AGP Executive Report

Tourism Networking: St. Maarten/St. Martin’s Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) is set for its biggest edition in a decade, with Sea Trek and Rainforest Adventures hosting the closing “Surprise Event” for regional tourism buyers—after three days of 1,000+ one-on-one meetings and hotel visits. Finance & Borders: Spain says it will remove Gibraltar from its tax-haven blacklist after 35 years, citing updated fiscal transparency rules and new Spain-UK cooperation—aimed at smoothing cross-border business. Luxury Travel: Four Seasons has unveiled its first 2028 private-jet itineraries, including “Uncharted Discovery” and “New World Icons,” built around new Caribbean and Venice openings. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved nearly $3 million for temporary hospital modules in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, as the town continues rebuilding after the 2023 tornado. Regional Safety: Eastern Caribbean islands are still monitoring after a recent 6.0–6.5 earthquake series, with officials reiterating no tsunami threat.

Disaster Recovery: FEMA has approved nearly $3 million for temporary hospital modules at Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital in Rolling Fork, Mississippi—three years after the March 2023 tornado killed 21 people and left the town’s recovery still dragging, including a courthouse that still hasn’t reopened. Regional Resilience: In St. Maarten, cultural emergency specialists and archivists are meeting this week to strengthen how the Caribbean protects heritage during crises. UN Decolonization: The UN Special Committee on Decolonization is holding a Caribbean regional seminar in Managua (25–27 May), with the main C-24 meeting set for 15–26 June in New York. Caribbean Spotlight: Caribbean POSH named the 2026 ICON Woman Awards honourees ahead of the June 26 ceremony in the British Virgin Islands. Travel & Business: JetBlue is adding more summer flights to Aruba, St. Maarten, and Santo Domingo, while a St. Kitts bank rolls out a CORE upgrade and the government launches a digital insurance card for 8,500 public servants.

Caribbean Spotlight: Caribbean POSH has named the 2026 ICON Woman Awards honourees, with Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge set to keynote the June 26 ceremony in the British Virgin Islands. UK Overseas Territories: Gibraltar’s Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia joined an online UKBOTs meeting to prep for November’s Joint Ministerial Council, focusing on constitutional development, transparency in financial services, human rights, and resilience. Eastern Caribbean Aftershocks: A strong 6.0–6.5 earthquake shook islands across the region over the weekend; officials reported no injuries and no tsunami threat, while residents watched for aftereffects and some coastal conditions drew extra attention. Local Recovery: In Mississippi, Rolling Fork’s rebuilding continues three years after the tornado, with FEMA approving nearly $3 million for the Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital. Public Services & Health: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants, aiming to cut upfront costs and paperwork at participating providers.

Overseas Territories diplomacy: Gibraltar’s Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia joined an online UK Overseas Territories meeting to prep for this year’s Joint Ministerial Council in November, with talks spanning constitutional development, financial-services transparency, human rights and resilience. Disaster recovery: In Mississippi’s Rolling Fork, residents say rebuilding is still painfully slow three years after the March 2023 tornado; FEMA has now approved nearly $3 million for the Sharkey-Issaquena Community Hospital. Sports & national pride: Britain’s fastest man Zharnel Hughes threw his weight behind a UK Olympics bid, backing a potential Games return in the North of England in the 2040s. Caribbean travel momentum: JetBlue is adding more summer flights to Aruba, St. Maarten and Santo Domingo, betting demand keeps climbing. Eastern Caribbean quake watch: A recent 6.0–6.5 earthquake rattled islands across the region; officials report no tsunami threat and no immediate damage, while monitoring continues.

Harbor Disruption: The U.S. Coast Guard has banned two cargo vessels from using “med-mooring” at a tight San Juan channel, a move that could slow freight deliveries to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Caribbean Travel Push: JetBlue is adding more summer flights from Fort Lauderdale to Aruba, St. Maarten, and Santo Domingo—more daily service to Aruba and St. Maarten, plus a second daily Santo Domingo route. Eastern Caribbean Earthquake Aftermath: A strong quake shook multiple islands over the weekend, with officials reporting no major damage or injuries and no tsunami threat, while monitoring continues and some places reported unusual coastal changes. Healthcare Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants, shifting costs to a co-payment at the point of service. Tourism Momentum: New travel data points to continued strength in St. Maarten and Saint Martin, with demand up year over year as airlines and hotels add capacity.

