AGP Executive Report

Air Connectivity: Air France is adding a new winter nonstop link between Guadeloupe (Pointe-à-Pitre) and Panama City, launching Dec. 11, with twice-weekly flights (Mondays and Fridays) until March 5, 2027—aimed at boosting travel options for passengers from Martinique and French Guiana via Pointe-à-Pitre. Cruise Tourism: MSC Cruises is preparing a major new private stop near La Romana in the Dominican Republic—Catalina Sugar Beach—opening to guests in November 2026, with MSC Opera homeporting there and visiting on every sailing. Luxury Resort Growth: Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica is unveiling its final residential phase, including six cliffside villas, two more spas, and a family pool pavilion, with sales set to begin this fall. Events & Summer Travel: Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay, Dominica, as a four-day celebration designed to draw visitors from across the Caribbean and the diaspora. Travel Safety Watch: A beach-and-safari resort manager in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, faces rape and sexual assault charges; bail was granted at R5,000 and the case is set to resume Oct. 5.

Air Connectivity: Air France is adding a new nonstop winter route from Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Panama City, launching Dec. 11, 2026, with two weekly flights (Mondays and Fridays) until March 5, 2027—aimed at boosting links for travelers from Martinique and French Guiana via Guadeloupe. Cruise Tourism: MSC Cruises will open its new private destination near La Romana—Catalina Sugar Beach—welcoming first guests in November 2026, with MSC Opera homeported there and visits on every sailing. Luxury Stays: Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica is moving into its final residential phase, adding six cliffside villas, two more spas, and a family pool pavilion as it reaches 42 villas across 40 acres. Events in the Region: Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay, Dominica, as a four-day anniversary festival expected to draw visitors from across the Caribbean and the diaspora. Travel Business Watch: Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico reports July 2026 passenger traffic up 1.2% year-on-year across its network, with mixed results by airport.

Air Connectivity: Air France is adding a new winter nonstop between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Panama City, launching Dec. 11. Flights run twice weekly (Mondays and Fridays) until March 5, 2027, with return legs Tuesdays and Saturdays—aimed at boosting links for travelers from Martinique and French Guiana via Guadeloupe. Cruise Tourism: MSC Cruises is unveiling Catalina Sugar Beach, a new private destination near La Romana in the Dominican Republic, opening to guests in November 2026; MSC Opera will be homeported there and visit on every sailing. Luxury Resort Growth: Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica is moving into its final residential phase with six new cliffside villas, two more spas, and a family pool pavilion, bringing the property to 42 villas; sales are set to begin this fall. Events in the Region: Asa Bantan’s 10th annual Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay, Dominica, in August as a four-day anniversary programme backed by the tourism authority and government.

Air Connectivity: Air France is adding a new nonstop link between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Panama City from 11 December 2026, running twice weekly (Mondays/Fridays) until 5 March 2027, with onward connections via Copa’s Panama hub. Luxury Stays: Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica is rolling out its final phase for its 15th anniversary, with six new cliffside villas, two more spas, and a family pool pavilion near Coconut Beach, with sales starting this fall. Cruise Tourism: MSC Cruises is naming its new private island destination near La Romana “Catalina Sugar Beach,” set to welcome first guests in November 2026, with MSC Opera homeporting from La Romana and visiting the new spot on every sailing. Caribbean Events: Dominica’s Asa Bantan Summer Daybreak Breakfast Fete returns to Grand Bay in August for its 10th annual milestone weekend, with a four-day programme expected to draw visitors from across the Caribbean and the diaspora. Resort Expansion: Hyatt says it’s doubling down on all-inclusives, pointing to strong repeat demand and continued growth across Latin America and the Caribbean.

