The Regional Conference on Tourism Communications for the Middle East and North Africa (TOURCOM), which finished on Wednesday in the Jordanian capital, called on international media to communicate the region´s rich culture and help improve its image to increase tolerance in an increasingly polarized world. Participants from more than 20 countries in the Arab world and beyond also urged National Tourism Administrations and the private sector to enhance their knowledge and increase cooperation with the media, especially in the framework of crisis communications, image building and cross-cultural communications.

The Boston Globe announced earlier this week a new venture, The Boston Globe Travel Show: Bringing the World To Boston. Slated for the weekend of March 24-26, 2006 at the Seaport World Trade Center Exhibition Hall, it will be the first expo of its kind in Boston. The event will showcase destinations from around the world, and will include an extensive program of travel exhibits and cultural activities.

World Travel Market has once again linked up with Travel Channel International to broadcast a program on the event to over 95 countries in 11 languages across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The Travel Channel International WTM program will report on the latest exhibitor developments, new products and services and key issues during World Travel Market week at ExCeL London (Monday 14 -Thursday 17 November).

Travel and Tourism industry leaders from more than 50 countries will gather at the Royal Cliff Resort and Conference Center in Thailand from October 2 thru 5 to address the interdependent linkages of tourism and global issues, including international terrorism, natural disasters and poverty reduction. The Summit theme is “One Earth One Family: Travel and Tourism – Serving a Higher Purpose.” Within the context of this theme leaders from government, industry, U.N. and development agencies, and NGOs will come together to debate several topics. Here are some of the highlights: A Strategic Tourism Industry Response to International Terrorism; Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters; Poverty Reduction; Healing the Wounds of Conflict through Tourism, Culture and Sport; and the Role of Tourism in Advancing the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

The Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) opens its 12th Conference and Tradeshow on September 27 through 30 at the Marriott in the resort community of Frigate Bay on St. Kitts´ breezy east end. The FCCA is a nonprofit trade organization made up of 13 Member Lines which operates over 100 vessels in Florida, the Caribbean and Mexican waters. Established back in 1972, the its mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on legislation, tourism development, ports, safety, security and other cruise industry issues.

The Bonaire Hotel and Tourism Association (BONHATA) and Tourism Corporation Bonaire (TCB) announced last week they will cosponsor the upcoming full-day DEMA Adventure Travel Symposium. This year the Symposium will take place on October 3, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the day before the official opening of DEMA Show 2005 –scheduled for October 4 thru 7- and will focus on helping dive retailers identify, attract and market dive and adventure travel to the key major market segments.