The Florida Keys tourism council has placed a new "live chat" communications tool on its www.fla-keys.com website, merging modern technology with visitor information services offered by the Keys’ five regional chambers of commerce, from Key Largo to Key West. Live chat services are ideal for people on the website who want assistance from a live person in the Keys without having to make a phone call.

On October 6, 2011 the Costa Rica Tourism Board will host an exclusive virtual press conference to officially launch its new North American advertising campaign.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) reported revenue growth resulting from its partnership with online travel company Expedia. JTB revenues through the Expedia Affiliate Network (EAN) grew by 8 percent in the second quarter of 2011 while average daily rates climbed 12 percent.

Carnival Cruise Lines has created a new virtual Travel Partner Toolbox designed to help travel agents easily access trade support and sales-boosting resources through the line’s travel agent portal at www.GoCCL.com.

Google made further inroads into the travel category with the launch of Flight Search, a web-based tool that lets you find and book flights. Google provided what it called an “early look” at the service last week with flights to and from a handful of cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Minneapolis. Participating airlines include Delta, JetBlue, Continental and American.

Amadeus has introduced Amadeus Travena, which it describes as the travel industry’s first fully web-based booking solution for travel agents. Agents can access Amadeus Travena via a web browser and log on for secure access to Amadeus content—air, hotel, rail, car, cruise, tour and more. This web-based solution also allows for quick deployment of new content and functionality from Amadeus.