Travel Push: JetBlue is adding more summer flights from Fort Lauderdale to Aruba, St. Maarten and Santo Domingo starting July 9—daily service to both Aruba and St. Maarten, plus a second daily flight to Santo Domingo—betting that Americans keep spending on easy, nonstop Caribbean getaways. Earthquake Watch: A strong 6.0 quake shook the Eastern Caribbean over the weekend, with tremors reported across multiple islands; officials say no tsunami threat is expected, while teams assess any damage and residents keep an eye out for aftershocks. Local Funding: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced $23 million-plus in federal Community Development Block Grant funding for water, sewer, drainage, roads and public facilities. Healthcare Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, aiming to cut upfront costs and paperwork at participating providers. Tourism Strategy: Caribbean tourism leaders are pitching a shift toward year-round, higher-value demand and stronger regional supply chains, not just visitor arrivals.

Caribbean Earthquake Watch: A strong quake has kept the Eastern Caribbean on alert, with officials still checking for damage after reports of shaking across multiple islands and renewed public concern over unusual coastal conditions near Nevis’ Oualie Beach—though no tsunami threat has been confirmed. Mississippi Infrastructure Push: Gov. Tate Reeves announced more than $23 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding aimed at local water, sewer, drainage, roads, and public facilities. Digital Healthcare Upgrade (St. Kitts & Nevis): The government rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, shifting care payments to co-pay at the point of service. Banking Modernization (St. Kitts): National Bank says it’s upgrading its core banking system to deliver a faster, more secure, unified digital platform and new account numbers. Travel Buzz: Fteri Beach on Kefalonia was named Europe’s best and No. 2 worldwide—while Caribbean tourism leaders point to a push for steadier, higher-value demand beyond peak seasons.

Earthquake Aftermath: A strong 6.1 quake hit the Eastern Caribbean Sunday morning, with tremors felt east of St. Kitts and Nevis; no injuries or damage reported so far, but residents are watching closely after online videos showed unusually exposed shoreline at Oualie Beach—authorities say there’s no confirmed tsunami threat or confirmed link yet. Infrastructure Push: In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves announced $23.0+ million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding for local water, sewer, drainage, roads, and public facilities. Digital Healthcare Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, aiming to cut upfront payments and paperwork via real-time claims at participating providers. Banking Modernization: St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank says it’s upgrading its core banking system to deliver a faster, more unified digital banking experience. Tourism Momentum: Caribbean travel leaders are pushing a “new strategic phase” as demand stabilizes—more focus on higher-value travelers and year-round growth.

Earthquake Aftermath: A strong 6.1 quake shook the Eastern Caribbean, with tremors felt around St Kitts and Nevis; no injuries or damage have been reported, but residents are watching for any coastal changes after a noticeable drop in Caribbean Sea water levels at Oualie Beach sparked fresh questions—officials say there’s no confirmed tsunami threat and no confirmed link yet. Local Investment: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced $23.0 million in Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities funding for projects like road, sewer, and water improvements across multiple towns. Banking Upgrade: St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank says it’s upgrading its core banking systems, rolling out a new unified digital platform and new account numbers while keeping legacy numbers during the transition. Public Services Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis launched the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, aiming to cut upfront payments and paperwork. Culture & Community: Fenland Poet Laureate winners for 2026 were announced at a packed awards evening.

Disaster Response: Antigua and Barbuda’s National Office of Disaster Services is still tallying damage costs after a 6.4 quake (first logged higher, then revised) hit Saturday at 10:50 a.m., with strong shaking felt across the Eastern Caribbean and no injuries reported so far. Regional Monitoring: Volunteers and disaster coordinators have been sent out to verify impacts, and officials are coordinating with neighboring territories under Antigua and Barbuda’s responsibility as aftershocks remain a concern. Tourism Tech & Benefits: In St. Kitts and Nevis, the government rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and retirees, aiming to cut upfront payments and paperwork by processing claims electronically at participating providers. Travel Market Momentum: Across the region, tourism leaders are pushing a “new strategic phase” focused on year-round demand and better logistics, while Amadeus/CHTA reporting highlights how some islands are finding more stable growth.

