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Montserrat Readies to Host Calabash FestivalThe island of Montserrat will host the Fourth Annual Calabash Festival, July 11 to 19. The week-long event offers a wide selection of festivities that highlight the hidden talents of local artisans and designers.
American Marketing Group to Hold Global ConferenceAmerican Marketing Group will hold its first-ever global conference June 9-13, 2010, at the Boca Raton (FL) Resort & Club. Travel agents, suppliers and staff from all of American Marketing Group’s 13 travel brands will participate in the convention. | IMAGES GALLERY  | |
Travel Agents from Colombia’s Munditur Visited ArubaRecently, Aruba was host to a group of travel agents from the company Munditur from Colombia. The official Aruba operators used the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the destination. This was made possible with the help and coordination of Aires airlines.
New Sushi Restaurant Opens in Aruba on Palm Beach RoadGari & Wasabi opened on Palm Beach Road between Linda’s Pancake House and Bingo Restaurant next to the Valero Station on Wednesday night. Although just a soft opening with friends and family, the owners and guests enjoyed the evening in a unique Aruban ambience of the latest contribution to Aruba’s culinary scene.
Hungary’s Pecs Prepares to be European Culture CapitalIn 2010, Pécs will be the first Hungarian city to become European Capital of Culture, together with the German city of Essen and the Turkish metropolis Istanbul. The motto “The City Without Borders” recalls that Pécs has over 30 partner towns in southern Transdanubia as well as in the international cultural region to which Trieste, Maribor, Tuzla, Novi Sad and others belong, and which it plans to include in its program for 2010. | |
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Q & A with Victor Banks, Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Tourism of Anguilla Caribbean Week 2009 came back to New York City with flying colors, the colors of the Caribbean and its multitude of cultures and historic values. One of the island nations that basked in the Big Apple limelight was no doubt Anguilla and Caribbean News Digital’s Indiana Monteverde sat down with Victor Banks, the country’s minister of Finance, Economic Development, Investment and Tourism. In this exclusive interview, Mr. Banks broached a number of issues that certainly lay out the marketing strategies of today and tomorrow for that beautiful Caribbean destination. | | |
Caribbean Lobbies against Coming UK Air Taxposted by Caribbean360.com As Caribbean tourism heads continue to lobby the British government over impending increases in a UK airline ticket tax on long haul flights, Jamaica says it could lose between £30 million ($49 million) and £50 million ($82 million) when the proposed hikes take effect in November.
Mexico Tourism Launches North American Recovery CampaignMexico’s Ministry of Tourism and the Mexico Tourism Board have officially launched their North American recovery campaign in an effort to reactivate the tourism industry. The first part of the three-phase multimedia campaign will start airing this week across television stations throughout the U.S.
Trinidad & Tobago Plan Event-Filled SummerTrinidad & Tobago is hosting a mix of traditional celebrations and athletic competitions this summer. From the first Caribbean Games to the 5th Annual Muhtadi Drum Festival, the destination offers a broad selection of festivals that highlight the harmony of diverse ethnicities as well as sporting events that showcase the region’s talented athletes.
Air Jamaica Introduces Barbados Summer Vacation DealFor all those in the tri-state area looking for a summer holiday to the Caribbean, or for those who simply want to go home for the summer, Air Jamaica, Barbados and STS Vacations have introduced the Bajan Invasion vacation package.
PhoCusWright Releases Study on U.S Tour Operator MarketPhoCusWright has released a comprehensive study of the tour operator and packaged travel market in the U.S. The study, commissioned by ASTA and researched by PhoCusWright, looks to streamline information on the tour operator market which, according to PhoCusWright, was worth over $18.3 billion in gross travel sales in 2008.
Sabre to Launch New Trams Education ProgramTrams, Inc., which provides back-office and customer relationship management solutions, is launching a new educational program designed specifically to help agency owners and managers manage through the current economic climate.
Smartphone Debuts New Multi-Media Travel GuidesVisual Travel Tours (VTT) has announced the launch of its website, www.VisualTravelTours.com. VTT is the first online source of professional multimedia tours purposely created for viewing via smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, mobile video players, and desk/laptops. |
Bonaire’s Divi Flamingo Beach Resort Debuts Coral PackageDivi Resorts announced an opportunity for guests at the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort in Bonaire to experience coral spawning, one of the most spectacular biological phenomena on Earth. A rarely seen but never forgotten event for most divers, coral spawning occurs only two to three times a year.
Boutique Hotel Contempo Opens in NicaraguaHotel Contempo opened on May 15 in a tropical-garden setting 11 kilometers from Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua. The boutique hotel has 18 spacious rooms and suites wrapped in gleaming white marble and local white Travertine tile.
Cruise Planners Offers Exclusive Royal Caribbean SaleCruise Planners/American Express is hosting an exclusive sale June 22 to 29 on all Royal Caribbean bookings for itineraries sailing July 1 through Dec. 31. The sale includes all gratuities for the first and second guest per stateroom and 50 percent reduced deposits.
Mexico’s Costa Maya to Get Oasis of the Seas VisitsPuerto Costa Maya has been selected as one of Royal Caribbean International’s ports of call for the 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas, starting in May 2010. Struck by Hurricane Dean in 2007, Costa Maya, resembling an ancient Mayan city, was rebuilt. |
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Hotels.Com Launches Chinese WebsiteLeading hotel booking site Hotels.com has launched a new local language site in China. The site, accessible via www.hotels.com or www.hotels.cn, offers local currency pricing and payment methods.
Munich Airport Ranks again among the Global Top FiveAs in 2008, Munich Airport has again achieved the number five position in the World Airport Awards 2009, securing its status as one of the world’s best airports. In the global rankings, only Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich scored higher than Munich. | | |
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Wyndham Names Roger Swadish GM of Nassau PropertyWyndham Hotels and Resorts appointed Roger Swadish general manager of the 559-room Wyndham Nassau Resort & Crystal Palace Casino. Mr. Swadish is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the recently renovated resort.
Barbados and Elegant Hotels Target Hamptons TravelersThe Barbados Tourism Authority has partnered with premier motor coach fleet, Hampton Luxury Liner, with a two-part summer 2009 promotion. Firstly, clients of the Hampton Luxury Liner can win one of five four-night vacations for two people to one of Elegant Hotels’ properties in Barbados, in a summer sweepstakes from now until September.
Carnival Corp. Reports 32 Percent Drop in Quarterly IncomeCarnival Corp. & plc reported net income of $264 million, or 33 cents per share, for the second quarter ended May 31, a drop of 32 percent over the $390 million, or 49 cents per share, reported in the same period last year. Revenue was $2.9 billion compared to $3.4 billion in the second quarter 2008.
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