Hamilton._ The significance of the African Heritage and Cultural Tourism stands out as the two major topics in the Conference on the Heritage of the African Diaspora in the Caribbean now underway in Bermuda under the sponsorship of the island’s Ministry of Tourism. The conference –scheduled to come to a close Tuesday- highlights the depth of African roots in the Caribbean and their significant contribution to tourism.

Montesilvano – Pescara, Italy._ With as many as 15,000 people who toured the 170 stands, the 12th Nature Tourism Fair Ecotur 2002 ground to a halt after a successful four-day tenure at the spanking-new Conference Palace of Montesilvano in the Italian province of Pescara. For the first time ever, the meeting showcased samples from Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico, three countries that contributed attractive offers from Latin America and whose stands were well received by the public.

Havana._ The Maria La Gorda International Scuba Diving Center in Cuba’s western province of Pinar del Rio will host this month the PHOTOSUB underwater photography contest. Sources close to the organizing committee indicated the objective of the event lies in handpicking the best underwater pictures of that area by a jury of experts hailing from Spain, Italy, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Havana._ The Cuban capital is hosting the 33rd Ordinary General Assembly of the Association of International Fairs of America (AFIDA) and the 6th Ibero-American Congress on Fairs, this month. According to sources from the organizing committee, both events will be held at Havana´s International Conference Center, under the auspices of the Union of Ibero-American Fairs, among other organizations.

Santo Domingo._ Punta Cana and Bavaro hoteliers will welcome travel businessmen to the Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE), which opened Thursday 11th in Punta Cana. Regarded as the most important local marketing event, DATE is coordinated by the National Hotel Association (Asonahores) with the backing of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). The event is a marketplace to sell DR travel to US travel re-sellers.

Havana._ Under the slogan “Tourism, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Education,” Havana’s International Conference Center will host the 12th Pan American Congress of Hotel, Gourmet and Tourism Schools from September 10 to 13 this year. Exchange of information and the presentation of new experiences on the importance of cultural heritage for the development of tourism education will be the conclave’s top goal.