iNews Briefs, More & Community Events
Community Events
Apostle 13 & the Disciple of Demons
Play with music & dance
FOUR performances only
Opens Thu Oct 22- Sat Oct 24 7:30pm & Sun Oct 25 3:00pm
St George’s Anglican Church Hall
Tickets $15 (A) $5 (C) [Discounts for groups 10 or more]
Tel: 949 5583 or 916 4594 or at the door
NGCI tIDal shift
Mark your Calendar!
You’re invited to a special Young Patrons’ Circle late night event in conjunction with NGCI’s newest exhibition…
Friday, 16 October 2015, 5pm – 10pm
Join us at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands for a late night of entertainment, live music, performance art, canapes, and fun! More details to follow – SAVE THE DATE and forward this to your friends.
RENT: The Musical
Opened Thursday September 10th, 2015
Runs to October 3rd, 2015
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
Doors open at 6:30 PM for Happy Hour
try our special Tom Collins cocktail!
at The Prospect Playhouse
Do not miss out on the musical event of the year!
No Day but Today!
Click here for tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rent-the-musical-all-ticket-prices-in-us-tickets-17993960420?aff=ehomecard
See iNews Cayman review: “Rent The Musical is NOT Rogers and Hammerstein! But it’s Brilliant!!” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/rent-the-musical-is-not-rogers-and-hammerstein-but-its-brilliant/
Please join the Cayman Jewish Community for the following programmes:
Sunday September 27th
6:30 pm Sukkot Under the Stars
Tuesday, September 29th
4:00pm Sukkot Children’s Party
Monday, October 26th
Mark Halawa: From Kuwait to Jerusalem
Wednesday, December 9th
4:00 pm Pardes Rock Chanukah Concert
Wednesday, January 6th 2016
Jerusalem Uncovered: Rabbi Avraham Stolik
8th Annual CISPA Gala “Back to the Future-Celebrating 45 years of excellence”
Date: 10/10/2015
Time: 6:30 PM
Ritz Carlton Seven Mile Beach
Phone: 749 3360
Register
Event Description: The 8th Annual CISPA Gala “Back to the Future-Celebrating 45 years of excellence” is a time to celebrate Caymanians who recently attained their professional accounting designations as well as a chance to celebrate the past and look to the future
Directions: The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman
Annual Meals on Wheels Dress Down Day
SAVE THE DATE
Dress Down Day Friday, 20th November, 2015
Help feed our Seniors we believe no-one in Cayman should go hungry.
Individuals can help by purchasing an orange ribbon for $5.00 or a tee shirt for $15.00 and wearing them on Dress Down Day, we are encouraging companies to match employee donations.
For more information or to sign up to participate please feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or via telephone at 949-3905.
Public Consultation for Marine Parks
For more information of the proposed Enhanced Marine Parks System, visit http://www.doe.ky/marine/marine-parks-review/.
To submit an opinion about the proposals, email [email protected]
General queries can be directed to [email protected]
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 4 December.
AIMA – CAYMAN ISLANDS CHAPTER MEETING
Ron S. Geffner, Partner and Head of the Financial Services Practice will speak at the AIMA Cayman Chapter Meeting on US Regulatory Developments and the outlook for the US and Cayman investment funds industry on November 24th at 12:00 noon.
Speaker: Ron S. Geffner
Start Date: 11/24/2009
End Date: 11/24/2009
Location: The Wharf Restaurant, Cayman Islands
Associated: Ron S. Geffner
THU OCT 1
EY’s Art for the Elderly for Cayman Brac
EY’s Art for the Elderly for Cayman Brac hosted by the National Gallery is Thursday (1 Oct) from 1130am until 12:30pm.
Extended Hours for Business Licensing Transactions
As of 1 October, the Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) will extend its Business Licensing Counter hours in Grand Cayman from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays. This will give an additional 3½ hours per week for persons to submit trade and business, liquor, tobacco, and Special Economic Zone licence applications.
The counter, formerly called the Trade and Business Licensing Counter, is located on the first floor in the Government Administration Building.
DCI’s main office and its Cayman Brac office will maintain their usual hours of 8:30am-5pm, Mondays-Fridays.
SAT OCT 3
National Museum’s 25th Anniversary Fundraiser
The Cayman Islands National Museum’s 25th Anniversary Fundraiser is Saturday (3 Oct) at 7pm at the Cayman Turtle Farm. The cost is $50 per person.
