AGP Executive Report

Luxury Travel Shift: Elite villa stays are surging as affluent travelers trade “FOMO” for longer, frictionless “Slow-mo” trips—Virtuoso Luxe reports ultraluxe villa bookings topping $10,000 a night and rising 42%. Caribbean Tourism Push: Barbados will host the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace in May 2027, signaling another big inbound push for regional hospitality. Air Capacity for Summer: Southwest is adding more Orlando-to-San Juan flights starting in June, boosting seats on one of the busiest Caribbean routes ahead of peak demand. Spirits Supply Story: Australia’s agave farm is powering a new spirits push, but the prickly plants come with real-world hazards for workers. Food Safety Spotlight: Miami Beach’s “Dirty 30” list highlights serious restaurant sanitation and temperature-control failures, with multiple operators racking up 30+ violations in a single inspection. World Cup Watch-Party Friction: In Massachusetts, FIFA licensing delays are leaving some planned fan events without permits, while hotel bookings fall short of projections.

Fast-Food Exit: Guzman y Gomez is shutting its eight Chicago stores and abandoning its US expansion after “underperforming” sales, with an expected up-to-$40m hit—another reminder that scaling in the world’s biggest quick-service market is brutal. Tourism Supply Chain: Seprod is reshuffling Caribbean distribution after Hurricane Melissa, pushing more Seprod goods through CPJ’s hotel network while Facey Commodities takes on more retail imports—an effort to tighten hospitality-to-supermarket reach. Hospitality & Openings: Four Seasons has opened in Cartagena across restored heritage buildings, while Diamante Cabo is unveiling its more exclusive Legacy Club concept tied to a future Tiger Woods-designed championship course. Food Prices Pressure: Central Valley diners and operators are feeling the squeeze as fuel, labor, and transport costs keep lifting produce—tomatoes alone swung sharply before season relief. Caribbean Food Security Focus: The Caribbean Food Forum in Antigua put local production and tourism-food linkages front and center, arguing resilience depends on what regions can grow and serve. Sanitation Watch: Jamaica’s MOH ordered fixes at Caymanas Park, including drainage and cleaner sanitary facilities for staff.

Plant-based Seafood Push: Oshi (ex-Plantish) just raised $3M to scale whole-cut plant-based seafood beyond salmon, adding a plant-based whitefish line and betting “scent” is the missing adoption driver. Coffee & QSR Innovation: Taco Bell is rolling out Cold Brew plus Cold Foams at Live Más Café, while Heineken launches Heineken Ultimate in Brazil—lower-calorie, gluten-free, and positioned for “balance” shoppers. Latin America Payments: Bitget Wallet expanded QR crypto payments across Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia, extending stablecoin spending into everyday retail rails. Food Cost Pressure: Southern California produce prices are climbing fast—tomatoes up 23% year over year—pinching farmers, restaurants, and shoppers. Tourism With a Twist: Curaçao’s hospitality leaders are urging sustainable, capacity-aware growth as infrastructure and housing strain rises. Sports-Driven Demand: Twin Peaks launches a World Cup sweepstakes, and Stony Brook will host a free World Cup watch experience with local food and beverage options.

World Cup food & drink spotlight: With the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting 11 June, a new cost ranking shows Guadalajara leading for budget travelers at about $85/day, while New York can top $220/day—driving demand for cheaper eats, stadium snacks, and local transport plans. Policy pressure on hospitality: Mexico’s Profeco is cracking down on restaurants, bars, and hotels that add mandatory tips or surprise card fees, warning of fines and closures because tips must stay voluntary. Innovation pipeline for F&B: THAIFEX–Anuga Asia 2026 is set to showcase fast-rising food trends, from protein-forward noodles and egg-white ice cream to sustainable packaging, as manufacturers race to meet shifting consumer tastes. Cuba tensions spill into community life: The U.S. indictment of Raúl Castro over the 1996 plane shootdown is fueling intense reactions among Cuban-Americans in Miami and beyond—an emotional backdrop to everyday dining and local business conversations. Local growth stories: From a “Soup Mama” who sells hot, organic soups year-round to new resort openings in Curaçao and fresh restaurant additions in New Orleans, the week keeps pointing to one theme: consumers still chase comfort, novelty, and value.

