Hotel Labour Risk: Industrial Relations consultant Anderson Carty warns that major hotels often outsource staffing to small firms with little or no assets, leaving workers exposed if those contractors fail and severance isn’t paid. Tourism Governance: Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez was unanimously elected chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Council of Ministers and Commissioners, with priorities including women and youth leadership and better regional connectivity. Aviation & Connectivity: The Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority secured a seat on the ACI-LAC governing board for 2026–2027, aiming to strengthen regional airport cooperation on safety, infrastructure and passenger experience. Port & Trade: PM Gaston Browne says a new Barbuda port is planned to enable direct container shipments and cut handling costs, with a public marina and new commercial opportunities for locals. Energy Costs: APUA board concerns continue as fuel and electricity charges rise; meanwhile gasoline prices increased again to EC$17.99 per gallon, adding pressure to household and business transport costs. Public Utilities Oversight: The new APUA Board was sworn in with a clear call from the Governor General to put the public interest first while overseeing water, electricity and telecoms. Climate Outlook: A strong El Niño could bring drought plus humid heat across the region, with heatwaves possible in the Lesser Antilles. Environment Cleanup: EcoShores’ “Do It Twice” campaign removed 2,156 pounds of waste from the McKinnons Wetlands, adding to earlier cleanup totals.