Welcomed airlift news for Grenada

St. George’s, June 5, 2010 (GIS) – Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Glynis Roberts, has said that airline service to Grenada is moving along “nicely,’’ especially for the summer when the country will be hosting Spicemas, the annual carnival celebration.

The travel needs of would-be visitors are being met through a series of formal arrangements between government and airline officials, as well as with non-government private charters.

Air Jamaica, whose majority owners are now Caribbean Airlines, is returning to Grenada from New York after cutting the route a few months ago. It’s not a formal, negotiated arrangement with the Ministry of Tourism, and so far it appears limited to just the summer months.

“They are doing it on their own accord,’’ Minister Roberts said in reference to Air Jamaica which is proposing a schedule of four flights weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The recently announced scheduled of Air Jamaica also targets travellers to Barbados and the Grand Caymans, with the airline offering passenger concessions such as “two bags free in Lovebird Economy class,’’ a 10 percent discount for “accompanied children and senior citizens,’’ and a 15 percent discount on “personal cargo shipments for ticketed passengers.’’

The theme of Grenada’s carnival, which will be officially launched June 12, is: “We Playin’ Ah Wicked Mas.’’ It culminates August 9 and 10.

Many visitors from the United States east coast are expected to travel to Grenada on private charter with Jet Blue, the low-fare airline.

Minister Roberts said Grenada has been in discussion with Jet Blue since last October with a view to arriving at a permanent arrangement to service the Grenada market. No deal has yet been reached.

The Tourism Ministry had better success with Delta Airlines, which will be commencing flights to Grenada next month.

“We have Delta that’s coming in on July 3 with year-round service,’’ Mrs. Roberts said. “They’ll be coming twice weekly, on Wednesday and on Saturday. This augurs well for our industry not only in terms of expatriates coming back home for carnival, but also for people on the eastern seaboard who want to visit Grenada during the festival time.’’

Government is also in talks with Virgin Airlines, West Jet and Air Canada, the Minister announced. “The airlift is coming along nicely,’’ she told the Government Information Service.

The minister said the National Democratic Congress government is promoting “Community and Heritage Tourism,’’ which requires the collective efforts of all Grenadians.

“For tourism to move, our people need to take ownership,’’ said Mrs. Roberts. “We have so much that we can utilise for ourselves and share. Every Caribbean island has sea, sun and sand. We have to find what is different that can pull people to our country.’’

The Tourism Minister also noted the need for Grenada to further upgrade the quality and quantity of its room stock.

“We have to work feverishly to get our room stock in line. There’s no point you’re working to bring people into the country and all the accommodation is not up to capacity or are not to a certain standard,’’ she said.

Mrs. Roberts said a lot of work is being done to improve the tourism product, which benefits other economic sectors.

“The spill-off effects of tourism are vast and wide,’’ she said. “We have to continue working towards developing the industry and sensitising people to understand the benefits we get from tourism.’’

Tourism, carnival and airline travel

St. George’s, June 5, 2010 (GIS) – Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Glynis Roberts, has said that airline service to Grenada is “coming along nicely,’’ especially for the summer when the country will be hosting Spicemas, the annual carnival celebration.

The theme of carnival 2010, which will be officially launched June 12, is: “We Playin’ Ah Wicked Mas.’’ It culminates August 9 and 10.

The travel needs of would-be visitors are being met through a series of formal arrangements between government and airline officials, as well as with non-government private charters.

Air Jamaica, whose majority owners are now Caribbean Airlines, is returning to Grenada from New York after cutting the route a few months ago.

Hon. Roberts, in an interview with the Government Information Services, said she is particularly looking forward to next month’s the start of Delta’s year-round flights into Grenada.

Government is also in talks with Virgin Airlines, West Jet and Air Canada, she announced.

The minister said the National Democratic Congress government is promoting “Community and Heritage Tourism,’’ which requires the collective efforts of all Grenadians.

Insurance institute suggested for Grenada

St. George’s, June 5, 2010 – A regional insurance professional claims that insurers in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are being unfairly penalised by governments who “do not understand insurance.’’

St. Lucian Claudius Francis is unimpressed with the Insurance Act that has the backing of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

“This Act is meant to punish,’’ Francis charged June 4 during a lecture at the Trade Centre organised by the Association of Grenada Insurance Companies (AGIC). It was part of an AGIC week of activities that was held under the theme, “Insurance: It’s Role, Impact and Future in our Society.’’

