MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) -- Jamaica and Mexico have signed on to a new bilateral civil aviation agreement, which will allow for improved air service between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Kenneth Baugh. read more...

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BRADES, Montserrat (OCM) -- The Montserrat-Antigua travel route will undergo a major enhancement with the addition of a long term ferry service in January 2010. Sailing under the name Fjortoft, the new ferry will be operated jointly by the government of Montserrat, the government of Antigua, and the Barbuda Island Council. read more...

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PHILIPSBURG, Netherlands Antilles -- Regional airline, Windward Islands Airways International (WINNAIR) has announced special fares in observance of three special events to take place in three of its nine destinations. The events are St Maarten Day, which will be observed on November 11... read more...

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FREEPORT, Bahamas (BIS) -- Bahamas' tourism sector got a needed shot in the arm on Monday when WestJet Airlines announced direct service there from Toronto, Canada beginning in November. Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Senator, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace affirmed his confidence in Grand Bahama. read more...

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VARADERO, Cuba (ACN) -- Canada's WestJet airline started operations to Cuba this Sunday, when the first flight of tour operator WestJet Vacations landed at the Juan Gualberto Gomez International Airport in this city. The Boing 737 was met at the airport terminal by officials of the Cuban Ministry of Tourism. read more...

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MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) -- British Airways made its inaugural non-stop flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Montego Bay, with 280 passengers on board, on Thursday. The crew and passengers were met at the Sangster International Airport by a welcoming team, led by Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett. read more...

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BRADES, Montserrat -- Paying tribute to the destination’s culture, talent and creativity, the unique island of Montserrat will celebrate its annual carnival, known as Festival, from December 4, 2009 – January 1, 2010. The destination comes alive with music, revelry and a variety of events. read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Barbados’ airlift out of Canada is in for a boost with the reintroduction of the service by low cost carrier, WestJet. Aviation Consultant with the Barbados Tourism Authority, Neville Boxhill, confirms that WestJet will recommence its service to Barbados in November as scheduled. read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbadao (BGIS) -- The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) has surged on with positioning Barbados as a visible player within the South American tourism landscape as it sent forward a delegation to the recently concluded Fair of the Americas or ABAV Trade Show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. read more...

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TURKU, Finland (AFP) -- The world's biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, was handed over to the Royal Caribbean cruiseline in the Finnish port of Turku by shipbuilder STX on Wednesday. The vessel, worth 1.3 billion dollars, can accomodate up to 6,360 passengers. read more...

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CASTRIES, St Lucia -- Cruise spending is up in a down economy in destinations visited by cruise line-members of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Cruise tourism boosted revenue in Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean in one of the gloomiest financial years since the Great Depression. read more...

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NEVIS, West Indies -- In some parts of the world, the fall brings brightly coloured leaves and pumpkin patches, but on the Caribbean island of Nevis, the fall ushers in the high tourist season with the reopening of historic plantation inns featuring new additions, upgrades and changes on the culinary scene. read more...

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LONDON, England -- British Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather has stepped up the pressure on the government to rethink the unfair Caribbean passenger tax. Joined by popular broadcaster Floella Benjamin, as well as representatives of leading Caribbean organisations, Teather handed in a petition. read more...

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BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CUOPM) -- New flights by British Airways to St Kitts and other Caribbean destinations will mean an additional 2,000 seats to the region. BA will operate a total 55 flights a week from London to the Caribbean, with 11 destinations served from Gatwick and three from Heathrow. read more...

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FORT WORTH, USA -- American Airlines has made it easier than ever to visit the beautiful US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St Croix. American, a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, has great low fares available for travel through mid December. Tickets must be purchased by Nov. 3, 2009. read more...

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PIARCO, Trinidad -- Caribbean Airlines newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Captain Ian Brunton announced new changes to the airline’s top management. At an internal meeting organised for all staff at its head office at Piarco, Captain Brunton explained the company was seeking to streamline its operations. read more...

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PHILADELPHIA, USA -- Vacationers vying for access to beautiful Caribbean beaches this fall now have great choices at a discounted rate thanks to a new partnership with the Barbados Tourism Authority and US Airways Vacations. From October 12 - November 22, Barbados vacation packages are $150 off. read more...

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CASTRIES, St Lucia -- Airline and tourism officials, who are counting down the days until JetBlue Airways touches down at Hewanorra International Airport in St Lucia, believe the Caribbean-American Diaspora will be an important part of the success of the service between the island and New York. read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados --  US Airways’ customers have benefited from more non-stop flights to Barbados from its Philadelphia hub since October 1, when the airline began its four days a week flights to Barbados and beginning December 19 there will be a daily service, assisting Barbados in penetrating the US market. read more...

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MEXICO CITY/SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) -- Latin American airlines Avianca and TACA said on Wednesday they will merge and AeroMexico said it is looking at deals with rivals as carriers around the world struggle with a deep downturn. El Salvador-based TACA said they will join operations to cut costs. read more...

