Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) PhD Candidate Oliver Shipley is among a diverse group of marine scientists urging governments to provide larger spatial protections in the Greater Caribbean for threatened, highly migratory species such as sharks. Led by the conservation NGO Beneath the Waves, the group of marine experts wrote a letter to policy makers, which was published in the February 14 issue of Science.

Up to one-third of all open ocean shark species is threatened with extinction due to overfishing; therefore, conservation strategies that protect areas where sharks spend significant portions of their time are becoming increasingly important. In light of recent calls to protect 30 percent of our oceans by 2030, large marine protected areas which can stretch from 100,000 sq. km to over 300,000 sq. km have emerged as a popular management tool for their potential to enhance ecological processes and promote sustainable fisheries. One of the greatest benefits of these large conservation zones is their potential to conserve sharks, which travel long distances and can connect multiple jurisdictions over short time periods.

The letter in Science states that the Greater Caribbean, which boasts some of the highest rates of marine biodiversity and contains some of the most migratory shark species in the world, has been overlooked in these conversations.

Through conducting years of scientific research on sharks in the Caribbean, I have witnessed first-hand, the benefits that marine protected areas can have for shark populations, said Shipley, a close collaborator of Dr. Austin Gallagher, Chief Scientist at Beneath the Waves. We hope that currently protected nations, such as The Bahamas, can carry the torch and provide a foundation on which to base broader policy. For this to be a success, we will need to continue to build strong relationships and further understand the needs of key stakeholder groups throughout the wider Caribbean. We are extremely confident that this is going to happen.

The diversity of countries sharing ocean space in the Greater Caribbean is remarkable, and we know that migratory shark species connect many of these countries along their migrations, said Gallagher. Though there are many examples of establishing marine protected areas in the region, there are few that are big enough to encompass the space use of large sharks, such as tiger sharks which can move thousands of miles per year.

Recent research suggests that sharks are surprisingly rare in many Caribbean nations, likely due to decades of unregulated overharvest. However, certain areas such as the Bahamas, which have banned longline fishing and protected sharks in recent decades, have benefitted from the significant socioeconomic inputs generated from live sharks in the diving industry, estimated to be over US $140 million per year.

Read the letter in Science

Original post:

SBU Scientist Appeals for Greater Protection of Caribbean Sharks | | SBU - Stony Brook News

Eagle Beach, Aruba

I have been a long time vacation homeowner on Aruba, the tiny Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela. Only 20 miles long and 6 miles across, the cactus- filled, dry island features my favorite beach in the entire world. Endless days spent on the famed Eagle Beach floating in crystal clear, aquamarine warm waters is why massive throngs of tourists return annually to this island paradise.

With such demand from tourists, in an area outside of the hurricane belt, it seemed only a matter of time when most of the large luxury hotel brands would begin development on the island. With the recent news of Secrets, St. Regis, and Radisson all building new properties on the island, it has become a concern of locals about how the islands vulnerable infrastructure will handle the increase of visitors.

Aerial view of the hotel zone on Aruba

I spoke with my longtime friend Tisa LaSorte, CEO and President of Aruba Hotel and Tourist Association who explains the challenges with more growth, "The Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association advocates for controlled growth and for the government to work urgently with the private sector on a plan for the increased need for staff (which should include a well thought-through migration plan), education, the effects on all infrastructure, and healthcare, etc. Committees are being formed to address these issues in time. We also need to make sure we manage where growth takes place and the location of activities and attractions, to avoid saturation of high-traffic areas. It is and should be our highest priority to ensure that the visitor experience remains enjoyable and return-worthy".

Here is a list of the planned new developments on Aruba, which will make a dramatic change to the island by 2022.

Rendering of Secrets Baby Beach

Secrets Baby Beach

The new Secrets Baby Beach will offer up 600 rooms in the San Nicolas area.The property is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2021, and will be Apple Leisure Groups first-ever resort in Aruba.

Located adjacent to the popular Baby Beach snorkeling area, the adults-only, all-inclusive resort will include the all-inclusive brands signatures, from reservation-free gourmet a la carte dining to 24-hour room service to nighttime entertainment.

According to the Government of Aruba, it is a particularly significant development for San Nicolas, which is considered Arubas cultural capital. Until now, this is its first major hotel project in the area. The infrastructure at Baby beach and Rodgers beach will also be renovated and upgraded with restaurants, bars, extra parking spots, additional beach huts, and new areas for beach sports.

St. Regis Hotel Aruba

St. Regis Hotel

The Marriott changed the land designation in the area south of the Riu Palace Antillas and was approved to build a 310-hotel room St. Regis there to open in 2022.

