While the majority of destinations have cut infrastructure dollars in light of the global economy, Ecuador is one of the only countries continuing to invest in the sector. Travel Agent met with members of the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, as part of the 2011 ASTA Travel Retailing & Destination Expo.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into management agreements with OJSC Nash Dom-Primorye for two new Hyatt hotels in Russia. Hyatt Regency Vladivostok, Golden Horn and Hyatt Vladivostok, Burny, which will be the third and fourth Hyatt-branded hotels in Russia, are under construction and expected to open in advance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the fall 2012.

The Cayman Islands reported its 10th consecutive month of higher air arrival numbers, with 31,407 visitors in July 2011, an increase of 7.5 percent over July 2010 totals, the third-strongest July figures in the last 10 years, according to government officials.

Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, chief operating officer of the Mexico Tourism Board said that several cruise lines that canceled calls to some popular Mexico destinations later told Mexico representatives the decision was purely business and had nothing to do with whether the areas in question were safe or not.

On the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is calling on governments to adopt smarter visa and border security policies to promote Travel & Tourism as a driver of jobs and economic growth.

The total number of the travels of the Russian tourists abroad amounted to 18.3 million during the first six months of 2011 and increased by15 percent if to compare with the same period of last year.