Delta Air Lines is promoting its nonstop service between Atlanta and Barbados with high-season airfares starting at $229 each way, based on roundtrip purchase. The deal is good for travel between Jan. 16 and Feb. 28, 2010; tickets must be purchased by Dec. 28 (what a nice stocking stuffer these would be!). For more details, see the Delta website.

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A good way not to spur international tourism development (or tourist visits, for that matter) is to go around confiscating private businesses. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez doesn't seem to care: last month, his government seized the Hilton hotel on the Caribbean island of Margarita; the hotel was renamed the "Macanao."

Tourism Minister Pedro Morejon said the government was "working for the rights of the workers," and some employees seemed pleased by the government takeover, hoping for more job stability. We'll see.

Chavez's government previously seized the Hilton Caracas and renamed it the Hotel Alba.

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After being shuttered since last June, the Jumby Bay resort in Antigua reopened this week with a thorough redesign, including a new spa, restaurants, and Estate Homes.

The $28-million renovation of the luxury private-island resort adds Jumby Bay's first stand-alone spa, Sense; 28 new suites and upgrades to 12 others that include rain showers and soaking tubs in private gardens; and two new dining experiences: the Verandah for elegant dining and cooking demonstrations by new executive chef Juan Pablo Loza, and the bistro-style Pool Grille.

Reopening special rates start at $1,150 per night, all-inclusive. Book Now

The recession continues to bite especially hard on Grand Bahama Island, where the 50-room Royal Palm Resort & Suites has become the latest resort to shut down. The Freeport hotel's guests were moved to the Xanadu Beach Resort and Marina (Book Now), another Grand Bahama Island resort, in early November.

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