Author: Art Ryan

At Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025, Kareen Hall, Director of Sales and Marketing for Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica, unveiled a bold and vibrant new chapter for the island’s hospitality scene. With the November 2024 opening of Princess Grand Jamaica and Princess Senses The Mangrove, the brand has made a dynamic entry into the Caribbean—bringing two distinct experiences to the shores of Negril that cater to both families and luxury adult travelers. Two Resorts, One Destination—Tailored for Every Traveler Princess Hotels & Resorts has launched not just one, but two premier properties in Jamaica, each with its own identity and charm.…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, Karen Whitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Hartling Group and First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), illuminated the success story of Turks and Caicos—a small destination with a globally respected luxury brand. Speaking from the dynamic and high-traffic Turks and Caicos booth, Whitt shared insights into the islands’ responsible growth, refreshed hotel experiences, and the evolving demands of the modern traveler. Turks & Caicos: Small in Size, Big in Luxury With 40 islands and cays, only eight of which are inhabited, Turks and Caicos…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Kathique Haynes, Marketing Officer, and Ashar Blucher, Executive Assistant to the CEO at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority (SVGTA), showcased an exhilarating picture of a destination that is diverse, thriving, and uniquely soulful. With 32 islands and cays to explore, SVG is positioning itself as the Caribbean’s ultimate multi-experience escape, combining eco-adventure, romance, sailing, and cultural authenticity. A Destination Reawakening with Momentum and Diversity From volcanic peaks and rainforest waterfalls on mainland St. Vincent to the luxurious hideaways in Canouan, Mustique, and Bequia, SVG is amplifying its identity as a multi-dimensional…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, Nicola Madden-Greig, Group Director of Marketing and Sales for Courtleigh Hospitality Group and Chair of the Tourism Linkages Task Force, underscored her commitment to reshaping how Jamaica—and the wider Caribbean—delivers economic and experiential value through tourism. With a strategic shift toward linking tourism with local industries, and a strong spotlight on Kingston’s growing allure, Madden-Greig is leading conversations that aim to redefine travel, business, and community impact in the region. New Role, Bigger Vision: Driving Linkages in Caribbean Tourism While she recently stepped down as President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism…

At Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025, Kyle Mais, Managing Director of the iconic Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, shared a passionate update on how the hotel continues to blend classic Caribbean luxury with forward-thinking environmental stewardship. In a landscape of evolving travel demands and urgent climate challenges, Jamaica Inn is proving that heritage hospitality and sustainability can thrive hand-in-hand. A Historic Gem with a Unique Soul Set along a private cove on Jamaica’s north coast, Jamaica Inn has long been recognized for its elegant simplicity, storied legacy, and intimate guest experience. Mais describes it as “luxury, yes—but the kind that is…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Marva Williams, CEO and Director of Tourism at the Discover Dominica Authority, delivered a compelling update on one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets: Dominica—the Nature Island. With a strong emphasis on sustainability, authenticity, and immersive experiences, Dominica is capturing the attention of global travelers seeking something beyond sun and sand. A Natural Treasure, Yet to Be Fully Discovered Tucked between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica is often described as “relatively unspoiled”—and proudly so. Over 60% of its land is protected, creating a rich ecological canvas where rainforests, hot springs, waterfalls, and marine sanctuaries thrive. “We’re…

At Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025, Merricka Dyer, Hotel Sales Manager for Grand Palladium Jamaica and Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, painted a vibrant portrait of a resort that masterfully balances opulence, cultural authenticity, and genuine hospitality. Located in Lucea, Hanover, just a short drive from Montego Bay, this twin property isn’t just a place to stay—it’s an experience to remember. Expansive Luxury with a Personal Touch The Grand Palladium complex boasts a stunning 1,054 rooms, offering guests everything from stylish standard accommodations to spacious swim-out suites and exclusive bungalows. Following recent renovations, the Grand Palladium Jamaica now stands…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority, delivered an energizing and optimistic update on the tri-island destination’s flourishing tourism sector. From strong airlift growth and record-setting visitor numbers to sustainability leadership and community-driven initiatives, Grenada is positioning itself as a model for responsible tourism in the Caribbean. Expanding Airlift and Growing Visitor Numbers One of the most exciting developments is the announcement of daily Delta service from Atlanta to Grenada, set to begin December 20, 2025 through April 5, 2026. The U.S. remains Grenada’s largest source market, contributing approximately 55% of total arrivals.…

