The sun may have set on the Mayan calendar but Mexico's popularity is on the rise. According to 2012 third-quarter results, travel to Mexico on Expedia group sites worldwide grew more than 20% compared to 2011, with Cancun being the country's top destination.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta announced that New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors in 2012, a new all-time high and a 2.1 percent increase over 2011. Visitors to the city spent an estimated $55.3 billion.

Haiti Tourism Minister Stephanie Villedrouin has unveiled a series of priority projects on which her ministry plans to work in 2013. Highlighting the list are potential agreements with Delta, Air France and Air Transat for the promotion of tourism packages.

Tourism Minister Francisco Javier Garcia on Tuesday said more than 4.6 million visitors came to the country in 2012, and predicted continued growth for 2013. He said the country is on the path to reach President Danilo Medina’s proposed goal of 10 million tourists for the next 10 years.