February 16, 2026

Mottley secures historic third 30-0 sweep in Barbados

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) have made history, securing a third consecutive clean sweep in Barbados’ general elections held last week. In a commanding show of voter confidence, the BLP captured all 30 parliamentary seats, repeating its landslide victories from 2018 and 2022. The unprecedented result was marked nationally, with Friday declared a public holiday and a thanksgiving and celebration rally held Saturday afternoon. A new Cabinet is expected to be announced today. Key Highlights Historic First: This marks the first time in Barbadian history that a political party has achieved three back-to-back 30–0 election victories. Mandate Reinforced: The outcome further consolidates Mottley’s leadership and the BLP’s dominance in national governance. Opposition in Question: The absence of parliamentary representation raises serious questions about the future direction and rebuilding of the Democratic Labour Party, Barbados’ main opposition.

Quotable Caribbean

“We did not come simply to hold office. We have come to make Barbados better, and to make your lives better.” — Mia Mottley, Prime Minister, Barbados

CTO and USVI strengthen agro-tourism ties at Agrifest 2026

L–R at Government House on Thursday: Marvelle Sealy, Executive Assistant and Office Manager, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO, CTO; USVI Commissioner of Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King; USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr.; USVI Deputy Commissioner of Tourism RoseAnne Farrington; and Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism, CTO.

The 54th edition of Agrifest, held under the theme “Agriculture and Technology: An Ideal Mix in 2026,” comes to a close today in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) visited the leading regional agricultural food fair over Presidents’ Day weekend, with a focus on strengthening agro-tourism linkages across the Caribbean.

High-level discussions were held with USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Commissioner of Tourism Jennifer Matarangas-King and Deputy Commissioner of Tourism RoseAnne Farrington, exploring opportunities to better align agriculture, technology and tourism to drive sustainable growth.

The CTO delegation was led by Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary-General and CEO, and included Narendra Ramgulam, Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism, and Marvelle Sealy, Executive Assistant and Office Manager.

Held each February, the three-day Agriculture and Food Fair celebrates local life — bringing together farmers, artisans and food vendors.

Sailing toward success: Alexander Gumbs opens FCCA Leadership Series

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) last week raised the curtain on its new Leadership Series, and the debut episode delivers a candid look at the grit and foresight required to lead a world-class port. Hosted by Adam Ceserano, the premiere features Alexander Gumbs, CEO of Port St. Maarten Group, in an unfiltered conversation on navigating disruption, driving performance and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving cruise industry.

Now live across all FCCA social media platforms, the full interview offers timely insights for port stakeholders, cruise executives, tourism officials and private-sector partners alike — spotlighting leadership lessons that resonate well beyond the pier.

Watch the video HERE to learn more.

Norwegian appoints new President & CEO

John W. Chidsey

John W. Chidsey has been named President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., succeeding Harry Sommer, who has retired after 17 years of service.

Throughout his career, Chidsey has led several global, consumer-facing companies, bringing deep expertise in operational development and execution to organizations navigating pivotal moments. Most recently, as chief executive officer of Subway Restaurants, he repositioned the brand, modernized operations and strengthened the company’s long-term growth trajectory.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is a leading global cruise company operating Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

A legacy of leadership: Loreto Duffy-Mayers honored for pioneering sustainable tourism

The Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) honored Loreto Duffy-Mayers, a seasoned environmental and sustainable tourism expert with more than 30 years of experience across the Caribbean and Latin America, during its Leadership Awards and Fundraiser in Miami in December.

Duffy-Mayers has led regional initiatives on energy efficiency, climate resilience and renewable energy, helping hotels and governments transition to greener, more sustainable practices. Her work has earned multiple awards and recognition for advancing sustainable development in tourism, energy and environmental management.

Be inspired by her remarks in the clip above. Click HERE

Tink Bout It

“The future of tourism will belong to destinations that anticipate risk, adapt intelligently and respond with credibility. Protecting beaches and airports remains essential. Protecting trust is indispensable.” — Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Medical Moment

International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month, observed in February, is an important reminder of the steps we can take to protect the health of both mother and baby during pregnancy.

Preventing infections during pregnancy helps reduce the risk of complications and supports healthy fetal development. Simple, proactive measures, including those shown below, can make a meaningful difference.

• Washing hands frequently with soap and water

• Receiving recommended vaccines, including the flu vaccine and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis)

• Ensuring pregnant women are tested for Hepatitis B

• Avoiding handling or changing dirty cat litter

• Avoiding contact with wild or pet rodents and their droppings

• Avoiding unpasteurized milk or dairy products

• Limiting visits to locations where infections are actively spreading

By taking these precautions, expectant mothers and families can play an active role in safeguarding maternal and newborn health.

Marketplace Excellence Corporation (MPE) is a global public relations, marketing and media company.