The internationally branded, five-star, luxury resort will be situated on Eagle beach and incorporating a popular public park. The project includes 200 guestrooms and suites as well as 22 residential units, all with ocean views. The design will feature locally sourced stone and natural boulders as structural elements, numerous terraces and pools for enhanced outdoor experiences, as well as five-star quality interiors.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Aruba

Embassy Suites

Positioned on the border of Eagle Beach below the Divi Phoenix, the new Embassy Suites will offer 330 hotel rooms and will open in 2021. Each of the property's suites will be equipped with a separate living area, private bedrooms, and wet bar. The resort will also have6,000 square feet of meeting space, a 3,000 sf spa, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, and casino.The new hotel will also offer a gourmet signature restaurant and bar.

Hyatt Place Airport Aruba

Hyatt Place Hotel

Already open at the Reina Beatrix International Airport, the 116 hotel room Hyatt Place Hotel helped revitalize the airport area making it more modern and easy to navigate. Guests can access the new Hyatt Place Aruba Airport via a covered walkway providing direct pedestrian access between the hotel and airport. The hotel is part of a planned mixed-use development that will contain 21,000 square feet of office space, car rental facilities, an 8,000 square foot food court, retail shops, and a casual dining restaurant.

Radisson Blu Aruba

Radisson Blu Hotel

The new Radisson Blu Hotel will offer up 209 rooms and will include accommodations ranging from one to three-bedroom suites with each including a full kitchen and in-room washer and dryer. Many of the suites will have balconies overlooking the water.

The new facilities will include a spa, two pools, and a kids' pool, outdoor yoga space, fitness space, six shops, a fine-dining steakhouse, and a poolside restaurant.

Port City Oranjestad development

Port City, Oranjestad

Aruba Ports Authority (APA) recently announced the transformation of the former cargo terminal area near the cruise terminal of Oranjestad into a new leisure, residential and commercial area. Port City Oranjestad will be designed for residents and tourists, with boutique hotels, offices & conference facilities, as well as residential housing. The Port City plan also includes a public waterfront park between the cruise terminal and Bushiri Beach.

*Original story has been edited to remove additional rumored resort developments until confirmations can be made.

Read more from the original source:

The Future Of Aruba: How The Tiny Caribbean Island Is Bracing For Major New Hotel Development - Forbes

Fatisha Evans, University alumni and former Caribbean Student Organization member, opened a Caribbean restaurant in August of last year called Fazmoz to provide the community with Caribbean-style food and culture.

After graduating in 2014 with a bachelors degree in marketing, Evans stayed in Wichita Falls and began selling food to Caribbean students and locals from her apartment in 2016.

Evans said she did not originally plan on going into the restaurant business after graduating.

My intentions were to own a business. What kind of business I could not tell you, Evans said. I was into a kind of marketing company. That was my main thing. Even though I was cooking, I was still wanting to go into marketing.

Although Evans enjoyed cooking good food, she said she never had a passion for cooking until she started cooking for locals.

It was motivating to see Caribbean students and local people coming to an apartment to buy food good food, Evans said.

Evans said she did not have intentions to buy a restaurant until this year. She was driving around the plaza where Fazmoz is now located and saw the building was for lease. Evans did not have the funds at the time of discovering the building but had been saving for four years and decided just to go for it.

When Evans saw the opportunity to open a restaurant and decided to sign the lease in January of 2019. Evans opened the restaurant in August of that year so she had five months to prepare and open the restaurant.

Brooklyn Stone is a high school senior working at Fazmoz. Stone started working as a waitress at the restaurant before the opening.

When [Evans] was interviewing [the employees], she was still making changes to the restaurant. I was able to watch the progress, Stone said.

According to Evans, there was nothing in the building and no equipment. Redecorating and buying the necessary equipment for Fazmoz took all of her savings to get the restaurant where it is.

Rather than buy all new equipment, Evans sourced out for used equipment. Emerson, her husband, owns a pressure washing company so the company cleaned all of the equipment.

Evans changed the interior of the building to match the traditional Caribbean style with painted walls to match the different colors of Caribbean flags as reggae-style music plays in the background.

If you would have come here when the restaurant was still Fuzzys Tacos, you never would have expected it to look like this. [Evans] redid the floors, the walls, the decorations. All of the straw walls, she made them herself, Stone said,

Mercy Yermo, an exercise physiology senior, was interested in Fazmoz because it was a unique restaurant.

[Fazmoz] brought the atmosphere the owners were hoping to create, Yermo said.

Evans wanted to provide the city with fresh ingredients and good service. Evans said that although the city has many restaurants, most of them are fast food chains and lack fresh food.

A lot of people from Wichita Falls have visited my country and visited the entire Caribbean and love the Caribbean. The only time they get to experience the food and that vibe would be if they had the chance to go back to the Caribbean. [Aside from] Caribbean students, the locals love Caribbean food, Evans said.

