AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Hospitality: Club Med says it wants to grow from 60 resorts today to 100 by 2035, with major renovations continuing—highlighting Martinique’s Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek, set to debut a new adults-only “Zen Oasis” with 36 Deluxe rooms and 20 sea-view suites. Aviation & Connectivity: French regional airports face possible survival threats as costs rise and EU rules tighten public funding from April 2027, with smaller airports warned they may not cover costs if support is withdrawn. Water & Waste Infrastructure: Grenada will host the 35th Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) conference (12–16 Oct 2026), bringing ministers, utilities, engineers and private partners to push solutions for water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste. Heritage & Construction: In Grenada, an interim court injunction is pausing demolition of the historic Drill Yard while an international technical team assesses options to secure, stabilise and rehabilitate the site, with a completion target of 31 Aug 2026. Trade & Consumer Relief: Grenada announces six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28–29, Sep 25–26, Oct 30–31, 2026) plus VAT removal on electricity bills from Aug 1 to Dec 31, alongside continued fuel and LPG price controls. Regional Culture & Events: Trinidad & Tobago’s Independence Day parade (Aug 30) is set to bring steel pan, calypso, food and family activities to Brooklyn parks.

Tourism & Hospitality: Club Med says it will push its portfolio to 100 resorts by 2035, with renovations continuing at key Caribbean properties including Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique, now set to add a new adults-only “Zen Oasis.” Aviation & Connectivity: French regional airports warn that tighter EU public-funding rules from April 2027 could force some smaller airports to shut, threatening links for rural areas. Public Finance & Consumer Demand: Grenada announces six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28–29, Sept 25–26, Oct 30–31) plus VAT relief on electricity bills and continued fuel/LPG price controls through late 2026. Heritage & Construction: Grenada’s Drill Yard preservation effort moves forward as an interim court injunction blocks demolition while an international technical assessment is due by 31 August 2026. Water & Waste Infrastructure: Grenada will host the 35th Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association conference (12–16 Oct 2026), focusing on water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste management. Maritime Trade & Industry History: A feature revisits how Yemen’s Mocha coffee once shaped Red Sea shipping routes—now disrupted by Houthi attacks.

Tourism & Hospitality: Club Med says it plans to grow from 60 resorts today to 100 by 2035, with major renovations continuing at flagship sites, including Martinique’s Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek set to debut an adults-only “Zen Oasis” with new rooms and suites. Aviation & Connectivity: French regional airports face possible survival threats as costs rise and EU rules tighten public funding, with proposed changes from April 2027 limiting investment and operating aid for smaller airports. Water & Waste Infrastructure: Grenada will host the 35th Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association (CWWA) conference (Oct 12–16, 2026), bringing ministers, utilities, engineers and private partners to push solutions for water security, climate resilience, wastewater and solid waste. Consumer Support & Retail: Grenada announces six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28–29, Sep 25–26, Oct 30–31, 2026) plus VAT relief on electricity bills and continued fuel/LPG price controls through 2026. Heritage & Construction: In Grenada, an interim court injunction pauses demolition of the historic Drill Yard while an international technical team assesses options to secure, stabilise and rehabilitate the site, with a report due by Aug 31, 2026. Trade & Shipping History: A feature revisits how Yemen’s Mocha coffee once shaped Red Sea shipping routes—before modern disruptions shifted flows and reshaped the global coffee trade.

Cruise & Tourism Expansion: Club Med says it plans to grow from 60 resorts today to 100 by 2035, highlighting ongoing renovations at key properties including Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique, where an adults-only “Zen Oasis” is set to debut with new rooms and suites. Aviation & Connectivity: French regional airports warn that tighter EU public-funding rules from April 2027 could push smaller airports toward closure, threatening links for rural areas. Shipping & Regional Demand: MSC Cruises is reshuffling winter 2027/28 deployments, canceling planned Middle East routes and moving MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with embarkation including Fort-de-France (Martinique), plus stops across the Leeward and Windward islands. Public Works & Procurement: Grenada’s Democratic People’s Movement criticizes a “design, build and finance” approach for major road projects, alleging it bypasses procurement laws and limits transparency on true costs and financing. Energy & Consumer Education: Grenada’s utilities regulator wraps its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across parishes (including Carriacou and Petite Martinique) with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Local Heritage Preservation: Grenada’s Drill Yard preservation effort continues as an international technical team assesses options to stabilize and rehabilitate the historic site after an interim court injunction halted demolition.