Brenda Tibbetts Lund Memorial 5K Walk/Run
The Lions Club of Tropical Gardens’ Brenda Tibbetts Lund Memorial 5K Walk/Run is in North Side at 6am on Saturday (3 Oct).
SUN OCT 4
First Caribbean International Bank Walk for the Cure
The First Caribbean International Bank Walk for the Cure is Sunday (4 Oct) at 7am.
REDUCE RISK. ADD BUSINESS VALUE
Transforming your Risk Management Preparedness and Response Strategy into a Competitive Advantage.
ALM’s cyberSecure is a two-day event designed to unite business leaders and the entire risk management team. Keynote presentations, tracked sessions and hands-on workshops will provide attendees with powerful insights and essential connections necessary to implement a preparedness and response strategy that changes the conversation from financial risk to competitive advantage.
The event will kick off at 9:00 am on December 15 with an opening keynote presentation that will show you how to proactively monitor for, assess, and counter information security threats without going dark yourself. This opening keynote will prime you for the event by leading you through the landscape on:
How to safely pursue an offensive strategy
Examples from the health care and financial services industries
The latest ISP (Information Security Program) approaches and compliance initiatives
Upgrading of IT Systems and New Continuous Monitoring platforms in IT
Keynote Speakers:
Mauricio Paez Partner Jones Day
Bill Sieglein Founder CISO Executive Network
Visit the website to view the complete agenda. Take advantage of our early registration rates – Register by September 30 and save up to $400.
Nominations Sought for Pioneers of Cayman Islands Agriculture
Nominations continue to be encouraged throughout the month of September for the names of agriculture pioneers throughout the history of the Cayman Islands – up to the present time. The definition of agriculture used for this drive is the science and / or practice of farming, including the growing of crops, and the rearing of animals to provide food, fibre, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.
Nomination forms may be downloaded from: www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky
There are five nomination categories for outstanding contributions to the development and/or delivery of agriculture in the Cayman Islands:
Early Pioneer – Anyone who has made a significant contribution before 1960 (may be alive or deceased).
Pioneer – A person who has made a significant contribution between 1960 and 2005 (may be alive or deceased). A commemorative insignia and certificate will be awarded.
Emerging Pioneer – Persons who have made significant contributions from 2005 to present. These persons will receive certificates, but will not receive a commemorative insignia.
Memorial Scroll – Any deceased persons who were leaders or notable contributors to the development and/or delivery of agriculture in the Cayman Islands. These persons will be recognised with certificates, but will not receive commemorative insignias.
Long Service Award – Persons (living) who may not necessarily have been a leader, but who have contributed for ten years or more. These people will be recognised with certificates, but will not receive commemorative insignias.
To submit the names of agriculture pioneers before the end of September, complete the forms which are available at post offices, the Government Administration Building, or online at: www.ministryofhealth.gov.ky
Cayman Islands Business Licensing Counter Offers Extended Hours
The Business Licensing Counter, formerly known as the Trade and Business Licensing Counter, will soon feature increased hours of operations to better serve the Cayman community.
As of 1 October, the counter on the first floor of the Government Administration Building will be open from 9am to 4pm, Mondays to Fridays. This will give an additional 3½ hours per week for persons to submit their trade and business, liquor, tobacco, and Special Economic Zone licence applications.
The counter falls under the remit of the Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI). Ryan Rajkumarsingh, the Director for DCI, said the change is being done to give clients more time to license their businesses.
‘We’re looking to make it as easy as possible for people to handle their trade and business licensing’, he said. ‘By extending our hours, we hope to encourage persons to meet their various licensing requirements’.
DCI’s main office and Cayman Brac office will maintain their usual hours of 8:30am-5pm, Mondays-Fridays.
ROWING FOR CANCER
Starting November 14, 2015
Craig Noble Attempting to Break Rowing Record to Raise funds for CICS
Cayman Charity Row – Spectators Welcome!
Date: 14th November 2015
Time: 0700hrs
Event: Cayman Charity Row – British Concept 2 Rowing machine 100,000 metres age group record attempt, currently 7 hours 11 minutes.
