AGP Executive Report

Caribbean Tourism Push: St. Kitts and Nevis’ Greyson Burrell just made waves at the St. Barth Mini Bucket Clinic and Regatta, finishing 9th overall after standout races at the St. Barth Yacht Club, including a 6th-place showing and an 8th-place finish in the final three-hour marathon. Regional Travel Momentum: Antigua and Barbuda is also leaning hard into tourism growth, hosting the Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026 for the second straight year and touting stronger visitor numbers, expanded airlift, and hotel investment. Earthquake Aftermath & Readiness: In the background, the Eastern Caribbean is still processing last weekend’s strong quake near Antigua—no major tsunami threat was reported, but disaster teams are assessing damage and climatologist Dale Destin is urging better tsunami preparedness. Local Connections: Meanwhile, Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is promoting closer ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique to boost regional connectivity and experiential tourism.

Tourism Push: Antigua and Barbuda just wrapped up CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2026, using the event to spotlight visitor growth, new airlift and cruise arrivals, and fresh hotel investment as it gears up for CHOGM 2026. Regional Air Connectivity: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is also working the route map—promoting Nevis tourism at “Saveurs Caraibes” in St. Barth and signaling closer ties with Guadeloupe and Martinique to boost regional connections. Earthquake Aftermath: The week’s big shock is still being tallied after a strong Eastern Caribbean quake near Antigua—no major damage or injuries reported, but disaster teams are checking costs and climatologist Dale Destin is urging tsunami readiness even when warnings say it’s unlikely. Culture & Spotlight: Miss France 2023 Indira Ampiot, from Guadeloupe, has been named to represent France at Miss World in September.

Regional Tourism & Air Links: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is pushing stronger Caribbean travel connections after leading a Nevis delegation at St. Barth’s “Saveurs Caraibes,” spotlighting local food, mangoes, music and culture, and signaling new collaboration with Guadeloupe and Martinique to boost regional connectivity and tourism growth. Housing & Colonial Legacies: At WUF13 in Baku, conference participants adopted a statement linking colonial histories to today’s housing shortages in overseas territories, calling out persistent inequality in access to land and basic infrastructure. Earthquake Aftermath in the Eastern Caribbean: A powerful 6.0–6.4 quake shook islands including Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda, with no major tsunami expected; Antigua and Barbuda’s disaster office is still tallying damage while residents described intense shaking. Beauty Pageant Spotlight: Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023 from Guadeloupe, has been chosen to represent France at Miss World in September in Vietnam.

Earthquake Aftermath: A strong 6.0 quake struck the Eastern Caribbean near the Leeward Islands on May 16, with tremors felt across islands including Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda; no major tsunami threat was reported, but residents described frightening shaking and NODS teams are still tallying damage and business impacts. Tsunami Readiness Push: Climatologist Dale Destin says the quake should be a wake-up call for better public preparedness—even when a tsunami doesn’t materialize. Beauty Pageant Spotlight: Indira Ampiot, Miss France 2023 from Guadeloupe, has been named to represent France at Miss World in September in Vietnam. Local Travel Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a $69M debt crisis and a safety-license revocation, leaving fewer flight options for the French Caribbean. Tourism Buzz: A new report and creator-driven attention highlight where the region’s next visitors may come from, as Puerto Rico and Jamaica lead official social media followings.

Earthquake Aftermath: A strong May 16 quake shook the Eastern Caribbean, with reports of shaking felt across islands including Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda, and officials still tallying damage and costs. Tsunami Watch: Despite early alarm, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there’s no major tsunami threat, though climatologist Dale Destin is pushing residents to stay ready for future seismic events. Local Impact Checks: Antigua’s National Office of Disaster Services has sent district coordinators to verify reports and is reaching out to business groups for an update. Guadeloupe Spotlight: Miss France 2023 Indira Ampiot, from Guadeloupe, has been named to represent France at Miss World in September in Vietnam. Mental Health Angle: A French divemaster says scuba diving helped end his panic attacks, pointing to the calming effect of slow, deep breathing underwater. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a $69M debt crisis, leaving fewer flight options across the French Caribbean.