Cruise & Connectivity: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/28 plans, pulling Middle East routes and redeploying MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean, with embarkation in Fort-de-France and stops across the region—an immediate win for Martinique’s tourism and local port activity. Public Procurement & Infrastructure: In Grenada, the Democratic People’s Movement is challenging a government “design, build and finance” approach for major road projects, arguing it sidesteps competitive bidding and may breach the public procurement framework—watch how financing and contract transparency play out for regional construction markets. Energy Costs & Household Relief: Grenada also announced six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28-29, Sep 25-26, Oct 30-31) plus VAT removal on electricity bills from Aug 1 to Dec 31 and continued fuel/LPG price controls through December—signals of how energy policy is being used to cushion living costs. Heritage Engineering: An interim court injunction is halting demolition of Grenada’s historic Drill Yard while an international civil engineering team assesses options to stabilize and rehabilitate the site by Aug 31.

VAT Relief & Energy Costs: Grenada announced six VAT-free shopping days (Aug 28-29, Sep 25-26, Oct 30-31) plus VAT removal on electricity bills from Aug 1 to Dec 31, alongside continued fuel price controls and capped LPG prices through Dec 2026—aimed at easing inflation pressure for 38,000+ households. Cruise & Port Connectivity: MSC Cruises reversed its winter 2027/28 Middle East plans: MSC World Europa shifts to the western Mediterranean, while MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre, and Bridgetown, boosting regional passenger flows. Procurement & Infrastructure Scrutiny: Grenada’s DPM says major road projects using a “design, build and finance” model “completely ignored” procurement laws, criticizing sidelined bidding and lack of public cost/financing details. Heritage Protection in Construction: An interim injunction halted demolition of Grenada’s historic Drill Yard while an international technical team assesses options for stabilizing and rehabilitating the site, with a report due by Aug 31. Renewable Energy Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across 40 schools with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Shipping Route Context: Commentary on Yemen’s Mocha coffee trade highlights how Red Sea shipping routes have long shaped regional economies—now reshaped by modern security risks.

Cruise & Logistics: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/28 deployment, cancelling planned Middle East routes and redeploying its new flagship MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) and Bridgetown (Barbados), plus calls across the Leeward and Windward islands—an immediate signal for regional passenger flows and port activity. Energy & Skills: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its biggest Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across parishes including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with hands-on sessions on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water/electricity conservation—useful for building local talent pipelines around utilities. Heritage & Construction: In Grenada, an interim court injunction is halting demolition of the historic Drill Yard while an international technical team assesses options to secure, stabilise and rehabilitate the site, with a technical report due by 31 August 2026—directly relevant to heritage-led construction decisions. Agriculture & Trade History: A new look at Yemen’s coffee-to-qat shift explains how changing crops intensified ecological pressure and helped set conditions for the Houthis’ rise, tying food systems to regional stability and shipping risk. Culture & Community: Trinidad & Tobago’s inaugural Independence Day parade under “Our Culture, Our People, Our Freedom” is set for Aug. 30 in Brooklyn parks, featuring steel pan, calypso, Caribbean food and family activities—another reminder of how culture drives local tourism demand.

Shipping & Trade Disruption: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/28 deployments, pulling planned Middle East routes and sending its new flagship MSC World Asia to the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France and Pointe-à-Pitre, a move that directly affects regional passenger flows and port activity. Tourism & Local Services: Corendon announced a special 14-day Caribbean cruise departing Aruba on Dec. 3, 2026 aboard Renaissance, with boarding possible during its Aruba call—another sign of growing cruise-linked demand across the Eastern Caribbean. Agri-Input Watch: New data shows Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023 (down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 in 2021), highlighting ongoing reliance in sugarcane and banana farming despite health concerns and CIRAD’s work on possible phase-out scenarios. Public Communication Funding: French Antilles and French Guiana professionals are alarmed by a state plan that would cut overseas public campaign budgets to €1.7m, arguing Martinique and neighbors need far more for prevention and public-safety messaging. Energy Costs (Grenada): Grenada’s retail petroleum prices show no change for gasoline and diesel, while kerosene rises and LPG cylinder prices increase for larger sizes.