Location: Anytime fitness gym, Camana Bay
Open to all public who want to view and offer support
Visit the Cayman Charity Row webpage for more information: www.caymancharityrow.splashthat.com
Craig has set a Noble goal of raising $50,000 for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society as well as another $50,000 for the Children’s Tumor Foundation so please DONATE NOW at: http://www.active.com/donate/cancersociety
Cayman Islands Subway’s FOOD DRIVE to help Meals on Wheels
Now through Dec 6, 2015
Help us feed those in need this Thanksgiving.
Bring in any canned goods or non-perishable items to any Subway location before December 6th.
All proceeds to benefit Feed our Future, Meals on Wheels and a few other organizations dedicated to providing nourishment to the less fortunate.
Cayman Islands: NOTICE OF MRCU AERIAL OPERATIONS
Please be advised that the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU) will be conducting aerial operations over mosquito-breeding swamp areas on Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, from Wednesday 30th September.
These operations will involve low-level flights during the mornings and late afternoon. The operation will start in Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and continue until completion on Grand Cayman. Weather permitting the full application should be complete within 10 days.
The distinctive red and white MRCU aircraft will be applying the small pellets specifically designed to target mosquito larvae developing in aquatic habitats; this means preventing the occurrence of biting mosquitoes. Once the rains begin the pellets are activated and will provide control for up to two months. Low-level flights over specific areas are necessary to ensure that correct application and successful control of mosquitoes is achieved.
This is the third islands-wide treatment this year, on the Sister Islands and Grand Cayman. This will assist in providing control through the later part of the wet season. Some 12,000 acres of swamp are targeted in this operation in Grand Cayman, 411 acres in Cayman Brac and 490 acres in Little Cayman.
Residents may have noticed elevated numbers of mosquito biting across the islands. The recent rainfall and higher tide levels have caused this increase. The timely treatment of the swamp areas will help to alleviate this situation.
Further information and daily schedules can be found on the Mosquito Research and Control Unit’s Facebook page.
Please feel free to call MRCU with any enquiries on 949-2557.
J&J prevails in children’s Motrin case
By P.J. D’Annunzio, From The Legal Intelligencer
A federal jury today in a Children’s Motrin case returned a verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, McNeil Consumer Healthcare.
The plaintiffs, the parents of Riley Brown, had alleged in the failure-to-warn case that their daughter’s consumption of Children’s Motrin caused her to go blind.
Rosemary Pinto and Laura Feldman, the Philadelphia-based attorneys handling the case for the plaintiffs, did not return a call to their office seeking comment. David Abernathy, a Drinker Biddle & Reath attorney representing J&J, deferred comment to a company spokesperson.
“We sympathize with the Brown family for what they have been through,” a McNeil spokesperson said in a statement. “McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division acted appropriately, responsibly and in the best interests of patients regarding Children’s Motrin. We remain committed to providing consumers with safe and effective over-the-counter medicines and recommend consumers always read and follow the product label.”
Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined to hear argument in a Children’s Motrin case that resulted in a $10 million verdict for a family of a 3-year-old severely blinded in one eye after taking several doses of the medicine.
2 plead not guilty to murder of UCLA student found in fire
From Statesman
LOS ANGELES — Two 22-year-old men fatally stabbed a University of California, Los Angeles student before setting her apartment on fire, prosecutors said Tuesday.
The two men pleaded not guilty in the death of Andrea Del Vesco, 21, whose body was discovered in the fire in her Westwood apartment last week. Authorities had not previously said whether she died in the fire or was killed first.
Del Vesco, who went by “Andy,” was a fourth-year psychology major and sorority member from Austin, Texas, who was going to UCLA.
Prosecutors say Alberto Hinojosa Medina of Fresno burglarized an apartment on Sept. 21, then entered another apartment and fatally stabbed Del Vesco before setting the fire. He’s charged with capital murder, arson and burglary. A judge ordered him held without bail. Prosecutors said they would decide later whether to seek the death penalty for him.
Another UCLA student, Eric Marquez, is charged with murder and burglary. He was ordered held on $1.1 million bail and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila said in court that Medina was captured on surveillance video “covering up blood on his shirt” with a blanket belonging to Del Vesco, the Los Angeles Times reported. He said Del Vesco’s property was later recovered from Medina’s home in Fresno.
Prosecutors said Marquez’s car, recognizable by the Greek lettering on the back, was the “getaway vehicle.”
