A recovering U.S. economy and cold winter are giving a boost to Caribbean tourism. Jamaica reported a 7.7 percent gain in stopover visitors and 11.2 percent uptick in cruise passenger arrivals in October through December last year, compared to the same quarter in 2009.

Grand Bahama Free National Movement (FNM) members and supporters celebrated the party's 40th anniversary with a church service at the Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King yesterday, on the heels of a mass rally at Clifford Park in New Providence on Saturday night.

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism will redeploy up to $600,000 annually into marketing programs after closing its New York City office, according to the ministry’s tourism director. The office was closed on Feb. 28, leaving the Plantation, Fla., office as the ministry’s only U.S. presence.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) released preliminary figures for international visitor arrivals into Asia and the Pacific for January 2011, showing a 7 percent year-on-year expansion.

In a bid to strengthen the country’s position in the Latin American market, several initiatives are being implemented to support service to Latin American travelers. Included in the initiatives are several campaigns aimed at encouraging hotels and Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) to provide signage in Spanish; a welcome arrival message; a 15-minute welcome to destination CD for taxi drivers.

The Bermuda Department of Tourism and several partner hotels have extended their “Compliments of Bermuda” promotion, offering vacationers every third night free for hotel rooms booked in April. Also, travelers who book a three-night stay in May receive the fourth night free, and guests booking a four-night stay in June receive the fifth night free. Stays must be booked by May 30 for travel through June 30, 2011.