annual pride celebrations that take place all around the world,” said Jordi Pelfort, Managing Director. “It’s the perfect time for us to show the global LGBT community we’re standing alongside them, and we want to give everyone a welcoming and inclusive experience.”

Caribbean Pride 2017 is the first of its kind from resort management company, Blue Diamond Resorts. The vision of the event is to create a welcome experience for members of the LGBT community, complete with luxurious first-class accommodations, premium drinks and gourmet dining. CHIC Punta Cana is the ideal venue for an inaugural celebration with such fearless high energy, as a resort that captures the poolside atmosphere and luxury offerings of famed hot spots such as Vegas and South Beach.

“We can’t think of a better way to show we’re proud than throwing a seven-day celebration!” said Christine Jamieson, Corporate Director of Marketing. “We’re planning a lively event with plenty of special guests from around the world including legendary drag queens, days full of campy fun, exclusive excursions and light-hearted celebration from sunup to sundown.”

Visit CaribbeanPride.com to book your fun, sexy, fearless and PROUD vacation today!

About Blue Diamond Resorts
Since inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has risen to become the Caribbean’s fastest growing resort company with 32 properties exceeding 13,500 rooms in six countries. Taking an innovative approach to differentiating brands under each market’s demands, Blue Diamond Resorts’ ever-expanding portfolio is more impressive than ever.  Award-winning All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts offer signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™ and in-suite wellness elements such as the exclusive handcrafted DreamBed™.  Royalton Luxury Resorts’ adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations with access to the services and facilities at a nearby Royalton Luxury Resort, plus the stylish All Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton, a social vacation experience with around-the-clock luxury amenities. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril has been revived to provide those over 21 an upscale and elegant naturist vacation along an exclusive shore for the ultimate in privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa is an experience designed to impress the entire family featuring on-site splash parks, a popular kids club with famous themed characters Toopy & Binoo™, and an innovative teen’s lounge. Adults-only concepts from Memories Resorts include Sanctuary inside of Grand Memories and Memories Caribe, a beachfront paradise in Cayo Coco. Starfish Resorts are solely found in Cuba and offer amazing value for customers with convenient locations and comfortable accommodations.

CaribPRWire, MIAMI, FL, Fri. May 12, 2017: Flow Caribbean viewers will get a chance to go behind the scenes of the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI) and see what it takes to bring a TV production to life, as Me On My TV reality show comes to Flow’s new regional network Flow 1 starting on May 17.

Members of Ten Teams

This newest product of Flow’s partnership with CaribbeanTales chronicles the journey of ten teams of Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora filmmakers who come together to compete for the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to create an original Caribbean-based TV series for Caribbean screens.

In Me on My TV, the 10 teams – selected from hundreds of applicants for the CTI, which Flow sponsors  – embark on five action-packed creative days in Toronto. Under the guidance of 12 international mentors, they pitch their TV series concepts to a room full of television industry executives at the largest film event in North America: The Toronto International Film Festival. In eight episodes viewers get to share in the tears and laughter, camaraderie and resolve, as each filmmaker works for the chance to bring their show to Caribbean TVs – but only three will come out on top.

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside CaribbeanTales and continue to deliver Caribbean-focused content to our Flow TV viewers across the region,” said John Reid, CEO of Cable and Wireless, operator of Flow. “This series in particular is significant because it brings audiences closer to Caribbean filmmakers, letting them witness the creative process and glimpse what goes on during those inspiring CTI sessions in Toronto. Flow believes in providing original, high-quality Caribbean content to our audiences and supporting our region’s filmmakers — Me On My TV achieves both.”

CaribbeanTales Incubator founder and CEO Frances-Anne Solomon says, “Having this TV series released in the lead up to launching pilots for three original TV series is a dream come true. When we started the CaribbeanTales Incubator, this is what we envisioned: the opportunity for Caribbean audiences to watch Caribbean content designed, produced, and marketed for, by and about them.”

Multiple-award winning Martiniquan filmmaker Alain Bidard says of his experience with CTI, “It was a life-changing experience for me. I think differently, I understand the industry and I am not lost anymore. Thank you to both Flow and CaribbeanTales for the invaluable opportunity.”

Me On My TV’s executive producer is Christopher Laird and the directors are Lisa Rideout and Marvin Raftopoluos. Viewers can tune in to Flow 1 on May 17th at 9pm to find out what new shows are going to hit their TVs later this year. Each new episode will play on the eight following Wednesdays, and will have a re-run on the Fridays at 8pm. The episodes will become available on Flow on Demand and CaribbeanTales-TV.com for streaming on Saturdays.

About CaribbeanTales

CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival that produces events around the world; the CaribbeanTales Incubator, a year-round development and production hub, and CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, the largest full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

About C&W Communications

C&W is a full service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region. Learn more at http://www.cwc.com/, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Last week, Expedia presented Blue Diamond Resorts with the Partner of the Year – Top Chain Award, to recognize the chain’s exponential growth and impressive sales, as well as the strong and dynamic relationship between the two companies in the Caribbean. The event, held at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas drew industry leaders from major hotel chains located throughout the region for an evening of appreciation.

“Expedia has grown significantly across the Caribbean region in recent years, and Blue Diamond Resorts has shared in this progression,” said Jordi Pelfort, Managing Director of Blue Diamond Resorts. “We are equally innovative companies in our domains and this award solidifies the relationship we share with one another in the Caribbean, during a mutually important period.”

Over the past year, Blue Diamond Resorts’ ever-expanding portfolio of vacation experiences has provided the opportunity to work closely with Expedia. This growth has allowed us to be a strong and collaborative Expedia partner, maximizing the tools that Expedia provides. These range from the Expedia Partner Central dashboard that allows us to engage in real-time conversation with clients, to the Market Management and Media Solutions teams which help us create a better sense of awareness in important regions. As a result, we have enjoyed great year-over-year improvement in net room nights booked.

