According to a published report on regional tourism, stayover arrivals to the Caribbean are back to 2008 levels. The relevant statistics were compiled by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). CTO stats indicated that the 13 CARICOM nations recorded a 4 percent rise over last year. In the OECS (Organization of Eastern Caribbean States), Anguilla and St. Lucia led the way with double-digit increases.

A decommissioned U.S. Navy ship was scuttled Wednesday in the clear Caribbean waters of the Cayman Islands, where officials say the sunken vessel will attract fish and tourists. The USS Kittiwake, a 1945-vintage submarine rescue ship, rests on a sandy bottom off Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach. The 47-foot-tall (14-meter) ship is at a depth of 62 feet (19 meters), so the top deck is close to the Caribbean Sea’s surface, making it easily accessible for snorkelers and divers.

Kuoni is expanding its business in the Belgium market substantially. As of 31 December 2010 Kuoni took over the business activities (asset deal) of Belgium tour operator Best Tours. The company is currently in liquidation. Best Tours posted turnover of EUR 38 million in the business year 2009/10. The parties agreed not to divulge the purchase prices involved. Best Tours specializes in long-haul round trips and beach holidays.

United Nations humanitarian officials are calling for “massive mobilization activities” in Haiti to promote prevention and early treatment in the cholera epidemic which has already killed more than 2,760 people and infected over 130,000 others, nearly 71,000 of whom were hospitalized.

DoubleTree by Hilton will open its first hotel in Bulgaria, DoubleTree by Hilton, Varna-Golden Sands. The hotel is now accepting reservations for its official opening in spring 2011. Located on the northern Bulgarian Black Sea coast in the Golden Sands resort, the newly converted hotel is also DoubleTree by Hilton’s first hotel on the Black Sea coast, one of Europe’s most popular summertime destinations. The Black Sea separates Europe from western Asia with its coastline that stretches across Russia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine. DoubleTree by Hilton is the first internationally branded hotel in the destination.

The Port of New Orleans will welcome the first of three port calls within the next month by U.K.-based P&O Cruises. The cruise line is owned by Carnival Corp.