North American cruise lines, their employees and passengers generated $35.1 billion in gross output in the U.S. last year, including 313,998 jobs paying a total of $14.23 billion in wages and salaries, and direct cruise industry spending totaled $17.15 billion.

Islands magazine has selected and ranked “The World’s Top 20 Villas.” Editors, local experts from around the world as well as guests voted for the best villas for relaxation, a scenic location, and those special villas that allow guests to retreat but also engage in the island’s offerings. The Bird of Paradise was the only villa honored for Anguilla, St. Martin or St. Barths.

Japanese JTB tour operator’s maiden charter flight arrived in the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, Cuba, reported the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). JTB general manager for Latin America Iuchi Takahashi greeted the passengers on the tarmac. He was accompanied by Cuban tour agency HAVANATUR and MINTUR officials.

Tiara Air announces more fights and new accommodating times from Bonaire which will benefit Bonaire as a tourism destination. With this new schedule Tiara Air is offers its clients and travel agencies more flexible hours and frequent departures between neighboring islands, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao & Punto Fijo, Venezuela.

Discover Dominica Authority announced that WinAir has resumed their service between major Caribbean hubs and Dominica, making it easier for travelers to visit the destination. The regional airports servicing the flights to Dominica’s Melville Hall Airport (DOM) are St. Lucia’s George F L Charles Airport (SLU) and St. Maarten (SXM).

Despite a variety of angry accusations unleashed recently at Royal Resorts Caribbean from Board members, Union workers and others, the company, which manages the Pelican Resort Club, continues to have the financial success of Pelican as its primary objective.

Jamaica today welcomed JetBlue’s second daily nonstop flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Kingston. The increased service is part of the airline’s summer schedule and it reaffirms the value airline’s commitment to Jamaica and the capital city, Kingston.

One of the world’s top sources for travel tips and advice has placed the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia among its 10 best destinations. The TripAdvisor 2010 Travelers’ Choice Best Destination Awards put Saint Lucia in the Top 10 Destinations in the Caribbean & Mexico region for two categories: Relaxation & Spa as well as Romance.

Canadians can expect to have more travel options to Barbados this summer as Air Canada and WestJet will be offering additional summer services out of Montréal and Toronto for 2010.

Three new routes have been added by the regional airline WINAIR, which has been the main carrier into Montserrat since the opening of the new airport in 2005. Starting June 28 the airline will be offering flights into St Lucia, Dominica and Tortola.