Earthquake Aftermath: Antigua and Barbuda’s disaster office is tallying damage after a powerful 6.4 quake (initially read higher) rattled the Eastern Caribbean Saturday morning, with shaking felt as far as Montserrat, Guadeloupe and Tortola; no injuries were reported locally, but volunteers are checking homes and businesses and officials are coordinating with neighboring territories. Regional Impact: Earlier reports said the quake’s depth and location kept tsunami risk low, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirming no major threat. Mindfulness at Sea: In a very different kind of update, a French divemaster says scuba diving helped his panic attacks disappear for nearly 20 years, pointing to slow breathing and staying focused underwater. Aviation Watch: LIAT’s latest moves and the fallout from Air Antilles’ permanent shutdown continue to shape how island travelers get around.

Earthquake Watch: A powerful 6.0 quake struck the Eastern Caribbean on May 16, with strong shaking reported across Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and nearby islands including Guadeloupe and Martinique; the epicenter was about 80 km northeast of St. John’s, Antigua, and tsunami alerts were quickly ruled out by regional warning centers. Aviation & Tourism: LIAT Air is back on the map with twice-weekly Antigua–Guadeloupe flights, and officials say the restored route could lift visitor arrivals—especially where ferry links already bring hundreds of shoppers and diners. Regional Travel Trends: A new Caribbean travel report points to slower overall growth and rising pressure to diversify source markets, with Latin America playing a bigger role during quieter periods. Airline Fallout: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a safety-license revocation and a $69M debt crisis, leaving fewer options for French-Caribbean island hopping.

Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake struck Saturday morning about 52 miles east of the Leeward Islands, with light shaking reported across several islands including Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands; officials say there’s no tsunami danger for the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of America states, or eastern Canada. Air Connectivity: LIAT Air is pushing back into the region with new twice-weekly nonstop service between Antigua and Guadeloupe, aiming to make short trips and family travel easier between two key Eastern Caribbean hubs. Aviation Shock: The same week brought a major blow as Air Antilles permanently grounded after a deep financial crisis and a license revocation, leaving fewer flight options for travelers in the French Caribbean. Tourism Buzz: Caribbean tourism leaders are also pointing to new demand drivers, from social media rankings (Puerto Rico and Jamaica leading) to creator-fueled attention, with IShowSpeed’s Caribbean tour drawing tens of millions of views.

Earthquake Watch: A magnitude 6.0 quake struck Saturday morning about 52 miles east of Antigua and Barbuda, with light shaking reported across nearby islands including Guadeloupe and Martinique; no tsunami risk was flagged for the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of America, or eastern Canada. Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a $69M debt crisis, following a license revocation tied to a failed safety audit—leaving fewer flight options for the French Caribbean. Connectivity Boost: LIAT Air is pushing back with new twice-weekly nonstop service between Antigua and Guadeloupe, and its CEO says talks are underway with ferry operators to link sea-and-air travel more smoothly. Tourism Buzz: A Caribbean travel trends report points to slowing overall growth and heavier reliance on Latin American visitors, while social media rankings keep Puerto Rico and Jamaica out front.

Earthquake Watch: A strong earthquake struck Antigua and Barbuda, rattling the Eastern Caribbean and prompting authorities to keep monitoring and updating the public. Aviation Shockwaves: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a $69M debt crisis, following a license revocation tied to a failed safety audit—leaving fewer flight options for Martinique, Guadeloupe and beyond. Connectivity Boost: In the middle of the disruption, LIAT Air is expanding intra-regional travel: it launched nonstop Antigua–Guadeloupe service (twice weekly), and LIAT’s CEO says talks are underway with ferry operators to stitch together air-and-sea trips. Tourism Buzz: A travel trends report says the region is still heavily dependent on flights, with destinations under pressure to diversify source markets as growth slows. Culture & Travel: Saint Lucia Jazz keeps building momentum with big-name acts, while social media rankings put Puerto Rico and Jamaica at the top of the Caribbean’s official destination race.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a safety license was revoked and a $69M debt pile made recovery impossible, leaving Martinique, Guadeloupe and other islands with fewer flight options. New Connectivity Push: In the same week, LIAT Air moved the other direction—launching (and expanding) nonstop Antigua–Guadeloupe service, with twice-weekly flights aimed at making short trips and family visits easier between the Eastern and French Caribbean. Tourism Spotlight: A Caribbean Travel Trends report says demand is slowing and destinations are leaning more on Latin American visitors, while many markets still depend heavily on hub-based connections. Digital Tourism Buzz: A creator-backed Caribbean tour by IShowSpeed reportedly racked up tens of millions of views, with Guadeloupe and nearby islands among the most featured—raising big questions about whether online attention turns into real bookings. Culture & Events: Saint Lucia Jazz kept momentum going with major international and regional acts, ending today with a star-studded finale.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a safety-license revocation and a spiraling $69M debt crisis, leaving Martinique, Guadeloupe and other islands with fewer flight options. New Route Momentum: While one carrier exits, LIAT Air is pushing connectivity—launching nonstop Antigua–Guadeloupe service (twice weekly) and even floating possible ferry partnerships to stitch together multi-island travel. Tourism Signals: A Caribbean Travel Trends report says growth is slowing and destinations are under pressure to diversify, with some markets leaning heavily on hub-based connections. Guadeloupe Angle: Local tourism leaders are betting the new LIAT link will lift visitor arrivals, as Guadeloupe continues to ride renewed interest. Culture & Attention: In the background, Guadeloupe and the wider region are also getting global buzz—from creator-driven Caribbean livestreams to major events like Frieze New York and Saint Lucia Jazz.

