Projected losses from Tropical Storm Hanna in cruise ship taxes and tourist spending are estimated at just under $761,000 for the period Sunday, August 31 to Thursday, September 4, the Ministry of Tourism reported yesterday. This is based on estimations of head tax and spending per passenger.

Close on the heels of world’s fastest human athlete Usain Bolt’s dream run at the Beijing Olympics, his native Jamaica has unveiled a new tourism strategy to strengthen its position online to target discerning 21st century travelers, including hi-end visitors from India.

Tourism is one of the biggest revenue earners in Jamaica and the government wants to ensure that their market is not affected by cuts in airlift and, to this end, the Department of Tourism is paying out millions to American Airlines (AA).

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed an agreement with Gwangwondo Development Corporation (GDC) to manage two Resorts and Suites under the InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts and Holiday Inn Suites brands. This adds another close to 1,000 rooms to IHG’s pipeline in Korea and doubles the number of IHG hotels in this market.

Uniglobe Travel International LP recently signed a Global Partner agreement with Dahlan Travel & Tours (DDT), a private agency with locations in Amman, Jordan and Iraq. The company is poised to service American and European companies taking part in the reconstruction effort in Iraq, Uniglobe said.

Hotels in the UK’s big cities have enjoyed a buoyant summer with growth in both room rate and occupancy, according to PKF Hotel Consultancy Services.