Earthquake Watch: A shallow 6.0 quake (initially read as 6.5) hit the Eastern Caribbean around 10:50 a.m. AST on May 16, centered about 80 km northeast of St. John’s, Antigua and 70 km east-southeast of Codrington, Barbuda. UWI SRC put it at roughly 31 km deep. No tsunami threat was reported by the PTWC, and officials said there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, though residents across Antigua, Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and several nearby territories felt strong shaking. Public Services & Health: In St. Kitts and Nevis, the government rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, aiming to cut upfront payments and paperwork by processing claims electronically at participating providers. Tourism Strategy: Caribbean tourism leaders unveiled a push for regional logistics and supply-chain links to keep more tourism spending inside the islands, as the region recalibrates for slower but higher-value growth.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake struck northeast of Antigua and Barbuda Saturday morning, with strong shaking reported across multiple islands; a separate 6.5 quake also rocked St Kitts and Nevis, and authorities say there’s no immediate damage or tsunami risk. Public Services: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out its NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, aiming to cut upfront payments and paperwork by using real-time electronic claims and only charging co-payments at the point of service. Tourism Momentum: Caribbean travel leaders are pushing a “new strategic phase” for the region—less peak-season dependence and more higher-value, year-round demand—while St. Maarten and Saint Martin report double-digit growth. Travel Access: Oman’s passport climbed in the Henley index to 55, and Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to 60 seconds per pulse for 58 countries.

Earthquake Watch: A pair of strong quakes hit the Eastern Caribbean Saturday—USGS reported a magnitude 6.0 about 52 miles east of Antigua and Barbuda just before 11 a.m., followed by a magnitude 6.5 near St. Kitts and Nevis at 10:50 a.m. Local reports said shaking was light and weak in nearby islands, and tsunami risk was ruled out for the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of America states, and eastern Canada. Digital Health Benefits: St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants, aiming to cut upfront costs and paperwork by processing claims electronically and charging only co-payments at participating providers. Tourism Momentum: Caribbean tourism leaders say the region is shifting into a “new strategic phase” as Latin American demand surges and premium travel rises—while St. Maarten/St. Martin continue to post strong year-over-year gains. Travel Policy Updates: Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to 60-second pulses for 58 countries starting May 15.

Caribbean Travel Surge: Sint Maarten is feeling a fresh wave of momentum—Amadeus data shows it’s up 18% year over year, with Saint Martin up 12%, as airlines add seats, hotels expand, and travelers keep returning to classic beach neighborhoods (plus a stronger food scene). Tourism Strategy Shift: The region’s growth is also changing shape: the CHTA and Amadeus 2026 Travel Trends report says overseas demand to the Caribbean rose just 1% year over year, pushing destinations to chase higher-value travelers and reduce reliance on peak seasons. Local Wins in St. Kitts & Nevis: The government launched an NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and retirees, aiming to cut upfront costs and speed claims. Community & Culture: TDC endorsed the 30th Green Valley Festival, backing 30 years of preserving local traditions. Elsewhere: Curaçao is highlighted for its more balanced luxury-and-economy tourism mix, while Anguilla’s Agri Fest drew praise for tech-driven farming in a dry climate.

Digital Healthcare Rollout: St. Kitts and Nevis just launched the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card for about 8,500 public servants and eligible dependents, letting people swipe at participating providers and pay only the co-payment while the rest is processed electronically in real time—no upfront full costs or reimbursement forms. Tourism Strategy Shift: Caribbean tourism leaders are reframing the next growth phase around smarter targeting and higher-value travelers as overseas demand grows only 1% year over year, with Latin America surging and premium South American travel jumping sharply. Regional Tourism Resilience: Curaçao is being singled out for its unusually steady year-round demand and a more balanced mix of luxury and economy visitors. Community & Agriculture: TDC endorsed the 30th Green Valley Festival, while Nevis’ agriculture minister praised Anguilla’s Agri Fest 2026 for tech-driven farming in a dry climate. Travel Tech Update: Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to 60-second pulses for 58 countries starting May 15.

Caribbean Tourism Strategy: CHTA and Amadeus say the region is moving into a “new strategic phase,” with overseas demand up just 1% year over year, so growth will hinge on smarter targeting, higher-value travelers, and booking beyond peak periods—Latin America is the standout, with premium travel from South America surging. Regional Supply Chains: Caribbean leaders also unveiled a push to build a regional logistics and supply-chain framework so more tourism spending stays in the islands, not in imports. Healthcare Access (St. Kitts & Nevis): The government launched the NCI WellCare Digital Insurance Card, cutting out upfront payments and reimbursement forms by using real-time electronic claims at participating providers. Telecom Update (Nepal): Nepal Telecom revised international call billing to a 60-second pulse for 58 countries starting May 15. Big-Name Dream Story: Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, mom of ABC meteorologist Ginger Zee, is set to become the world’s oldest medical school graduate at 72 and start residency this summer. Luxury Travel Buzz: Four Seasons announced its first 2028 Private Jet Experience itineraries, including Cartagena and Puerto Rico, with a dedicated Journey Team.