Marquez’s attorney argued that he should be granted bail as a student with no prior record who is accused of aiding and abetting rather than actually carrying out the killing.
“He is someone who has never been in trouble before,” Cron said.
Police Chief Charlie Beck said his detectives had not established any relationship between the victim and the suspects.
For more: http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/texas/2-charged-with-murder-of-ucla-student-in-burning-a/nnqzQ/
Panduit projects receive top cabling innovator awards by Cabling Installation & Maintenance
Panduit Recognized for Joint Projects with CISCO and Royal Caribbean
TINLEY PARK, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Panduit Corp., the leading global provider of network infrastructure solutions, announced today that three of its projects were recognized among the best in the industry by the judges of the Cabling Installation & Maintenance 2015 Innovators Awards program. The judging panel consisted of cabling and communications system specifiers, designers, integrators and managers with vast professional experience.
“On behalf of the Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovator Awards, I would like to congratulate Cisco Canada on their Platinum-level honoree status”
The Cisco Canada Headquarters was recognized as a Platinum honoree. Royal Caribbean International was recognized as a Silver honoree for its Quantum of the Seas project. The third award was for network labeling for a high-density installment for a network service provider, which also was a Silver honoree.
“On behalf of the Cabling Installation & Maintenance Innovator Awards, I would like to congratulate Cisco Canada on their Platinum-level honoree status,” said Cabling Installation & Maintenance Group Publisher Alan Bergstein. “This competitive, unbiased program celebrates the most innovative projects in the structured cabling industry. We are pleased to celebrate Cisco Canada‘s Platinum status and recognize their contribution to the structured cabling industry.” Bergstein offered similar accolades to Royal Caribbean and Panduit as silver honorees.
The Cisco Canadian Headquarters is a LEED-certified building, considered to be the smartest building in North America. It operates on a single, converged IP network, with electricity delivered primarily via Power over Ethernet (PoE). The building features 1,400 PoE LED lighting fixtures and 1,800 PoE controllers for the HVAC system. “The new Cisco Canada Headquarters is a living example of how we can harness the power of the Internet of Everything to create a smart building that’s truly sustainable and a leader in energy efficiency,” said Rick Huijbregts, Vice President, Industry and Business Transformation, Cisco. “We are proud to be working with Panduit to support initiatives like this and honored to be sharing this award with them.”
Royal Caribbean offers a technology-driven cruising experience on Quantum of the Seas. They relied on Panduit’s QuickNet Copper and Fiber Pre-terminated Cabling Solutions to speed remote installation and limit installation expenses. The Japan project that was recognized utilized Panduit Turn-Tell Labels to label each end of thousands of connections in a high-density network.
“Panduit is proud to be recognized as a cabling innovator by Cabling Installation & Maintenance,” said Dennis Renaud, vice president of Panduit Enterprise Business. “Companies like Cisco and Royal Caribbean are leaders in innovation and it is an honor to be working with them on projects that are so forward-looking. We appreciate their leadership and look forward to furthering our long-standing partnerships with them.” Additional information on the awards can be found here.
About Cabling Installation & Maintenance
Published since 1993, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has provided practical information to professionals responsible for the specification, design, installation and management of structured cabling systems in enterprises, data centers and campuses. Cabling Installation & Maintenance’s magazine, website (www.CablingInstall.com), email newsletters and webcasts help cabling professionals improve day-to-day operations and enable strategic planning for their networks’ optimum long-term performance.
About the Cabling Installation & Maintenance 2015 Innovators Awards program
The Cabling Installation & Maintenance 2015 Innovators Awards program reviews and recognizes the most-innovative applications of cabling and communications technology products and systems within the structured cabling industry. Platinum, Gold and Silver Honorees were announced at BICSI’s 2015 Fall Conference in Las Vegas on Monday, September 21, 2015. Criteria used in the Innovators Awards ranking included: innovation, value, sustainability, collaboration, and impact.
About Panduit
Panduit offers an end-to-end network infrastructure solution that delivers best-in-class network performance with superior quality, operational efficiency and easy installation. Innovative network infrastructure offerings from Panduit help you maximize your space and network investment, while providing the connectivity that businesses demand in today’s global world. Our robust partner ecosystem, global staff, and unmatched service and support make Panduit a valuable and trusted partner. For more information, visit www.panduit.com.
