St. Lucia recorded a 20 percent increase in overnight arrivals in the first quarter of 2012, with 95,170 overnight visitors, compared with 82,652 recorded in the first quarter of 2011, according to statistics from the St. Lucia Tourist Board.

St. Lucia recorded a 20 percent increase in overnight arrivals in the first quarter of 2012, with 95,170 overnight visitors, compared with 82,652 recorded in the first quarter of 2011, according to statistics from the St. Lucia Tourist Board.

Mexico is taking a rare opportunity to tweak neighboring Texas, saying the number of U.S. spring breakers visiting Mexico this year rose 7.2 percent despite a travel warning issued by the U.S. state. Tourists arriving in March included some highly regarded Texans — the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

The offer, designed to entice visitors to stay during the low season, includes a $200 instant credit towards any booking for a minimum five-night stay at participating hotels, $50 in shopping certificates, $50 in attractions certificates, $50 in dining certificates and the fifth night free.

The Dominican Republic is booming for tourism, with record arrivals last quarter and new hotels planned. Through March this year, the Caribbean nation hosted 1.3 million tourists, up 8 percent from a year earlier.

Marketing the Caribbean as a whole is key to growing tourism, according to top officials. Hugh Riley, secretary general of the public sector Caribbean Tourism Organization, said this would draw attention to the Caribbean brand when potential visitors were considering a destination.