The week of activities, a first for the local insurance industry, was the brainchild of AGIC President, Molly Roberts. She said it was an information-sharing and bonding exercise for industry representatives, as well as an opportunity to educate Grenadians on the importance of insurance.

“Nothing moves without insurance,’’ Roberts said.

Francis, President of the OECS Insurance Association, highlighted the importance of insurance to the regional economy, including the tourism sector.

“There could be no tourism industry if there is no insurance,’’ said Francis, who has lived and travelled in the Caribbean on business and as a table tennis player. “There is no aspect of economic life that can exist without insurance.’’

He said with such things as private health and life insurance, governments are relieved of a “great burden.’’ However, he chastised OECS administrations, saying they don’t “understand the benefits of insurance. It’s as simple as that.’’

OECS countries, which are also members of the ECCU, drafted legislation for the financial sector – which includes insurance companies and agents – mainly in response to the collapse of CLICO and the difficulties of British American Insurance Company Ltd.

The legislation, which Francis described as “coordinated’’ but not “unified,’’ has either been passed or it’s still in the bill stage. It is expected to become law in all OECS countries, except Montserrat and Anguilla, which are British-dependent territories.

The Insurance Act came into effect in Grenada last March, as part of what government said are efforts at stronger regulation and supervision of insurance companies.

Among other things, it increases the capital and solvency requirements for insurance companies and makes provision for the establishment of statutory funds to protect policyholders’ liabilities. The Act also imposes penalties on companies and their officers for non-compliance, and strengthens the supervisory and regulatory powers of GARFIN as the Supervisor of Insurance.

GARFIN – the Grenada Authority For the Regulation of Financial Institutions – is headed by Angus Smith as Executive Director, with the authority having responsibility for regulating and supervising not just insurance companies, but the entire “non-bank financial sector.’’

Those named as part of the “non-bank financial sector’’ include Building, Co-operative and Friendly Societies, as well as Grenadians involved in currency exchange and the issuance and sale of travellers’ cheques.

Francis said regional countries have always had regulation but never “proper’’ regulators. He does not believe the industry could be effectively supervised and regulated by anyone whose expertise is not in insurance.

“Insurance is a peculiar thing that requires a peculiar animal to regulate it,’’ Francis argued. “It needs someone who knows about it and understands it.’’

Francis said while he supports “strong and fair regulation,’’ he is critical of the OECS Insurance Act, calling it too punitive with threats of fines for companies and individuals.

He chided Grenada’s insurance sector for being too fragmented and divided, and encouraged insurers here to treat insurance as a career by seeking further professional training.

“Insurance is extremely important. You cannot work in insurance and do not treat it as a career,’’ Francis said.

He suggested a model used in St. Lucia, where there is an institute for training and an Insurance Council that disciplines agents for ethical violations, and certifies all garages in the country. Francis is President of the Insurance Council of St. Lucia.

“For the way forward, you must have a strong insurance institute,’’ Francis told the Trade Centre audience that included MP Peter David, Grenada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Insurance laws,’’ Francis added, “change almost on a daily basis. You need to keep abreast and the way to keep abreast is to have a good and solid institute.’’

Air Jamaica returns to Grenada

KINGSTON, JUNE 02, 2010—Air Jamaica today announced the resumption of service to Grand Cayman and the return of its popular summer service from New York (JFK) to Barbados and Grenada .

“We are excited about the return to these Caribbean markets. Jamaica and Grand Cayman have shared strong ties for many years, and our service to Barbados and Grenada gives the Diaspora the most convenient way to go home for festivals, fun and family,” said Bruce Nobles, Air Jamaica’s President and CEO.

Starting July 1, Air Jamaica will operate daily service between Kingston and Grand Cayman .

The summer non-stop service from New York , when approved, will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sunday to Barbados, and four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to Grenada .

flight    departs                                         arrives                                        frequency

JM069     Kingston at 10:35 AM                             Grand Cayman at 11:30 AM                     Daily

JM068     Grand Cayman at 12:30 PM             Kingston at 1:25 PM                      Daily              

JM090     New York (JFK) at 12:40 AM         Barbados at 5:40 AM                     Tue, Thur, Sun

JM091     Barbados at 6:40 AM                      New York (JFK) at 11:40 AM        Tue, Thur, Sun

JM094     New York (JFK) at 12:40 AM         Grenada at 5:40 AM                      Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat

JM095     Grenada at 6:40 AM                        New York (JFK) at 11:40 AM        Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat

In addition to convenient flights, passengers also have several new reasons to choose Air Jamaica this summer:

·         2 bags free in Lovebird Economy class

·         Double Rewards Miles for 7^th Heaven Rewards members who book Lovebird Executive Class

·         10% Discount for accompanied children and senior citizens

·         Student waivers for date changes

·         15% discount on personal cargo shipments for ticketed passengers.