Royal Caribbean rebrands air program, launches promotion
By Tom Stieghorst
Royal Caribbean International said the name of its air-sea program has been changed to Air2Sea. Previously it was called ChoiceAir.
To kick off the relaunch, Royal Caribbean International is offering guests sailing onboard Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas from April through July of 2016 a fixed air promotion. The two ships sail from Fort Lauderdale. Guests flying from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas can book roundtrip air starting from $199 per person.
Meanwhile, guests sailing from Seattle can fly from $299 per person.
The promotion is available through Oct. 18, 2015.
3rd Caribbean Goodwill Tournament… AIBA official to aid referees/judges competence as preparations heighten
By Michael Benjamin From Kaieteur News
Consistence diligence exhibited by the executive of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) over the past two years towards the development of their charges is beginning to fructify when those pugilists test their mettle against the best from several Caribbean countries.
The occasion is the 3rd Caribbean Goodwill Tournament, scheduled to get underway here in Guyana from November 26-29 and already the local coaches, referees, judges and other officials are sharpening up to deliver the highest quality of fistic displays.
Towards this end, GBA executives have extended an invitation to International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) referee/judge James Beckles to conduct a seminar for local and foreign officials from November 21-25. The Trinidadian will arrive in Guyana one day before the course commences.
Invitations have been dispatched to more than 15 countries and already several of them have confirmed their participation. The latest confirmation came from St Maarten and Curacao and they join several other countries that have earlier confirmed their participation including Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados Bahamas, Jamaica, St Lucia, French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, is very upbeat and said that the impending tournament will test the mettle of local boxers while informing the coaches of their current abilities. He said that his executives are working assiduously to enhance the fortunes of amateur boxers and the Caribbean Goodwill Tournament is just the forum for establishing their competence.
The cost of the tournament has exceeded 6 million dollars and Mr. Ninvalle is grateful for the assistance received from the executive of the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) who have committed to a huge sum towards the liquidation of costs. Indeed, President of the GOA, K A Juman Yassin had unveiled a lucrative package that will assist greatly towards the success of the tournament. He also emphasized that the benefits are many as the influx of overseas personnel could aid in the sports tourism sector which is being touted by Government officials.
The GOA boss remains staunch that boxers stand a great chance to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games but posits that all round assistance is an absolute necessity. He joined with Mr. Ninvalle and issued a clarion call to the corporate community to donate generously towards the liquidation of the huge costs.
Yassin, a former President of the GBA, bemoaned the fact that despite their raw talent, amateur boxers are still not procuring lucrative medals. He feels that the boxers are not trying hard enough and called on them to dig deeper in their quest for international accomplishments. “The executive of the GBA is really trying but in the end boxers must demonstrate the will or the efforts of their executive will be useless,” Mr. Yassin said.
Consequently, he has asked Mr. Ninvalle to identify 2 boxers for special attention and training for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The GOA will foot the bill for this initiative.
The GBA President expressed gratitude to the GOA boss for the assistance promised and that received in the past. He said that the tournament will be competed under the motto of the Caribbean boxing fraternity, One Voice, One Goal, One Caribbean.
Students take to the sea and study abroad in the Caribbean
By Chastity Laskey From The Daily Wildcat
Arizona in the French Caribbean is a new study abroad option offered to UA students that wish to travel abroad and earn direct UA credit.
This five week summer program will be offered in Fort-de-France, Martinique, and is a collaboration between the Africana Studies Program and the French and Italian department.
Jennifer Donahue, Faculty lead and Africana studies visiting assistant professor, said she is very excited for this action packed program which will give students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Caribbean.
Africana Studies majors will be given preference, but this is an opportunity for students who are interested in the program to possibly receive some extra funding. There are 11 competitive awards of $1,500 available for this program, according to Alain-Philippe Durand, director of the School of International Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
Donahue said there will be excursions almost every weekend to many different historical sites, including rum distilleries and slave museums, as well as beach tours and hiking trips.
“I think going there and seeing some of these sites where slaves were sold and seeing where people worked in the fields really gives you an appreciation of the past,” Donahue said.
Rudo Sandy, Study Abroad Programs coordinator, said this is an exciting program and a great opportunity for students to get general education credits out of the way and take a year’s worth of French in five weeks. Students who go will be able to earn a total of six units in either accelerated French or in Africana Studies.
