Miami, Fla. --- Travelers across the Caribbean are demanding more authentic, locally sourced food, products, and cultural experiences. Yet new survey findings from research conducted by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) with 18 of the region’s  National Hotel & Tourism Associations (NHTAs) reveal that hotels face major barriers in meeting that demand, ranging from unreliable supplies to limited government support. CHTA is drawing attention to these insights as part of its ongoing push to strengthen linkages between tourism and local industries.

According to the NHTAs, supply remains one of the toughest challenges: more than half (56%) said local producers cannot consistently provide the quantities needed, with many also citing inconsistent quality and lack of variety.

Most associations cited a need to boost support for increased local purchases by the tourism industry, helping to reduce high production costs.  Seventy-six percent (76%) said utility subsidies are non-existent or ineffective; 64% said more effective tax incentives for hotels to purchase locally would encourage greater industry purchasing, strengthening domestic producers’ ability to compete on price; and 56% said incentives to boost local production could be improved.

Saint Lucian entrepreneur Vaughn Constable, founder of Twist Saint Lucia and a participant in CHTA’s Linkages showcase, which connects tourism businesses with local suppliers, illustrates the challenge. “There’s so much pride in creating Caribbean-made products,” said Constable. “Every bag, every package carries a piece of our identity — our flavors, our culture, our craftsmanship. Travelers love that authenticity; they want to taste and experience something that’s truly from here, but the logistics, volume and costs make it difficult for small producers to compete locally and regionally, even when there’s strong demand from hotels and travelers.” 

During a recent CHTA Linkages webinar, representatives from successful efforts by the Government of Jamaica, the Saint Lucia Hospitality and Tourism Association and the hotel sector pointed to their successes and echoed the concerns raised through CHTA’s research. They identified urgent priorities such as better data sharing, more efficient regional logistics, and stronger financial support for small businesses.

“CHTA’s role is to amplify the collective voice of our National Hotel & Tourism Associations,” said Nicola Madden-Greig, Linkages Task Force Chair and Immediate Past President of CHTA. “These findings reinforce what we have long advocated: travelers want authentic Caribbean experiences, but systemic barriers prevent hotels from fully meeting that demand. By working with governments and partners, we can create the policies and systems that ensure tourism delivers stronger benefits to Caribbean people and communities.”

Looking ahead, CHTA is intensifying its efforts to connect buyers and suppliers, create a more competitive pricing environment, strengthen distribution networks, and help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Strengthening local and regional cooperation on logistics and financing also remains a top priority, making it easier for hotels to source Caribbean first.

“The Caribbean has many of the ingredients to succeed, with talented entrepreneurs, agricultural and manufacturing capabilities, rich cultural traditions, and an unmatched tourism product,” added Madden-Greig. “If we break down the barriers and strengthen these linkages, we can ensure more visitor spend stays in our economies, supporting livelihoods and building a stronger, more sustainable future for the region.”

To further drive collaboration, CHTA will host a dedicated Linkages Showcase at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), November 16-18 in Barbados, spotlighting regional producers and suppliers that support the hospitality sector. The association is also undertaking a detailed assessment of regionally sourced product lines which are available to the hospitality sector.

PHILIPSBURG:---  On the occasion of his official retirement, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA),  Richinel Brug, extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Mr. Glen A. Carty for his service as Director of the Social & Health Insurances (SZV) over the past 15 years.

Mr. Carty, who officially retires from his post tomorrow, has been a steadfast figure in the development of SZV, steering the institution through a period of growth, transformation, and modernization.

“On behalf of the Ministry of VSA and the people of Sint Maarten, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Carty for his many years of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment to the mission of SZV,” said Minister Brug.

During his tenure, Mr. Carty led numerous initiatives that enhanced customer service, strengthened operational efficiency, and introduced digital innovations that have made SZV more accessible and responsive to the public.

“We thank him for his service and wish him nothing but success, fulfillment, and good health in this new chapter of his life.”

Advisory examines proposal to restore automatic cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.

WILLEMSTAD;--- Today, the Social and Economic Council (SER) issued an advisory opinion on a proposal from the MAN-PIN lawmakers in Parliament that would automatically adjust public pensions and survivor benefits to inflation each year, restoring a safeguard that has been absent for more than a decade.

The draft law, submitted by legislators Giselle McWilliam and Susanne Camelia-Römer, would tie payments under the General Old-Age Insurance (AOV) and the General Widows’ and Orphans’ Insurance (AWW) to the consumer price index (CPI) as measured each August. Beginning January 1 of each year, benefits would rise in step with inflation; if prices were stable or declined, payments would remain unchanged.