Sanctions Hit Sinaloa Network: The U.S. Treasury imposed new sanctions on more than a dozen people, plus a Chihuahua restaurant and a security firm, tied to alleged Sinaloa cartel fentanyl trafficking and money laundering—cutting them off from the U.S. banking system and blocking U.S. assets. Cuba Pressure Escalates: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a Spanish video urging Cubans to back a “new path,” including a proposed $100M food and medicine push, as officials prepare an expected indictment tied to Raúl Castro amid a widespread Cuban blackout. Food & Drink Market Signals: Global beer volumes are forecast to fall 1% in 2025, but value holds up as consumers shift to premium and alcohol-free options. Travel & Hospitality Momentum: Air Canada adds seasonal Toronto–Mérida nonstop service, while Southwest runs a low-priced Chicago–Montego Bay route—both pointing to continued demand for food-led city breaks and Caribbean escapes. Public Health Watch: A norovirus outbreak sickened dozens of hikers on California’s Pacific Crest Trail, with a shared water source suspected.

World Cup hospitality push: Ontario is extending alcohol “last call” to 4 a.m. for FIFA World Cup 2026 (June 11–July 19), aiming to keep bars and restaurants serving fans longer and supporting tourism jobs. Caribbean tourism networking: Nevis used Saveurs Caraïbes 2026 in Saint-Barthélemy to spotlight its food and culture, including the Nevis Mango Festival, while Premier Mark Brantley signals more regional partnerships to boost air connectivity. Latin America food trade: Colombian coffee growers are getting guidance to export to China, with some already locking in sales—like a Tolima producer shipping her first 100 kg under a Chinese deal. Venezuela economy pressure: Caracas residents report inflation still bites in a highly dollarized system, with slower sales when the U.S. dollar rises. F&B industry backdrop: Diageo’s Guinness is leaning into World Cup marketing momentum, while WHO reiterates cruise ships remain high-risk for outbreaks—especially gastrointestinal illness.

Tourism & Hospitality: VidantaWorld is stacking the calendar for the Mexico Open, moving dates to Oct. 29–Nov. 1 for Día de Muertos and adding new resort experiences in Puerto Vallarta, including a theme park (BON) and a Cirque du Soleil show (Ludo), while also rerouting its Greg Norman course to tighten the finish for TV and play. Matchday F&B: Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium is rolling out a Miami-led food and beverage program with Delaware North plus tech aimed at cutting fan wait times; Fogo de Chão is taking Brazilian football culture on the road with “World Caip” and nationwide Bar Fogo watch parties. Alcohol Policy: Ontario extends World Cup “last call” to 4 a.m. (June 11–July 19) to support bars, restaurants and jobs. Caribbean Demand: Allianz Partners data shows Cancún, Punta Cana and Aruba again dominating U.S. summer bookings. Consumer Trends: A new study finds Canadians are more open to insect-based foods than stigma suggests—especially when the insect ingredient isn’t visible.

U.S.-China Trade Boost for Farmers: The White House says China will ramp up purchases of U.S. beef and poultry—restoring access and resuming imports from bird-flu-free states—adding $17B a year for 2026–28, a potential lifeline for LATAM-linked supply chains watching global meat demand. Cuba Food Relief Under Strain: A Mexico- and Uruguay-backed humanitarian ship docked in Havana with hygiene items plus 1,700 tonnes of grains and powdered milk as tensions with Washington escalate. Health & Food Safety Watch: Thailand classified hantavirus as a dangerous communicable disease, triggering faster reporting and a 42-day quarantine for high-risk contacts—another reminder that travel and food systems are only as safe as public health readiness. Hospitality & Beverage Demand: Coca-Cola’s new CEO Henrique Braun is already spotlighting Atlanta’s World Cup role, while the National Restaurant Association show highlighted functional teas beyond the usual lineup. Market Signals: A new report pegs the global cholera vaccine market at ~$649M by 2035, underscoring how food and water security remain a growth theme.