Cruise & Port Logistics: MSC Cruises is reshuffling winter 2027/28 deployments: MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre and Bridgetown, while MSC World Europa drops its planned Middle East routes and stays in the western Mediterranean. Public Procurement & Roads: Grenada’s DPM says a “design, build and finance” road approach “completely ignored” procurement laws, arguing it sidelines competitive bidding and leaves costs/financing unclear. Energy & Water Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its biggest Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across 40 schools with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Agri-Input Watch: Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023 (down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 in 2021), with stakeholders still working toward possible phase-out scenarios for sugarcane and banana farms. Public Communication Budget: Professionals in the French Antilles and French Guiana warn that a €1.7m state allocation for public campaigns is far below needs, urging €11m to cover local media and language realities.

Agri-Inputs Watch: Martinique recorded 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, down from 20 tonnes (2022) and 25 tonnes (2021), but still showing a structural reliance in sugarcane and banana farms as stakeholders look toward CIRAD’s scenarios for phasing it out. Rhum Industry Deal: Les Bienheureux has signed an agreement to buy Campari Group’s Martinique agricole rum portfolio via BBS (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne), pending SAFER approval tied to the transfer of agricultural land in Rivière-Pilote. Cruise & Port Links: MSC reshuffled winter 2027/28 deployments: MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France, while MSC World Europa shifts to the western Mediterranean and cancels its Middle East routes. Public Communication Funding: Grenada’s DPM criticizes “design, build and finance” road procurement for sidelining bidding, while French Antilles and French Guiana professionals warn a reduced state communications budget (€1.7m vs €11m requested) could weaken public campaigns. Energy & Utilities Outreach: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students with sessions on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Food & Trade Prices: UK banana prices stayed broadly stable; Martinique is listed as having no reported price data this week.

Agribusiness & Health: Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 tonnes in 2021, but stakeholders say farms still rely heavily on it—especially in sugarcane and banana areas—while CIRAD explores possible phase-out scenarios. Rum Industry: Campari’s agricole rum brands in Martinique (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne) are set to be sold to French buyer Les Bienheureux, pending SAFER approval tied to land transfers in Rivière-Pilote. Shipping & Tourism Links: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/28 deployment: MSC World Europa drops Middle East routes for the western Mediterranean, while MSC World Asia will sail the South Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France and other regional ports. Energy Awareness for Youth: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its biggest Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across parishes including Carriacou and Petite Martinique with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Public Procurement Watch: Grenada’s DPM says road projects using a “design, build and finance” model “completely ignored” procurement laws, raising concerns over bidding and public cost transparency. Local Marine Conservation: Aimee Boisselle’s manatee bioacoustics research uses underwater recorders to fill a long-standing data gap on Trinidad’s manatee populations and inform conservation policy.

Agribusiness & Health: Martinique recorded 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate use in 2023, down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 tonnes in 2021, but still showing heavy dependence in sugarcane and banana farming as local stakeholders look toward possible phase-out scenarios. Agro-Industry Deal: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux will acquire BBS (behind Trois Rivières, La Mauny and Duquesne), pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers. Energy & Utilities Outreach: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its biggest Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students with lessons on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water/electricity conservation—plus how the regulator handles consumer complaints. Shipping & Tourism Connectivity: MSC is reshuffling winter 2027/2028 routes, moving its MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France, while MSC World Europa drops Middle East itineraries. Public Communication Funding: French overseas territories are pushing back after a state communication budget cut, arguing Martinique and other areas need far more than the €1.7 million earmarked for public campaigns. Local Environment & Marine Research: Aimee Boisselle’s manatee bioacoustics work in Trinidad highlights how underwater sound monitoring can guide conservation policy—relevant to Caribbean marine protection efforts.