The airline has already announced an increase in flights to New York and Toronto from Jamaica, as well as its return to Nassau .

With the inauguration of service to Grand Cayman, Barbados and Grenada, Air Jamaica’s summer schedule will have more than 182 weekly flights to eight destinations.

Grenadian students among hundreds of City Tech Graduates

NEW YORK, June 2, 2010 – A Grenadian student was the toast of about 2,000 graduates of New York City College of Technology on Wednesday.

Lerone Bleasdille of St. David delivered the Valedictorian Address on behalf of the 2010 graduating class at Madison Square Garden in New York.

He was among a handful of Grenadian students who received their diplomas at the 70th Commencement Ceremony of the Brooklyn-based College of the City University of New York (CUNY).

Bleasdille, who left his full time bank teller job to take up a scholarship provided by CUNY in the aftermath of Hurricanes Ivan and Emily, challenged his colleagues to use adversities as stepping stones to fulfil their career dreams.

"Fellow graduates today we become the representatives of City Tech, members of the privileged group responsible for showing the world that we produce quality. I want to challenge each of you to keep learning and to live your passion," Bleasdille said at the ceremony which was also attended by his mother and other family members.

Bleasdille (summa cum laude) and Kadell Joseph (magna cum laude), the son of Grenada Board of Tourism Director, William Joseph, both graduated with honour degrees in Bachelor of Technology in Computer Systems.

Craig John, another Grenadian student, also completed an Associate Degree in Radiologic Technology and Medical Imaging.

It was a proud moment for John, the grandson of former Chief Education Officer, Carlyle John and the nephew of pharmacist Rupert John. They were among family members including his mother Deslyn Hosten who journeyed from Grenada to New York to witness the graduation. His father Clement John who lives in Maryland and Harrison Copeland who is in charge of the Radiology Unit at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn as well as aunts in England and Trinidad also attended the commencement ceremony.

John, who is from Mt. Craven, St. Patrick, attended the McDonald College.

In the citation, the College said that “out of devastation emerged opportunity for Lerone Bleasdille, New York City College of Technology’s 2010 valedictorian. He arrived at City Tech as a result of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, which decimated most of the buildings in his native country, Grenada.”

Bleasdille’s mother, then an administrator in the Prime Minister’s Office, learned that CUNY, in partnership with the Grenada Mission, was offering 15 college scholarships to Grenadian students as a humanitarian initiative. At the time, Bleasdille was working in a local bank as a commercial teller. He applied for and won one of the CUNY scholarships, and chose City Tech because it offered computer science-related majors. The scholarship paid for his tuition during his years at City Tech.

Grateful for the support he was given, Bleasdille, who served as president of City Tech’s Student Government Association (SGA) and later as senator-at-large and treasurer, recognised the need to provide scholarships for international students who ordinarily were ineligible due to residency requirements. He and some fellow students established the merit-based SGA Trust Award, for which international students were eligible, which provides $2,000 each to three full-time students.

Bleasdille has served as lead reporter of the College’s student newspaper, New Tech Times, president of the Martial Arts Club and vice president of the E-commerce club, in addition to his student government posts. While gravitating towards a career in technology, Bleasdille says he found himself as a creative writer at City Tech, winning first prize in both the poetry and short story categories in the City Tech Literary Festival Competition.

Bleasdille credits his drive and multiple interests partly to the example set by his late father, Leroy Neckles, who died in 2008. Neckles, a U.S.-educated business turnaround specialist, told him: “Leaders are never people who want to lead; they are the people others ask to lead.” He said, “I always remember that statement; because it means you’re doing something right when people believe in you.”

Bleasdille also credits his mother, who raised him, for her indomitable spirit, and unquenchable support. “She’s read all my stories and poems. While my father set the education bar high, my mother built my character,” he said.

Consul General Derrick James congratulated the students who graduated on Wednesday noting that they all excelled in their various areas of specialisation.

“What is even more encouraging is that a son of the soil was chosen to be the Valedictorian for the graduates,” he observed.

He said that Grenadian students continue to demonstrate to the world that they can excel and compete among the best in the face of extreme challenges.