Aruba has begun the island’s largest month-long party with the 55th annual Carnival celebration, now through Feb. 24. Aruba’s Carnival celebration is a colorful event, during which music and extravagant costumes take center stage.

Cuba will participate, along with another 14 Latin American and Caribbean nations, in the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (FITUR-2009) that begins next week in the Spanish capital. The exhibitors from Latin America and the Caribbean will show their products and services at Pavilion 8, one of the twelve that will make up the traditional event.

Cuba will participate, along with another 14 Latin American and Caribbean nations, in the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (FITUR-2009) that begins next week in the Spanish capital. The exhibitors from Latin America and the Caribbean will show their products and services at Pavilion 8, one of the twelve that will make up the traditional event.

The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Fest will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica January 22-24, 2009 and RIU Montego Bay is offering special rates for music lovers. At $170 per person, per night RIU Montego Bay is making a warm, musical vacation irresistible in Jamaica.

In 2009, Trinidad Carnival culminates on Feb. 23 and 24. Trinidad Carnival has been described by many as the one of the most colorful and culturally diverse pre-Lenten celebrations in the world.

The European Travel Commission’s TransAtlantic Conference opens tomorrow in New York City’s THETimesCenter. The annual marketing conference is organized to help ETC member nations to navigate the travel environment in 2009 and beyond. The current economic recession, the end of the Bush administration and the beginning of the Obama presidency tomorrow herald shifts in consumer spending and travel patterns.