Before working at Fazmoz, Stone did not know there was a Caribbean organization on campus. Stone did not expect a city like Wichita Falls to be home to many foreign students.

I found out about the Caribbean organization because on Sundays, [Evans] provided free delivery to that organization. I wondered why she was delivering to specific people. I always figured [foreign exchange students] would go to a bigger city and not Wichita Falls, Stone said.

Evans admitted that she does not want to remain in the restaurant business for the rest of her life. She is thinking about going into real estate after she finds a manager to take over Fazmoz.

Im a person that believes in being multi-talented and using all of your talent to the best of your ability, Evans said. Being that type of person, I cant sit around in one area.

Evans is interested in opening up restaurant chains from the support of the community. Even though she may leave Fazmoz, Evans wants Caribbean food to have a presence in the community.

I will not be in this business forever, but Im going to ensure that Caribbean food is always served in Wichita Falls and throughout Texas, Evans said.

See more here:

The story behind alumni's Caribbean restaurant: Fazmoz - The Wichitan

When asked to imagine a tropical paradise, most people probably envision a scene that looks a lot like the Caribbean.

To help shed light on this slice of vacation heaven, 10Best asked readers to help us name the Caribbean's best resorts, beaches, attractions, bars, distilleries, golf courses and restaurants. For the past four weeks, our readers have been voting daily for their favorites, and the results are in.

Click on each category below to see the full list of winners.

Some of Aruba's best scenery lies within this national park Photo courtesy of iStock / LisaStrachan

Covering 20 percent of the island of Aruba, Arikok National Park features cacti-covered hills and a dramatic coastline. Visitors to the park can climb into ruins of an old gold mine, search for Arawak petroglyphs or go snorkeling in a natural pool.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Attraction

This postcard-worthy beach is easily recognizable thanks to its distinctive trees Photo courtesy of iStock / Diego Mariottini

Aruba's widest beach is also one of its most spectacular, thanks to its blindingly white sand, warm Caribbean waters and some of the island's most famous (and photographed) fofoti trees.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Beach

Winning bar invented the Painkiller cocktail Photo courtesy of iStock / cdwheatley

The Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands is known for creating the Painkiller, a rum cocktail featuring cream of coconut, pineapple, orange juice and freshly grated Grenadian nutmeg.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Beach Bar

Robert Trent Jones Jr. restored this winning golf course Photo courtesy of Dorado Beach

When Robert Trent Jones Jr. restored the East Course at Dorado Beach, he elevated it to one of the best courses in the region. Fifteen of the 18 holes enjoy ocean views, and the bunkers are filled with native sand harvested from the nearby beaches.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Golf Course

Guests of this winning resort enjoy easy access to Eagle Beach (also a winner) Photo courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

An adults-only oasis on the island of Aruba, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort sits on the white sands of Eagle Beach, where guests enjoy stellar views of the sea, warm breezes and tropical sunsets away from the more crowded areas of the island. The 104 rooms and suites feature eco-friendly amenities, as well as free breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Resort

This is the second win in a row for Topper's Photo courtesy of Topper's Rhum Distillery

Visitors to this 6,000-square-foot facility in Sint Maarten gain insight into the history of rum-making while seeing the blending and bottling process firsthand. Visitors also get to sample new flavors in development, along with the full lineup of artisan rums, in the tasting bar. Those who'd like to take some Topper's home can even bottle their own.

Full list of winners: Best Caribbean Rum Distillery

You'll find this winning restaurant at this year's winning resort Photo courtesy of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort

The spectacular oceanfront setting at Elements complements the menu of globally-inspired dishes made from sustainable and locally grown ingredients. Local Aruban classics are served weekly during Sunday evening Local Arts - Local Eats events.

Full list of winners: Best Restaurant in the Caribbean

Congratulations to all our Caribbean winners. Remember to visit 10Best daily to vote in other Readers' Choice categories.

Read this article:

These are the best places in the Caribbean - USA Today 10Best

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. The water is a crystal, Caribbean blue, and the palm trees sway over white sand. The only things missing are the smell of salty sea air and the sound of waves slapping on the shore.

It's not a real beach. It is an 8-acre, 16 million-gallon, man-made body of water about 25 miles from the Tampa coast. The Lagoon at Epperson, a community in Wesley Chapel, opened just over a year ago.

Crystal Lagoons, which began building these massive oases in South America and the Middle East, is now rapidly expanding into the United States. It has five lagoon communities open in two states, Florida and Texas, and seven more are expected to open this year, with California and Pennsylvania added to the mix.

"We've got 30 signed projects and it's really been kind of an inflection curve in the last couple of years," said Eric Cherasia, vice president of Crystal Lagoons.

