Jamaican Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says Jamaica will have to “ramp up” its marketing strategies, and venture into new markets, to obtain sustained tourism growth. “We recognize that growth cannot happen for Jamaica unless we go into new markets, and is part of the wider strategy that I have been enunciating about the way forward – new markets, new products, new technology, new investments and new partnerships,” he argued.

Despite high tourist arrival figures over the last six months at both the port and the airport, April saw a decline in cruise passengers while stay-over visitors continued to show a marked improvement. According to this month’s Department of Tourism statistics air passenger arrival numbers were the highest for April since 2004 with 30,824 people visiting the island.

Even if your clients have been to Egypt before, they now have a new reason to go back: The BBC is reporting that 17 lost pyramids are among the buildings identified in a new satellite survey of the country. More than 1,000 tombs and 3,000 ancient settlements were also revealed by looking at infra-red images.

Tourism minister Edmund Bartlett has revealed more details about the new waiver and concession package which will be granted to the tourism ground transportation sector. Finance Minister Audley Shaw indicated in his recent presentation of the 2011-2012 Estimates of Expenditure to Parliament that changes would be made to the duties charged on motor vehicles purchased by persons who operate in the tourism sector.

Costa Rica rejected a request made by tourism business owners to declare the country's tourism industry in a "state of emergency." In a press release, tourism leaders said they believe the declaration would hurt the industry since it would project a poor image for potential tourists, lead to a closure of credit lines and force a break in investment.

Montserrat will host its sixth annual Calabash Festival, July 17 to 24, 2011. The week-long event offers an array of festivities highlighting the talents of local artisans and designers. Named after the calabash fruit that was traditionally used to produce eating utensils, musical instruments and decorative items, the festival seeks to promote the destination through a range of events such as a family fun day, hike to Rendezvous Bay Beach, island tour, boat excursion to the former capital city Plymouth, a food fair and the newest addition of a fashion show.