Tag Archives: By David Jessop

The View from Europe: The pandemic offers the opportunity to transform tourism’s role

By David Jessop

Despite the understandable desire by some in tourism to talk up a ‘return to normal’, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the industry’s recovery from the pandemic will be slow and uncertain, largely because infection rates in the region’s principal overseas markets continue to rise.

This suggests that the timing of any return to pre-pandemic tourism buoyancy now depends on factors far beyond the region’s control and full recovery is unlikely to occur this or year or even in 2021.

Unfortunately, the spread of COVID-19 is evolving in the region and its key visitor source markets in different ways and over dissimilar time scales, implying that finding a viable basis for the full return of air and sea lift to the region will likely be complicated and slow until a vaccine is found. To make matters worse, economic uncertainty now faces many mid-market travellers in North America and Europe.      Continue reading

The danger in what others wish for in Venezuela – By David Jessop

The View from Europe: The danger in what others wish for in Venezuela

David Jessop

February 16, 2018 – By David Jessop

A few days ago, the International Energy Agency reported that oil production in the US was undergoing extraordinary growth. The OECD-related body for net importers of oil said that the increase meant that US “production could equal global demand growth” largely because of its rapidly expanding shale output. This meant that US production would probably reach 11 million bpd by late 2018, outstripping Saudi Arabia and offsetting OPEC-led supply cuts aimed at increasing energy prices.      Continue reading

The surprising beneficiaries of the new US-Cuba regulations

Commentary: The View from Europe: The surprising beneficiaries of the new US-Cuba regulations

David Jessop

November 17, 2017 – By David Jessop

Just over a week ago, the US administration published new regulations governing travel and trade between the US and Cuba. Their effect is partially to reverse elements of the more liberal policy towards Cuba adopted by President Obama, and to setback relations.

They turn into law a range the policies that President Trump announced earlier this year banning all US citizens from engaging in direct financial transactions with more than 180 entities and sub-entities identified on a ‘Cuba Restricted List’. This includes companies, manufacturers, the port of Mariel and its associated development zone, and over 80 hotels, travel agencies, and shops: all facilities the US administration believes are benefitting the Cuban military, its security services or their personnel.     Continue reading

The broader implications of Washington’s new Cuba policy – By David Jessop

The broader implications of Washington’s new Cuba policy

Published on June 26, 2017 – By David Jessop

David Jessop

On June 16, speaking in Miami, President Trump announced measures reversing aspects of his predecessor’s policy of normalising relations with Cuba.

Although the changes seem minimal, the content of the accompanying presidential directive and the president’s remarks suggest new uncertainties lie ahead for every nation that had welcomed détente and the opportunity it offered to deepen bilateral relations.

As has been widely reported, the new regulations, when introduced, will end individual travel by US citizens, tighten US oversight of group travel, and proscribe most US business activities with Cuban military enterprises and their subsidiaries. However, far less clear are the broader implications of the US President’s National Security Directive, ‘Strengthening US Policy towards Cuba’.   Continue reading

The Caribbean needs a full response to Brexit – By David Jessop

The Caribbean needs a full response to Brexit
Published on July 23, 2016 – By David Jessop
David Jessop

David Jessop

Earlier this month, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of government met in Georgetown, Guyana. Among the many issues they considered was Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. Their focus was on a secretariat paper largely intended for information.

While they recognised the British people’s decision represented a watershed in world affairs with far-reaching and long-lasting geopolitical and geo-economic repercussions, they decided that the best approach was to monitor developments as the process unfolds. [Read more]

Caribbean implications as the UK bids Europe farewell – By David Jessop

Caribbean implications as the UK bids Europe farewell – By David Jessop

By David Jessop  – Published on June 25, 2016

David Jessop

David Jessop

On June 23, by a small majority, the British people voted to remove themselves from the European Union (EU). The decision has consequences for the Caribbean.
After a vitriolic campaign and the tragic murder of one member of Parliament, a hugely divided Britain decided by 52 percent to 48 percent that it would stand alone and, as it were, reset its relationship not just with Europe but with the whole world.

While London, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the vast majority of the young voted in favour of remaining in, those who had not benefitted from the EU relationship and economic globalisation in the country’s old industrial heartlands and on the coast and at its rural fringes, voted to leave.   Continue reading

The View from Europe: The cashless society – By David Jessop

The View from Europe: The cashless society
By David Jessop -Published on March 5, 2016

If you read the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post or some of the world’s other heavyweight newspapers, you may have seen in recent months, articles discussing the abolition of currency.

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David Jessop

However, little if anything has been said about the negative consequences this startling possibility could have for all developing economies or the myriad small enterprises and individuals that live in them and who provide services of all kinds for cash.
A cashless society is an idea that has increasing support among senior figures in international financial institutions, central bankers, security agencies, and many of the governments in the world’s wealthiest nations.
Continue reading

The View from Europe: Mr Trump and the Caribbean – By David jessop

Commentary: The View from Europe: The good, the bad and the ugly – Mr Trump and the Caribbean
Published on February 27, 2016  – By David Jessop
Globalisation touches us all. Its reach extends far beyond economic issues. It has in just a few decades made industries, markets, cultures, policy-making and criminality interconnected in ways previously unknown.

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David Jessop 

As global networks have spread, trade and investment, communications, migration, the environment and transportation have made almost every nation virtually borderless. It is a process that is organic and unstoppable, but demonstrably has led to vast inequalities between those who have prospered and those who have not.

It has left many feeling disadvantaged and marginalised, resulting in a form of rage against elites, the establishment and those who lead in many parts of the world, although not as yet in the Caribbean.   Continue reading

Time For Tourism And Rum To Work Together – By David Jessop

Time For Tourism And Rum To Work Together

By David Jessop

rumNews Americas, LONDON, England, Fri. Dec. 18, 2015: Not that long ago, Prensa Latina reported that the Director General of Havana Club International had said that its best selling Cuban rum, Havana Club, and the culture of the country were coincident.

Quoting Jérome Cottin-Bizonne, the Frenchman who runs the joint venture between Cuba Ron and the French spirits conglomerate Pernod Ricard, the Cuban news agency said that that he believed that the product ‘distils the richness and variety of Cuban culture’ and ‘provides above all a contemporary, transcendent element in the promotion of the product.’   Continue reading

Caribbean: The drivers of the region’s future – By David Jessop

Commentary: The View from Europe: The drivers of the region’s future
caribbeannewsnow.com – November 14, 2015 – By David Jessop 
In geopolitics it is the long game that matters.

It is therefore not surprising that Guyana’s president, David Granger, and Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro met separately in Riyadh with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Bin Abdulaziz in Al Saud when they attended recently the fourth summit of Arab and South American Countries.

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David Jessop

 

In part, the interest of both men was in Saudi Arabia’s decision to continue pumping oil in quantities that will maintain its global market share but with the effect that world energy prices will remain low. It is a decision that touches the strategic interests of many states from Iran to Russia as well as non-state actors like ISIS.

For President Maduro, a return to much higher oil prices would not only improve his country’s economic fortunes, but also facilitate the expansion of PetroCaribe related programmes across the region. Any significant increase in the price of oil would also offer the opportunity to promote his alternative social thinking, change hemispheric relationships, and broaden resistance against what Caracas regards as ideological and economic pressure from the US and multinationals.    Continue reading

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