M.A. Dworkin U.S. - The United States is facing mounting reputational damage from global tourism markets following unusually stark criticism from the United Nations’ (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, who warned recently that current enforcement practices by the Trump Administration risk being “dehumanizing, discriminatory and corrosive to basic human dignity.”       Industry leaders now say that the language used by Mr. Turk is reverberating far beyond dip

A.J. Pike USVI Airports - For all those would-be passengers who need to fly but show up at the airport without proper ID, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is offering a new way to still get you on the plane and to your destination, but it’ll cost you $45.       The TSA is rolling out its new ConfirmID program starting February 1, 2026, allowing passengers without a REAL ID, passport or other acceptable identification to attempt to proceed through security for

M.A. Dworkin Labadee, Haiti - As Haiti’s tourism continues to spiral downward due to out-of-control gang violence, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) has extended the suspension of its northern Haiti private destination cruise port stop in Labadee, Haiti, through the end of 2026.         Labadee, is RCCL’s private fenced-off beach resort, which is only hours away from the capital, Port-au-Prince, and half-hour away from Cap-Haitien. It offers cruise passengers beaches, wate

A.J. Pike Grenada - The U.S. Department of State has increased its travel advisory to a Level 2 for the country of Grenada, urging Americans “to exercise increased caution” when heading to the country. The advisory was updated on January 5, 2026, to include the crime indicator, mentioning instances of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape against American citizens.        “Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada,” the State Department wrote in its advisory, adding “

M.A Dworkin USVI - The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism closed out 2025 with a strong tourism performance across the Territory, reinforcing its standing as a leading Caribbean destination. Throughout the year, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands remained resilient, supported by consistent air access, active cruise operations, and sustained interest from key U.S. markets.       The continued success of the USVI in attracting tourists to its islands differs greatly from

M.A. Dworkin St. John’s, Antigua - Antigua and Barbuda along with Dominica will encounter partial entry restrictions beginning January 1, 2026. President Donald Trump expanded restrictions on foreign nationals entering the United States by targeting two Caribbean nations that offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI), but he exempted three other nations that offer similar programs.        The proclamation blocks nationals from both countries from obtaining: Immigrant visas, B-1

A.J. Pike Miami FL - The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, led by newly-appointed Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, recently took part in the annual Caribbean Weekend in Miami, which is hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).       Throughout the event-filled weekend, Commissioner Matarangas-King joined tourism leaders from across the region for a series of high-level meetings, including briefings from Jamaican and Haitian representatives on their o

A.J. Pike  St. Maarten - The ultra popular cruise ship port of St. Maarten has decided that enough is enough as far as pushy cruise ship vendors are concerned. A new ban has been put in place on unauthorized vendors soliciting cruise passengers. The ban is being soundly applauded by passengers who are forced to put up with the rude and unruly actions of certain vendors.       One of Royal Caribbean’s main hot stops in the Caribbean, St. Maarten, has issued a new public order

M.A. Dworkin Costa Rica - The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, Costa Rica, has issued a “Security Alert” for the popular Central American vacation destination of Costa Rica. The Embassy is warning Americans of a rise in potentially dangerous crimes, which includes property crimes, financial crimes, and robberies that have impacted foreigners in Costa Rica, including U.S. citizens.        The authorities pointed to criminal gangs targeting “foreign-owned businesses and residences fo