The final General Session at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in Puerto Rico last weekend addressed Cuba and its impact on tourism in the region. The general consensus appeared to be cautious optimism based on expectations of diversion of visitors from other countries, but overall a chance to highlight the diversity of the culture of the region. There was also concurrence that the entire Caribbean can shine as the spotlight falls on Cuba, exposing more potential travellers to the rich diversity and culture of the region.

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COZUMEL, Mexico, October 2015 /PRNewswire/ — 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 theCaribbean, Mexico and Central and South America.

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Lynden Pindling International Airport has opened its first-class passenger lounge, the Lingum Club. Watch an address at the opening by Nassau Airport Development Co president here.
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The Bahamas Financial Services Board’s Bahamas Landfall event is returning to Brazil in October with events scheduled in Rio de Janeiro on October 20 and Sao Paolo on October 21-22.

The Bahamas Landfall event in Rio de Janeiro will take the form of a breakfast briefing, while Sao Paolo will see Landfall events scheduled during a breakfast presentation on October 21 and a cocktail reception on October 22.

BFSB and its member firms who will be attending the events in Brazil will also participate in the STEP LatAm conference which coincides with their time in Sao Paolo.

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While the northern islands of The Bahamas were spared the wrath of Hurricane Joaquin, the southern islands have suffered very significant damage, including structural damages and emotional distress.

The impacted communities will be in great need of assistance. This will encompass survival items such as water, food, clothing, bedding and other personal items, as well as restoration items such as building materials, equipment and volunteer labour.

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A government delegation travelled to the Family Islands that were hit by Hurricane Joaquin to assess damages at the weekend.
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Prime Minister Perry Christie led a delegation on Saturday to islands affected by Hurricane Joaquin.

Members of the delegation included Cabinet ministers, members of the opposition Dr Hubert Minnis and Hubert Chipman MP, and top officials from NEMA, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, BTC and BEC.

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International ratings agency Standard & Poor’s recently downgraded The Bahamas’ credit rating and placed the country’s economy on a negative outlook.

The action was taken due to the short-term “economic shock” brought on by megaresort Baha Mar’s bankruptcy filing and an increasingly “remote” chance of a quick settlement in the resort’s legal battles.

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The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Ministry of Financial Services have announced that they have partnered with the Ministry of Education and language leader Rosetta Stone Inc (NYSE:RST) to introduce a world language programme within public junior and senior high schools throughout The Bahamas.

The programme builds upon existing training through which Rosetta Stone has already helped more than 300 members of the BFSB improve language proficiency.

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Steps are in motion in The Bahamas to appoint provisional liquidators to oversee the wind up of the Baha Mar resort group of companies.
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