Bahamas-based hoteliers are looking forward to increased occupancy in 2012, as 85 percent expect higher levels in 2012, according to a Smith Travel Research report commissioned by the Bahamas Hotel Association.

After announcing record visitation in 2011, Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, announced its new Airline Grant Program, which will support Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) within the state and stimulate the Florida economy.

Arrivals to Bermuda increased steadily in 2011 and Bermudan hotels became fuller and fuller throughout the year. The Bermudan tourism minister has recently announced that he is excited and eager about the future of tourism in the Caribbean paradise, whilst keeping a level of anxiety.

The recently released end-of-year report compiled by independent firm Smith Travel Research (STR) placed Puerto Rico fourth in 2011 hotel occupancy in the Americas, behind Chile, Uruguay and Curacao. San Juan ranked fifth behind Miami, New York, Rio de Janeiro and San Francisco.