In the midst of all the uncertainty about the world economy and its effects on spending, consumers appear to be determined not to give up travel as an important item on their agenda of leisure activities. According to official figures from the World Tourism Organization (WTO), international tourist arrivals grew faster than they had projected [+4.5 per cent] in the first half of 2011.

On Wednesday, this newspaper's editorial supported a call for an "employee-contributed unemployment insurance scheme". This is, in essence, another tax on the already inadequate wages of the majority of workers. Those who argue for this tax say it is necessary in order to replace the existing redundancy law of Jamaica...