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Travel Daily News
8 hours ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Travel & Tourism in LAC set to add US$206b. over the next decade
WTTC joins IDB and ABD in launching new Task Force to elevate Travel & Tourism as a pillar of regional development across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB), announced the launch of the Tourism Task Force under the Americas Business dialogue (ABD) – a public-private platform to elevate Travel & Tourism as a key driver of growth, jobs, and resilience across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Task Force will convene throughout 2025 to shape policy recommendations and investment strategies. Its conclusions will be presented at the Summit of the Americas in Punta Cana this December, offering a blueprint for regional collaboration in Travel & Tourism. The launch comes at a critical moment, as WTTC unveils new figures that highlight the growing importance of the Travel & Tourism sector to the region's prosperity. Travel & Tourism: A Key Asset for LAC According to the latest Economic Impact Research (EIR), produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, Travel & Tourism contributed US$714 billion to LAC's economy in 2024, accounting for 10% of the region's total GDP. It also supported 28.2 million jobs, or one in every 11 jobs across the region. International visitors spend reached US$144.4 billion last year, providing a vital source of export income for many national economies. Christopher Imbsen, WTTC VP Policy, said: 'Travel & Tourism is one of the most powerful levers for inclusive economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. The region has a generational opportunity to put Travel & Tourism at the centre of their development agenda. With the ABD Task Force now in place, we can drive smarter investment, unlock growth, and deliver jobs and opportunity at scale.' Fabrizio Opertti, IDB Sector Manager of Productivity, Trade, and Innovation, said: 'The newly established Tourism Task Force within the Americas Business Dialogue underscores our commitment to positioning the sector as a key engine of economic growth and development in Latin America and the Caribbean. At the IDB, in close collaboration with our private sector partners, we are working to support and promote the region's vast tourism potential into tangible and impactful outcomes: greater investment, more jobs, and sustainable regional growth.' A Decade of Opportunity: 2035 Projections Looking ahead, the next decade offers unprecedented opportunity. By 2035, the Travel & Tourism sector could contribute US$944.8 billion to the regional economy and support more than 35.4 million jobs. Compared to 2025, this would represent an additional US$206 billion in economic value and 6 million new jobs, reflecting the sector's unique ability to scale inclusive and sustainable growth. Priorities for Action and Growth To unlock the sector's full potential, WTTC highlights five core enablers for sustainable tourism growth in LAC: talent and employment, resilient infrastructure & connectivity, digital transformation, business environment and access to finance. However, challenges persist. Tourism investment across LAC continues to trail behind global benchmarks. Creating a more investment-friendly environment will be crucial, demanding bold reforms, improved regulation, and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors. With the ABD Tourism Task Force now in motion, the region has a unique opportunity to place Travel & Tourism at the heart of its long-term development agenda.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beéle Wins Big at 2025 Heat Latin Music Awards: Complete Winners List
Beéle was the top winner at the 2025 Heat Latin Music Awards that aired on Thursday, May 29 from Medellín, Colombia on TeleMedellín and the LosHeat app. The Colombian breakout star and this month's Billboard Latin Artist on the Rise took home four of seven of his nominations including best urban artist and best collaboration for 'La Plena' with W Sound and Ovy on the Drums. More from Billboard Zak Starkey Rubbishes Reports He Retired from The Who, Insists He Was 'Fired' Lorde Makes Surprise Appearance at Aotearoa Music Awards Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Perform 1996 Hit 'Tha Crossroads' on 'Everybody's Live' Popularly known as Premios Heat, other winners at this year's event included Kapo as best new artist; Elena Rose as composer of the year; Karol G as best female artist; and Bad Bunny's DeBÍ TIRAR MÁS FOTOS as album of the year; to name a few. Founded by Colombian music executive and Billboard Latin Power Player Diana Montes, Premios Heat was previously celebrated on the beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This is the first time the event takes place in Colombia. See the complete 2025 Heat Latin Music Awards winners list below:Best Male ArtistFeid Best Female ArtistKarol G Best Duo or Group Chyno & Nacho Best Rock Artist Mar Rendón Best Pop Artist Elena Rose Best Urban ArtistBeéle Best Tropical ArtistEddy Herrera Best Salsa Artist Yiyo Sarante Best Southern Region ArtistAnitta Best Andean Region Artist Beéle Best Northern Region ArtistJay Wheeler Best New Artist Kapo Musical PromiseMiguel Bueno Influencer of the YearCalle y Poché Best Regional ArtistJessi Uribe Best Dominican Urban ArtistYailin La Más Viral Best Music Video'Si antes te hubiera conocido' – Karol G Best Collaboration'La Plena' – W Sound, Beéle, Ovy On The Drums Best Video Content PlatformAlofoke Media DJ of the YearDJ Adoni Song of the Year'Si antes te hubiera conocido' – Karol G Producer of the YearOvy On The Drums Director of the Year Evaluna Montaner Album of the YearDeBÍ TIRAR MÁS FOTOS – Bad Bunny Best Viral Song'La Plena' – W Sound, Beéle, Ovy On The Drums Composer of the YearElena Rose Best Song for Videogames, Series or Movies'Cuéntame' De Me Atrevo a Amarte – Majo Aguilar, Alex Fernández Fandom of the YearTeam Chivirikas – Yailin La Más Viral Best Religious Song'Tiempos Buenos' – Farruko, Madiel Lara Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Ontario man arrested in Dominican Republic returns home after two months
