The tourism sector is one of the few sectors that have continued to grow and create jobs, despite the crisis. Seven out of ten Europeans travelled in 2012 (the same proportion as in 2011). And of EU holiday makers, as many as 88 percent spent their vacations somewhere within the EU, either in their own country or in another Member State.

The Caribbean should have a good year in tourism, stated a hotel executive, who pointed to the encouraging outlook from delegates attending last month's Caribbean Travel Marketplace in the Bahamas.

Tourism, a mainstay for the majority of Caribbean economies for their foreign exchange and jobs, continues to be hit by major challenges, prompting the industry to issue an urgent call on governments to convene a summit by June to tackle key issues and ensure its long-term sustainable growth.

Global expansion, an extensive reassessment of existing operations and renovating aging assets are the main strategies of Spain’s three major hotel chains as they strive to prosper in a daunting domestic market pummeled by an ailing local economy, according to executives.

A few weeks ago LIAT unveiled to the regional press, an impressive business plan that is expected to move the airline from a loss position to one of profitability in the short space of one year.