Hard Rock International has signed an agreement to develop a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Aruba. The government of Aruba selected Southwest Horeca Development, to build the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Stephen P. Joyce, president and chief executive officer of Choice Hotels International, Inc. has long been bullish about the Caribbean region's tourism sector. He has also voiced confidence in the Caribbean's ability to deliver strong economic benefits to the people of the region and to those who invest in "America's back yard."

Puntacana Resort & Club, the luxury resort destination in the Dominican Republic, has been honored with two prestigious distinctions by earning AAA Diamond Awards for 2012 for two of its restaurants. Bamboo, with interiors designed by Oscar de la Renta, has been awarded the AAA Four Diamond Award. La Yola has been awarded the AAA Three Diamond Award.