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HAMILTON, Barbados, Nation News – There is “an urgent need” for Caribbean Heads of Government to come together and meet on tourism. The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) board of directors said a tourism summit needs to take place within the next six months to meet on issues “adversely impacting” the region. The last Heads Of Government Summit On Tourism was in July 2001.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Nation News – THE FOCUS ACROSS BARBADOS at this time is on the pending February 21 general election. But it is also the high point of our 2012-2013 winter tourism season, which – no matter which party is victorious in the poll – will have to pay detailed attention to visitor arrivals and spend, an area that is critical to our economic prosperity. Hopefully, we will hear from the platforms and also read in the manifestos of the plans to further develop and diversify the tourism product for the benefit of all Barbadians.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Chronicle - The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has reported a 12.6 % increase in its annual visitor arrivals over 2011, effectively placing the country ahead of other countries within the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO). This is heartening news, particularly in light of the difficult global financial situation. According to the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Mr.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Chronicle - FINALLY, after keeping his political opponents and supporters guessing for at least the past three months, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, has announced February 21 as the date when Barbadians will trek to polling stations to elect a new government for the next five years.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Chronicle - THE United States is calling on Caribbean countries to advise Cuba to address issues of democracy and human rights, but Guyana has opted to not get involved in the internal affairs of that country. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett told a press conference on Friday that there is an understanding in the diplomatic world that they will have to agree to disagree on certain issues. “Cuba has been a very good friend to us and the United States has been a very good friend to us.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Stabroek News - The hue and cry that has greeted President Obama’s proposals to impose commonsense limits on his country’s multi-billion dollar firearms industry is a reminder of how entrenched the gun lobby has become in American politics.

(Trinidad Guardian) The T&T Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) yesterday maintained its objection to giving free airtime to government programmes. President of the TTPBA Kiran Maharaj raised objections during yesterday’s meeting with Communications Minister Jamal Mohammed at his Nicholas Towers office. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal also attended the meeting, a follow-up to one in October last year. Government is seeking one hour per day of free airtime for its programming, but media owners claim the Government is seeking to dictate the content on the airwaves.

The chilling wail of anguish by parents who have to bury their children is getting louder as criminals seem to set their sights on the island’s defenceless youth. Just over a month into the New Year and, already, The Gleaner has reported at least four children being murdered. Added to the already-long list of children victims are four-year-old Rushaun Burford and 14-year-old Shariefa Saddler, who were killed in the Corporate Area in less than 24 hours last week.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - LATER this week the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) will be having its say on the way regional economies performed in 2012. It is an occasion which many in the region looks forward to since the reports on regional economies allow analysts and other stakeholders to see just how good/bad these islands have been doing in what remains a brutal global crisis. One important consideration expected from the review later this week is what the Bank has been doing to improve its position following the downgrade by one of the international rating agencies.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Advocate - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart is giving the private sector the assurance that Government has listened to their concerns about the impact that some new pieces of legislation could have on their businesses. His comments came last week while addressing a wide cross section of the business community at a luncheon hosted by the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Stuart told the packed room at the Hilton Barbados Hotel that their concerns have not fallen on deaf ears and that his Government will continue to show sensitivity to their needs.