Caribbean roundup: British carrier Virgin Atlantic ending flights to Bahamas and more

Bahamas

British carrier Virgin Atlantic will end flights to Bahamas early next year, only after two years of introducing flights in response to “real demand.”

The airline’s final flight to The Bahamas will be on Feb. 23, 2025. 

While Virgin is ending flights to The Bahamas, it will increase flights to other islands which include Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda.

According to the airline, its decision followed a review of its destinations and reflected a desire to optimize its network.

“We’re very sorry for the disappointment caused to our customers flying to The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, and anyone booked to travel on these routes from Feb. 24 and Feb. 22, respectively, will be contacted with their options,” the airline said.

In November 2021, Virgin Atlantic began services to The Bahamas from London’s Heathrow Airport twice per week.

Grenada

Twenty-two workers from the Trinidad and Tobago Elecricity Commission (T&TEC) are now on the ground in Grenada, helping to rebuild the island’s electrical infrastructure following the passage of Hurricane Beryl. 

The workers from Trinidad and Tobago will remain in Grenada for one month as they reinstall poles and breakers in an attempt to restore full power to the island. 

After meeting with T&T Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales, the team of 18 workers and four supervisors had left with trucks and other equipment from the Piarco International Airport. 

Gonzales thanked the men for their service but lamented that trips like these may become more commonplace given the perils of climate change. 

“The issue of climate change, gentlemen, is very real,” Gonzales said while addressing the contingent.

“It is taking a serious toll on utility infrastructure all across the region and around the world. 

As a matter of fact, we may have to put a pool of resources aside to be able to deal with the impact of climate change on our utility infrastructure, both water and electricity, and all other public infrastructure.”

The minister said the trip will cost the Government $2 million but he said he considers it a necessary cost to help a Caricom brother. 

Guyana

Guyana is preparing for growth in its tourism industry with the development of seven new international hotels, which are set to materialize by 2025.

This development, announced by vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo marks a pivotal moment in the government’s economic growth strategy.

The project is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs for Guyanese citizens, providing a substantial boost to local employment. 

Vice-president Jagdeo also highlighted the government’s proactive approach in attracting international investors.

He explained, “We met with the people who are interested in the hospitality sector, and in building hotels. In the first few weeks of expression of interest, we had over 20 of them, and we sat at State House, the President, myself, etcetera. 

And we said here will be the new incentive regime; a tax holiday for the hotels, because this represented a massive investment. And we will work with you to try to find the land to build the hotels.”

The government’s strategy to offer tax incentives and assist with land acquisition has proven successful in attracting foreign investment, even during challenging times. 

The impact of these new hotels on Guyana’s tourism industry is expected to be substantial. With an increase in high-quality accommodation options, the country is likely to attract a broader range of international visitors, including business travelers and luxury tourists.

Moreover, the influx of international hotel brands is anticipated to bring global standards and practices to Guyana’s hospitality sector. 

St Vincent and the Grenadines 

Health authorities in St Vincent and the Grenadines have confirmed an outbreak of dengue fever in the country, three years after the last outbreak.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment said recently that its Epidemiology Unit has recorded 119 dengue fever cases so far in 2024, 23 were in June and 82 last month.

“Based on the epidemiological data, the number of lab-confirmed cases of dengue fever has exceeded the threshold of the number expected indicating that there is a dengue fever outbreak in St Vincent and the Grenadines,” the ministry said.

The ministry is urging the public to adhere to the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.

“As we approach the month of August, the public is reminded that we are still within the hurricane season and August is expected to be hotter than normal.

“These weather patterns can create ideal breeding sites for the aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito carries dengue fever, Zika and Chik V,” the ministry said in a press statement.

Trinidad and Tobago 

In an epidemiological update on August 2, the Ministry of Health said there are 635 laboratory-confirmed cases and five laboratory-confirmed deaths of dengue fever in Trinidad and Tobago.

The ministry reminded the public that dengue fever may be spread by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.

It added that symptoms appear within five to six days of being bitten, and last for 1-2 weeks.

These symptoms can include: fever, headaches (sometimes severe), pain behind eyes, muscle and joint pains, skin rash, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea.

“Anyone showing signs or symptoms of dengue fever should seek immediate medical treatment at their doctor or the nearest health facility,” the ministry said.

The Ministry of Health reminds the public that the best means of reducing the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases is through eliminating the breeding sites of the Aedes species mosquito.