Amid the buzz of Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025, Gloria Jones Knapp, the dynamic presence behind Bacolet Beach Club in Tobago, presented a compelling case for why this boutique hotel stands out as a premier destination for travelers seeking privacy, authenticity, and refined simplicity in the Caribbean. A Boutique Retreat with a Private Bay Set against the stunning backdrop of Tobago’s south coast, Bacolet Beach Club is a 60-room boutique hotel offering something increasingly rare in today’s travel market—true privacy. “We’re a pristine and privately owned property with our own bay,” explained Jones Knapp. “Thanks to our hillside topography, we provide…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Trevor Sadler, CEO of InterCaribbean Airways, unveiled a compelling vision for the airline’s future—one that blends bold expansion with a heartfelt commitment to regional connectivity and identity. With a fleet transformation well underway and ambitious new routes on the horizon, InterCaribbean is solidifying its role as a driving force behind the Caribbean’s economic and tourism integration. Fleet Evolution: Bigger Planes, Bigger Reach Sadler shared exciting updates on InterCaribbean’s evolving fleet strategy, highlighting the airline’s transition to ATR-42s and ATR-72s for improved regional efficiency. But the real headline-grabber is the purchase of eight Embraer 170s—a…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Veena Rattan King, Sales Executive for the Eastern Caribbean at Caribbean Airlines, offered a heartfelt and vibrant picture of the airline that serves as a lifeline across the region. Based in Barbados but proudly Trinidadian, Rattan King delivered an engaging overview of the airline’s growing presence, cultural significance, and unwavering mission: to make every journey feel like coming home. “Welcome Home”—More Than a TaglineQuoting Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Madera from the airline’s own Caribbean Beat Magazine, Rattan King described the Caribbean essence that infuses every aspect of the airline: “The unmistakable energy of our…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Ilia Tomlinson, Group Digital Platforms Manager at Chukka Caribbean Adventures, proudly represented one of the Caribbean’s most enduring and innovative tourism brands. With more than 40 years of experience in nature and adventure attractions, Chukka has become synonymous with authentic, immersive experiences across the region. Chukka: Where Adventure Meets Caribbean SoulFounded and based in Jamaica, Chukka Caribbean Adventures has grown to operate in six Caribbean nations, with plans to expand into a seventh and eighth by 2026. Tomlinson describes Chukka as the experts in nature and adventure attractions, emphasizing their dedication to showcasing the…

At the 2025 Caribbean Travel Marketplace, Helena De Bekker, Marketing and Sales Manager of the Golden Rock Resort, shared insights into one of the region’s best-kept secrets: the tranquil island of Saint Eustatius, affectionately known as “Stacia.” Nestled within this untouched haven is Golden Rock Resort—a luxury property offering an exclusive, eco-conscious escape for discerning travelers. A New Jewel in the CaribbeanEstablished in 2021, Golden Rock Resort boasts 75 upscale rooms and is positioned at the high end of the market. “We’re a very private, very luxurious resort,” De Bekker explains, “perfect for those who want to disconnect and truly…

Meta is launching a new program to incentivize startups to adopt its Llama AI models. The program, Llama for Startups, provides companies “direct support” from Meta’s Llama team, as well as funding in certain cases. Any U.S.-based firm that is incorporated, has raised less than $10 million in funding, has at least one developer on staff, and is building generative AI applications is eligible to apply by the May 30 deadline. “Members may receive up to $6,000 per month for up to six months to help them offset the costs of building and enhancing their generative AI solutions,” Meta wrote in…

Amazon is testing short-form AI-powered audio product summaries on select product pages, the company announced on Wednesday. The audio summaries are voiced by what Amazon calls “AI-powered shopping experts” that discuss key product features, customer reviews, and information from across the web. The new AI product summaries can be accessed by tapping the “Hear the highlights” button in the Amazon Shopping app. Amazon will test the feature on products that typically require consideration before purchase, the company says. The idea behind the feature is to help Amazon customers save time while shopping and get important information through a conversational, discussion-style format. “The…

Google on Wednesday detailed its plans to bring ads to AI Mode, the company’s AI-powered experience in Google Search. Ads may appear “where relevant” below and “integrated into” AI Mode responses as part of a test, Google says. AI Mode lets Google Search users ask a question and get an AI-generated response, with the ability to go deeper through follow-up questions and links to websites. “In some cases, a website builder might be a good next step [in an AI Mode query], so we may show a helpful ad that can help [users] get started,” explains Google in a blog post provided to…

AI startup Mistral on Wednesday announced a new AI model focused on coding: Devstral. Devstral, which Mistral says was developed in partnership with AI company All Hands AI, is openly available under an Apache 2.0 license, meaning it can be used commercially without restriction. Mistral claims that Devstral outperforms other open models like Google’s Gemma 3 27B and Chinese AI lab DeepSeek’s V3 on SWE-Bench Verified, a benchmark measuring coding skills. “Devstral excels at using tools to explore codebases, editing multiple files and power[ing] software engineering agents,” writes Mistral in a blog post provided to TechCrunch. “[I]t runs over code agent scaffolds…

For the last two decades, Google has brought people a list of algorithmically selected links from the web for any given search query. At I/O 2025, Google made clear that the concept of Search is firmly in its rearview mirror. On Tuesday, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and his executives presented new ways to bring users the web, this time intermediated through a series of AI agents. “We couldn’t be more excited about this chapter of Google search where you can truly ask anything […] your simplest and hardest questions, your deepest research, your personalized shopping needs,” said Google’s VP of…

Shopify is giving its merchants a slew of new AI-powered tools designed to help them enhance the online shopping experience for their customers. This includes an AI store builder for users to set up storefronts using a single prompt, as well as an AI generator for creating elements (such as banners) without knowing how to code. The platform also upgraded Sidekick, its AI commerce assistant, with new voice chat and screen sharing capabilities. These updates were announced on Wednesday during Shopify’s Edition launch day, the company’s biannual announcement that showcases recent changes to the platform. The goal of the AI store…

Google’s family of “open” AI models, Gemma, is growing. During Google I/O 2025 on Tuesday, Google took the wraps off Gemma 3n, a model designed to run “smoothly” on phones, laptops, and tablets. Available in preview starting Tuesday, Gemma 3n can handle audio, text, images, and videos, according to Google. Models efficient enough to run offline and without the need for computing in the cloud have gained steam in the AI community in recent years. Not only are they cheaper to use than large models, but they preserve privacy by eliminating the need to transfer data to a remote data center. During…