November 10, 2025

Election dates announced for St. Vincent and Saint Lucia

The Caribbean is gearing up for a pivotal political season, with two general elections set to take place within days of each other. 

Citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines will head to the polls on November 27, 2025, where Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of the Unity Labour Party and opposition leader Dr. Godwin Friday of the New Democratic Party will lead their respective candidates into the race.

Just a few days later, on December 1, 2025, St. Lucians will cast their ballots as Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre of the Saint Lucia Labour Party and former Prime Minister Allen Chastanet of the United Workers Party go head-to-head, along with their slate of candidates contesting constituencies across the island.

Caribbean shines at WTM London 2025

The Caribbean concluded World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025 with remarkable success, securing new business partnerships and strengthening vital connections.

Destinations, tourism organizations, and private-sector partners engaged in productive meetings that reinforced the region’s strong presence on the global stage.

The event also highlighted the power of collaboration and shared vision in driving growth for the Caribbean’s tourism sector — positioning the region for continued resilience and success, and building strong momentum heading into 2026 despite global headwinds.

Pictured: Secretary-General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Dona Regis-Prosper, during the week-long event.

CMEx Laureate Spotlight: Janelle Hopkin

The spotlight on the 2025 CMEx laureates continues, with celebrations set for Sunday, December 7, at Loews Coral Gables Hotel in Miami.

Janelle M. Hopkin is President and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada. A graduate of the prestigious Glion Institute of Higher Education in Montreux, Switzerland, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Business Administration and Hospitality Management.

Her early career included formative management internships at the Four Seasons Hotel, Park Lane and the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London. These experiences crystallized her vision of luxury service and shaped her philosophy on delivering high-end Caribbean hospitality.

After returning home in 2006, Hopkin spent 14 years mastering every aspect of the business under the guidance of her father, the late Sir Royston Hopkin, KCMG, founder and former Chairman and Managing Director of Spice Island Beach Resort. Starting as a Management Trainee, she progressed through roles including Rooms Division Manager and Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, before becoming Deputy Managing Director in 2015. She worked closely alongside her father until his passing, and in March 2020 was appointed his successor.

Since assuming leadership, Hopkin has successfully steered the resort through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and has launched an ambitious transformation to meet the evolving expectations of today’s and tomorrow’s travelers.

A proud mother of one, she previously served on the Board of Directors of the Grenada Tourism Authority and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Queen Elizabeth Home for Children, where her passion for supporting disadvantaged youth is evident.

Spice Island Beach Resort remains family-owned and -operated, earning consistent praise from industry leaders and guests alike for its unwavering commitment to providing a definitive 21st-century Caribbean luxury experience. 

The CMEx Leadership Awards is powered by Platinum Sponsor Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. Other sponsors include Barbara Pyle Foundation; Calabash Cove Resort & Spa (St. Lucia); Carnival Corporation & plc; Chukka Caribbean Adventures; Coco Palm (St. Lucia); Comfort Suites Paradise Island (Bahamas); Grenada Tourism Authority; Jade Mountain (St. Lucia); Ladera Resort (St. Lucia); Marketplace Excellence Corporation; Mount Cinnamon Beach Resort (Grenada); Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board (Bahamas); Park Hyatt St. Kitts Christophe Harbour (St. Kitts); Rodman Marketing Guru; Round Hill Hotel and Villas (Jamaica); The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission; The Decker/Royal Agency; Tortuga Rum Company; Tropical Attractions; Tropical Shipping; Unique Vacations Inc. (the worldwide representative of Sandals & Beaches Resorts); and Vanessa James Media.

Proceeds will support educational initiatives that empower Caribbean youth and tourism professionals.

For tickets and details, visit cmexmedia.org.

Photo Flashback: Olympic Gold Medallist Thea LaFond

Thea LaFond, 2024 Olympic Triple Jump Champion from Dominica, was honored at the 2024 CMEx Leadership Awards and Fundraiser. Her win marked the first-ever Olympic medal for Dominica — an exhilarating victory for her island and for the Caribbean. It was an achievement that meant so much to the Olympian personally, as well as to the people of the region who continue to celebrate her historic success.

Tink Bout It

“What was once a devastating tragedy for our people – the Atlantic Slave Trade – should now be translated into the Atlantic Bridge, a bridge of hope, a bridge of advancement, a bridge that will ensure that our people take their rightful place in this world.” – Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister, St Kitts and Nevis

“Good friend better than pocket money.”

This Caribbean proverb reminds us that true wealth is measured not in dollars but in relationships. While money can be spent or lost, a loyal friend provides enduring support, guidance and companionship — benefits no amount of currency can buy. The saying reflects a deeply Caribbean value: that community and human connection outlast material gain, and that the strongest currency is a circle of people who care for one another.

Medical Moment

November 14 is recognized by the United Nations as World Diabetes Day.

The number of people living with diabetes worldwide rose from 200 million in 1990 to 830 million in 2022. According to the Pan American Health Organization, a recent study shows that 112 million adults in The Americas — 13 percent of the population — are living with diabetes, nearly four times the number in 1990, with the sharpest increases in low- and middle-income countries. In the Caribbean, prevalence is even higher at 20 percent, driven in part by high obesity rates.

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attack, stroke and lower-limb amputation. Yet prevention and management are possible through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and avoiding tobacco use. With proper medication, screening and treatment for complications, those living with diabetes can avoid or delay serious outcomes.

The theme for World Diabetes Day is “Diabetes and Well-Being”, underscoring that with the right support, everyone with diabetes has the opportunity to live well.

Global health partners emphasize the importance of cooperation to expand access to treatment, education and care.

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