One of those is in Pittsburgh, where the company is part of the redevelopment of a former industrial area into a retail, residential and entertainment center. In the winter, the lagoon will be a massive skating rink.

Crystal Lagoons works with local developers, licensing the technology and having them build the developments. In Epperson, the company worked with Metro Development Group.

"When you see this thing, it really, really pops and is spectacular," said Greg Singleton, Metro's president. "It's way cheaper than a golf course, and it appeals to so many different people. It just became a cost benefit analysis for us. We thought we'd sell more homes quicker and get a price premium when it's all said and done."

Epperson Community, Wesley Chapel, Fla.

Steve Washington | CNBC

And that was the case even before the development opened. Seven builders, including public companies Lennar, Pulte and D.R. Horton, are putting up more than 1,000 homes around and next to the lagoon. And those homes are selling faster than comparable homes not along the lagoon.

Epperson saw a 21% sales increase at its model homes during the preconstruction period, over a seven-month time frame, compared with 1% to 5% increases at competitor communities, according to Builder Magazine.

"It's really it's a differentiator for us," said Sean Strickler, Pulte Group's West Florida division president. "We've been building homes across Tampa for several years, and the lagoon provides a unique take on a new amenity our residents can enjoy. Now for years we've built golf courses and traditional club houses, and to see a beautiful 8-acre lake lagoon has been a tremendous draw."

Strickler says the homes at Epperson, which start in the $200,000 range, sell at about a 9% to 10% premium to comparable homes in the Tampa area, all because of the lagoon.

"We have just over 400 home sites in the community, and when we opened it was absolutely nuts," he said.

The lagoon itself is something of a technical feat. It is constantly filtered, and there is a vacuum-like machine that runs around it all day, sucking up any foreign matter. The lagoon is monitored by a control center in Florida. It can see any foreign matter almost immediately, like an alligator. That happened once at the Epperson lagoon, but it was quickly detected and removed.

"It is a patented technology, so I'm only able to go into a little bit of detail, but it works through a disinfection process, pulsed disinfection with some ultrasonic systems," Cherasia said. "We use 100 times fewer chemicals than conventional swimming pools and about 2% of the energy, which is really what makes this work."

There is a huge water slide in the pool, as well as kayaks and an island float. It is surrounded on one side by a sandy beach and the other by a large Tiki bar. A new restaurant scheduled to open soon.

"My wife had seen this area, and as soon as I got to the bridge that overlooked the area and saw that pool, the rest is history," said Dennis Svoboda, who moved here from Michigan's upper peninsula to retire. He bought a Pulte home.

Pulte Homes at Metro Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons, Wesley Chapel, FL

Lisa Rizzolo | CNBC

His daughter, Natalie Farrell, and her husband followed with their toddler. They are expecting another child soon. She said living at a real beach, unlike this one, has its downsides.

"We love the beach, but the schools aren't the greatest and it's kind of expensive, more expensive to live out there," she said.

And there is a benefit when it comes to the risks of climate change.

"The thing with the real beaches is, you got to pay flood insurance. I don't have to pay flood insurance in the middle of Florida here, so it's a lot cheaper," said Svoboda.

The lagoon water level can actually be lowered in advance of a storm, so there is little chance of overflow.

Crystal Lagoons has had little push-back from communities, although it has had to go through the rigorous regulatory processes.

"We've had to work with the regulators here in Florida, but generally being sustainable, providing almost drinking-water-clean standard of water, compared to anything out there, I mean you look at a golf course, we're using 30 times less water than a traditional golf course," said Cherasia.

Crystal Lagoons is expanding outside the housing development model as well, planning to build more lagoons in the U.S. that will be open to the public, as stand-alone attractions.

View post:

Caribbean-like lagoons give homebuyers the benefits of the beach without the risk - CNBC

From L-R: Adolfo Aragon, Sr. VP, Universal Aviation; Charlie Mularski, Executive VP, Universal; Jonathan Ebanks, Director, Universal Aviation Cayman Islands; Greg Evans, Chairman, Universal.

Universal Aviation

Houston (Feb. 18, 2020) Universal Aviation, the FBO ground services division of Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc., announced it has partnered with Cayman Dispatch Service (CDS) to join its growing global network of 50+ locations in 25+ countries, as a Universal Aviation Certified locationUniversal Aviation Cayman Islands.

CDS is based at Owen Roberts International Airport (MWCR) in Grand Cayman and is a leading ground handling company in Cayman, providing both over and under-wing services to the main airlines, for more than 25 years, with a team of 120+ people, and a wide range of equipment.

As a Universal Aviation Certified member, CDS has proven its commitment to service excellence by passing Universals rigorous standards for ground handling quality, training, safety, consistency, customer service, and regulatory complianceincluding compliance with international law such as the Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and UK Bribery Act. Adherence to these standards will be managed via recurrent training and regular audits.

