AGP Executive Report

LGBTQ+ Equality Watch: A new weekly roundup flags how IDAHOBIT was loud across much of the world, but “eerily quiet” in the US—while Senegal’s reported crackdown is described as a growing international silence. Saint Lucia Tourism & Health: Saint Lucia’s rapid PCR testing system is now operational, with CARPHA saying multiple infectious diseases can be detected in under two hours—aimed at faster outbreak response. Luxury Growth: HQ Hotels & Residences by sbe is set to open in Saint Lucia in Nov 2026, a $130M project adding 178 keys and up to 300 jobs. Regional Airlift Push: Jamaica has announced the next CTO Air Connectivity Summit for Feb 23, 2027 in Kingston, keeping pressure on Caribbean seat capacity and connectivity. Caribbean Travel Deals: JetBlue and United are rolling out reciprocal elite-style perks for Caribbean travelers, adding priority boarding and preferred seating. On-the-ground Sport: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team is still searching for its first win in the OECS tournament, despite gaining valuable regional experience.

New Luxury for Saint Lucia: HQ Hotels & Residences by sbe is set to open HQ Cas En Bas Resort and Residences by sbe in November 2026, a $130m, 178-key addition (with up to 300 jobs) landing in Wyndham’s Registry Collection—plus major dining and entertainment concepts. Health & Travel Readiness: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing platform capable of detecting multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, boosting outbreak response. Regional Airlift Push: Barbados is stepping up Africa connectivity with renewed monthly Lagos–Barbados charters and a tourism office in Kenya, while Jamaica prepares to host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027. Tourism Marketing Momentum: Saint Lucia showcased destination strength at Antigua’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace and is rolling out a summer campaign. Caribbean Watch: A CDC Level 2 advisory flags chikungunya risk for Mauritius, with Saint Lucia listed among places reporting cases. Sports Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team went winless at the OECS event, while the SLBF eyes CAC Games qualification.

Mystery beach deal: A new Wowcher x Metro “mystery beach holiday” promotion is pushing bargain getaways from as low as £199, with St. Lucia listed among 50+ possible destinations—perfect for travelers who want to skip the planning fights. Air perks for Caribbean flyers: JetBlue and United are rolling out reciprocal elite-style benefits, so Caribbean travelers can get priority boarding and preferred seating when flying the partner airline. Regional airlift focus: Jamaica has locked in the next CTO Air Connectivity Summit for Feb. 23, 2027, aiming to tackle capacity, fees, and weak intra-Caribbean links. Health watch: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system (under two hours) to speed outbreak response, while chikungunya is spreading in multiple countries including Saint Lucia. On-island tourism push: Saint Lucia showcased its product at Antigua’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace and debuted a new destination website and summer campaign. Sports spotlight: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team is still searching for its first win in OECS action.

Summer Cruise Picks: Travelers are hunting for easy, feel-good summer sailings, with cruise itineraries spotlighted as the go-to break between school breaks and long daylight hours. Cuba Politics & Tourism Backdrop: A fresh wave of commentary claims Cuba is in “collapse,” while earlier coverage notes how tourism has already been hit hard—setting the tone for what could come next for the island’s travel appeal. Air Connectivity Push: Jamaica is set to host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, aiming to tackle the region’s biggest bottleneck: limited seats, high fees, and weak intra-Caribbean links. Saint Lucia in the Spotlight: Saint Lucia showcased destination strength at Antigua’s 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace, debuting a new site (stlucia.org) and a summer campaign. Health Tech Upgrade: CARPHA says Saint Lucia’s new rapid PCR system is operational, delivering multi-disease results in under two hours. Sports Momentum: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team remains winless at OECS 3×3, while the island keeps chasing CAC Games qualification.

JetBlue–United Elite Perks: JetBlue TrueBlue and United MileagePlus members can now trade reciprocal elite-style benefits on each other’s flights—priority boarding, preferred seats, and extra-legroom access—making Caribbean connections smoother for travelers flying via major U.S. hubs. Regional Airlift Push: Jamaica is set to host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, building on the Bermuda kickoff as ministers tackle limited seats, high fees, and weak intra-Caribbean links. Saint Lucia Tourism in Motion: Saint Lucia showcased its destination strength at Antigua’s 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace, debuting a new website (stlucia.org) and a summer campaign aimed at boosting arrivals. Health Tech Upgrade: Saint Lucia has completed installation of a rapid PCR testing platform capable of detecting multiple diseases in under two hours. Sports Spotlight: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team remains winless at the OECS event, while the Virgin Islands advanced to semis after beating Saint Lucia.

