Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy has outlined a Tourism and Hospitality ten-point plan, which he says will aid in turning things around in the tourism sector as Barbados tries to gain its footing given the global economic crisis.

The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) has made a significant contribution to the preservation of the country’s historical and cultural heritage with an expenditure of over $14 million at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann. The disclosure was made by Jamaica's Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, the Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill, at the reopening of the historic exhibition at the Seville Great House, located on the property.

In May 2013, Spain welcomed 5.8 million international tourists, representing a 7.4% year on year increase. For the same period, the UK saw a 9.3% yearly increase in visitors to Spain and accounted for well over a quarter (27.1%) of all international visitors. Between January and May 2013, Spain has welcomed in excess of 19.8 million international visitors representing a cumulative rise of 3.9% year on year.

The Barbados government has announced that it is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat in crafting a strategy to assist the island in cashing in on the US 600 million dollar sports tourism market. Tourism Minister Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner made the announcement during the Pan American Sport Organization’s dinner celebrations at Hilton Barbados Sunday night.

The Club Indigo beach resort north of the Haiti capital was crowded with UN peacekeepers, aid workers, diplomats and missionaries on a recent Sunday. But the only real, live tourists seemed to be Anne Fournier and her husband.

Following its successful hosting of a four-day Bridal Symposium in St. Thomas last week, the Department of Tourism reported renewed interest in the destination from travel sellers who used destination updates and promotions to drive weddings business to St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.