The Cayman Islands is experiencing record growth in travelers, via both airlines and business jets, said Adolfo Aragon, Sr. Vice President, Universal Aviation. The addition of a new location in the Cayman Islands with a partner with a great track record in the country like CDS enhances our ability to provide our clients with a consistent level of service that meets the growing demand.

We are very proud to bring the internationally recognized brand of Universal to the Cayman Islands, said Jonathan Ebanks, Deputy Director, CDS. We look forward to beginning our exciting work with Universal, the airport, and the Government of the Cayman Islands, to address the growing demand of business aviation in the country.

The addition of the Cayman Islands expands the Universal Aviation network to 20 locations in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Universal Aviation also has 18 locations in the Europe, Middle East and Africa Region, and 17 locations in the Asia-Pacific.

Read more here:

Universal Aviation Expands Presence in the Caribbean with New Cayman Islands Location - AviationPros.com

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) has opened nominations for the prestigious Rising Star Award Caribbean to be presented at the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS). This is the tenth year ISHC and CHRIS have collaborated to recognize young, talented leadership in the Caribbean region.

To nominate a candidate, please complete the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is on or before midnight EST on March 13, 2020. Please note that all candidates need to be nominated by another person from within their organization or someone with direct work experience with the nominee.

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly The Leading Source for Global Hospitality Expertise, represented by over two hundred of the industry"s most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over fifty functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at ishc.com.

Continued here:

Nominations Open for the 2020 Rising Star Award Caribbean to be presented at CHRIS - Hospitality Net

When it comes to Caribbean tourism, the Dominican Republic is most likely the least popular destination these days. That's particularly sad since the country's given the rest of the world a lot from cocoa and bananas to its best-known exportbaseball players, which comprise about 40 percent of the average U.S. big-league team's roster.

There's a lot to appreciate about the country's place in the history books, as its capital, Santo Domingo, is the oldest known settlement in the Americas, having been established in 1496. It also hasacathedral built by the son of Christopher Columbus; 500 years later, it's still standing.

But while folks have nothing but good things to say about the Dominican Republic's culinary and sports culture as well as its place in history, those aren't what's keeping visitors away. The country has one of the highest crime rates of any nation in the Caribbean and as a result,merchants in the hospitality industry have marked down the prices of vacation packages so severely, they're almost giving those incentives away.

That sounds enticing to more experienced travelers who have enough savvy to know who and what to avoid in a foreign destination. As for the rest, the Dominican Republic's Tourism Ministry still has a tough time competing against the sobering news and hysteric feedback via social mediaon incidents affecting travelers intheir country. Scuttlebutt of that sort isstill likely to scare off a sizeable percentage of otherwise interested vacationers.

Related:These All-Inclusive Resorts In The Dominican Republic Have The Best Trip Advisor Reviews

Thatsaid, those who aren't alarmed by the headlines can find a lot of vacation bargains, especially all-inclusive packages. Deals offered by Sunwing, for example, had resort packages in the Dominican Republic priced around $500 lower for similar offerings in the Bahamas and Jamaica.

One of the cheapest resort packages was for Bellevue Dominican Bay in Santo Domingo, overlooking Boca Chica Beach. A seven-night stay at this facility, which boasts two pools and tropical gardens, was as low as $650 US per person plus tax. On the other end of the budgetary spectrum, theViva Wyndham Dominicus Beach Resort on the southern tip of the island, which features all the diving you can take in as well as world-class cuisine, was available as a seven-day package for less than $1,000 US per person plus tax.

Getting around any of the cities, expenditures won't be much of a drain on your budget. The cost of living is so low that an American choosing to reside in the country could do so rather comfortably for less than $1,000 a month. The exchange rate also suits most foreign travelers nicely with the peso worth about two cents on the U.S. dollar.

More than six million tourists annually visit the Dominican Republic, nearly half of them Americans. Evidently, the rash of severe incidents affecting American visitors, in particular, hasn't prompted the U.S. government to issue a travel advisory regardingsafety considerations in the nation.

Additionally, the Dominican Republic's federal government revealed that if anything, incidents affecting tourists have been dropping. While 2019 figures weren't readily available, figures from 2018 showed a decrease in incidents dropped to 1.4 per 100,000 visitors from 1.6 the previous year.

Hospitality polls released by the government also revealed that 99 percent of Americans and 94 percent of Canadians said they would visit the Dominican Republic again. In terms of service provided, 94 percent of Americans and 97 percent of Canadians rated hospitality as excellent.

A statement issued last June by the country's Tourism Ministry included a rather telling remark byMark Murphy, CEO of travAlliancemedia. "This is a destination that has welcomed eight million Americans over the last four years," he said. "How many times have we heard about problems?