Aviation Shock: Air Antilles has permanently shut down after a safety license was revoked and the carrier spiraled into a $69M debt crisis, leaving Martinique, Guadeloupe and other islands with fewer flight options. Tourism Pulse: A new Caribbean Travel Trends report says growth is slowing and destinations are under pressure to diversify, with many places still relying heavily on air connections and Latin American demand. Connectivity Boost: LIAT Air has launched (and is expanding) nonstop Antigua–Guadeloupe service, aiming to make short trips and family visits easier—while LIAT’s CEO also floated possible ferry partnerships to link islands more seamlessly. Culture & Attention: IShowSpeed’s Caribbean tour wrapped up with tens of millions of livestream views, with Guadeloupe and nearby islands among the most watched stops. Regional Cooperation: The Dominican Republic’s foreign ministry is pushing a Transcaribe agreement to build a shared development and connectivity framework across Caribbean territories.

Tourism Pulse: A new travel trends report is urging Caribbean destinations to “look south” for fresh visitor demand, as regional growth cools and competition for arrivals gets tougher. Aviation Boost for Guadeloupe: LIAT Air’s latest move is already paying off for island-hopping—its new Antigua–Guadeloupe nonstop service (twice weekly) is designed to cut the usual layovers and make short trips easier between the Eastern Caribbean and the French West Indies. Digital Spotlight: The region is also riding creator-driven attention after IShowSpeed’s 15-country Caribbean tour, which reportedly pulled in tens of millions of livestream views—especially for stops including Dominica, Guadeloupe and St. Kitts. Regional Cooperation: Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic is pushing a Transcaribe framework to link Caribbean territories on trade, food security, and connectivity, with Guadeloupe among the participants.

Haiti Court Update: Former Delmas/Tabarre deputy Arnel Bélizaire appeared for his first formal hearing before investigating judge Benjamin Félismé, facing serious charges including alleged financing of terrorism and conspiracy against internal security. Regional Security & Aid: Haiti’s Border Police (PoliIFRONT) received six Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles from the Haitian National Police, with UNODC officials present for the handover. Guadeloupe Tourism Buzz: A new wave of attention is building around Guadeloupe’s travel pull—while LIAT’s Antigua–Guadeloupe nonstop route continues to expand connectivity, tourism officials say it should boost visitor arrivals. Caribbean Online Spotlight: US YouTube star IShowSpeed wrapped a 15-country Caribbean tour, racking up tens of millions of livestream views, with Guadeloupe and nearby islands among the biggest draws. Caribbean Connectivity Plans: The Dominican Republic floated a Transcaribe cooperation framework with Caribbean territories, aiming at shared development, trade, and connectivity.

IShowSpeed’s Caribbean Tour Buzz: The US-born YouTube star just wrapped a 15-country Caribbean livestream run that pulled in 47 million views, with Guadeloupe/nearby islands among the biggest draws—though questions linger about whether the hype turns into real tourism dollars. New Air Link for Guadeloupe: LIAT Air has launched nonstop Antigua–Guadeloupe service, twice weekly, cutting out the old detours between Eastern Caribbean hubs. Tourism Momentum: A Guadeloupe route is expected to lift visitor arrivals, while LIAT is also talking possible ferry partnerships to stitch together multi-island trips. Caribbean Digital Race: Puerto Rico and Jamaica are leading official destination social media followings, but the next growth push may come from creators and diaspora storytellers. Regional Cooperation Push: MIREX is backing a plan to build an alliance of Caribbean island territories, aiming at shared development and connectivity. Bahamas Credit Boost: Moody’s upgraded the Bahamas’ rating to Ba3 with a positive outlook, citing stronger fiscal performance.