“Why wouldn’t you want to do your gen eds in the Caribbean? Martinique is a really great blend of both French and Caribbean culture and you’ll get to learn about the history and literature of the region,” Sandy said.
Donahue said students will have the option to choose an apartment or home-stay and that the home-stay would be a good choice if taking French, because it will provide a more core immersive experience.
“I think a lot of people have misconceptions about the Caribbean and think of it as a place of paradise and relaxation, which it is, but it’s so much more,” Donahue said.
May 21 through June 25 are the tentative dates for the program. Visit the Global Initiatives’ study abroad page for more information.
IMAGE: Jean-Louis Lascoux / Via Wikimedia Commons / Modified by The Daily Wildcat / CC BY-SA 3.0 Fort-de-France, Martinique, as viewed from an arriving ship on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. The University of Arizona now offers a study abroad program in Martinique.
Britain wants to be ‘partner of choice’ for Caribbean
BY: BVI NEWS ONLINE
Jamaica Observer, KINGSTON – British Prime Minister David Cameron says he is delighted about his first visit to the Caribbean as prime minister.
A statement from the United Kingdom Embassy in Kingston this morning quoted the prime minister saying:
“I’m delighted to be making my first visit as prime minister to the Caribbean today, indeed the first bilateral visit by a British prime minister for 14 years. I’m coming with one clear and simple message – we would both benefit from a stronger and deeper relationship.
“There are strong ties between hundreds of thousands of people in the Caribbean and the United Kingdom and we should invest more in our relationship for the benefit of all those people and more.
“I believe that Britain can help the Caribbean countries on their path of development – lifting people out of poverty, increasing economic growth, trade and security, and creating opportunities for young generations. That’s in your interest but it’s firmly in our interest too.
“I think there is some truth in those who say Britain has taken this relationship for granted for too long and I want to put that right.
“Our relationship should be based on the countries we are today and the opportunities we can generate together, rather than over-relying on the historical ties of the past.
“Britain wants to be your partner for the future, your partner of choice and I hope my visit can be the start of that.”
Prime Minister Cameron is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica today, September 29.
For more: http://bvinews.com/new/britain-wants-to-be-partner-of-choice-for-caribbean/
CTO official calls for action to facilitate travel to and through the Caribbean
By CTO
IMAGE: Hugh Riley
CTO – Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Hugh Riley has urged regional authorities to institute an Open Skies policy and wherever possible to eliminate secondary screening at Caribbean airports.
Mr. Riley argues that while an Open Skies policy would allow regional carriers to take unlimited flights to all Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and encourage the growth of competition among carriers, while elimination of secondary screening would encourage greater demand for intra-regional travel.
He has also called for improved interline arrangements for a “vastly enhanced” baggage transfer and improved passenger experience.
In an address at the recent airline route development forum, World Routes 2015 in Durban, South Africa, Mr. Riley also made a plea for collaboration in a number of areas, including intelligence sharing with the use of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), and security processing.
“Cooperation in these areas will encourage and facilitate greater investment by airlines into and across the Caribbean region. Better connectivity means greater economic benefits,” the secretary general said.
Citing the post-September 11 television campaign in the United States, Life Needs the Caribbean, and the 2007 Cricket Work Cup as examples, Mr. Riley said the Caribbean has shown its ability to put effective regional strategies in place and can do the same to grow travel into and throughout the region.
“This type of cooperation and collaboration needs to be the standard practice in serving the region’s various tourism needs,” he said.
The secretary general added that it was important to finalize and implement the amended Multilateral Air Services Agreement; facilitate unlimited third, fourth, and fifth freedom of traffic rights for scheduled passenger services from and between international airports and sub-regions within CARICOM and establish a CARICOM Single Domestic Air Space to help generate additional international traveller demand which, in turn, will encourage airlines to establish routes to the region.
“Unnecessarily lengthy policy development and slow implementation processes hinder progress,” he stressed.
The World Route Development Forum attracts senior representatives from airlines, airports and tourism authorities who meet to plan and discuss new and existing global air services. It is organized by the aviation route development company, Routes.
CTO member countries Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and the Turks and Caicos Islands attended this year’s event, with CTO supporting its members that were there as well as those that were not.
