Caribbean News: Five on Friday May 27th, 2022

Barbados - Silicon Valley of the Caribbean

Barbados is set to be the new Silicon Valley of the Caribbean

 According to Gabriel Abed, founder of Bitt Inc., Barbados is set to be the new Silicon Valley of the Caribbean. The island has the ability to lead technological advancement in the region. There is a possibility to build up the formula about how to create technology start-ups like Silicon Valley. What Barbados need is to create a successful tech company, then learn from the experience to make the Barbadian formula for tech companies. 

The Barbadian Ambassador to the United Arabs Emirates supports Barbados in its initiative of being a regional tech leader. The Ambassador is leading in the Government's efforts to join Metaverse. According to the Ambassador, Barbados has a lot of opportunities in the technological arena. Thanks to the small size of the island, a company tech can start fast, adjust, adapt and test it quickly in the Barbadian market. Then, the country can export the successful tech company and build upon it.

The Ambassador also pointed out the use of digital currencies. As transactions in Bitcoin, blockchain is not yet allowed, it restrains technological advancement. Added to that, Abed stated the sale of the Barbados National Bank (BNB) was to the detriment of the island’s financial sector and future commerce.

Moreover, Abed stated that the island still has a cash-driven economy. It affects the country’s productivity as cash is relatively bad for the economy in general. Thus, creating an environment favorable to digital currencies and online banking will help increase the country’s GDP and productivity.

 Eco campaigner Oly Rush completes 37-hour Caribbean island swim

The eco campaigner,  Oly Rush swam 37 hours around the Grand Canyon, the Caribbean island nonstop

Oly Rush, 37, from Upton, Dorset is a well-known eco campaigner. He has raised thousands of pounds for charity.  So far, Rush has raised more than £18,000 online. Last August, Mr. Rush has already completed a 15-hour swim around the Isle of Wight to raise awareness about marine pollution. 

As of today, the eco campaigner is the first person to swim around the Grand Canyon, the Caribbean island nonstop. He swam 95.5km (59.3 miles) for 36 hours and 59 minutes.

In this challenge, the eco campaigner partnered with two charities, namely Plastic Free Cayman and Project Planet. According to Rush, the swim was absolutely brutal and it was the hardest thing he has ever done. At some point, he wanted the ocean to swallow him up but he never thought to give up because of his motivation to fight for environmental causes.

Although the whole swimming challenge went without any major incidents, the eco campaigner suffered because of the difficult conditions. His tongue had swollen and he couldn’t drink. In the end, although swimming around the Caribbean was challenging mentally and physically, Rush said that he will continue to raise awareness about sea pollution.

Turks and Caicos Islands record an increase in visitor arrivals

Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) tourism industry is set to fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic

 The Turks and Caicos Islands recorded an increase in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2022. According to Mary Lightbourne, the acting Director of the Turks and Caicos Tourist Board, the tourism industry is poised for a full recovery. The island is going strong in terms of destination recovery after two years of decline resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ms. Lightbourne, March 2022 saw the number of arrivals matching the pre-COVID 19 levels.

According to the Tourist Board, the Turks and Caicos Islands recorded an average increase of approximately 33 percent in stopover arrivals. The island registered 34,057 stopover arrivals in January 2022 to 44,596 stopover arrivals in February 2022, and 60,109 in March 2022.

As for cruise tourism, the Turks and Caicos Islands received 173,151 cruise visitors in the first three months of 2022. This cruise arrival represented 62 percent of the arrival received in the same three months of 2019.

Regarding the market, the United States market continues to dominate as main source of visitors from January through March this year. This increase is due to the recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 Reggae Sumfest, The Largest Reggae Festival In The Caribbean, Returns This Summer In Montego Bay, Jamaica

Photo credit: https://www.reggaesumfest.com

Reggae Sumfest, the iconic reggae festival will be held from July 18 to July 23 in Montego Bay, Jamaica

After 2 years of interruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reggae Sumfest, the iconic festival returns this summer. From July 18 to July 23, Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica will host the legendary reggae festival. Reggae Sumfest is the largest reggae festival in the Caribbean. The organizers stated that the lineup will include Beenie Man, Spragga Benz, Koffee, and Beres Hammond, among other world-renowned reggae stars. During the four days of the festival, reggae lovers will enjoy the performances of world-class reggae stars.

According to Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the Reggae Sumfest will help the tourism industry to recover bigger and better. The greatest reggae show in the world will bring economic benefit to Jamaica. The event is expected to earn between $5 billion and $6 billion in the island. Hotels,  taxi drivers,  vendors, restaurants, craft merchants, and so on, will benefit from the festival. Besides, the employment rate among young people will increase during the festival.

 Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley Makes Time 100 Most Influential List

Photograph by Camila Falquez for TIME

Mia Mottley, the first female Barbados Prime Minister is one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2022

Mia Mottley, the first female Barbados Prime Minister makes Time 100 most influential list. The Barbadian icon has been named one of the most influential people in 2022. She joins the list along with worldwide influential men and women such as Joe Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and more.

The annual list honors pioneers in various industries, recognizing their contributions and achievements. And in terms of achievement, the Prime Minister has a long list. She is well-known for her environmental advocacy. She took major initiatives such as initiating the process to abolish the secondary school entrance exam, declaring her intention for Barbados to recognize same-sex unions; and delivering on her promise to make Barbados a republic. She also runs the ruling party Barbados Labour Party to victories in the last two general elections.

According to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo, the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the first woman and first African to serve in this role, Mia Mottley is bold, fearless, and possessing a great intellect and wit.

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