The Madrid International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2005) that will come to a close Sunday is beefing up its stance as the world´s second-largest travel and tourism tradeshow and the number-one event of its kind for Hispanic America. The 25th edition of FITUR, that has surpassed the Berlin Tourism Fair, got cracking Wednesday -officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Lugo- with an unprecedented turnout of 799 exhibitors from 170 countries, up 6 percent from 2004.

The 25th edition of the International Tourism Fair, FITUR 2005, in Madrid kicked off this Wednesday with a record-breaking turnout of 11,520 companies from 170 countries. Europe and the Americas have the largest number of participants, especially Hispanic American countries that eye FITUR as their premier travel and tourism tradeshow.

Cuba is putting a new spin on its tourist product on the eve of FITUR 2005, an event that´s taking place in Spain´s Madrid with a record-breaking turnout of attendants. The Cuban delegation is made up of execs from the island nation´s top hotel chains and travel companies. The island is cashing in on this opportunity to advertise the new trademark of its tourist products, basically promoting its culture, history, beaches, nature and its submarine wonders.

Preparations for the second edition of the Ecuador International Tourism Fair (FITE 2005), scheduled to take place from September 22 to 25 this year at the Crystal Palace of Guayaquil, were discussed Wednesday at the City Hall of that emblematic Ecuadorian burg. Organizers are hoping to have approximately 300 exhibitors from 30 countries, some 4,000 professionals from the region and nearly 80,000 visitors.

Cozumel is gearing up for Carnival, which is celebrated on the island from February 12 to 16. For nearly 100 years, Cozumel has used these celebrations as a way to honor its past. During Carnaval, dance troupes of all ages perform daily throughout the day and night. During the five-day event, locals and visitors come together to enjoy the floats and colorful parades, nightly street fairs with traditional foods and concerts, and daily musical performances and dancing through the streets of downtown San Miguel.

The Meliá Cohiba Hotel of the Cuban capital will be home to a day of Japanese cuisine on January 21, in which patrons and guests alike will have the opportunity of tasting the most exquisite dishes from that Oriental gastronomy. The star of the one-day show will be Chef Mariano Takinami, who´s coming to Cuba armed with plenty of traditional and fresh recipes, that according to a press note sent to the writing staff of Caribbean News Digital.