Looking ahead, Blue Diamond Resorts is expanding their portfolio and diversifying the resort experiences beyond its signature and award-winning Royalton Luxury Resort brand.  At the end of March, Blue Diamond Resorts will revive the legendary Grand Lido Negril resort in Jamaica for a completely au naturel, boutique experience with just 26 exclusive rooms.

About Blue Diamond Resorts
Since inception in 2011, Blue Diamond Resorts has risen to become the Caribbean’s fastest growing resort company of 32 properties exceeding 13,500 rooms in six countries. Taking an innovative approach to differentiating brands under each market’s demands, Blue Diamond Resorts’ ever-expanding portfolio is more impressive than ever.  Award-winning All-In Luxury® Royalton Luxury Resorts offer signature amenities including All-In Connectivity™, modern Sports Event Guarantee™, and in-suite wellness elements such as the exclusive handcrafted DreamBed™.  Royalton Luxury Resorts’ adults-only sub-brands include Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only experience with exclusive dining and preferred accommodations with access to the services and facilities at a nearby Royalton Luxury Resort, plus the stylish All Exclusive™ CHIC by Royalton,  a social vacation experience with around-the-clock luxury amenities. In Jamaica, Grand Lido Negril has been revived to provide those over 21 an upscale and elegant naturist vacation along an exclusive shore for the ultimate in privacy. Memories Resorts & Spa is an experience designed to impress the entire family featuring on-site splash parks, a popular kids club with famous themed characters Toopy & Binoo™, and an innovative teen’s lounge. Adults-only concepts from Memories Resorts include Sanctuary inside of Grand Memories and Memories Caribe, a beachfront paradise in Cayo Coco. Starfish Resorts are solely found in Cuba and offer amazing value for customers with convenient locations, comfortable accommodations.

Sign, Graphics and Visual Communications Franchisor Seeks Franchise Candidates throughout Florida and the Caribbean

CARROLLTON, Texas, Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – FASTSIGNS International, Inc., franchisor of FASTSIGNS^®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today that it is attending and sponsoring at the National Business Media Show from Feb. 16 to 18, 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. The company is recruiting franchisees, promoting expansion throughout the state of Florida and across the Caribbean, with a focus on targeting conversion and co-branded locations.

“With the increasingly high demand for visual communication needs worldwide, FASTSIGNS is looking to expand our presence throughout Florida and across the Caribbean,” said Mark Jameson, EVP of Franchise Support and Development, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “We look forward to utilizing our presence at the National Business Media Show in Fort Lauderdale to network with potential franchisees and discuss the impact that our brand has to offer business owners within the print and signage industry.”

Local entrepreneurs are invited to meet with the brand’s franchise development team at booth #2425 to learn more about conversion and co-branded location opportunities throughout the state of Florida and across the Caribbean. The fast-growing brand currently has 49 locations in Florida plus 7 in Development, three in Puerto Rico and one in Grand Cayman and recently signed a Master Agreement for expansion into the USVI and the Dominican Republic but is looking to expand with additional centers throughout Florida, with an emphasis on the Treasure Coast up to Jacksonville, as well as throughout the Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Due to the ongoing worldwide need for visual communications and digital signage technology, the company expects to open a projected 45 locations in 2017.

For information about the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or 214-346-5679) or download an eBook that explores the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity at http://amzn.to/1FrnDJu.

About FASTSIGNS ^®
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the largest sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, and is the worldwide franchisor of more than 650 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS^® centers in nine countries including the US, Canada, England, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Grand Cayman, Mexico and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE^®).

FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive sign and visual graphic solutions to help companies of all sizes and across all industries attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables and marketing materials. Learn more about sign and visual graphic solutions or find a location at fastsigns.com. Follow the brand on Twitter @FASTSIGNS, Facebook at facebook.com/FASTSIGNS or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fastsigns.

Partnership Brings All Three Rental Brands to New Market

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ – Enterprise Holdings today announced that Jamaica’s leading automotive company, ATL Automotive – an affiliate of the family-operated Sandals Resorts International (SRI) Group – will serve as the franchisee for its Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands in Jamaica.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160729/394328

The agreement will bring all three Enterprise Holdings brands to tri-branded facilities throughout the island starting in late 2016. Locating all three brands in one facility will offer customers easy access to a wide range of rental options.

“Jamaica is an important market for our customers. These new locations enable us to serve both our leisure and corporate customers at one of the top tourist destinations in the Caribbean,” said Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising at Enterprise Holdings, the largest car rental company in the world.

“Culturally and operationally, ATL Automotive is a great match for us, given their strong growth profile, focus on customer service and dedication to philanthropy throughout the region,” Smith noted.

ATL Automotive was founded in 1997 and quickly rose to become Jamaica’s leading car dealer with some of the world’s top car brands.  SRI is the market leader in Caribbean tourism and operator of Sandals Resorts, Beaches Resorts and Island Routes Caribbean Adventures. SRI also operates the Sandals Foundation, which supports a wide range of Caribbean causes, with particular focus on community, education and the environment.

“As the franchisee bringing together the Enterprise, National and Alamo brands in Jamaica for the first time ever, we look forward to a successful partnership with Enterprise Holdings, and to bringing these brands to new customers in new locations as we grow throughout country,” said Adam Stewart, chief executive officer and deputy chairman of SRI and the ATL Group.

“Since our inception, our focus has always been to provide customers with the best experience possible – whether it’s at one of our resorts on the nine islands in which we operate or at one of our state-of-the-art automotive sales and service centers,” Stewart stated. “This matches well with Enterprise’s industry-leading legacy of customer service.”

Enterprise Holdings’ long-term expansion strategy is focused on building a global network that delivers value, choice and outstanding customer service to business and leisure travelers. Today, the company operates in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide.

For more information about Enterprise Holdings, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com.

About Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise Holdings – through its integrated global network of regional subsidiaries and independent franchises – operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands. The company and its affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, together offer a total transportation solution, including extensive car rental and car-sharing services, truck rental, corporate fleet management and retail car sales. Combined, these businesses accounted for $19.4 billion in revenue, employed more than 93,000 and owned 1.7 million vehicles throughout the world in fiscal year 2015.