Mr. Riley’s attendance at the event was aimed at elevating the Caribbean brand; exploring opportunities for the Caribbean; presenting the prospects for expansion and improvement of connectivity within the Caribbean; and discussing challenges facing regional and global aviation and offering solutions. He also highlighted the work of the CTO Aviation Task Force as a facilitator within the Caribbean and beyond.
“I was pleased with the extremely high quality of the interactions we made in Durban and the level of interest there is in the Caribbean: interest in exploring the tourism potential between the Caribbean and Africa, as well as expanding into other non-traditional markets. I fully expect that contacts we made here will redound to the benefit of Caribbean tourism in general and CTO’s member-countries in particular,” the secretary general said.
Caribbean Labour Solidarity demands continuance of Dr Rodney’s CoI
By GuyanaTimes
The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government’s decision to abruptly end the life of the Dr Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) a short while ago, is still coming under scrutiny, this time by the Caribbean Labour Solidarity (CLS).
Guyana Times understands that the group, which sets itself the task of informing the concerned about labour issues in the Caribbean Region, strongly believes that the above-mentioned CoI should have been continued.
In a statement on Monday, the CLS explained that Dr Rodney’s assassination in 1980 remains a most traumatising political murder in Guyana’s history.
It was noted that a proper investigation into the death of the preeminent scholar, historian and activist had been evaded for many years until the Commission was established by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) under the Presidency of Donald Ramotar in 2014.
“Rodney’s political teaching exposed the exploitative nature of Guyana’s ethnic Indian/African conflict. His renowned work and legacy in Guyana endured sufficiently to curb racial voting for the first time in 50 years thus enabling the win of the new David Granger cross-racial coalition government. Yet Guyana’s new Government has refused to allow the Commission a final two weeks to complete the investigation for transparently political reasons,” the CLS emphasised.
Guyana Times was told that the CLS is demanding that the CoI be allowed to finish its ‘long awaited task’ and particularly, to hear from the remaining key witnesses.
According to the labour group, its plea is supported by all three commissioners, the lawyers representing Dr Rodney and the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), his brother Donald Rodney and the rest of the Rodney family.
“A new dispensation for the Commission could resolve previous abuses. All Guyanese need and deserve a completed inquiry into this atrocity, both to unearth the truth and to promote healing and reconciliation…,” the CLS added.
In August of this year, the Justice for Walter Rodney Committee in a statement to the local, regional and international media, said it was disturbed by the posture of the new Government.
“Commissions of Inquiries are established to find the truth, and this inquiry was no different. The world is waiting on the findings of this Commission. Rather than allow the continuation of the hearings for two weeks upon the request of the commissioners, and other interested parties, the Cabinet voted against due process,” the committee had argued.
Also, former President Donald Ramotar, who established the Inquiry, had already condemned the actions of the APNU/AFC Administration explaining that “it simply makes no sense to bring the Commission to such an abrupt end to save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony”.
He had also noted that Ramotar expressed satisfaction that “history will record that a PPP/C Government established a credible Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr Walter Rodney and that it was a PNCR + AFC + WPA that killed that inquiry.”
Wyndham Development Update Latin America
Record Year Highlights Wyndham Hotel Group’s Aggressive Expansion in Latin America & Caribbean
September, 29 2015Wyndham
The addition of 18 new properties and more than 1,900 rooms during the first half of the year has been attributed to the company’s new openings and brand introductions as well as to its diversely rich portfolio.
Wyndham From the South American Hotel Investment Conference in Lima, Wyndham Hotel Group announced that its Latin America and Caribbean portfolio has experienced accelerated growth through June, 2015. The addition of 18 new properties and more than 1,900 rooms during the first half of the year has been attributed to the company’s new openings and brand introductions as well as to its diversely rich portfolio and the relaunch of its loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards. With an impressive 114-hotel pipeline, the world’s largest hotel company is on track to finish a record year.
“Responding to robust demand across key destinations, Latin America and the Caribbean represent an enormous opportunity to continue strengthening our global footprint,” said Paulo Pena, president and managing director for Wyndham Hotel Group in Latin America and the Caribbean. “This unprecedented expansion is a clear testament of the commitment that we and our solid partners have in providing Wyndham-quality hotels and services to our business and leisure guests throughout the region.”
SOURCE: http://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article85805.html