Cruise & Connectivity: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/2028 plans, canceling Middle East routes for the MSC World Europa and redeploying the new MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean with departures from Fort-de-France (Martinique) plus stops across the region. Agrochemicals & Farming: Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, down from 20 tonnes (2022) and 25 tonnes (2021), but stakeholders say farms—especially sugarcane and banana—still depend heavily on the controversial herbicide. Rhum Agricole Deal: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: Les Bienheureux will acquire BBS (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne), pending SAFER approval. Public Communication Budget: Professionals in the French Antilles and French Guiana are pushing back against a reduced state communications budget, arguing Martinique needs far more than the €1.7m earmarked for public campaigns. Energy Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Procurement Scrutiny: Grenada’s DPM says road projects using a “design, build and finance” model sideline competitive bidding and may violate procurement rules. Food Prices Watch: UK banana prices were broadly stable, while Guatemala saw a 5% rise; notably, Martinique had no reported price data this week. Industry & Culture: CSIFF26 announced its 2026 official selection with films from Martinique among 47 titles across 14 countries.

Agribusiness & Chemicals: Martinique recorded 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate use in 2023, down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 tonnes in 2021, but still showing a structural reliance in sugarcane and banana farming amid ongoing health concerns. Agri-Food Industry: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux will acquire BBS (behind Trois Rivières, La Mauny and Duquesne), pending SAFER approval. Energy & Water Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across parishes including Carriacou and Petite Martinique, with lessons on renewable energy and conservation. Public Communication Budget: Professionals in the French Antilles and French Guiana are pushing back against a reduced state communications budget (€1.7m vs calls for €11m), warning it will weaken campaigns on issues like health, safety and climate. Transport & Tourism (Caribbean shipping): MSC is reshuffling winter 2027/2028 itineraries, canceling Middle East routes and redeploying its MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean with embarkation in Fort-de-France. Petroleum Prices: Grenada’s August 2026 fuel prices show no change for gasoline and diesel, while kerosene and some LPG cylinder tiers increased. Industry & Trade History (global context): A historical look at the 19th-century ice trade explains how shipments from New England reached places like colonial Calcutta—an early logistics lesson in cold-chain challenges.

Caribbean Shipping & Tourism: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/2028 plans, dropping Middle East routes for the MSC World Europa and redeploying its new flagship, MSC World Asia, to the southern Caribbean with departures from Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, and Bridgetown, plus calls including Castries, St. George’s, Philipsburg, St. John’s, Basseterre, Roseau, and Kingstown. Agrochemicals & Farming: Martinique recorded 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate use in 2023, down from 20 tonnes (2022) and 25 tonnes (2021), but stakeholders say farms—especially sugarcane and banana—still rely heavily on the controversial herbicide while CIRAD explores possible phase-out scenarios. Rum Industry Deal: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux will acquire BBS (Trois Rivières, La Mauny, Duquesne), pending SAFER approval tied to agricultural land transfers. Public Communication Budget: French Antilles and French Guiana professionals warn that a state cut to just €1.7m for public campaigns is far below needs, arguing Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana require far more to reach residents on issues like health, safety, climate, and illegal mining. Energy Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation. Procurement & Infrastructure: Grenada’s DPM says major road projects using a “design, build and finance” model “completely ignored” procurement laws, criticizing sidelined bidding and limited public cost/financing information. Agriculture Prices Watch: UK banana prices stayed broadly stable, with Guatemala up 5% week-on-week while several origins—including Martinique—show no reported data this week.

Caribbean Shipping & Tourism: MSC Cruises is reshuffling its winter 2027/2028 plans, dropping Middle East routes for the MSC World Europa and redeploying the MSC World Asia to the southern Caribbean with embarkations in Fort-de-France, Pointe-à-Pitre, and Bridgetown, calling at ports across the region. Agri-Industry & Chemicals: New figures show Martinique used 19.4 tonnes of glyphosate in 2023, down from 20 tonnes in 2022 and 25 tonnes in 2021, highlighting ongoing dependence in sugarcane and banana farming despite health controversy. Rhum Agricole Deal: Campari Group has found a buyer for its Martinique agricole rum portfolio: French firm Les Bienheureux, pending SAFER approval, to take over Trois Rivières, La Mauny, and Duquesne brands. Public Communication Funding: Professionals in the French Antilles and French Guiana are pushing back against a state communication budget they say is too low (€1.7m vs €11m requested), warning it could weaken campaigns on prevention and local risks. Industry & Energy Education: Grenada’s PURC wrapped its 2026 Summer School Outreach, reaching 1,679 students across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique with lessons on renewable energy, efficiency, and water/electricity conservation.