The proposal would mark a return to Curaçao’s pre-2013 system, replacing a growth-based formula that proved impossible to implement because of missing economic data. It keeps both the retirement age and contribution rates unchanged but seeks to preserve retirees’ purchasing power amid higher living costs.

In its advisory, the Council said it evaluated the plan within a wider legal, policy, and socioeconomic framework, considering international standards and the reform objectives of the government’s Country Package — a program aimed at strengthening Curaçao’s public finances and social safety net.

15 Years of Nationhood – A Tribute to the Youth Who Shaped Our Journey

PHILIPSBURG:--- This year marks 15 years since St. Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a milestone that continues to resonate as both a triumph of vision and a testament to the collective effort of a determined people.

As we celebrate this historic anniversary, we pause to recognize the Constitutional Youth Club (CYC) and the Constitutional Culture Club (CCC), two pioneering youth movements that helped shape the national consciousness during the crucial years leading up to 10-10-10.

We owe immense gratitude to their visionary leader, Ms. Dorothy Lake, and to the dedicated mentors who stood beside her: Ms. Irene Hodge, Ms. Sharon Freiburg, Ms. Judy Fitzpatrick, Ms. Angelique Brill, Mr. Rolando Tobias, Catherine Connor and so many more! Their belief in empowering youth through civic education created a generation that not only witnessed history but helped make it.

The Birth of a Movement: Youth in the Heart of Constitutional Change

Between 2007 and 2010, St. Maarten stood on the threshold of transformation. The path to autonomy demanded not only political negotiation but also public understanding and youth participation.

Recognizing this, Dorothy Lake, then a senior civil servant with a passion for civic education, spearheaded the creation of the Constitutional Youth Club (CYC) and later the Constitutional Culture Club (CCC) under the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

Her vision was simple yet profound:

“A nation cannot be built without the understanding and participation of its youth.”

Through school-based programs, debates, and interactive panel discussions, CYC and CCC turned classrooms and community halls into spaces of nation-building. They tackled complex questions of identity, governance, and autonomy, translating the legal language of constitutional change into the lived experiences of the people.

A Generation That Answered the Call

Among the first to take up this challenge were young people like Alissa Rios and Paul Lourens, who worked hand in hand with Ms. Lake to organize youth workshops, debates, and public outreach initiatives. Their work helped demystify constitutional restructuring for their peers, fostering understanding of concepts like autonomy, responsibility, and citizenship.

Many of those youth have since become leaders in their own right, professionals, public servants, and changemakers who continue to carry the torch of nation-building.

From Youth Leaders to Nation Builders

Over the past fifteen years, nearly every member of the CYC and CCC has gone on to make meaningful contributions within their communities, both at home and abroad. Former members can now be found in nearly every sector of society, serving as educators, civil servants, chefs, entrepreneurs, political leaders, artists, and innovators. Together, they represent a generation of young St. Maarteners who transformed civic education into civic action.

To name just a few examples of this lasting legacy:

• Alissa Rios, founding member of CYC and CCC, returned in 2012 after completing her Master’s in Public Administration in the Netherlands, and quickly became a trusted advisor to several Ministers. Today she works passionately as an advisor to Member of Parliament Omar Ottley, shaping legislation and continuously championing effective, people-centered governance.
• Nerissa Cornelia, former President of CCC, is now a respected lawyer at SXM Notary Richards, continuing her dedication to integrity, community service, and the principles of fairness that guided her from her teenage years.
• Patrice Gumbs, once an active debater and member of CYC, now serves as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI). His journey from youth leader to civil servant to Minister reflects a lifelong commitment to public service and responsible leadership.
• Keshia Richards, LLM, who also was a member of the CCC, went on to become one of the 3 Civil Law Notaries on St. Maarten, embodying integrity and professionalism in one of the nation’s most trusted legal roles.

These are but a few examples of the many youths who turned civic learning into lifelong leadership; a legacy that continues to shape St. Maarten today.

The Legacy of Ms. Dorothy Lake

No tribute to CYC and CCC would be complete without honoring the indomitable Ms. Dorothy Lake, the architect of youth civic engagement during the constitutional transition. With wisdom, grace, and an unwavering belief in young people, Ms. Lake instilled in her students a deep understanding that nation-building begins with knowledge, dialogue, and accountability.

Her mentorship produced not just informed youth, but future leaders, many of whom now serve in key positions across government, law, medicine, and education.

Even in retirement, Ms. Lake remains a guiding light, her legacy woven into the civic fabric of modern St. Maarten. Her example continues to inspire those who believe in service above self and in the transformative power of education