China, already the fourth most popular tourist destination, according to the World Tourism Association, is expected to move to the second position within a decade and surpass the U.S. as the world’s most-visited country by 2020 with some 130 million visitors a year. The number of domestic tourist soared to 1.61 billion in 2007, an increase of 15.5 percent from 2006.

Holidays to Panama have rocketed since the case of canoe man John Darwin hit the headlines. The publicity surrounding the central American country has put Panama firmly to the forefront of travelers thinking of visiting the region.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) released its Annual Report and Business Plan to 400 members, reflecting accomplishments in fiscal year 2008 (including the largest percentage increase of international visitors for any major U.S. city at 27 percent and $1.2 billion in future conventions.

Pedalers Pub & Grille puts cyclists to the test on its new Vietnam: Journey to Sapa cycling adventure with three scheduled departures in the coming year. Departing on Dec. 8, March 9 and Dec. 7, 2009, the 10-day trip is the only excursion that actually pedals the quiet back roads to Sapa; most other visitors arrive by air or train, blurring by the hill country and villages that define the true essence of the region.

Accor, the leading hospitality player in Asia Pacific has formed a joint venture with the Araneta Group to build a new hotel in the Philippines –Novotel Manila Araneta Center. Targeted to open in 2010, Novotel Manila Araneta Center is located adjacent to the Araneta Coliseum and fully integrated with the Araneta Center Master Plan.

Whales and dolphins are making the tourism market boom, particularly in Chile, where tourism is becoming a key factor of Chile’s economic development strategy. More than one million tourists enjoyed viewing cetacean species in Latin America this past year, industry sources report.