A debilitating virus called Chikungunya is continuing to infect thousands throughout the islands of the Caribbean. And health officials expect it to make its way to the United States sooner rather than later given the high tourism traffic between the regions.

Nearly 35,000 residents from tourist localities in the North of Haiti will benefit from new infrastructure, economic opportunities and support to cultural events as a result of a US$ 45 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) approved Wednesday by the Board of Directors of the World Bank.

The German meeting and events market continues to grow: German meeting and event venues counted 371 million participants last year, 2.5% more than the year before.

Bahamas Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe appointed Joy Ann Jibrilu as the new director general of tourism, replacing 30-year veteran David Johnson. Johnson will become the new CEO of Hotel Corp. of the Bahamas as it transitions into the Tourism Development Corp. with a focus on increasing room inventory.