Airlift Push: Jamaica just locked in the next big regional connectivity meeting—hosting the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, following last year’s Bermuda summit, with ministers and airline leaders focused on seat capacity, taxes/fees, and fixing long-haul and intra-Caribbean gaps. Saint Lucia Spotlight: At the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, Saint Lucia showcased its destination strength, including a new stlucia.org site and a summer campaign, while the tourism minister is also challenging how arrival stats measure real impact. Health Upgrade: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system that can detect multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, aiming to speed outbreak response. Community & Rights: ERAO SVG launched a national reparations call for LGBT Vincentians on IDAHOBIT, as legal protections and protections remain limited. Sports: The Virgin Islands hosted the first-ever OECS 3×3 U23 basketball tournament and advanced to the semis after beating St Lucia.

Sports Spotlight: Heinrich Klaasen is thriving on the franchise road in IPL 2026, posting elite form that’s hard to believe after his international retirement. Regional Basketball: Saint Lucia’s 3×3 push continues as the SLBF eyes CAC Games qualification at the ANOECS U23 tournament in the British Virgin Islands (May 16–17), with a four-player squad chasing a June deadline. Tourism Marketing: Saint Lucia turned heads at Antigua’s 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace, debuting its new destination site (stlucia.org) and a summer campaign built around curated experiences. Air Connectivity: Jamaica has locked in the next CTO Air Connectivity Summit for Feb. 23, 2027 in Kingston, aiming to strengthen regional airlift. Public Health: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing platform that can detect multiple diseases in under two hours. Rights & Advocacy: ERAO SVG launched a national reparations call for LGBT Vincentians amid ongoing legal and protection gaps.

Sports Tourism Boost: The Virgin Islands (VI) are through to the semi-finals of the 3X3 ANOECS U23 Basketball Tournament in Tortola after rebounding from an opening loss, and they’ll face St Kitts and Nevis in Semi-final 1 today; entry is $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 13. Saint Lucia Path to CAC Games: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 squad is in the same tournament with a clear goal—qualifying for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, with the federation saying the “window closes in June.” Airlift Push: Jamaica has announced it will host the second CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Kingston on Feb. 23, 2027, building on last year’s Bermuda meeting focused on capacity, taxes/fees, and stronger intra-Caribbean routes. Destination Marketing: Saint Lucia is spotlighting events and summer experiences after showcasing at the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, including a new destination website and campaign. Health Watch: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system rollout, while chikungunya advisories are also in the wider Caribbean conversation.

ECCU Strategy Reset: A new look back at the ECCU’s last decade says tourism has bounced back and often topped pre-pandemic levels, but the diversification push has been uneven—strongest in Citizenship by Investment, weaker in healthcare—while energy shocks and the Guyana oil boom are forcing a fresh “decade of decision” mindset. Saint Lucia Tourism Pitch: At the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, Saint Lucia’s Tourism Authority team met global trade partners and debuted a new destination site (stlucia.org) plus a summer campaign aimed at adventure, romance, wellness and culture. Sports Tourism Momentum: Saint Lucia is also in the spotlight through OECS sports—hosting a first-ever 3X3 ANOECS tournament in the British Virgin Islands (May 16–17) with a Saint Lucia squad targeting CAC Games qualification. Health & Travel Safety: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system to speed outbreak detection, while regional health alerts continue to watch mosquito-borne chikungunya risk. Regional Air Connectivity: Jamaica announced it will host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit in Feb 2027, underlining how crucial intra-Caribbean flights are for growth.

Sports Tourism Spotlight: The OECS’s first-ever 3X3 Basketball Tournament is underway in the British Virgin Islands, with Saint Lucia among the teams and finals set for May 17—an easy win for regional visibility and visitor pull. Market Push: Saint Lucia just wrapped a strong showing at the 44th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, pitching its adventure, romance, wellness and culture, debuting its new site (stlucia.org) and launching a summer campaign. Air Connectivity Watch: Jamaica has locked in the next CTO Air Connectivity Summit for Feb. 23, 2027, aiming to tackle capacity gaps and keep regional routes moving. Health & Readiness: Saint Lucia says a new rapid PCR system is now operational, delivering multi-disease results in under two hours, while local authorities continue monitoring hantavirus risk linked to a cruise ship. Local Policy Debate: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire is challenging arrival-only metrics, arguing the industry’s real impact needs better measurement.

Sports Pathway: The Saint Lucia Basketball Federation has named a four-player U23 3×3 squad for the ANOCES Under-23 tournament in the British Virgin Islands (May 16–17), aiming to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games—an important “window” that closes in June. Tourism Metrics Debate: Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire is pushing back on relying on arrival numbers alone, arguing they don’t show tourism’s full economic impact. Health Upgrade: Saint Lucia has completed a rapid PCR testing system, capable of detecting multiple infectious diseases in under two hours, strengthening outbreak response. Festival Spotlight: Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is being framed as a global brand-builder, with local leaders highlighting its marketing power. Regional Air Focus: Jamaica will host the CTO Air Connectivity Summit next year, underlining how airlift is “our oxygen” for Caribbean tourism. Public Health Push: The NIC is urging workplaces to join efforts against rising non-communicable diseases ahead of Sneaker Day (June 24).