Putting things into perspective and more recent events notwithstanding,the government still declared that the country was safe for visitors. But the report advised that tourists still take the same precautions they would normally follow at any foreign destination.

It might be wise to ask the resort staff about the quality of security. And once at your destination, be wary of people walking suspiciously in the hallway near your suite. Ensure your valuables are in a safe place or better still if they're not essential for the trip, leave them at home.

Around town, find out about the seedier places in the area and avoid them, especially at night. More severe crimes are usually committed by gangs, most of them dealing in the drug trade. Others may approach resort guests as part of initiating a scam; should that happen, politely refuse and move on.

Those deals, indicative of how affordable the Dominican Republic has been of late, however, may have turned a corner. In February, tourism figures released by the federal government revealed that revenues between 2012 and 2019 registered at $50.6 billion.

The biggest revenue generation took place in 2019 at roughly 7.7 billion U.S., a 1.7 percent increase from the total reported the previous year. Putting a little government spin onthe numbers, the feds also declared that the 2019 total reflected a 64.3 percent increase over the 2012 total revenue figure of $4.7 billion.

Still, the recovery is a slow year-by-year creep, but if the momentum continues and assuming people are convinced that the Dominican Republic is safe, the more cautious tourists might come back. However, those adventurous bargain hunters may start looking elsewhere for deals.

Next:Trip Advisor Reviews Confirm: These All-Inclusive Resorts In Mexico Are Worth The Price

The Best-Kept Secrets In Sri Lanka

See the article here:

Why The Dominican Republic Is The Cheapest Holiday Destination In The Caribbean - TheTravel

Whip out your finest suit and dress and head to Afro Caribbean SocialsAfro Caribbean Gala later this month. The sounds of the Caribbean will sweep guests off their well-dressed feet as organizers say attendees will rub elbows with members of high society.

The event is described as an extravagant, upscale event where formal attire is encouraged. However, not wearing it wont prohibit entry. Its expected that celebrities, big-name DJs, professional athletes and high-profile attorneys will attend.

RELATED: See the large Caribbean carnivals that made their way to Atlanta and Dekalb

Skulla Djs, a group of DJs and producers, will spin the best in a wide range of Caribbean genres, including Soca, Afrobeats, Reggae, hip hop, and Latin music. Theyll also take requests from attendees.

And dont worry about mingling and dancing on an empty stomach, as a chef touted in the event description as very creative will have a variety of food options for attendees to enjoy.

The event, which calls for anyone who loves cultural music to attend, also encourages guests to arrive early to avoid the wait.

However, VIP tickets to skip waiting in lineare available for $25. Guests can opt to grab five VIP passes and a private section for $100. Lower-priced ticket options are available for those who dont want to get the VIP treatment, including $15 general admission tickets.

Afro Caribbean Socials regularly hosts events at Duluths Barnacles Sports Bar & Grill. The group is also hosting aValentines Day ball that offers free cover to people celebrating a birthday within seven days of the love-based holiday. The birthday celebrants can get free cover for four guests, too.

RELATED:Take flight in a WWII-era plane in Gwinnett County this March

DETAILSAfro Caribbean Gala 202010 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday, February 21-Saturday, February 22Barnacles Sports Bar & Grill: 2125 Market Street, Duluth$15-$100

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Dress to impress at the 2020 Afro Caribbean Gala in Duluth - Atlanta Journal Constitution

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Its a pirates life for Minnie Mouse!

The second release for Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction is now on shelves at Walt Disney World. We saw Space Mountain last month, and the Mad Tea Party is in store for March. But February features the captain of Disney Parks: Pirates of the Caribbean! Lets see what we found.

This gray, neutral MagicBand adds a touch of Minnie in her pirate garb and looking sassy. on the other side, there is a skull wearing Minnies signature hairbow. There is also a brocade-like design in bronze.

We love to see something new from Loungefly, and this fanny pack makes the Main Attraction line even more unique. Key features of Pirates of the Caribbean are included, like the skull, pirate ship and ships wheel. A nice bow is added to the front.

The mug is very similar to last months design but features the pirates ship in the middle of Minnies hairbow. There are also ship wheels throughout the mug.

The Minnie plush for this month pulls together a few elements from Pirates of the Caribbean. We see the skull and ships wheel and even some lace.

The ear headband is nice and sparkly! We see the skull with a hair bow and the ships wheel all topped by a pirate ship.

The pin set includes the skull with a hair bow (and a nice gold tooth), Minnie doing a jig and the ear headband.

We found all these items at Uptown Jewelers in the Magic Kingdom.

Which items will you add to your growing Main Attraction collection?

