The Caribbean must stop potentially-negative development schemes to secure its future in tourism, U.S. Congresswoman Donna M. Christensen told delegates at the CTO’s State of the Industry conference that cultural heritage tourism and sustainable tourism were “two sides of the same coin”.

The Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority has partnered with regional carrier LIAT to boost travel to the twin-island state. The initiative – dubbed “Regional Traveller” – aims to provide specially discounted fares on flights into Antigua & Barbuda from select regional markets for specific local events.

Falkland Governor Nigel Haywood says the fledgling tourism industry could hold the future of the islands, despite the discovery of oil in commercial quantities and a booming fishing industry. Governor Haywood said the Falklands were making diversification a project all their own.

Most Americans still can’t visit, but Cuba is on pace for record tourism in 2012, island officials say. Through late August, the Caribbean island hosted 2 million visitors, up 5 percent from the same period last year, Cuban government officials said.

Martinique, the French overseas department north of St Lucia and known as the “Isle of Flowers,” is reporting continued growth in its tourism sector. Martinique reported an 80 percent increase in terms of the number of calls, following a few flat years.