New Air Link: Air France is launching a new nonstop seasonal route from Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Panama City starting 11 December 2026, twice weekly (Mondays/Fridays) with return flights Tuesdays/Saturdays, using an A320 with 170 seats and free high-speed Wi‑Fi for Flying Blue members—aimed at boosting French Caribbean connectivity and onward connections via Copa. Resort Expansion (Dominica): Secret Bay Resort & Residences (Relais & Châteaux) is moving into its final residential phase with six new cliffside villas, two more spas, and a family pool pavilion near Coconut Beach, bringing the property to 42 villas; sales begin this fall via Sotheby’s, with whole ownership from $2.95 million. Travel & Leisure (Guadeloupe-linked sports): At the CAC Games in Santo Domingo, Guadeloupe’s Ulric Portiér won gold in the men’s 110m hurdles final, with Jeanice Laviollette also featuring in the medal story—good news for regional sports fans planning trips around major meets. Island Events (Dominica): The Dominica Bike Festival returns this weekend (July 31–Aug 3), expecting 300+ riders from across the Caribbean and beyond, plus stunt shows, showcases, and an island-wide ride.

Air France Route Launch: Air France will start a new nonstop seasonal link between Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Panama City on 11 December 2026, running twice weekly (Mondays/Fridays) until 5 March 2027, with onward connections via Copa’s Panama hub across Central and South America; Travel Connectivity: The airline says schedules are coordinated for convenient transfers from Fort-de-France and Cayenne, and flights will include free high-speed Wi‑Fi for Flying Blue members; Sport & Tourism Buzz: Guadeloupe’s Ulric Portièr won gold in the men’s 110m hurdles at the 2026 CAC Games in Santo Domingo, while Jeanice Laviollette and other regional athletes also featured—another reminder of the Caribbean’s growing draw for sports travel; Caribbean Events: Dominica’s third Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3) expects 300+ overseas riders, including visitors from Guadeloupe, with racing, stunts, and an island-wide ride.

Resort Safety & Justice: A French manager at a Ballito beach-and-safari resort was granted R5,000 bail after rape and sexual assault charges; the case was postponed to Oct. 5, with court orders to report weekly to Umhlali police and hand over his passport. Caribbean Travel Inspiration: A new feature spotlights “off-the-grid” Caribbean towns for 2026, including Las Galeras (Dominican Republic) and Charlotteville (Tobago), aimed at travelers seeking quieter beaches and less “mega-resort” crowds. All-Inclusive Boom: Forbes reports Hyatt is doubling down on all-inclusives, citing strong repeat-stay demand and recent portfolio growth across Latin America and the Caribbean. Rum Tourism: The Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth is highlighted as the region’s standout rum competition, bringing top Caribbean bottles together for blind judging and a champion on local soil. Sport & Media for Fans: Sky Switzerland and SRF are teaming up on “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, debuting Sept. 3. Cycling Events: Dominica’s third Bike Festival (July 31–Aug. 3) is set to draw 300+ riders, including visitors from Guadeloupe and across the Caribbean, with racing, stunts, and an island-wide ride.

Resort Safety & Justice: A French manager of a beach and safari resort in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, facing rape and sexual assault charges, was granted R5,000 bail and ordered to report weekly to police and hand over his passport; the case was postponed to October 5 and he says he plans to plead not guilty. Caribbean Rum Culture: The Caribbean Rum Awards St Barth returns as the region’s only rum competition that brings Caribbean bottles together for blind judging on the islands that produce them. All-Inclusive Travel Boom: Hyatt says it has doubled down on all-inclusives, citing strong repeat demand across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, with major portfolio growth and new openings. Sports Tourism Media: Sky Switzerland and SRF are teaming up on “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, premiering in September. Cycling Events in the Region: Dominica’s Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3) expects 300+ riders, including visitors from Guadeloupe and across the Caribbean, with racing, stunts and an island-wide ride. Off-the-Grid Getaways: A travel feature highlights lesser-known Caribbean towns for 2026, pitching quieter, harder-to-reach spots over crowded resort areas.

Caribbean Rum Awards (St Barth): The Caribbean Rum Awards returns as the region’s only rum competition that brings top Caribbean bottles together for a blind tasting and crowns a champion on St Barth—an event that spotlights everything from Martinique/Guadeloupe agricole to long-aged molasses rums. All-Inclusive Push (Hyatt): Hyatt says it’s doubled down on all-inclusives, now with 150+ resorts and 58,000+ rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe, pointing to strong repeat demand after major acquisitions. Beach Sisters (Sky Switzerland/SRF): Sky Show will debut “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, mixing sport, travel and family rivalry. Dominica Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3): Dominica expects 300+ riders for its third annual festival, with drag racing, stunt shows, an island-wide ride and events at Canefield Airport—plus visitors arriving from across the Caribbean including Guadeloupe. Off-the-Grid Caribbean (2026 ideas): A travel roundup highlights lesser-visited Caribbean towns for 2026, aimed at travelers trying to escape crowded mega-resorts.