When David Bennett decided to escape Canada's icy winter with a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic, he never imagined he'd be fighting to get back on Canadian soil for more than two months. Bennett has finally returned to his Burlington, Ont., home after being arrested in the Caribbean country and accused of smuggling drugs. Even after the charges were withdrawn, he was stuck in the island nation for weeks due to court delays. He's now calling for more transparency from the federal government when it comes to assisting Canadians abroad. Bennett, his wife Jane Wilcox and some friends were on their way home from a Dominican Republic resort on March 7 when he was denied entry at a Punta Cana airport's automated customs gate, he said. He was taken to an interrogation room and initially thought it was just a brief misunderstanding. There, he and Wilcox were shown a photo of a bag they didn't recognize, with a slightly different name on it – Davi Bennett instead of David R. Bennett, he said. Though they were adamant the bag didn't belong to him, he said he was charged with trafficking drugs into the Dominican and told he could face up to 30 years in prison. 'That was really scary and I was blown away. Like I was in disbelief that this was happening,' Bennett said in a phone interview Thursday, nearly two weeks after returning home. 'I certainly didn't expect it to evolve into what it did, that's for sure. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen like that.' Bennett recalled how he was handcuffed and later spent the night in a 'small, overcrowded cell,' shoulder-to-shoulder with other detainees and sitting in a corner for nearly nine hours. He managed to get a lawyer – whom he could only communicate with through Google Translate – and Wilcox paid a $5,000 bail, he said. He then spent the next several weeks bouncing around different accommodations as he and Wilcox fought to clear his name and get him back to Canada. When they learned the charges would be withdrawn, he was relieved, but only momentarily. 'We were told that it would take roughly 10 to 15 days for that withdrawal to become official through the signing of a court order. We were concerned with the time frame, but we were told that there's a backlog in the system,' Bennett said. 'So we said, well, what other choice do we have other than to remain patient?' It took more than 15 days for the court order to be signed, he recalled, but then he was told it would take up to an additional two weeks for the travel ban to be lifted. 'My mental state was really rough those last five weeks waiting,' said Bennett. 'The anticipation and the waiting was really the most difficult part.' Meanwhile in Ontario, Wilcox was rallying as much support as she could, Bennett said, as she and other community members reached out to their local member of Parliament Karina Gould and Anita Anand, who is now foreign affairs minister. On May 15, Bennett said he learned from Global Affairs Canada that his travel ban had been lifted through a verbal agreement with Dominican authorities, and they immediately booked a flight for the next day. 'We literally willed our way through at that point because the paperwork hadn't been finalized yet. And we connected with Global Affairs Canada and told them that we're going to the airport, please ensure the paperwork is there to support us,' he recalled. The next day, when he boarded his plane to Toronto, he 'never felt really comfortable' until the wheels left the tarmac. 'Even when I was on the aircraft, even though I was innocent, I had in the back of my mind, 'What's going to go wrong here?' Like something's not going to work out here,' he said. 'So I was really, really nervous for the entire time.' The flight gave him an 'amazing feeling,' he said, and his reunion with his wife was even better. In total, Bennett said he spent 71 days stuck in the Dominican, getting few hours of sleep, rapidly losing weight and ultimately racking up more than $80,000 in legal fees and accommodation costs. Though he's back home now, Bennett said he still has unanswered questions about what happened that day at the Punta Cana airport. 'I'd like to really fully understand what has transpired and how it transpired, how this can never happen in the future,' he said. Bennett added he wants Canadian officials to be more transparent in the steps they're taking to help Canadians stuck abroad. During his time in the Dominican, he and Wilcox were in communication with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy, he said, but officials gave them few updates or details on his case, which he called 'frustrating.' Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'I do believe Canadians deserve better,' Bennett said. 'We need to be way more supportive of our Canadian citizens when they travel.' For Canadians going abroad, Bennett said they should consider only taking a carry-on and if they check a bag, to keep track of the luggage tag. Bennett also recommends checking the federal government's travel advisories before choosing a destination. Now that he's back in Canada, Bennett said he's spending as much time with family as he can and taking steps to recover physically and mentally. Before the incident, Bennett said he was never much of a traveller, but his detention has actually made him want to travel more. 'I have a little bit of a thirst for travel through this because I want to live my life and I want to enjoy,' said Bennett. 'There's so many beautiful places to see in this world and it hasn't ruined my want to do more things.'
CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
‘I was innocent': Ontario man returns home after arrest in Dominican Republic
David Bennett was arrested in the Dominican Republic in February after he was accused of smuggling drugs. The charges were withdrawn after weeks of delays and he's back at his Burlington, Ont., home. Bennett and his wife Jane Wilcox are seen in this handout photo after he arrived at Toronto's Pearson airport on May 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - David Bennett *MANDATORY CREDIT* When David Bennett decided to escape Canada's icy winter with a weeklong trip to the Dominican Republic, he never imagined he'd be fighting to get back on Canadian soil for more than two months. Bennett has finally returned to his Burlington, Ont., home after being arrested in the Caribbean country and accused of smuggling drugs. Even after the charges were withdrawn, he was stuck in the island nation for weeks due to court delays. He's now calling for more transparency from the federal government when it comes to assisting Canadians abroad. Bennett, his wife Jane Wilcox and some friends were on their way home from a Dominican Republic resort on March 7 when he was denied entry at a Punta Cana airport's automated customs gate, he said. He was taken to an interrogation room and initially thought it was just a brief misunderstanding. There, he and Wilcox were shown a photo of a bag they didn't recognize, with a slightly different name on it — Davi Bennett instead of David R. Bennett, he said. Though they were adamant the bag didn't belong to him, he said he was charged with trafficking drugs into the Dominican and told he could face up to 30 years in prison. 'That was really scary and I was blown away. Like I was in disbelief that this was happening,' Bennett said in a phone interview Thursday, nearly two weeks after returning home. 'I certainly didn't expect it to evolve into what it did, that's for sure. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it would happen like that.' Bennett recalled how he was handcuffed and later spent the night in a 'small, overcrowded cell,' shoulder-to-shoulder with other detainees and sitting in a corner for nearly nine hours. He managed to get a lawyer — whom he could only communicate with through Google Translate — and Wilcox paid a $5,000 bail, he said. He then spent the next several weeks bouncing around different accommodations as he and Wilcox fought to clear his name and get him back to Canada. When they learned the charges would be withdrawn, he was relieved, but only momentarily. 'We were told that it would take roughly 10 to 15 days for that withdrawal to become official through the signing of a court order. We were concerned with the time frame, but we were told that there's a backlog in the system,' Bennett said. 'So we said, well, what other choice do we have other than to remain patient?' It took more than 15 days for the court order to be signed, he recalled, but then he was told it would take up to an additional two weeks for the travel ban to be lifted. 'My mental state was really rough those last five weeks waiting,' said Bennett. 'The anticipation and the waiting was really the most difficult part.' Meanwhile in Ontario, Wilcox was rallying as much support as she could, Bennett said, as she and other community members reached out to their local member of Parliament Anita Anand, who is now the new foreign affairs minister. On May 15, Bennett said he learned from Global Affairs Canada that his travel ban had been lifted through a verbal agreement with Dominican authorities, and they immediately booked a flight for the next day. 'We literally willed our way through at that point because the paperwork hadn't been finalized yet. And we connected with Global Affairs Canada and told them that we're going to the airport, please ensure the paperwork is there to support us,' he recalled. The next day, when he boarded his plane to Toronto, he 'never felt really comfortable' until the wheels left the tarmac. 'Even when I was on the aircraft, even though I was innocent, I had in the back of my mind, 'What's going to go wrong here?' Like something's not going to work out here,' he said. 'So I was really, really nervous for the entire time.' The flight gave him an 'amazing feeling,' he said, and his reunion with his wife was even better. In total, Bennett said he spent 71 days stuck in the Dominican, getting few hours of sleep, rapidly losing weight and ultimately racking up more than $80,000 in legal fees and accommodation costs. Though he's back home now, Bennett said he still has unanswered questions about what happened that day at the Punta Cana airport. 