Stable Tourism Spotlight: Curaçao is being singled out as the Caribbean’s most seasonally stable market, with the lowest seasonality score (21) in a new Amadeus/CHTA 2026 trends report—outshining Aruba, Saint Lucia, and others. Regional Leadership: Dominica hotelier Gregor Nassief has been named CHTA president-elect, a first for a Dominica hotelier. Health Alert: The CDC issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Mauritius over chikungunya risk, and new reporting notes cases have now appeared in multiple countries including Saint Lucia. Safety & Accountability: A major investigation has identified 13 victims of US military boat strikes, renewing scrutiny of the campaign. Tourism Policy Shift: CHTA is pushing a comprehensive framework to regulate short-term rentals across the region as demand keeps rising. St. Lucia Angle: Saint Lucia is mentioned in the seasonality comparisons, while local health officials continue monitoring hantavirus concerns linked to a cruise ship.

Honeymoon Heat Check: Hyatt’s Vows & Venues study says newlyweds who start their marriage with a honeymoon in Italy are most likely to report they’re “happily married” (88%), with Thailand (87%) and Indonesia (85%) close behind—while Jamaica lands at 84.6%. Caribbean Tourism Policy: The region is pushing for smarter rules as short-term rentals become mainstream; the CHTA is rolling out a comprehensive framework to help governments regulate Airbnb/Vrbo without killing growth. Regional Pressure Point: Caribbean tourism ministers are also worried about “leakage,” with one estimate putting it at 80% of visitor spending leaving the islands. Saint Lucia Health Watch: Saint Lucia remains at low risk for hantavirus transmission, with officials monitoring a cruise-linked outbreak and reporting no local cases. Local Culture & Travel Buzz: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival momentum continues, with international coverage spotlighting the island’s music and tourism.

Caribbean Tourism Policy: Caribbean ministers are sounding the alarm on “leakage” in tourism—estimated at about 80% of visitor spending leaving the islands—pushing for ways to keep more money local as imported costs “import inflation” too. Short-Term Rentals: The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is also moving from resistance to regulation, rolling out a Comprehensive Short-Term Rental Framework to help governments capture benefits, improve oversight, and boost tax collection as STRs become a core part of accommodation. Saint Lucia Spotlight: Saint Lucia is in the middle of the action—at the Caribbean Investment Summit, officials say the island is drawing fresh global interest in Citizenship by Investment and regional growth. Health Watch: Locally, Saint Lucia remains at low risk for hantavirus transmission, with authorities monitoring a cruise-linked outbreak and reporting no suspected or confirmed cases on island. Travel Demand Signals: Meanwhile, Google Flights data points to a shift toward shorter, smaller-city breaks in Europe—while Caribbean travel continues to chase value and off-peak deals.

Air Capacity Boost: American Airlines says this summer will be its biggest ever—75 million travelers across 750,000 flights—good news for Caribbean routes where demand is still climbing. Caribbean Travel Marketplace Buzz: Antigua & Barbuda’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace kept momentum going, with Saint Lucia spotlighting events and sports tourism. Tourism Strategy Spotlight (Curaçao): New Amadeus/CHTA research flags Curaçao as a model for stable year-round tourism and notes strong pull with Millennials and Gen X. Health Watch (Saint Lucia): Saint Lucia remains at low risk for hantavirus transmission while health authorities monitor a cruise-ship-linked outbreak; no local cases reported. Local Sports & Culture: Saint Lucia’s U23 3×3 team heads to Tortola for CAC qualification, while Jazz & Arts Festival coverage continues to build around record crowds and big-name performances. Travel Disruption Note: JetBlue passengers were stranded overnight in St Lucia after a bird strike cancelled a JFK-bound flight.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace Buzz (Antigua): The second day of the Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua & Barbuda put strong demand and big infrastructure upgrades front and center, with destinations pitching growth and connectivity—and Saint Lucia using the spotlight to push events and sports tourism. Curaçao’s Playbook: New Amadeus/CHTA research says Curaçao is winning with middle-aged, higher-value travelers and stands out for stable year-round tourism (its seasonality score beats Aruba, Saint Lucia, Jamaica and others). St. Lucia Jazz Momentum: The festival kept rolling with major international names and local pride, while the tourism ministry also drew a line after profanity concerns. Digital Hype: Soca star Kes The Band landed on NPR’s Tiny Desk, and the region’s online reach got another boost from IShowSpeed’s Caribbean tour. Travel Reality Check: JetBlue passengers were stranded overnight in St. Lucia after a bird strike disrupted a JFK flight.