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NEW YORK, USA (Reuters) -- The cruise industry has touched bottom and is now stabilizing, but questions linger about when a rebound will occur, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd's CEO said in an interview . "We've been at the bottom and we've stabilized at the bottom," Chief Executive Richard Fain said. read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- Travel to Barbados from the US has become more competitive following the introduction of a new JetBlue service from New York commencing October 1, 2009. In an industry troubled by high airfares and growing luggage charges, the new low cost, no-frills service created a positive stir. read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados -- The Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) recently collaborated with Asuwish, a concierge company based in Toronto to launch a unique health and wellness tourism product targeting women in Toronto. Billed as the “Health & Fitness Retreat in Barbados”, the initiative was... read more...

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BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) -- The inaugural flight of JetBlue Airways touched down on Friday at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) with an all-Barbadian crew. Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, in welcomining the American carrier, said it was a "very gratifying feeling" to have JetBlue. read more...

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CORAL GABLES, USA -- In the current economic climate, the hospitality industry has been feeling the effects of travelers cutting back, and no place is this more evident than in the Caribbean. In spite of this, some Caribbean resorts are weathering the storm thanks to solid service and marketing programs. read more...

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SCARBOROUGH, Tobago -- Travelers looking for an adventure in flavor are invited to tickle the taste buds during Tobago’s 10th Annual Blue Food Festival on October 18, 2009. Through inspired culinary creations the event will highlight the island’s indigenous foods, including dasheen. read more...

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IRVINGTON, USA -- Shooting video in high definition is no longer an option - it is fundamental to any successful television production. The Barefoot Agency, based in Irvington and headed by veteran television producer Nancy Gilligan, is helping Caribbean and international travel and tourism players increase visibility. read more...

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MACHESTER, England -- Tourism dependent areas like the Caribbean and the Pacific should increase their outreach to the "huge potential of the little-known" youth travel market, urged a development expert. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the World Youth and Student Travel Conference, Lelei LeLaulu... read more...

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ORLANDO, USA -- AirTran Airways has released schedules for new service to Aruba. These flights will mark the airline's fifth Caribbean destination and are in addition to recently announced service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Nassau, Bahamas and existing service to Cancun, Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. read more...

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FORT LAUDERDALE, USA -- The countdown continues as MSC Cruises prepares for an exciting 2009-10 Caribbean season that includes the much-anticipated arrival of MSC Poesia in North American waters, a wide variety of special theme cruises and interesting itineraries. The Italian, family-owned line is bringing... read more...

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- A top official in the airline industry in Guyana has issued a strong call for a single Caribbean airspace to help address the air transport woes facing the region. Executive of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana Michael Correia made a direct call to CARICOM Chairman Bharrat Jagdeo. read more...

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SCARBOROUGH, Tobago -- The island of Tobago is gearing up to host the 23rd Annual International Cycling Classic. The five-day / five-stage event will be held from September 30 – October 4, 2009 and features world-class athletes including the return of last year’s champion, Heath Blackgrove of New Zealand. read more...

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NEW YORK, USA -- With some of the world’s best beaches, delicious cuisine and accommodations to suit every budget, Anguilla is the perfect getaway for winter travelers. Highlights of what’s new island wide and winter packages for the 2009/2010 winter season include... read more...

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Given the growing pandemic of obesity, it behooves commercial airlines to establish industry-wide standards to determine whether, or under what circumstances, fat people should be barred from flying. What happened to Emery Orto last week is a case in point: Orto is a 6-ft, 350-lb man... read more...

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CASTRIES, St Lucia -- The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) is encouraging tourism industry stakeholders to view the current economic crisis as an opportunity to be at the forefront of the recovery when it comes. Speaking ahead of the FCCA's annual cruise convention and trade show to be held in... read more...

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RODNEY BAY VILLAGE, St Lucia -- St Lucia's popular Coco Palm boutique hotel in Rodney Bay Village is getting ready for JetBlue Airways' inaugural service to the island, which starts on Monday, October 26, 2009. This week, Coco Palm's staff met Frances Liu, business development analyst with the airline. read more...

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NEW YORK, USA -- JetBlue Airways will waive change fees and fare differences to allow customers booked to or from St Maarten to postpone their travel plans due to the projected path of Tropical Storm Erika. JetBlue serves St Maarten with nonstop flights from Boston and New York/JFK. read more...

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FORT WORTH, USA -- Here's a simple way to save money on a trip to your favorite sunny destinations this fall: grab a great low fare on American Airlines and make a dash for an exciting spot in the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, or Bermuda. The choice is up to you and your imagination. read more...

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ORLANDO, USA (Reuters) -- AirTran Airways has released schedules for new service to Nassau, Bahamas, and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Pending final government approval, AirTran Airways will begin flights to Nassau on December 17, 2009, and to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on February 11, 2010. read more...

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PHILIPSBURG, St Maarten -- Winair has announced there will be a number of changes to its schedule for Thursday, 3rd September 2009. Despite the following destinations: Nevis, St Barths, Statia and Saba operating normally on Wednesday, they will join the other destinations on Thursday in not operating. read more...

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