Florida governor Rick Scott has announced his proposed budget for 2013-2014, calling for $75 million in public funding for Visit Florida in order to support statewide tourism marketing efforts for the coming year. The recommendation represents a 39 per cent increase over the allocation from the previous year.

Health and wellness services could become a ‘niche’ tourism sector for the Bahamas, an industry executive telling Tribune Business that a local chapter of the Caribbean Spa & Wellness Association (C-SWA) is set to be formed this year.

Following solid media successes in 2012, the Tourism Development Company of T&T (TDC) plans to continue its aggressive sales and marketing and promotional campaign, spear-headed by US public relations firm, Cheryl Andrews Marketing Communications (CAMC), to keep the destination “top of mind” with target consumers.

The Post Office Barometer revealed that in Greece, where room rates are down 40 percent year on year, holiday spending costs were also down 11 percent with holiday makers able to purchase the eight essential items for £57.50. Spain has for the first time topped the most recent poll.