'I'd like to really fully understand what has transpired and how it transpired, how this can never happen in the future,' he said. Bennett added he wants Canadian officials to be more transparent in the steps they're taking to help Canadians stuck abroad. During his time in the Dominican, he and Wilcox were in communication with Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy, he said, but officials gave them few updates or details on his case, which he called 'frustrating.' Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Embassy in the Dominican Republic did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 'I do believe Canadians deserve better,' Bennett said. 'We need to be way more supportive of our Canadian citizens when they travel.' For Canadians going abroad, Bennett said they should consider only taking a carry-on and if they check a bag, to keep track of the luggage tag. Bennett also recommends checking the federal government's travel advisories before choosing a destination. Now that he's back in Canada, Bennett said he's spending as much time with family as he can and taking steps to recover physically and mentally. Before the incident, Bennett said he was never much of a traveller, but his detention has actually made him want to travel more. 'I have a little bit of a thirst for travel through this because I want to live my life and I want to enjoy,' said Bennett. 'There's so many beautiful places to see in this world and it hasn't ruined my want to do more things.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025. Rianna Lim, The Canadian Press
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Palladium Hotel Group renovates Grand Palladium Bávaro Resort
Palladium Hotel Group announces $61.5m. renovation of Grand Palladium Bávaro Resort, debuting Family Selection and Select Collection, reopening December 2025 in Punta Cana. LONDON – Palladium Hotel Group, through its renowned Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts brand, has announced the renovation of Grand Palladium Bávaro Resort & Spa in Punta Cana. Grand Palladium Bávaro Resort & Spa will incorporate two new concepts under its brand: Family Selection at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro and the newly launched Grand Palladium Select Collection. The resort will reopen on 15 December 2025 following extensive renovations. Grand Palladium Select Collection, the brand's innovative premium offering designed to elevate the travel experience by combining first-class services, high-quality cuisine, and exclusive entertainment, debuted this year with the addition of Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres (Mexico) and Grand Palladium Select Palace Ibiza (Spain). Grand Palladium Select Bávaro, and Grand Palladium Select White Sand (Mexico) will also soon be added to the portfolio. Following an investment of approximately $61.5 million (£45.8 million), future guests of Grand Palladium Bávaro Resort & Spa will enjoy completely renovated areas, including the lobby, villas, rooms, restaurants, and pools, all designed to further elevate the level of comfort and exclusivity. Guests at Grand Palladium Select Bávaro will enjoy a wide and versatile dining experience, including à la carte and themed restaurants, bars, the Piacere Coffee Shop, and a new Italian gelateria, La Grand Gelateria. New additions include The Pizza Stop, an Italian pizzeria ideal for casual dining, and Le Petit Chef, an innovative immersive 3D dining experience. Visitors will enjoy a revamped entertainment programme outside the Sunset Theatre, including live parties, neon-themed shows, a rock music experience, Dominican roots music performances, and more. As part of its inclusive hospitality philosophy, guests will also have access to the facilities of the brand's other properties within the complex: Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Palace Resort & Spa. One of the major attractions will be the addition of the first Family Selection club at Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts outside of Mexico, currently only available in Cancún, Riviera Maya, and Vallarta. This VIP offering for families puts the little ones at the centre of the experience and offers exclusive amenities such as a private lobby, The Nest restaurant, the Es Niu pool and pool bar, a poolside shop specially designed for families, an exclusive beach area, butler service, a Family Boss welcome kit, exclusive access to kids' areas, and, for adults, access to the adults-only TRS Turquesa Hotel. With this opening, Palladium Hotel Group reaffirms the versatile nature of its Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts brand, offering multiple concepts within a single destination. Punta Cana has established itself as one of the group's most comprehensive locations, bringing together all the company's all-inclusive experiences: TRS Hotels, Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, along with concepts such as Family Selection and Grand Palladium Select Collection. This diversity of products allows each traveller to fully customise their stay, creating a unique and unforgettable experience.
