For the most part, travel agents say they’ve yet to witness any real fallout in bookings in response to the French terror attacks, believing that most travelers are waiting to see how the situation plays itself out.

When President Barack Obama recently announced plans to normalize relations with hemispheric pariah, Cuba, the attention of leading players in the Caribbean tourism industry immediately turned to the possible impact of the island on regional tourism and whether the sheer novelty of an open Cuba would devastate the wider Caribbean product.

The challenges will come in two crucial areas: tourism, and investment from the US. Neither will have to await the repeal or change by the US Congress of the laws under which the embargo of Cuba has been maintained. Executive measures, which President Barack Obama can take, will start the ball rolling.

United States President Barack Obama's announcement last week of a thaw in relations with Cuba offers some opportunities for Jamaica, former Cabinet minister Dr. Christopher Tufton believes.

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean, hosted a concluding workshop in Port of Spain, Trinidad on December 8-9, 2014, where participants shared findings from their respective countries on “Anticipating Skills Requirements in Tourism: Occupational Trends and Emerging Demands.”