The eyes of the travel industry will be firmly focused on events in Orlando, Florida this coming weekend when the World Travel Awards North American and Central American Ceremony honors the top achievers in travel.

Your music-loving Caribbean clients may wish to visit St. Kitts on Saturday, October 18, as the destination is set to host the sixth annual International Soca Awards –marking the first time that such an event will be held on the island. The awards event will feature performances by top Soca artists.

In today’s world it is increasingly important that travel agency owners and managers be aware of the key industry issues that face them and take advantage of professional development and growth opportunities.

The Jamaica Tourist Board held its annual Destination Product Launch and Seminar Series from Aug. 19 to 28 in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Wichita, and Springfield, Mo. to meet with travel agents and to promote the destination’s fall offerings.

Mexico’s newest destination, Riviera Nayarit, announced the 14th annual Festival Gourmet International Mexico, Nov. 13 to 23, 2008. The Festival will offer special menus by 25 participating restaurants, cooking demonstrations by the area’s talented chefs, wine tasting sessions, chef’s tables and much more.

Online travel sales in Asia will grow about 90 percent over the next 10 years, according to industry experts, with China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Vietnam leading the way.