Already well established in the West, Starwood Hotels is now targeting emerging markets for new growth through its Westin, Sheraton and Le Méridien brands, with China proving particularly popular.

Kazakhstan is hoping to turn to replicate its successful bid for Expo 2017 in Astana with its application to become host of the 2022 Winter Olympics, bringing investment and stimulating growth.

Scotland's already impressive tourist numbers will rise further still in 2014 as the country hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. Its hotel industry is well prepared to cope with this influx of visitors.

With annual global spend on tourism in the gay community set to exceed an estimated $200bn in 2014, service providers and agencies are waking up to the potential of the pink dollar. 

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the world, attracting high levels of investment and creating millions of jobs. But what does it take to become a tourist hub, and is big investment alone enough to attract a mass influx of visitors?

Targeting sectors is widely considered good practice among investment promotion agencies, but a World Bank study shows that many claims of sector prioritisation in the tourism sector are hollow, as a worrying number of IPAs lack any real expertise in the sector.

Countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly keen to show off their tourism credentials to international travellers. But while visitor numbers are on the rise, the region's dated infrastructure and poor image are proving to be tough obstacles to overcome.

Cyprus, already well known as a tourist destination, is now branching out in terms of the services it can offer travellers, from a casino and golf courses to medical tourism. 

Falling visitor numbers from Europe demonstrated to Mauritius the importance of diversifying its economy beyond tourism. Enticing film-makers and developing Port Louis as a trade hub are just two of the ways in which the country’s finance minister hopes to achieve this.

Indonesia’s investment boom has continued amid declining investor confidence and slipping GDP growth. But as the presidential election looms, what are the country’s prospects?