Related

Continue reading here:

PHOTOS: New "Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction" Pirates of the Caribbean Collection Sails Into Walt Disney World - wdwnt.com

The ability to travel as a family, with small children or even teenagers, is a great memory for families to be able to create together. Excitedly enough, vacations arent always about creating memories that will last a lifetime, but studies have even shown that traveling makes children perform better in school and may even extend their love for education into their careers.

Unfortunately, choosing the right location will always be a tough one especially when budgets, accommodations, excursions and dates all play major factors in the final decision. One destination that is a preferred favorite among individuals, couples, and families is the Caribbean, but finding a safe and affordable location is the tricky part. Places like Haiti, Puerto Rico and even parts of Jamaica may not be the best option to accommodate our family whether it may be due to a high crime rate, a surge in illegal substances, major and frequent hurricanes or even shark attacks.

Luckily, weve done our research and were able to compile a list of the safest Caribbean Islands for families.

The lovely Barbados - the island known to have endless possibilities, countless underwater caves to explore and informative tours of stunning abbeys. However, what most people may not be aware of is that Barbados is considered THE safest island in the Caribbean and very budget-friendly when planning a trip with the whole family.

Barbados is known for its flying fish which is the countrys symbol and on the national flag. This dish is normally stewed and served on Fridays with cou-cou, tomatoes, onion, and herbs. To pair with this dish, parents can enjoy the finest and oldest rum in the world, Mount Gay Rum, that dates back from 1703.

Attracting nearly a million tourists per year, tourism plays a huge role in the economy and the locals and shop owners are known to be the kindest people in the Caribbean. Many of the beaches are family-friendly and some are even known to have incredible pink sands to contrast the turquoise water. There are a few rules that the US State Department has put in place, such as camouflage clothing is illegal, but once one does their research on the destination they are visiting, theyll be good to go!

Most importantly, Barbados offers many condo-style accommodations and all-inclusive resorts. On one side, the all-inclusives offer a wide range of child-friendly activities, unlimited food and drink for the whole family and endless entertainment, the condos offers parents multiple bedrooms, a private kitchen and living room, bigger bathroom which makes it easier for the entire family to live according to their needs and those of their children.

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Considered another one of the safest islands in the Caribbean, Anguilla is also proud to be known as the island with the lowest drug offenses and drug crimes. Safe to say, this is a definite hot spot among families with young children, but lately there has been a surge in celebrities and wealthy tourists. Luxury tourism is the reason there are many villas and condos that can be rented in Anguilla, similar to the Bahamas. Each villa offers families a private balcony, some with private pools and hot tubs, with a kitchen and multiple bedrooms to accommodate each family member.

For safety reasons, its best to avoid hurricane season which generally begins in June and ends in November. Most all-inclusives and tourist attractions will often have their best prices between May and August, so a little Mothers Day getaway to celebrate is probably the best option to get the most of your money.

Anguilla is filled with child-friendly activities like horseback riding, swimming with dolphins, epic sandcastle contests on the beach and even traveling on a glass-bottomed boat to view the marine life below.

If youve ever wondered if people are simply accidentally writing St. Maarten and St. Martin wrong, let us clarify that they are two different islands. St. Martin is the French island, complete with French foodies with Carribean ingredients, and St. Maarten is an English island, that was once run by the Dutch. The English side has a wide range of nightlife activities like rum tasting, dancing, and shows. They also have the majority of the shopping district.

For those looking for excursions and sightseeing trips, the island provides plenty of day-time activities to accommodate the whole family. Both the US State Department and TripAdvisor have also made note that Anguilla has almost no crime, however, to always be careful of petty crime like pickpocketing.

Day trips to Anguilla are also available through a car rental company or through a tour guide. The drive there and back total under three hours. However, to offer a true Caribbean experience, families are encouraged to take the local ferry across.

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It is not uncommon to walk the streets, reside in luxurious villas and bump into a famous movie celebrity. St. Barts is considered one of the most expensive and most exclusive islands in the Caribbean, which is why it is also, proudly, the top safest island as well. St. Barts is so safe that some of the locals even leave their cars and homes unlocked.

Unlock most Caribbean islands, the best time to visit St. Barts is between November and June, but it is especially hot in December until April. However, December is so popular among vacationers that in order to book for the month, it will have to be done a whole six months ahead of time.

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The Safest Caribbean Islands (That Are Family Vacation Worthy) - TheTravel

WHEN DR Justin Ram, director of the economics department at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), gave a speech in 2018 at a regional stakeholder consultation session on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) initiative in Guyana, he hit on a major issue that has plagued the regions leaders for several years.

Ram was addressing what has been dubbed the Caribbean brain drain.

He said: When we look at the data, many of the countries [in the region] have lost as much as 70 per cent of their labour force with more than 12 years of schooling.