Enterprise Holdings currently is ranked as one of America’s Largest Private Companies. Furthermore, if it were publicly traded, Enterprise Holdings would rank on Fortune’s list of the 500 largest American public companies. In addition, Enterprise Holdings not only accounts for the largest airport market share in the U.S., but its domestic rental fleet also is one of the newest in the industry. The company’s affiliate, Enterprise Fleet Management, provides full-service fleet management to companies and organizations with medium-sized fleets. Other transportation services marketed under the Enterprise brand name include Enterprise CarShare, Enterprise Rideshare, Enterprise Car Sales, Enterprise Truck Rental, Exotic Car Collection by Enterprise, Zimride by Enterprise and Enterprise Flex-E-Rent.

This press release and car rental industry news are available in the Enterprise Holdings Press Room.

About ATL Automotive

ATL Automotive was formed in 1997 and has served Jamaica for almost two decades, setting the benchmark for automobile sales and service in the island. ATL Automotive now encompasses several divisions exclusively distributing the world’s finest automobile brands, from state-of-the-art showrooms and service facilities in Kingston and Montego Bay, strengthening its undisputed position as the country’s foremost automotive group and changing the face of motoring in Jamaica forever.

About Sandals Resorts

Sandals Resorts offers two people in love with the most romantic, Luxury-Included® vacation experience in the Caribbean. With 15 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada, Sandals Resorts offers more quality inclusions than any other resort company on the planet.  Signature Love Nest suites for the ultimate in privacy and service; butlers trained by the English Guild of Professional Butlers; Red Lane Spa®; 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf liquor, premium wines and gourmet specialty restaurants; Aqua Centers with expert PADI® certification and training; fast Wi-Fi from beach to bedroom and WeddingMoons®, for dream destination weddings are all Sandals Resorts exclusives. Sandals Resorts is part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), which includes Beaches Resorts and is the Caribbean’s leading all-inclusive resort company.  For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.com.

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Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160729/394329LOGO

LONDON, June 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — A court case cited by The Lawyer as one of the most significant to come to trial in 2016 has started today.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160614/379038 )

The court claim sees Harlequin sue top 20 UK accountants Wilkins Kennedy for losses and damages claimed by the firm of £50m. The court case starts today in Court 18 of the Rolls Building, Fetter Lane. The case is expected to last seven weeks. Unusually the second week of the case will be heard on the island in the Caribbean where the resort is located.

Harlequin, the holiday and property business owned by Dave Ames, run Buccament Bay Resort in the Caribbean. The 5 star holiday complex is a favourite holiday destination for celebrities like Pat Cash, Lewis Moody, Sally Gunnell, Coronation Streets Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright

Harlequin employed accountants Wilkins Kennedy to provide business and financial advice whilst setting up Buccament Bay. Over four years the top UK accountancy firm were paid £800,000. Wilkins Kennedy partner Martin MacDonald was the representative of the accountants working on the Buccament Bay account.

In 2014, in a case widely reported in the international media, a company called ICE Group, led by Padraig O’Halloran, was fined for E2million due to the misappropriation of millions of pounds from the Buccament Bay project. Accountants Wilkins Kennedy had taken ICE on as a client at the same time as Harlequin.

Additionally, former Wilkins Kennedy employee Jeremy Newman publically apologised to Harlequin and the Ames family. His apology and departure from Wilkins Kennedy took place after it was revealed that he was the administrator of an anonymous website alleging that the business operated by Harlequin was a fraudulent scheme. Wilkins Kennedy and Martin MacDonald denied any involvement and an out of court settlement was reached to close the matter.

For further information, images or a video statement by Dave Ames please contact Nick Fulford on +44(0)777-159-1936 or [email protected].

Special offer available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants across Latin America and the Caribbean

CANTON, Massachusetts, May 31, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Dunkin’ Donuts, one of the world’s leading baked goods and coffee chains, today announced a delicious deal for donut lovers across Latin America and the Caribbean. On Friday, June 3^rd, participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants across the region will offer guests a free donut of their choice (while supplies last) with the purchase of any beverage in honor of the brand’s fourth annual Global Donut Day celebration. Certain restrictions apply by country. See store for details.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110224/NY53806LOGO

“We’re excited to celebrate the joy that donuts bring to people around the world with our fourth annual Global Donut Day promotion,” Chris Fuqua, Vice President, Brand Marketing, Global Consumer Insights & Product Innovation, Dunkin’ Brands. “We’re proud of Dunkin’ Donuts’ rich bakery and coffee heritage, which goes back more than 65 years. We hope our guests enjoy our offer of a free donut with any beverage purchase on Friday, June 3^rd.”

Guests can enjoy this special Global Donut Day offer on the brand’s wide range of classic donut varieties, including Boston Kreme, Chocolate Glazed, Jelly-Filled, Glazed and Chocolate Frosted, when purchasing any Dunkin’ Donuts beverage. Beverage options include hot and iced coffee, lattes, espresso, cappuccino, tea and Coolatta® frozen drinks. The offer is available at participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations throughout the region in Aruba, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Peru.

In addition to the special Global Donut Day offer, select participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants across Latin America and the Caribbean will also be featuring a delicious Smiley Face Donut to celebrate the smiles donuts bring to peoples’ faces. The Smiley Face Donut is a filled yeast shell donut decorated with an endearing smiley face. Fillings for the donut will vary by market to cater to local tastes, and include fillings such as Jelly, Bavarian Kreme and Chocolate Kreme.

Dunkin’ Donuts has been offering high-quality donuts and coffee for more than 65 years, and last year sold more than 2.8 billion donuts and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats and more than 1.9 billion cups of hot and iced coffee at its more than 11,800 restaurants in 44 countries around the world.

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts.

About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is one of the world’s leading baked goods and coffee companies, offering a range of high-quality coffees, espresso beverages, teas, sandwiches and baked goods. The company has more than 11,800 restaurants in 44 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

CONTACT: Justin Drake, Dunkin’ Brands, [email protected]

290 Cities Submit Ideas to Solve Pressing Urban Challenges; with 5 Cities from Haiti Participation

Selection Process Now Underway to Determine the 20 Finalists who will go on to compete for $9 Million USD in Innovation Funds

NEW YORK, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Bloomberg Philanthropies today announced that 290 cities across Latin America and the Caribbean have submitted ideas to solve major challenges and improve city life for the 2016 Mayors Challenge. The ideas offer insight into the needs of communities and priorities of local leaders in the region.

Seven in ten ideas aim to address a social or economic challenge, while the remaining 30% focus on improving government effectiveness and efficiency.

• 71% of cities generated ideas to address major social or economic challenges such as:
  • Social inclusion for vulnerable populations (23%)
  • Sustainability (20%)
  • Economic growth (13%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Public health (8%)
• 29% of city ideas focus on improving the overall effectiveness and efficiency of government

The 290 Mayors Challenge applicants represent over 172 million citizens in 19 countries across the region. Participating cities span the entire region with 71% from South America, 20% from Mexico and 9% from Central America and the Caribbean.  Seventeen capital cities in the region submitted ideas to the competition – from Santiago to Brasilia to Mexico City to Kingston. With applications from 80 Brazilian cities and 59 Mexican cities, Brazil and Mexico had the largest number of cities that submitted applications.

5 cities from Haiti submitted applications and are now competing for $9 million dollars in innovation funds: Cap-Haïtien; Jean Rabel; Jérémie; Les Cayes; and Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite.

Applicants for the 2016 Mayors Challenge proposed innovative solutions to address a wide range of urban challenges. A series of themes emerged in the ideas, including:

• Leveraging technology and citizen engagement to improve government performance
• An emphasis on public education initiatives, citizen participation and digital solutions to prepare for and address natural disasters
• An interest in entrepreneurship and digital learning to improve education
• Promoting the inclusion of new or vulnerable populations through job creation, better use of public spaces and technology
• Improving public health through wide-ranging citizen engagement strategies

“Cities in Latin America and the Caribbean are some of the most innovative in the world, and they are proving it with their entries in our latest Mayors Challenge. The hundreds of proposals present exciting new ways to tackle problems across the region, and they have the potential to have a big impact on the lives of millions of people.” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City.

Additionally, a survey taken of participating cities showed significant city hall interest in innovation, but a lack of resources needed to experiment.

• More than half of participating cities report regularly borrowing ideas from cities in the region or even from around the globe when faced with a tough problem.
• Three out of 5 cities said they usually or always crowdsource ideas from citizens when they are faced with a tough problem.
• Just 1 out of 5 participating cities report usually having access to public or private funding to test new ideas.

“This is a region of the world with a rich history of public sector innovation. The ideas coming from the Mayors Challenge build on that legacy. We see a stronger focus in this year’s ideas on citizen engagement, which is both a trend in governments worldwide as well as an area in which Latin American cities have been clear leaders,” said James Anderson, the head of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation program.

The current applicants emerged from more than 900 Latin American and Caribbean cities who were invited by the Mayors Challenge in January 2016 to compete. Cities had until April 15, 2016 to generate and submit their innovative ideas to improve city government and city life. Modeled on successful competitions in the United States and Europe, the 2016 Mayors Challenge will award $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate the most powerful and transferable ideas.

To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proudly partnered with the Centre for Public Impact (CPI) to implement this year’s challenge, provide related supports to city participants, and oversee coordination with other program partners. CPI is a not-for-profit, funded by The Boston Consulting Group, and dedicated to improving the positive impact of governments.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars.  For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.

Media Contact
Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rebecca Carriero, (212) 205-0182, [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CaribPR Wire, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Weds. April 13, 2016: The Caribbean region has become a major target audience for e-commerce and online merchants, such as Amazon, EBay, Wal-Mart, etc.   With internet penetration throughout the Caribbean islands at an all-time high, merchants are placing more value on these markets as potential customers.

However, as in the past, purchasing products and goods from the U.S. has not always been easy for the Caribbean residents.  With the high costs of shipping as well as the clearing and documentation fees upon arrival, it has always been quite challenging and expensive for islanders to shop online.

One company, Islandbargains.com, has quickly become the industry leader as the safest, easiest and most economical method of shipping online purchases, from the U.S.

Islandbargains.com is based inSouth Florida with exclusive agents in over 40 different Caribbean and Latin American countries.  Together Islandbargains.com and their agent network, provide a low cost, all-inclusive method for islanders to ship their online purchases.   Whether, shipping via ocean or air freight, IslandBargains.com offers flat rate shipping services, which is sure to please every Caribbean shopper as well as the commercial businesses, throughout the Caribbean.

Operating from a 20,000 square foot warehouse, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Island Bargains receives thousands of online purchases a day from Caribbean shoppers.  Those packages are shipped out weekly to Island Bargains exclusive agents, who then clear the packages and distribute them to customers.  Home and business delivery is also offered by every agent.

Many Caribbean customers now enjoy the benefits of shopping online freely without the hassles and hidden costs of traditional shipping from the U.S.  One Caribbean business owner was quoted as saying: “Island Bargains has saved my business thousands of dollars each year on shipping expenses and has made my business much more profitable.”

With Island Bargains, Customs clearing and documentation fees are always included in the flat rate shipping service.   Islanders just pay local duties upon arrival.  Island Bargains also provides a one stop pick up and pay service, so shopping online and shipping goods from the U.S., has never been easier or more affordable.

Island Bargains does not charge a sign-up fee nor do they require a minimum amount to ship.  In fact, Island Bargains has a signature package, which is only ten dollars, thus allowing Caribbean customers to buy cell phones, shoes, parts, etc.  from any U.S. merchant and have that package shipped to them for a flat ten dollars, (plus any local duties required).  Island Bargains also ships appliances, automobiles, boats and commercial equipment.

For more information, you may visit their website at Islandbargains.com, or send email requests to [email protected].

Contact:

ISLAND BARGAINS 2016

C/O 3387 SW 13th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315

Phone: 954-381-6229

Email: [email protected]

For Immediate Release

CaribPR Wire, Lakeland, FL, Weds. Feb. 3, 2016: In light of the spread of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, Caribbean and Latin America hospitality venues are looking to protect their guests from the Aedes mosquito and other biting pests.  Golf Ventures recommends using the revolutionary “Mosquito Magician” to create a barrier against mosquitoes and minimize risks to their customers.

Mosquito Magician is a biodegradable and environmentally friendly, all natural insect control.  The product contains six different active ingredients: essential oils of cedar, citronella, lemon grass, garlic, geraniol and rosemary.  It’s been proven to create an invisible barrier against mosquitoes,  flies, palmetto bugs, no-see-ums, fleas, ticks, gnats, ants, spiders, chiggers and other pests using 100 percent natural plant oils.  The product is super concentrated – one gallon of Mosquito Magician makes 32 gallons of potent repellent, and treats up to 128,000 sq. ft.   Because of its all natural ingredients, the product is safe for guests and wildlife.

Scott Jones, International Sales Manager for Golf Ventures, said: “This environmentally-safe product can be applied by hand held sprayers or by automated irrigation systems. Unlike systems that attempt to eradicate pests, Mosquito Magician creates a barrier that repels them from the property.”

Golf Ventures has also found it to be an economical product for their customers. “We partner with clients to protect their property and their budget,” said Jones.

Peter Olt, Sprinkler Magician’s CEO and product inventor, said: “Mosquito Magician 100% Natural Concentrate drives out mosquitoes and other biting pests but is safe for your kids and pets. Mosquitoes are known to carry serious diseases like Zika, malaria and many others. With Sprinkler Magician you have a 100% natural way of creating a bubble around your property so that guests may enjoy the outdoors.”

The Zika virus is caused by the Aedes mosquito and presents flu-like symptoms in those infected. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert over the virus, warning pregnant women to avoid travel to 14 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Jones said Caribbean and Central American resorts can take a proactive approach to combating the problem with the Sprinkler Magician system. “Resorts using this system will have a competitive advantage, because Mosquito Magician’s invisible barrier can safely protect guests and their families from mosquitoes carrying the Zika Virus. We at Golf Ventures want to help them be successful,” said Jones.

Olt noted the company’s confidence in the Mosquito Magician product by offering a warranty that states: “Within 30 days of purchase if you are not satisfied with the effectiveness of our product, mail us proof of purchase and the unused portion of this product to obtain a full refund of your purchase price.”

Golf Ventures distributes a full line of both Mosquito Magician Concentrate and Mosquito Magician Systems (for automated distribution through existing sprinkler systems) throughout the Caribbean, Latin America, and South America.  For more information, visit www.golfventures.com.

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Golf Ventures International “GVI” is the Caribbean and Central America’s complete turf maintenance supply company for the hospitality and sports turf industries.  As the exclusive distributor of Helena brand plant protectants and fertility products, and working with select specialty product companies, GVI ensures customers receive the best possible service and agronomic support. GVI understands that each resort, golf course and turf area is unique and provides programmed, personalized service. GVI partners with superintendents and landscape managers to identify issues and prescribe the most timely and cost-effective solutions. Find us at golfventures.com.

CONTACT:

Scott Jones

International Territory Manager
Golf Ventures International
863-665-5800

Global Competition Calls on City Leaders to Generate Bold Solutions to Address Urban Challenges and Improve City Life

Approximately 900 Cities Eligible to Compete for $9 Million USD in Innovation Funds

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Michael R. Bloomberg today launched Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire Latin American and Caribbean cities to develop bold new ideas that solve major problems and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities. The competition includes a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate powerful ideas. The competition is one of the foundation’s flagship programs, reaching hundreds of cities in the U.S. and Europe.

“Cities around the world are pursuing bold policy innovations, and those in Latin America and the Caribbean are helping to lead the way. Expanding the Mayors Challenge to Latin America and the Caribbean provides new opportunities for progress on a wide range of issues that impact the lives of citizens. We’re looking forward to seeing what exciting new ideas emerge from creative city leaders throughout the region,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City.

Cities with 100,000 or more residents in Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to compete in this year’s competition. More than 900 cities are eligible within the following countries – Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Uruguay; Suriname; and Venezuela.

All cities competing in the 2016 Mayors Challenge must submit ideas that do one or more of the following:

• Address a major social or economic issue in the local area
• Improve customer service for citizens or businesses
• Create government efficiencies
• Improve citizen engagement in local government

Winners will be selected based on their idea’s vision, potential for impact, implementation plan, and potential to spread to other cities. By design, the Mayors Challenge prompts participating cities to leverage resources, talent, and creativity from residents and from other sectors.

Key moments in the 2016 Mayors Challenge for those interested in participating include:

• By March 15, 2016, all cities must sign up for the competition at www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org
• By April 15, 2016, all cities must submit their ideas
• In late spring 2016, approximately 20 finalists will be announced
• In July 2016, teams from the finalist cities will attend Ideas Camp, a two-day gathering where finalist cities work with experts to stretch and strengthen their ideas
• In fall 2016, the five winning cities will be announced

Bloomberg Philanthropies will be supported by a selection committee of innovation and urban policy experts, largely from Latin America and the Caribbean, to help select the winning cities. The selection committee will be announced in the coming months.

All Mayors Challenge winners receive robust assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies and its partners to support implementation and document lessons learned. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proudly partnered with the Centre for Public Impact (CPI) to implement this year’s challenge, provide related supports to city participants, and oversee coordination with other program partners. CPI is a not-for-profit, funded by The Boston Consulting Group, and dedicated to improving the positive impact of governments.

Facts on Prior Mayors Challenge Competitions

The Mayors Challenge is designed to surface bold new solutions, enable cities to test the best of these ideas, and help those ideas that work spread. To date, 465 U.S. and European cities have participated in the competitions. Highlights include:

• Providence Talks, the grand prize winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, aims to address the fact that low-income children hear millions fewer words than their peers from wealthier families by the time they reach kindergarten, negatively impacting future educational attainment. That program’s pilot showed promising results in increasing the number of words heard by program participants. Providence Mayor Elorza is aggressively ramping up the program to reach thousands of children.
• Santa Monica, a winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, successfully became the first city in the United States to conduct a wellbeing survey in early 2015. City officials are now using these data to align resources, programs, and policies to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. The survey will be conducted once every two years moving forward.
• Athens, Greece, a winner from the European Mayors Challenge, has established a robust program to unleash the power of civil society to solve community problems, and to reform outdated regulations that make it difficult for citizens to contribute. Over a thousand community activities have been promoted through the program.
• Barcelona, the grand prize winner from the European Mayors Challenge, aims to coordinate the activities of family members, neighbors, volunteers, and professional care givers around individual at-risk seniors to reduce isolation. The city has prototyped the technological platform and collected significant end-user feedback. An expanded pilot will take place in 2016 as they move toward their ultimate goal of reaching 20,000 seniors.
• Seven finalists from the European competition that did not receive funding are nonetheless pursuing their ideas: Amsterdam, Brno, Bologna, Bristol, Lisbon, York, and Stara Zagora.  Three of the finalists from the U.S. competition that did not receive funding implemented their ideas: Milwaukee, WI; Cincinnati, OH; and Highpoint, NC, while five other finalists continue to pursue the concepts.
• Winners from the U.S. and European competitions have received over 300 requests for information related to replication from other cities, universities, and civil society organizations.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has a strong history of work in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. In 2015, the foundation launched its Data for Health program in Latin America which will enable countries to vastly improve their public health data collection and use. Cities in Brazil and Colombia are participating in a new phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Road Safety Initiative, and the foundation is also assisting the region through its Vibrant Oceans Initiative, the largest philanthropic commitment to internationally reform fisheries management.

To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit www.mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.

Media Contact

Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rebecca Carriero, (212) 205-0182, [email protected]

BELIZE CITY, Belize, Jan. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — On January 14, the proprietor of Nabitunich Resort in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo reported Ms. Anne Swaney missing to law enforcement.  Police engaged in a search for Anne, soliciting the assistance of a K-9 unit.  After ending the search due to darkness on the night of January 14, the search continued on Friday, January 15.  Police discovered her body at approximately 8:15 a.m. near the Mopan River.  Physical examinations at the scene revealed visible bruises around her neck and lacerations on her head.  She was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead.  A post mortem autopsy was performed and revealed the cause of death to be asphyxia due to compression of the neck area, throttling and blunt force traumatic injuries to the head and neck.  There were no signs of sexual assault as part of this examination.

Police apprehended and are questioning a person of interest who was found fishing near the scene of the crime.  Additional information will be made available as the investigation proceeds.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Anne’s family.  We are dedicated to bringing swift justice to the person who committed this horrible act.

CONTACT: Raphael Martinez, Police Press Officer, Phone # 011 207 2222 ext. 203, Cell # 011 604 0939, Ministry of National Security

Part of the audience at ICN 2015. (ICN image)

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Oct. 30, 2015:  Access to capital is critical to the growth of small businesses, whether in the Caribbean/Latin America US Diaspora or Canada and often many have nowhere to turn.

But true to its goal of wealth building for the region and its Diasporas, Invest Caribbean Now, the global private sector Caribbean investment agency, has teamed with several US-based organizations to expand capital access to small to medium Caribbean and Hispanic-owned enterprises in the US and Canadians Diaspora.

ICN is partnering with two top organizations to offer cash advances to existing micro-enterprises as well as low interest loans and lines of credit of between US$5,000 to $250,000 to small to medium-sized businesses.

“We are thrilled to fulfil phase one of our 2014 goal of helping to provide access to capital for Caribbean and Hispanic-owned Diaspora Enterprises,” said ICN founder Felicia J. Persaud. “Partnerships are key to our success and we continue to build this with this new service. Now it gives me hope that one day we will also be able to do this for SME’s across the Caribbean region.”

To learn more log on now to investcaribbeannow.com or contact us here or via http://www.investcaribbeannow.com/contact.html

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City. Now in its fifth year, ICN is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

Invest Caribbean Now promotes and pushes for the right investment opportunities in the Caribbean region; offers a concierge service for high end investors seeking to make the right connection with key opportunities, governments and other parties in any Caribbean destination and connects small entrepreneurs in the Diaspora with SME loans and cash advances.

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SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

718-476-3616

Agreement Expands Travel Options At San Juan Focus City

NEW YORK, Oct. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) and Seaborne Airlines today began selling flights under a codeshare agreement that will offer customers increased travel options and new destinations throughout the Caribbean. Connections will be made via San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), where JetBlue is the largest carrier.

Customers flying on JetBlue and Seaborne will enjoy the benefit of traveling on a single ticket which allows for one-stop check-in, baggage transfer to the final destination, and conveniently timed connections in San Juan. Flights are available for purchase today on JetBlue.com.

“This latest codeshare agreement combines Seaborne Airlines’ experience serving exciting Caribbean destinations with JetBlue’s established footing as an award-winning carrier to the region,” said Scott Laurence, senior vice president, airline planning at JetBlue.

Initially, JetBlue will place its ‘B6′ designator code on eight Seaborne Airlines routes allowing JetBlue customers to reach more destinations in the Caribbean on a single itinerary.:

• Anguilla (AXA)
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS)
• Dominica (DOM)
• Nevis (NEV)
• St. Kitts (SKB)
• St. Maarten (SXM)
• St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (STT)
• St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (STX)

Following receipt of all necessary government approvals, JetBlue will place the ‘B6′ designator code on the remainder of the Seaborne Airlines network to include:

• Antigua (ANU)
• Fort-de-France, Martinique (FDF)
• La Romana, Dominican Republic (LRM)
• Point-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe (PTP)
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ)
• Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)

“The entire Seaborne Airlines team is excited to begin our codeshare relationship with JetBlue,” said Gary Foss, President and CEO of Seaborne Airlines.  “I’m confident that our customers, Caribbean residents, and tourism to our region will all benefit as a result of this agreement.”

The routes add to JetBlue’s already extensive list of destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America including Grenada, Curacao, Antigua and Mexico City, which were all added to the JetBlue route map in the past year. Additionally, flights to Quito, Ecuador begin in February 2016.

The partnership between JetBlue, a leading carrier to the Caribbean, and Seaborne Airlines, the largest regional operator in the Caribbean, expands upon the carriers’ successful interline agreement established in 2013.

About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 32 million customers a year to 91 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 875 daily flights. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.

About Seaborne Airlines
Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 23 years, carrying approximately 3 million customers safely. With over 1,500 monthly departures to 17 airports, Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport, St. Thomas airport and Seaplane base, St. Croix airport and Seaplane Base, Anguilla, Antigua, Tortola, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, La Romana, Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.  All Flights operate with two pilots and two engines under Federal Air Regulations Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

CONTACT: Sandra Colon Perez, [email protected]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A new study published today in a toxicology journal has found that a chemical widely used in personal care products such as sunscreen, poses an ecological threat to corals and coral reefs and threatens their existence.

Oxybenzone is found in over 3,500 sunscreen products worldwide, and pollutes coral reefs from swimmers wearing sunscreens and through wastewater discharges from municipal sewage outfalls and from coastal septic systems.

The study comes less than two weeks after NOAA declared the third ever global coral bleaching event and warned that locally produced threats to coral, such as pollution, stress the health of corals and decrease the likelihood that they will resist bleaching, or recover from it.

It demonstrates that exposure of coral planulae (baby coral) to oxybenzone, produces gross morphological deformities, damages their DNA, and, most alarmingly, acts as an endocrine disruptor. The latter causes the coral to encase itself in its own skeleton leading to death.

These effects were observed as low as 62 parts per trillion, the equivalent to a drop of water in six and a half Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Measurements of oxybenzone in seawater within coral reefs in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for example, found concentrations ranging from 800 parts per trillion to 1.4 parts per million.  This is over 12 times higher than the concentrations necessary to impact on coral.

A team of marine scientists from Virginia, Florida, Israel, the National Aquarium (US) and the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, undertook the study.  Lead author Dr. Craig Downs of Haereticus Environmental Laboratory Virginia, said, “The use of oxybenzone-containing products needs to be seriously deliberated in islands and areas where coral reef conservation is a critical issue.  We have lost at least 80% of the coral reefs in the Caribbean. Any small effort to reduce oxybenzone pollution could mean that a coral reef survives a long, hot summer, or that a degraded area recovers. Everyone wants to build coral nurseries for reef restoration, but this will achieve little if the factors that originally killed off the reef remain or intensify in the environment.”

Between 6,000 and 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotion are emitted into coral reef areas each year, much of which contains between one and 10% oxybenzone.

Further information about the study can be found at haereticus-lab.org and marinesafe.org.

CONTACT:  Patricia Roy; [email protected] ;  +34.696.905.907

COZUMEL, Mexico, Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ – Today Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) launched its analysis of spending related to cruise tourism and its impact on destinations’ economies. The triennial study engaged by the FCCA included a record 35 participating destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central and South America.

It found that cruise tourism generated $3.16 billion in direct expenditures, 75,050 jobs and $976 million in employee wages among participating destinations during the 2014/2015 cruise year and the 23.6 million passengers disembarking ships and visiting the destinations.

The main driver—average expenditure per passenger—increased to $103.83, 8.25 percent higher than the 2011/2012 cruise year and accounting for $2.45 billion. Contributing to this increase were passengers spending 30 percent more per passenger on shore excursions, 20 percent more per passenger for local crafts and souvenirs and two percent more for food and beverages, along with a higher percentage of passengers making purchases in each of these categories. In fact, more than half of all transit passengers that went ashore purchased a shore excursion and food and beverages.

Just over 75 percent of passenger expenditures were made in four categories: watches and jewelry ($877 million), shore excursions ($551 million), clothing ($238 million), and food and beverages ($189 million). Shore excursions was the most popular category, with over half (53 percent) of all passengers purchasing this and local tour operators receiving an average of $43.99 per passenger directly from cruise passengers and cruise lines.

The estimated 4.5 million crewmembers visiting the 35 participating destinations spent approximately $302 million for goods and services, with an average per crew expenditure of $67.10, heavily weighted toward food and beverages, jewelry, and electronics.

In addition to net payments to local tour operators, cruise lines also provided data for payments to ports for passenger taxes and port services, as well as payments to local businesses for supplies and services. These categories accounted for an estimated $400.8 million.

Other key findings from the study include that 63 percent of passengers made their first visit at the destination; 93.7 percent went ashore; 65 percent made onshore purchases; and passengers spent an average 4.38 hours ashore. Plus visit satisfactions surveys found that cruise passengers were very satisfied with their overall destination visit; shore excursions received the highest score of all visit attributes; and passenger interactions with residents and store employees were very positive.

The study was released at the 22^nd annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in Cozumel, Mexico. Cozumel itself participated in the study and ranked third in overall expenditures with $365 million. St. Maarten led all destinations with nearly $423 million (while ranking third in passenger and crew onshore visits, it had the highest average total expenditure per visit of $189), followed by the Bahamas with $373 million.

The FCCA engages this study as one of many ways it works with destinations to foster understanding of cruise tourism, its benefits and how to best actualize its potential. The study’s release during the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show further adds to the event’s focus on maximizing this potential through a series of meetings, workshops and networking opportunities between destination stakeholders and cruise executives to offer insight and develop business and relationships.

This study and past versions are available for download at www.f-cca.com/research.html.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

Media Contact
Justin Paige
Manager, Communications, Marketing & Research
Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Tel: 954-441-8881, Ext. 210
[email protected]

Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Présidente, Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, l, at ICN 2014 with Larry Lee, President of China Daily USA. (Sharon Bennett/ICN image)

Carib PR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. September 3, 2015: A delegation of over 40-Beijing companies will travel to the French Caribbean island of Saint-Martin this September for Invest Caribbean Now 2015.

The Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin and executives at Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), in collaboration with the Sino-American Friendship Association and the Chinese American Business Development Center of New York, will create history in the northeast Caribbean this Fall when for the first time, the region welcomes such a major Chinese travel delegation to a summit, exploring investment opportunities between China and Saint Martin.
In addition, the summit will also discuss primary issues related to tourism and women’s empowerment.
The Beijing delegation will be comprised largely of C-level executives from leading companies, travel agencies and organizations in China. The delegation will be led by Qin, Guoying, Secretary-General of China Women’s Development Foundation, and Xiong, Yumei, Executive President of the China Women Tourism Committee.
“Invest Caribbean Now remains dedicated to fostering opportunities that create economic and cultural partnerships around the globe,” commented ICN founder Felicia J. Persaud. “ICN is excited to this year extend its relationship with the Sino-American Friendship Association and the Chinese American Business Development Center of New York in helping the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin and The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin put the global spotlight on opportunities in its tourism sector.”
“We are excited by this opportunity to showcase our island to investors and tourism professionals,” said Hon. Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool, Présidente, Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin. “Invest Caribbean Now will give us the opportunity to give potential investors a firsthand look at the many opportunities that are available on our island as well as the benefits of a fiscal climate that is truly investor friendly. It’s not every day that you’re given a captive audience in an environment that is ideal for doing business. We are looking forward to welcoming this delegation to our shores.”
“This summit is a historical event, bringing a large group of Beijing delegates to Saint-Martin, and featuring discussions on tourism and women’s development,” commented Li Li, Vice President, Sino-American Friendship Association. “This event will greatly advance women’s roles in tourism and public welfare, as well as further enhance business cooperation between China and Saint-Martin.”

Invest Caribbean Now 2015 – St. Martin will put the spotlight on tourism investment opportunities in the French Caribbean Island at the September event in Marigot. This elite invitation only event will also feature several officials from the north-east Caribbean along with top global harbour developers and local stake holders.

Partners for the 2015 event include the Government of the Collectivité of French Saint-Martin, The Office of Tourism of Saint-Martin, the  St-Martin Harbor, Hard Beat Communications, the Chinese-American Business Development Center, the Sino-American Friendship Association, One Caribbean Television, the St. Maarten Chinese Association, CaribPRWire and News Americas Now.

ABOUT SAINT MARTIN

The Collectivité of French Saint Martin is located in the northeast Caribbean, approximately 300 km (190 mi) southeast of Puerto Rico and shares the 37 square mile island with Sint Maarten, a country within the Dutch Kingdom.  The Collectivité offers low rates of taxation for investors; exemption from property tax for five years for new commercial premises and reduced transfer tax on the acquisition of land for the purposes of priority activities.

ABOUT INVEST CARIBBEAN NOW

Invest Caribbean Now (ICN) is the definitive private sector investment agency of the Caribbean. It is based in America’s financial capital of the world, New York City. Now in its fifth year, ICN is the brainchild of Caribbean-born media entrepreneur, Felicia J. Persaud and is owned by Hard Beat Communications, Inc.

Invest Caribbean Now promotes and pushes for the right investment opportunities in the Caribbean region; offers a concierge service for high end investors seeking to make the right connection with key opportunities, governments and other parties in any Caribbean destination and connects small entrepreneurs in the Diaspora with SME micro loans.

For more see investcaribbeannow.com.

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SOURCE: Invest Caribbean Now

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kathy Bronson

Communications Coordinator

Invest Caribbean Now

[email protected]

718-476-3616

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Seaborne Airlines, the fastest growing airline in the Caribbean, announced that it will introduce non-stop service between the carrier’s hub in San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and Antigua and Barbuda newly inaugurated V.C. Bird International Airport, effective December 13, 2015.  The service will represent the only non-stop connection between Puerto Rico and Antigua and Barbuda.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150831/262500

The flights will provide convenient connecting opportunities to Seaborne’s sizable portfolio of airline connecting partners at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.  In tandem with connections to other Seaborne flights in the Caribbean, and connecting partner airlines

Air Europa, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines, passengers will be able to connect to 33 destinations in the America’s and Europe.

All flights will be operated by 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft.  The plane operates with two pilots and a flight attendant, and offers inflight service, a roomy cabin with overhead bins, and other amenities.

Service will operate four times weekly on a year-round basis.  To celebrate the new non-stop service, Seaborne Airlines is offering a promotional fare of $128 each way, inclusive of all taxes and fees.

“We are excited to make Antigua the 17^th airport served by Seaborne Airlines in the Caribbean, ” said Seaborne CEO Gary Foss, “I expect visitors and residents of Antigua and Barbuda alike to appreciate Seaborne’s award-winning customer service, commitment to low fares, and connectivity to our airline partners.”

“Puerto Rico continues to shine as a first-rate destination. Our alliance with Seaborne continues to strengthen the connections between Caribbean destinations and our position as the leading air access hub of the region”, stated Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the

Puerto Rico Tourism Company. “With this new route between San Juan and Antigua we expand our reach towards new markets in the area and provide more options for travelers who want to visit multiple destinations during their vacation”.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, The Honorable Asot Michael said, “With a more modern, efficient airport terminal built to enhance the experience of Antigua and Barbuda visitors, we are pleased that Seaborne will be arriving into the destination this winter, increasing our airlift and providing us with the ability to offer more flight options to our visitors, as well as truly positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a major gateway for passengers connecting to other Caribbean destinations.”

Schedule effective December 13, 2015

     Dep. Airport      Arr. Airport Dep. Time Arr. Time     Day of Week

     ------------      ------------ --------- ---------     -----------

San Juan (SJU)    Antigua (ANU)       12:45     14:20   Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun

-------------     ------------        -----     -----   ------------------

Antigua (ANU)     San Juan (SJU)      15:05     16:40   Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun

------------      -------------       -----     -----   ------------------

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 23 years, carrying approximately 3 million customers safely.  With over 1,500 monthly departures to 17 airports, Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, St. Thomas airport and Seaplane base, St. Croix airport and Seaplane base, Anguilla, Antigua, Tortola, Dominica,  Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, La Romana, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo.  All flights operate with two pilots and two engines under Federal Air Regulation Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

CONTACT: Sandra Colon, [email protected]