The Caribbean Tourism Organization has proposed reforming air passenger duty by charging one rate for flights within Europe and another for long-haul journeys. The proposal was submitted to the Treasury, along with a detailed assessment of the impact of APD in Caribbean countries by the CTO chairman Ricky Skeritt, who is tourism minister for St Kitts Nevis.

The European Union (EU) says that more than half of all people who buy flights, hotel rooms and hire cars online risk being left without compensation if companies fail under outdated law. A total of 56 percent of European travelers are estimated to use the Internet, rather than high-street travel agents to organize their own trips, but protection safeguards have not been put into place to deal with the digital age.

The brightest, busiest and best stands at World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, were honored Monday at ExCeL London. Winners were chosen in six categories after extensive tours of the exhibition by a panel of expert judges. A seventh stand received a special commendation.

The UNWTO Minister’s Summit at World Travel Market attracted more than 100 tourism ministers and senior aides, with a healthy number of representatives from industry bodies and the private sector boosting the numbers.

A joint delegation of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and Russian regions represents the tourist industry of Russia at World Travel Market 2009 in London. The 30th annual tourist forum is underway at one of the biggest exhibition centers of the British capital ExCel and will come to a close on Nov. 12.

A joint delegation of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and Russian regions represents the tourist industry of Russia at World Travel Market 2009 in London. The 30th annual tourist forum is underway at one of the biggest exhibition centers of the British capital ExCel and will come to a close on Nov. 12.