Caribbean Roundup: Tourism investment in Antigua and Barbuda, jobs struggle in the Bahamas

The minister recently said continued discussions on the government’s plan to consolidate bond obligations owed to the Social Security Scheme, explore strategies to leverage the Jolly Beach property as an investment vehicle, and advance a broader vision for the pension fund’s long-term sustainability.

“Cabinet approved an immediate allocation of EC$20 million to renovate 33 rooms at Jolly Beach Resort, construct a 500-person capacity conference facility, and upgrade the hotel’s sewage system, as well as its internet and communications infrastructure.

“Upon completion of the renovations, the hotel’s total room count will increase to 351, with works expected to be finished in time for the next tourism season.”

The government defended its decision to transfer and redevelop the Jolly Beach Hotel as part of the efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the NSSS.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne said, “A sustainable pension system requires more than just savings accounts. It requires strategic asset allocation and proactive investment to meet future obligations.”

He added that the policy would enhance the NSSS’s revenue base and also restore a key national asset, create jobs, and boost tourism.

The government said the resort is situated on 27 acres of prime beachfront land, valued at EC$67 million and would be used to settle part of an EC$330 million delinquent government bond owed to the Social Security Board.

Bahamas

Prime Minister Phillip Davis says that while the construction boom is real, not many citizens are taking advantage of it.

“The government I lead is not going to accept the idea that there aren’t enough trained Bahamians,” Davis said. “We don’t write people off. We bring them in. We are investing in closing the skills gap. We are expanding apprenticeships. We are paying young people to learn trades. And we are working closely with the Department of Labour and Immigration to make sure that if a job is here in The Bahamas, it is filled by someone from The Bahamas.”

The prime minister noted that the government is changing the system “so more Bahamians can take ownership of our economy and build a life of stability and pride.”

Speaking during a tour of the Water Tower construction site, he said his presence is “not just to highlight this project, but to highlight a principle.”

“That when our country grows, our people must grow with it. This is a government that believes in the dignity of work. We believe that success should not be inherited by the few, but earned by the many,” Davis said. “That is why I am proud to announce today that the government has granted land for a new BTVI (Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute) campus. This decision is about equipping Bahamians with the skills they need to succeed, right now, in industries that are booming.”

He said that the new BTVI campus is a down payment on fairness and part of the government’s broader push to train more Bahamians, faster, and better.

The prime minister added that the government wants to build a 21st-century economy where Bahamians are trained, working, and thriving and where growth is not a statistic, but a shared experience.

Barbados

The Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) says it will spotlight its leadership in sustainable tourism at the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta XV) in Bridgetown this month. 

The CTO had been working alongside the local organising committee and Caricom to stage an exhibit in the Sustainability Pavilion at the Grand Market during the 10-day festival.

The booth would highlight the organisation’s mission of advancing sustainable tourism development across the region.

CTO Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper said. “The Sustainability Pavilion allows us to tell the Caribbean’s story of resilience, innovation and leadership in sustainable tourism. Our presence at Carifesta demonstrates our commitment to advancing tourism that not only drives economic growth but also safeguards our cultural and environmental heritage. 

 She described the initiative as an opportunity for the region to present a unified message, adding that by participating in Carifesta XV, CTO reinforces its role as a regional leader committed to promoting sustainable and regenerative tourism through innovation, collaboration and education.

The Caribbean’s tourism development agency said a Sustainability Corner would showcase its regional commitment to resilience and environmental stewardship, while visitors will also learn about upcoming CTO events

In addition, a general information area would provide resources on research, tourism development, and other priority programmes.

Dominica

Dominica’s Public Service Union (PSU) says while it has agreed to an eight percent salary increase for public servants over a three-year period, two contentious matters have delayed the union’s push for an agreement with the Dominica government.

PSU general secretary Thomas Letang said that while there was agreement on the eight percent salary increase and several other benefits, the union wants the government to consider some retired employees.

“We had agreed on all the matters, including salaries, except that we had one or two concerns. And one of the things we are concerned about is that there are people who were in the service in 2021 and 2022,” Letang said. “They have since retired, but they did not benefit from the reclassification…and had the salary increase been paid for that period, they would have benefited, but they did not.”

He said that the union had written to the government on the matter and that “a one-off payment should apply to them.”

Letang added, “The government has responded not agreeing to that request from us.”

Meanwhile, the Dominica Association of Teachers (DAT) says its members will receive an eight percent salary increase over three years following the conclusion of negotiations with the government.

“In terms of salary increases, teachers like all other government employees, will receive an eight percent salary increase for the biennial 2024-27. Three percent for the year 2024-25, two percent for 2025-26 and three percent 2026-27, ” said DAT President Mervin Alexander.

He said that principals in government secondary schools would be recognised as travelling officers and would receive a travel allowance of EC$807 monthly in addition to mileage claim when travelling on school business.

Alexander said the government had also agreed to a pension for teachers who retired from the public service at age 60 until their 65th birthday and that if the Social Security payment was less than what was being offered by the government “the government has agreed to pay the difference to the officers.”

Alexander said teachers who did not benefit following the reclassification exercise conducted in 2023 could also receive a one-off payment of as much as 50% of their salary.

Grenada

Data released by the Ministry of Finance states that the Grenada government’s revenue and grants for the first half of this year declined by 15.2%, or approximately EC$112.6 million, compared to the same period last year.

The data shows that during the month of June, there were significant reductions in revenue collected from property tax and non-tax revenue. One of the non-tax revenue items that showed a significant reduction is the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.

According to official figures, the CBI’s revenue was EC$40.5 million last year, but for June 2025, it was EC$10.5 million.

The June 2025 fiscal report said that current revenue for June 2025 was EC$93.8 million, which was EC$1.9 million more than the 2025 target and EC$21.4 million less than the collections for June 2024.

Total grants in June 2025 amounted to EC$6.5 million, which was EC$6.1 million more than in June 2024. Total current expenditure, excluding principal repayments for the month of June was EC$71.4 million, which was less than the EC$81.6 million targeted and capital expenditure in June 2025 was EC$45.3 million, EC$19.1 million more than the amount spent in June 2024.

The June fiscal report published on the Ministry of Finance website also shows that a primary balance of minus EC$14.8 million was recorded for the month of June 2025, which was EC$37.1 million less than the amount recorded in June 2024. Total principal payments on debt for June 2025 were EC$2.1 million, while interest payments totalled EC$1.6 million.

Jamaica

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) has confirmed that three observer missions, the Caribbean Community (Caricom), the Organisation of American States (OAS) and Citizens Action for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE), have committed to observe Jamaica’s general election on Sept. 3.

The OAS mission will be led by the former prime minister of St Lucia, Dr. Kenny Anthony. 

Following the final reconciliation of the candidates nominated, 63 candidates were each nominated for the Jamaica Labour Party and the main opposition People’s National Party, 43 for the Jamaica Progressive Party, seven for the United Independents’ Congress and eight individuals were nominated as independent candidates.

Additionally, six candidates were confirmed as duly nominated for the by-elections in three divisions. 

Voting for the special services, that is, election day workers, police and military electors, will take place on Aug. 29.

The EOJ also disclosed that it has started the printing of ballot papers with the names of the candidates nominated.