With the increased activity by the Soufriere Hills Volcano on Montserrat island, now is the time for pleasure seekers and adventure enthusiasts to travel to a destination for a first hand view of this geological phenomenon.

All the businesses and ports are open and operating normally, including flights to the Airport John A Osborne and ferry services from Antigua to the port at Little Bay. Leisure travelers have the opportunity to see the volcano safely from several vantage points including the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) and Jack Boy Hill.

Global tourism is set to rebound in 2010 after the economic crisis and produce swine flu pandemic “one of the most difficult year” for the sector, the UN World Tourism Organization. “2010 will be a year of transformation” for the world of tourism, UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said at a press conference called to present the organization’s annual World Tourism Barometer.

Ministry of Tourism will conduct a study on the relationship between sports and tourism in Barbados to assist technocrats in formulating the necessary policies, to encourage this niche area to the front.

St. Kitts is said to start the new year than at an optimistic note in this year’s Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) which ended the Caribbean Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

According to Caribbean Net News, St. Kitts was measured to show progress in the development and promotion of the island tourism industry and a positive outlook for 2010.

According to the St. Lucia Tourist Board to make the history of the island Monday, January 4, when St. Lucia was featured on NBC’s first season show The Bachelor. Viewers a glimpse of what to expect when Dallas hosts the Pilot Jake Pavelka three lucky bachelorettes in Saint Lucia during the last two episodes of the series, scheduled to be aired in February and March this year.

Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in cooperation with the government of Saint Lucia will be launching a book Birds of Saint Lucia for Caribbean Schools (including two DVDs) Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in Advanced Orchid Greenhouse, Union. Prime Minister, Chairman of the Council of Assembly, Senate President, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, Senator, principals, district education officers, students and other guests will attend.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and the extensive damage caused by the earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. Our prayers are with the People of Haiti, all of whom must be deeply touched in one way or another by this tragedy.

Bermuda will host next year’s meeting of the OECD Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax purpose, an annual conference of about 200 delegates representing more than 70 jurisdictions and international organizations, according to Finance Minister Paula Cox.

Jamaica Tourist Board has given its support to 17 gig-conscious reggae festival, Rebel Salute, this year sponsored by Pepsi. Night of roots reggae show, which unites the various artists that includes a cross section generation, will be held on Saturday, January 16 at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth.

Aruba is now one of the ten cities in the Caribbean for British tourists, according to the local tourist board.

Official figures show that some 10,265 British tourists visited the island between January and September 2009, 42% increase from the same period the previous year.