Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla on Tuesday signed into law a bill to establish Brand Puerto Rico, with the aim of projecting an image of the Caribbean island as an attractive tourist destination.

The logjam earlier this year of license renewals for companies operating people-to-people programs to Cuba appears to have loosened, as the licenses now are rolling in at a steady clip. A&K’s first departure is now set for Sept. 6, with additional departures later this year.

Mexico, Peru and Ecuador were among the big names to emerge victorious during the World Travel Awards South & Central America Gala Ceremony, held at the Huacca Pucllana Temple, Lima this evening.

In May 2013, Spain welcomed 5.8 million international tourists, representing a 7.4 per cent year on year increase. For the same period, the UK saw a 9.3 per cent yearly increase in visitors to Spain and accounted for well over a quarter of all international visitors. Between January and May 2013, Spain has welcomed in excess of 19.8 million international visitors representing a cumulative rise of 3.9 per cent year on year.