The Individual Familiarization Trips Program for Latin American Travel Agents -pieced together by the Aruba Tourism Office- will remain in force through December 9. The $100 fare includes a four-night stay at a hotel, in-out transfers, tours and major discount offers at car rentals and golf facilities. Some hotels have knocked together all-inclusive packages at addition charges. Those who want to sign up, please click on: http://latin.agents.aruba.com.

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) will once again sponsor the presentation ceremony of the Crystal Palm Awards, handed out to the best advocates of the Caribbean leisure industry in Europe in recognition for their extraordinary support to the development of hotel infrastructure in the region. The event will take place Saturday, October 6 at the Renaissance London Chancery Court Hotel within the framework of the London Travel Market. So far this year, the Caribbean travel sector has surpassed the numbers the region posted back in 2000, said CHA President Alec Sanguinetti. “The Crystal Palm Awards will honor both people and organizations that have made significant contributions and have played a major role in the recovery of the region’s tourist industry,” Mr. Sanguinetti concluded.

The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has launched a regional awareness campaign on careers in tourism aimed at informing young Caribbean individuals of the opportunities offered by this growing industry. The travel and tourism industry currently accounts for more than 15.5% of total employment in the Caribbean region; in some islands, the proportion is as high as 50%; and the predictable growth of this industry is expected to provide employment to a steadily increasing proportion of Caribbean people at an annual growth rate of 2.8%.

As part of a promotional program aimed at foreign investment in Caribbean tourism, the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) has just wrapped up a number of events and meetings in some of Europe’s main cities. Companies interested in taking a firsthand look at business opportunities and partnership conveniences related to the Caribbean travel industry were among the top sponsors.

Aruba Grand Beach Resort & Casino located on the beautiful Caribbean island of Aruba is proud to present its new European Office. The luxurious 4 star resort, situated on world renowned Palm Beach, has opened its doors in the middle of Munich, Germany. Guests may now call directly within the European market to find out more about the stunning Resort and its extraordinary amenities. The Aruba Grand provides the world’s finest personal service and facilities. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed and the ambience embraces the uniqueness of the local culture.

Air Jamaica President Gordon “Butch” Stewart underscored the importance of the Caribbean aviation industry for the good health of the region´s leisure industry and called on local governments to throw their support behind regional airlines. In a speech delievered at the recently concluded Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism in St. Lucia´s Castries, the top chief of Air Jamaica –the company that moves more than half the total number of passengers landing on that Caribbean island every year- said that the idea of seeing local airlines disappear is “too heavy a burden to carry.”