The 5th Exceltur Tourism Leadership Forum, set for Madrid on Jan. 19, will bring ministers from nine major tourism generating and receiving countries, government officials, the heads of the two principal worldwide tourism organizations, and the presidents and/or CEOs of eight of the biggest tourism groups and companies in the world to participate as speakers, along with prominent Spanish businessmen of the sector, leading figures in finance and renowned economists.

IMEX America - America’s new worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events - will deliver the largest ever hosted buyer program at a US tradeshow. Following the launch of IMEX America, organizers the IMEX Group, confirm that the response from intermediaries around the world has been exceptionally strong.

ASTA said it has selected San Juan, Puerto Rico, as host of the 2011 International Destination Expo (IDE). Puerto Rico was selected for its accessibility to U.S. travelers and its rich history and culture.

As a reflection of the importance of major sporting, business and cultural events to re-inspire tourists to travel to global destinations, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the South African Government announced that the T&T world’s first international Tourism, Sport and Mega-events Summit will be held in Sandton, South Africa from February 24 to 26, 2010.

The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) will be hosting the 14th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from May 4-6.

As the world’s leading travel industry platform ITB Berlin 2010 takes a first look at a future which in the long term will be marked by the financial and economic crisis as well as by structural changes and changing travel behavior. One of the highlights of ITB Berlin, which takes place from 10 to 14 March 2010, is the world’s largest travel industry convention.