The Caribbean nation of Haiti is launching an ambitious campaign to market the country as a vacation hotspot. Unlike other islands in the region, which draw huge numbers of leisure travelers seeking sun and surf, Haiti is largely overlooked by tourists.

The recently concluded Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2013 saw an increase in pre-scheduled business meetings between buyer and supplier companies with 12,476 appointments scheduled in advance which are 226 more appointments than the 2012 edition of the event. Another positive highlight is the increase in international buyer interest with 22 countries represented, an increase of four more countries over 2012. The event also had six more companies register from Italy versus 2012 registration.

Bermuda is offering special hotel deals, ticket discounts for travelers during the spring break period. Throughout the season, the Bermuda Department of Tourism will offer day and evening events for visiting students.

New data released by the U.S. Commerce Departments’ Office of Travel and Tourism Industries show that U.S. international outbound travel is up 6 percent year-to-date through October, the most recent month for which figures are available.