That is to say, 70 per cent of our population that we have schooled to tertiary education has left our shores.

Ram added that unemployment rates in the Caribbean remain very high: In many of our member countries, it is as high as 25 per cent, and low as 4.3 per cent. I should add that youth unemployment is even higher, and in some of our member countries (it) is as high as 40 per cent.

In the Caribbean context, the brain drain is reflected in consistently high migration patterns of potentially the most productive segments of the population.

Decades of migration has served to enhance the economic problems that have become particularly acute over the last 10 years.

Following the 2008 financial crisis many Caribbean countries implemented deep austerity programmes to deal with the crisis and also bring decades of public spending under control.

With high debt, low foreign investment and a contraction in key industries such as tourism, the brain drain has only made the problems in the region more difficult to overcome.

Former premier of St Lucia Kenny Anthony has described the economic situation of the Caribbean as one of the biggest economic crises since independence.

Historically, the Caribbean has been the site of significant migration flows. For more than 200 years, its people have migrated to other regions in search of work and more opportunities.

The 20th Century, in particular, saw significant movements of people from the region to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as post-war economies sought Caribbean labour to harness the high-level skills that many of the educated migrants possessed.

Those who arrived from the Caribbean in the UK as a source of labour to help rebuild the country after World War Two have become known as the Windrush Generation.

Alongside these movements, however, has been a significant impact on the countries from which Caribbean migrants originated from.

The Caribbean has been the site of the largest and most significant effects of the brain drain a loss of skilled labour that has had a debilitating effect on the economic development of most countries in the region.

Around22% of theCaribbeanpopulationlives abroad

What has been many developed countries gain has been a loss for the region and the economic effects have become more apparent as the region moves forward in the 21st Century amidst greater competition and vulnerability in the global economy.

Between 1965 and 2000, around 12 per cent of the labour force of the Caribbean had emigrated to an OECD country which is almost twice the amount for Central America and six times the average rate for most developing countries.

This has meant that the Caribbean, within that timeframe, has exported more educated and skilled labour (in proportion to its population) to the benefit of other countries than any other region in the world.

Approximately 22 per cent of the Caribbean population lives abroad, with half that percentage having migrated to the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The other half migrated within the region to countries such as the Bahamas, British Virgin and US Virgin Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Since the 1990s, Haiti, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica have been the largest sources of migrants from the Caribbean.

When looking at individual Caribbean countries the labour losses are even more stark, with Haiti having lost 10 per cent of its population through migration and with smaller countries such as Grenada losing 55 per cent of its population through emigration to OECD countries.

When looking at highly skilled labour, the rate of emigration is on average 70 per cent with several countries such as Jamaica, Guyana, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Haiti losing over 80 per cent of their highly skilled working population. Much of the brain drain in the Caribbean lies in the inability of countries in the region to generate adequate employment opportunities for working age people.

In the English-speaking Caribbean, a significant proportion of the population are educated to tertiary level but then lack job opportunities that reflect their qualifications.

This is reinforced by Frdric Docquier and Maurice Schiff, researchers for the German based Institute for the Study of Labour, who argue that small states tend to be more dependent on trade and less diversified than larger economies.

The small territorial size, small population and (in most cases) limited natural resources forces small states to specialise in the production and export of a few goods and services while relying on imports for significant amounts of finished goods that they cannot produce in large amounts, owing to high production costs.

Small states tend to be comparatively more vulnerable to external price fluctuations and natural disasters which could often lead to more volatility in growth compared to countries with larger and more diversified internal markets.

As a result, when an economic downturn occurs in large countries skilled labour would often migrate internally while skilled labour in small states would emigrate to other countries.

Despite the challenges posed by the brain drain, there is growing evidence from other developing countries that it is not a terminalcondition that Caribbean countries necessarily have to endure indefinitely.

Recent evidence from countries such as India, China and Brazil provides tentative hope that it is possible for countries to tempt their nationals back if the right policies and opportunities are provided.

Because of the Caribbeans position as small island states, pursuing closer and more effective regional integration through the enhancement anddevelopment of CARICOM could help expand and diversify the markets that could potentially keep skilled labour in the region.

Additionally, a co-ordinated regional effort to create knowledge-intensive, service-oriented economies that has been done in the previously mentioned countries could also help. Other options include encouraging medium-term immigration of skilled labour from other countries and regions to stimulate economic diversification.

As more industries develop, more employment opportunities would (in theory) open up, slowing the migration of highly skilled labour and encouraging those who have left to return.

Hopefully with these options considered, governments and policy makers will move forward to reverse the brain drain and chart a clear path for the Caribbeans development in the 21st Century.

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CDB Official: Caribbean Brain Drain Cripples Region - The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer