International tourism grew by almost 5 percent in the first half of 2011, totaling a new record of 440 million arrivals, according to UNWTO. Results confirm that, in spite of multiple challenges, international tourism continues to consolidate the return to growth initiated in 2010.

The role of leading travel brands in navigating the Caribbean through the global downturn is to be acknowledged at the World Travel Awards VIP ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 19, 2011.

The role of leading travel brands in navigating the Caribbean through the global downturn is to be acknowledged at the World Travel Awards VIP ceremony in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on October 19, 2011.

The Mexico Tourism Board, the executive agency of Mexico’s Tourism Secretariat, today announced that it has retained Vantage Strategy to serve as its lead in strategic online marketing toward the U.S. consumer.

With the approaching 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., the U.S. government not surprisingly is alerting the public to the potential for another attack timed around the anniversary. On Sept. 2, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel alert informing U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad of the continued threat posed by al-Qaeda and its affiliates.

Argentina and Chile are jointly promoting their countries in a round of events in Australia with the purpose of drawing more Aussie tourists. The promotion coincides with the recent announcement of Australia’s flag carrier Qantas direct flights to Santiago de Chile.