The Caribbean will enjoy steady growth in its all-important tourism sector as the U.S. economy continues its recovery, despite some serious issues.

Spain welcomed in excess of 60.6 million international tourists in 2013, recording a 5.6 per cent year on year increase and the strongest inbound tourism statistics to Spain since the launch of the FRONTUR surveys. In turn, spend by foreign visitors in Spain also reached record highs, with a total in excess of 59 billion euros in 2013, up 9.6 per cent year on year.

U.S. tourists keen to stay in Caribbean luxury hotels in St Lucia have seen an increase over 2013 compared to the previous year. St Lucia was battered by a powerful storm over Christmas, which left serious damage in its wake along with several casualties.

The new campaign entitled “On a tropical island, in the Caribbean,” captures the benefits of hosting a meeting or convention gathering in Puerto Rico. The ads include overlaid copy that underscores Puerto Rico’s infrastructure to accommodate a group’s needs.

Tourism officials yesterday said they are hoping to attract a “routine arrival” of cruise ships to the southern Bahamas, as they bid to increase annual visitor numbers to a total of seven million. Grand Bahama is already up by 5,000 visitors for the month of January.