Food-Safety Crackdown: Malaysia police say they’ve dismantled an illegal frozen-food syndicate in Kajang, seizing 167 tonnes worth RM12.4m and arresting five people. Authorities allege the group used a cold-storage/logistics firm as a front, operated without required licences, and distributed uncertified imports—possibly adulterated halal items—while allegedly mixing halal and non-halal products. Humanitarian Supply Chain: A Mexico-and-Uruguay aid ship has docked in Havana with food and hygiene items, Cuba says, as the island faces gas shortages, blackouts, and tighter U.S. pressure. Product & Label Watch: A new Six Continents Index compares energy drinks across six continents, flagging big regional differences in formulation and label transparency. Hospitality & Growth: In the U.S., a Chilean hospital trial backs smartphone stool analysis for earlier colorectal risk detection, while in Mexico City, tourism continues to lean on food-led itineraries and street-market culture.

Argentina–China Beef Push: Argentina’s “Grain Fed Beef Day” summit in Beijing gathered nearly 150 industry players to accelerate sales in China, where imports hit 140,000 metric tons in Q1 2026 (about $620M), with producers touting scale and long-running export capacity. LatAm Payments Expansion: Oobit is expanding its crypto payments app into Colombia, now its ninth active market, as stablecoin use grows across the region (LATAM crypto economy cited at ~$44B). Health & Travel Watch: A hantavirus cluster tied to the MV Hondius cruise continues to draw attention, with Canada reporting a confirmed Andes strain case on Vancouver Island and officials reiterating the general public risk remains low. Beer Value Shift: Beer volumes may be soft, but value is holding as consumers trade up—especially in no/low-alcohol formats—while brewers keep investing in premium-plus. Tourism Momentum (Aruba): Aruba reported a 10% rise in tourist arrivals over April 2025–April 2026, supported by added airlift and longer stays.

Restaurant Expansion & Local Flavor: Casa Colibri opened in downtown Orillia as a “little piece of Mexico,” while in Illinois Luis Maldonado added a second concept—Barrio Taqueria & Cocina—doubling down on fresh, street-style Mexican cooking. Consumer Pressure on Dining Out: Industry voices warn the restaurant market is dealing with a “complex” consumer—more people spending beyond their means and cutting visit frequency—yet diners still keep choosing restaurants over cooking. Delivery Goes Mainstream in Haiti: TapTap Now is gaining traction in Cap-Haïtien, with riders and food-bag deliveries becoming a daily routine for residents ordering from local spots like Lakay Bar. Cruise Health Spotlight: A Canadian passenger isolating in B.C. tested positive for hantavirus after the MV Hondius outbreak, while broader cruise coverage highlights stomach bugs as a persistent, rising risk. Food Supply Volatility: Tomato prices are spiking sharply in parts of the U.S., forcing menu rationing and ingredient changes at restaurants. Tourism & Culture Programming: Costa Rica’s North American Bird Fair 2026 is set for Sarapiquí, and Mexico’s Caribbean resorts are rolling out “Creative Season” programming to shift travel demand toward experiences.

Food Prices Under Pressure: Tomato prices are spiking across the U.S. Southwest, with Colorado Springs restaurants reporting “quadrupled” costs and Tucson eateries feeling the squeeze as higher fuel costs and weaker Mexico harvests collide. Public Health Push: CARPHA is urging Caribbean governments and the food industry to cut salt, citing rising hypertension and heart disease and reminding consumers that most sodium comes from processed foods. Cruise Health Watch: A rare Andes hantavirus case linked to the MV Hondius outbreak is now hitting Canada’s response plans, while cruise operators face renewed scrutiny as stomach-bug reports keep climbing. Sustainable Tourism Spotlight: Vanuatu’s Havannah Boat House is being held up as a model for low-impact stays—no glass, no heavy concrete, and design that “sits lightly on the land.” Caribbean Hospitality & Culture: The Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo is rolling out a new Cigars in Paradise festival built around rum, cigars, and golf, signaling how luxury travel is leaning harder into experiences.

