The worst is over for the Caribbean hotel industry, panelists said during last week’s opening general session of the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit. The optimism was backed up by presenters in the opening “Outlook for the Caribbean” session.

The tropical Caribbean island paradise of Anguilla will host the second annual Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary Jollification from May 23-26, under the distinguished patronage of Nikki Giovanni, poet and award-winning author.

AEEPP President Arsenio Escolar wrapped up the 2013 congress with words of praise for the success of the events and the quality of the debates. Mr. Escolar, together with Dr. Eugenio de Quesada (Nexo Group) summoned for next meeting, to be held at the Auditorio de la Real Casa de la Moneda in Madrid in the month of November.

The Sustainable Travel Leadership Network (STLN) will host an interactive discussion on TravelWell, an exciting new initiative designed to transform decision-making in the travel industry, at an event next week in Jamaica. Sustainable Travel International, is invitation only, and will take place at Secrets Wild Orchid Resort in Montego Bay the morning of May 15.

Valparaíso, Chile’s main port will be hosting the continental version of the Sea Trade Fair next May 14/15, a major cruise industry event which is celebrated every three years and for the first time in Chile. The previous meetings were held in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires.

The Caribbean Summit of Political and Business Leaders, scheduled from May 17 and 18, 2013, will bring together heads of state and corporate executives to launch Phase II of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) to address environmental threats to the Caribbean region.