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.

More on Venezuela's Caribbean Islands

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.

More Information on Travel to the Bahamas

Haiti has some healthy and relatively unexplored coral reefs that could someday become a major attraction to tourists, according to a New York Times series on the Caribbean nation's environmental challenges.

The fact that Haiti has any viable marine resources at all is described as a "small miracle" in light of the country's unregulated dumping, fishing, and massive runoff due to deforestation. But the offshore reefs remain healthy, notably those at Le Gonave, Ile a Vache, and near the Arcadins Islands, experts say, even if marine life is scarce.

The Arcadins coast in southern Haiti may have the most promise as an ecotourism destination, since it already has some tourism infrastructure (including the former Club Med). Work is already underway to create a coastal marine park in the area.

More Information on Visiting Haiti