Food Safety & Trade: A new warning is making the rounds for shoppers: “honey” on the label doesn’t guarantee real honey biology. Texas A&M’s melissopalynologist says some imported honey can be stripped of pollen—meaning it may lose key markers of origin and could be blended with sugar-like inputs, raising concerns about pollutants and antibiotics. Hospitality & Menus: Air New Zealand’s premium cabins get a fresh touch from celebrity chef Josh Emett, with a cold-focused menu built around Kiwi flavors and simple, elevated plating. Travel, Drinks & Culture: Beer tourism keeps leveling up—craft routes and destination breweries are driving 2026 travel plans—while the Beverage Testing Institute spotlights rum’s next era, with modern producers pushing new finishes and drier profiles. Health (Non-Food): FDA approval expands Enhertu® for two new HER2-positive early breast cancer indications, underscoring how biotech news is still dominating headlines alongside food-and-travel coverage. Caribbean Tourism Infrastructure: Venezuela reports 40% progress on the Pampatar Tourist Pier, aiming to boost maritime connectivity and local hotel and gastronomy activity.

Hospitality & Foodservice Shakeups: COYA is expanding its Ibiza footprint beyond dining, launching its first rooms and suites with Palladium at BLESS Ibiza—leaning into the brand’s “long-form” Latin lunch culture. Restaurant Turnovers: Kettle Black Kitchen has closed to renovate and reopen as begonia., keeping Latin flavors while aiming for a bolder, linger-long dining vibe. Nutrition Push: CARPHA is urging salt cuts as Caribbean adults face high hypertension rates and sodium intake far above WHO targets, spotlighting World Salt Awareness Week. On-the-Ground Demand Signals: In South Florida, higher fuel and shipping costs are squeezing restaurant margins and pushing diners to eat out less. Food Industry Data: USDA reports Wisconsin-led cheese production up 8% in March, with mozzarella and Italian-style output also rising. Travel & Leisure Appetite: Sint Maarten tourism is surging, with more seats, hotel openings, and a stronger food scene helping drive year-over-year growth.

Cruise Health Watch: A norovirus outbreak on Princess Cruises’ Caribbean Princess has sickened 102 guests and 13 crew, renewing scrutiny on how ships prevent and manage stomach-bug spread. Public Safety & Food Ops: The wider cruise-health story is still evolving after multiple recent gastro incidents at sea, keeping hygiene and contingency planning front and center for hospitality operators. Tourism Momentum (Caribbean): Curaçao is leaning into year-round demand, posting a 10% jump in April stayover arrivals (75,332 visitors) and the lowest seasonality score in the region—good news for hotels, restaurants, and suppliers. Local Resilience: In Madisonville, Louisiana, contractors began building a breakwater to curb flooding near the Tchefuncte River—an infrastructure move that protects the dining-and-tourism strip. On-the-ground Food Business: Baltimore’s DMV Empanadas says it was denied a spot at the city’s main farmers market, a reminder that local vendor access can swing sales fast.

Airport Retail Push: NMIA (Jamaica) will invite bids next month for a major expansion of shops, restaurants and duty-free at Norman Manley International Airport, aiming to lift non-aeronautical revenue as Latin America/Caribbean/Europe traffic grows. Export Shelf-Life Upgrade: Trade Winds Citrus is betting big on tetra pak shelf-stable packaging, extending shelf life to about nine months and targeting harder export growth beyond today’s 5–6% of sales. Caribbean Travel & Dining Momentum: Barbados tourism coverage spotlights “do more than relax” itineraries, while Hong Kong’s new dog-friendly restaurant permit scheme (1,000 venues; applications May 18–June 8; go-live in July) signals hospitality experimentation. On-Board Food & Beverage Moves: MSC Seashore adds grab-and-go concepts, and Diageo is turning the World Cup into an airport-first retail activation push for premium tequila. Health Noise, Low Risk Messaging: Ongoing hantavirus chatter continues to be met with “low public risk” guidance from health officials.