Caribbean Rum Awards (St Barth): The Caribbean Rum Awards returns as the region’s only Caribbean-on-Caribbean rum competition, bringing top bottles from across islands for blind tasting and a champion crowned on St Barth—good news for spirits lovers planning a trip around the event. All-Inclusive Push (Hyatt): Hyatt says it’s doubled down on all-inclusives, now with 150+ properties and 58,000+ rooms across Latin America and the Caribbean, pointing to strong repeat demand—another signal for travelers who want predictable, packaged stays. Beach Sisters (Sky Switzerland/SRF): Sky Switzerland and SRF are launching “Beach Sisters,” a six-part series following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, with travel and training themes that could spark sports-and-sun interest. Dominica Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3): Dominica expects 300+ riders for its third annual festival, including an island-wide ride and events at Canefield Airport—Guadeloupe travelers may want to catch the action and the Caribbean cycling vibe. Off-the-Grid Caribbean Towns (2026): A travel roundup spotlights lesser-visited Caribbean towns for 2026, leaning into quieter beaches and harder-to-reach spots—useful inspiration for escaping the “mega-resort machine.” Guadeloupe Patent Note (France system): A legal explainer reminds travelers and businesses that Guadeloupe (with Martinique, St Martin, and St Barts) falls under the French patent system, with French or validated European patents covering the territories.

Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth: The region’s biggest “Caribbean judging Caribbean rum” moment is back, bringing top bottles from across the islands for a blind tasting and a champion crowned on St Barth—another reason rum lovers plan their trips around distillery culture. Hyatt doubles down on all-inclusives: Hyatt says its all-inclusive push has grown fast since early branded launches, with major acquisitions expanding its portfolio across Latin America and the Caribbean—good news for travelers who want predictable packages and repeatable stays. Dominica Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3): Dominica expects 300+ riders from across the Caribbean and beyond, with racing at Canefield Airport, stunt shows, and an island-wide ride—plus a free opening event on Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard. Off-the-grid Caribbean towns for 2026: A travel guide highlights lesser-visited spots for a break from crowds and algorithm-driven itineraries, including remote beach escapes and harder-to-reach villages. Guadeloupe on the UFC map: Salahdine Parnasse, carrying Guadeloupe colors, is set for UFC Fight Night 287 in Paris on Sept. 5—an unexpected sports tourism hook for fans.

UFC Spotlight: Salahdine Parnasse—proudly carrying the colors of France, Morocco, and Guadeloupe—has officially signed with the UFC and will face Dan Hooker in the Sept. 5 headliner in Paris, a big moment for Guadeloupe fans following his rise. Caribbean Cycling Tourism: Dominica Bike Festival 2026 runs July 31–Aug 3 and expects 300+ riders, including visitors from Guadeloupe and Martinique, with an island-wide ride plus racing and stunt shows at Canefield Airport. Off-the-Grid Travel Ideas: A new guide highlights eight quieter Caribbean towns for 2026, pushing travelers to skip the mega-resort crowds and seek more remote beaches and local stays. Rum & Heritage Travel: Distillery tours keep growing as a must-do Caribbean experience, with travelers increasingly booking trips for rum tastings and cane-to-bottle stories. All-Inclusive Demand: Hyatt says its all-inclusive push is paying off, pointing to strong repeat stays and continued growth across Latin America and the Caribbean. Sports & Culture: “Beach Sisters,” a Sky Switzerland documentary on Olympic beach-volleyball players, follows their rivalry turning into a partnership—plus training and travel behind the scenes.

