~Islands unite to promote multi-destination travel experiences for global visitors.~

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados:---  Dominica and Barbados have signed a landmark tourism partnership through an agreement to collaborate on promoting their tourism products and offering enhanced multi-destination packages.

The historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on October 1 at the Hilton Barbados Resort during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). The partnership between Dominica, the Nature Isle, and Barbados, the Gem of the Caribbean, marks a significant step toward deepening regional ties and delivering greater value to travellers.

The Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) entered into the MOU to cement this step toward strengthening the appeal of both countries, promoting sustainable tourism, and developing new vacation experiences for travellers.

The MOU establishes a joint framework for cooperation, focusing on marketing, knowledge exchange, and enhancing visitor experiences across both destinations. This collaboration is especially timely as the Caribbean continues to attract travellers from Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Latin America seeking diverse and enriching experiences.

The agreement was signed by Marva Williams, CEO and Director of DDA, and Andrea Franklin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BTMI. Cheryl Carter, Chief Operations Officer of BTMI; Graham Clarke, BTMI’s Director for the Caribbean; and Lise Cuffy, Marketing Executive at DDA, witnessed the signing.

Franklin acknowledged Barbados’ reputation as a tourism leader but stressed that the MOU would be mutually beneficial, emphasizing the need for creative collaboration and regional unity.

“Dominica may see Barbados as a tourism ‘grandparent,’ but there’s so much we can learn from each other. Barbados is proud to be the premier home port cruising destination in the region, and we see this as an opportunity to attract more business to neighbouring islands as well,” Franklin said.

She added that the MOU serves as a stepping stone and could open doors to similar agreements with other islands.

“When it comes to attracting airlift to the region, it’s vital that we stop viewing ourselves as individual countries competing for flights. Instead, we must work together to bring more airlift into the Caribbean. If Barbados serves as the hub, we should channel that connectivity to our sister islands, like Dominica, ensuring all destinations benefit,” Franklin said.

“Our teams will meet to strategize on marketing and to engage airlines and cruise lines, ensuring we maximize the benefits of this partnership. We’re especially excited to collaborate in areas such as sports, eco-tourism, and sustainable tourism, all of which are essential to the future of Caribbean travel,” Franklin added.

Williams supported Franklin’s comments by underscoring the value in leveraging the already strong relationship between the nations. They intend to ensure it benefits both destinations financially.

“This collaboration is part of a larger conversation, and we look forward to learning from Barbados, which will help build greater awareness and create a ripple effect on the GDP and economic opportunities for both our countries,” Williams said.

“We all have unique attributes to offer, and this partnership isn’t just about tourism; it’s about exploring opportunities in other industries, such as manufacturing, that can benefit both nations. Improving air access is essential so that our people can move around the Caribbean efficiently and effectively,” Williams added.

Key areas of collaboration outlined in the agreement include:

• Curating and promoting multi-destination tourism packages that highlight the unique cultural, eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness offerings of Dominica and Barbados
• Supporting the development of air and cruise connections to facilitate seamless travel between islands
• Coordinating media exchanges, media familiarisation tours, joint training, and public relations events to raise the profile of both destinations globally
• Sharing expertise in sustainable tourism and product enhancement to ensure lasting benefits for local communities and the environment

Historically, Caribbean nations have recognised the value of working together to attract long-haul visitors, allowing travellers to experience the region’s diversity in a single trip.

Graham Clarke, BTMI’s Director for the Caribbean, said that the new MOU builds on this tradition.

“Today’s global travellers are seeking value-added experiences and deeper engagement with local communities. This collaboration with the Nature Isle adds a unique dimension to the Barbados tourism product, and we believe Dominica will benefit in the same way. We’re excited for what this partnership means, not just for our tourism sectors, but for visitors, who will enjoy richer, more meaningful experiences across both destinations,” Clarke said.

A joint working group will oversee the implementation of the MOU with biannual progress reviews and the development of a detailed action plan to ensure the partnership achieves its objectives. Both parties have agreed that each will bear its own implementation costs with joint initiatives subject to separate funding agreements as needed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on October 7, 2025.  

The Central Committee meeting, which was adjourned on September 15, 2025, will be reconvened on Tuesday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.  

The agenda point is: 

1. Discussion with External Expert on Building digital trust: exploring a national AI strategy and further development of an Open Parliament. 

