Foreign tourist arrivals in the Dominican Republic increased 3.6 percent during the first nine months of 2008, in contrast to the same period last year.

Tourism to Cuba increased 8 percent over last year, despite new United States restrictions sharply cutting back on how many Americans visit the island, the state media reported. More than two million tourists have visited Cuba so far this year, the largest number ever and up from last year’s 1.9 million foreigners, the tourism minister, Manuel Marrero, announced over the weekend.

There may be a boom in Turkey’s 2009 summer tourism season, according to Adnan Gunes, contracts manager for Kuoni, the world-renowned Swedish tour operator. While the economic crisis and the rise of the dollar are adversely affecting the real economy, this could be an opportunity for the tourism industry.

Nepal, regarded a Shangri-La for holiday makers with its Himalayan ranges, assortment of religious shrines and network of casinos, has recorded the highest tourist arrivals in eight years.

The Travel Industry Association has released its annual travel forecast indicating that an uncertain economic climate is leading American and global travelers to change their behaviors. Although leisure travel is stable, business travel is projected to decline and the United States is likely to be hit hard by a further decline in international arrivals.

A region rich with historic tales and ancient struggles, Rio San Juan, or San Juan River, which borders Costa Rica on the East, has seen its fair share of pirates, battles and entrepreneurs. Even the most outgoing adventurers will be shocked to find some of the world’s largest tarpon, weighing in at over 400 pounds, alongside Howler and Spider Monkeys, jaguars, anteaters and more in the largest uninterrupted stretch of rainforest north of the Amazon Basin.