Infrastructure

One explanation why NGOs are presently less vocal in levelling criticism against the government could simply be that honeymoon period traditionally enjoyed by new heads of states. Although NGOs continue to take the government to task on what it should be doing in the short-term, they seem to be more focused on finding practical ways of dealing with current concerns.   

Without volcanoes Iceland would not exist. The Icelanders know it and have not only learned to live with the fact but to welcome it as a life source.  Despite - or perhaps due to - being always on the alert, they cultivate a gentle way of life and show genuine affection for their rumbling mountains.   

Caribbean tourism has been showing signs of recovery in 2011, following two of the toughest years on record. But while international arrivals have been improving and returning to 2008 levels, visitors have been spending less in a market leading to worries about the sector’s diminishing profits in a still unpredictable global environment.
 

West Africa’s plans to move up the world tourism rankings are taking root, both at regional and country-levels.

There is growing impatience in Haiti concerning the lack of promised construction standards.  With the approach of the hurricane season, serious concerns are being expressed. The Haitian authorities are redoubling their efforts to create the foundations for true emergency preparedness.

Awaiting Standards

The slight tremor that occurred on 1 March in Haiti reminded everyone of the ever present danger of aftershocks. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people still live in tents and temporary shelters.

Once part of the Swedish and - subsequently - the Russian empire Turku, a city of 177,500 people in Southwest Finland (300,000 in the wider Turku area), has grown at the side of the River Aura and become a thriving trading and cultural hub. The recognition of its vibrancy in the arts was the announcement of its status as European Capital of Culture for 2011, along with Estonia’s capital, Tallinn.

Sparse populations spread across wide swathes of the world’s largest ocean resulting in poor communications between them have held back movement of the region’s goods and people and slowed economic development and growth.

Most visitors to the Caribbean are shocked that it costs just as much to travel by air between the tropical islands as it would to North America.  Is there any choice?