Mr. Gregary Richardson will be in attendance. 

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. 

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of the observance of Literacy Month in September, the book The Adventures of Anansi was officially launched and presented to the honorable Minister of VSA, Mr. Richinel Brug, who graciously accepted the publication on behalf of the honorable Minister of ECYS, Ms. Melissa Gumbs.

Also present at the book launch were representatives of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, school managers/directors of the public and government subsidized schools, and representatives of the Windward Islands Bank of Sint Maarten.

The publication features eight beloved Anansi stories, retold to capture the wit, wisdom, and wonder of the legendary spider. Originating in West Africa, the stories were carried across the Atlantic through the transatlantic slave trade, becoming an enduring part of cultural heritage in the Americas and the Caribbean.

The new edition draws on the 1970s television series based on the works of Curaçaoan writer Nilda Pinto, illustrated by Utrecht artist Toon van Ham. The same illustrations now enrich this newly released edition.

The stories remain highly relevant today. Beyond their cultural value, they provide opportunities for reflection and dialogue. Each story concludes with a central question: What would you do in this situation?—inviting readers to consider their own values and moral choices.

Following the official launch, a workshop was organized for teachers to introduce the accompanying teaching tools. During the session, educators worked with the first story from the book and explored how the materials can be applied in classrooms to support discussions on ethics and decision-making.

Throughout the final week of September, in partnership with Biblionef Netherlands, school visits were conducted to introduce students to the Anansi stories. In the weeks ahead, every school will receive a box containing multiple copies of The Adventures of Anansi, thanks to the support of the Windward Islands Bank.

This project, which also includes a website with teaching resources, has been made possible through the support of the Nederlands Letterenfonds. Separate editions of the book are released in English, Dutch, Papiamentu, and Papiamento, ensuring that pupils throughout the Dutch Kingdom can experience the legacy of Anansi in their own language.

Special recognition is extended to the Project Group Kompa Nanzi—Elodie Heloise, Philie van Veen, Richenel Ansano, Crisèn Schorea, and Marjan de Visser-Lemstra—as well as to all contributors who helped bring this project to fruition.

And finally, we want to thank the management of Windward Island Bank of St. Maarten for assisting with the distribution of these books to all public and government-subsidized schools.

French Quarter, St. Martin:--- The public is invited to a free festival celebrating St. Martin’s migratory birds this Saturday, October 11th! The Migratory Bird Festival will be held from 9 am to noon at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House in French Quarter. The event will include the launch of a new coloring book: Amuseum Around Me. The book will be available for free at the event while supplies last. Kids can dive right into the books at the festival’s coloring station. Guests can also play fun bird games in the Amuseum’s gardens and explore the museum exhibits and grounds. A special snail station will also highlight island snails. 

“We’re super excited to host the Migratory Bird Festival and launch this fantastic new book!” said Jenn Yerkes, President of the Les Fruits de Mer association. “This new book is something kids can use at the Amuseum and bring home to continue learning and discovering.”

Like the other books in the Around Me series, Amuseum Around Me is bilingual in English and French, and is also a nature journal where kids can record their own observations and make their own drawings of animals that live on St. Martin. Free copies of the book at the event were funded by the State and the Collectivité of St. Martin through the Politique de la Ville program. The book will also be given to students during class visits to Amuseum Naturalis.

Festival guests can enjoy BirdSleuth Caribbean activities like Bird Bingo and the Bird Habitat Scavenger hunt. These activities were adapted specifically for the Caribbean, featuring local birds and nature. They are perfect for kids and families to enjoy in the Amuseum’s gardens.

This year, there will also be a snail station, where guests can learn all about St. Martin’s snails. Our snails are an important food for many of the migratory birds that come to our island.

The Migratory Bird Festival will take place from 9 am to noon on Saturday, October 11th. It will be held at Amuseum Naturalis at The Old House on the hill above Coconut Grove in the French Quarter. The event is proudly sponsored by Delta Petroleum. For more information, visit http://lesfruitsdemer.com.

Amuseum Around Me was produced with support from the Collectivité de Saint-Martin and the Agence nationale de la cohésion des territoires. The book project is supported by the Politique de la ville de Saint-Martin, implemented by the State and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin. The book is also available for purchase on amazon.com worldwide, and as a free download at http://lesfruitsdemer.com.