Caribbean Rum Awards (St Barth): The Caribbean Rum Awards returns as the region’s only rum competition that brings top Caribbean bottles together for a blind tasting on St Barth, with a champion crowned by an international panel. All-Inclusive Push (Hyatt): Hyatt says it’s doubling down on all-inclusives after years of expansion, pointing to strong repeat demand and new openings/renovations across the Caribbean and Latin America. Sports & Media (Beach Sisters): Sky Switzerland and SRF are teaming up on “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, debuting 3 September. Dominica Bike Festival: Dominica’s third annual Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3) expects 300+ riders, including visitors from Guadeloupe and across the Caribbean, plus stunt shows and an island-wide ride. Guadeloupe in the UFC (Salahdine Parnasse): Salahdine Parnasse, who carries Guadeloupe on the biggest stage, is set for a UFC Fight Night 287 main event in Paris on Sept. 5 against Dan Hooker. Rum Distillery Tours: Distillery tours are increasingly becoming a core travel reason to book—less souvenir shopping, more hands-on cane-to-cask experiences across Caribbean islands.

Caribbean Rum Awards in St Barth: The region’s biggest “Caribbean judging Caribbean rum” moment is back, with the St Barth competition bringing top bottles from across islands into a blind tasting and crowning a champion on-site. All-Inclusive Boom: Hyatt says it’s doubled down on all-inclusives after early moves and major acquisitions, pointing to strong repeat demand across Latin America and the Caribbean. Sports & Travel Media: Sky Switzerland and SRF are teaming up on “Beach Sisters,” a six-part series following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré through tournaments, training, and travel. Dominica Bike Festival: Dominica expects 300+ riders for the July 31–Aug 3 event, including visitors from Guadeloupe and other Caribbean islands, plus stunt shows and an island-wide ride. Off-the-Grid Escapes: A 2026 guide highlights quieter Caribbean towns for travelers trying to dodge crowds and mega-resorts. Guadeloupe on the UFC Map: Salahdine Parnasse confirms his UFC debut main event in Paris on Sept. 5, proudly carrying the colors of France, Morocco, and Guadeloupe. Rum Distillery Tours: Distillery tours are increasingly becoming a core travel draw, with visitors seeking island-specific rum stories firsthand.

All-Inclusive Boom: Hyatt says its all-inclusive push has paid off, growing to 150+ resorts and 58,000+ rooms across the Caribbean and beyond, with more openings and major acquisitions driving the strategy. Sports & Travel Media: Sky Switzerland and SRF are launching “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, with filming across tournaments, training, and travel—set to debut Sept. 3. Dominica Cycling Festival: Dominica’s third annual Bike Festival runs July 31–Aug 3, with an island-wide ride plus stunt shows and races at Canefield Airport; organizers expect 300+ riders from across the Caribbean, including Guadeloupe. UFC Spotlight for Guadeloupe: Salahdine Parnasse confirmed his UFC debut in Paris on Sept. 5 against Dan Hooker, proudly noting he carries the colors of France, Morocco, and Guadeloupe. Regional Football Schedule: Concacaf Nations League matchups are set for Sept. 25–Oct. 5, with Guadeloupe drawn alongside Bermuda, Saint Lucia, and Barbados in Group B.

All-Inclusive Boom: Hyatt says its all-inclusive push has scaled fast—now 150+ branded resorts and 58,000+ rooms across Latin America and the Caribbean, with more openings and major acquisitions driving the momentum. Sports & Media: Sky Switzerland and SRF are launching “Beach Sisters,” a six-part documentary following Swiss beach-volleyball players Anouk and Zoé Vergé-Dépré, debuting Sept. 3. Cycling Tourism: Dominica’s third Bike Festival (July 31–Aug 3) expects 300+ riders from across the Caribbean and beyond, with an island-wide ride, stunt shows, and events at Canefield Airport. UFC Spotlight for Guadeloupe: Salahdine Parnasse confirms his UFC debut—main event vs Dan Hooker in Paris on Sept. 5—saying he carries the colors of France, Morocco, and Guadeloupe. Football Fixtures: Concacaf Nations League 2026/27 Group B includes Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia, and Barbados, with matches set for Sept. 25–Oct. 5.