financial crisis

With companies going broke, banks collapsing and even Dubai finding it hard to find money, British leisure company Halford's surprised the markets by announcing a 24 per cent earnings increase. "Staycationers" helped create this recession miracle.

The market for vintage port has expanded beyond Europe and the US to Asia, where its sweet flavour has become popular after a meal. And since the Hong Kong government removed all import duty on alcohol last year, there's been a port boom there.

The foreign-born population in the United States fell last year, as the nation of immigrants experienced its worst recession since the Great Depression. Money sent home to Mexico fell to $1.83 billion, down from $2.19 billion a year earlier.

Recession, recession, recession... The last thing you're thinking of now is a holiday, right? Well, now you can take that dream break without worrying about the costs, the time off work, or swine flu. And you won't even have to leave your home.