The Sunshine State might have been first in line when they handed out natural assets, sandy beaches and great weather not least among them. So it’s no surprise Florida is touting its myriad environmental charms as it looks to solidify the tourism gains it’s made despite last year’s Gulf oil spill.

Marriott International announced the launch of a new global sales strategy to significantly improve the delivery of its sales and account management services in Russia. This new sales structure and focus on Russia reflects Marriott’s commitment to this growing customer base and the importance of the country as a key global source market.

The Quito, Ecuador, Visitors’ Bureau announced a new international marketing campaign targeted toward American and European leisure travelers. The campaign will feature advertising, public relations, social media and travel trade activities in the U.S., Germany, Spain and the U.K., and promote the attractions of the historic city, which became UNESCO’s first World Heritage site in 1978.

The Turks & Caicos Islands expect to welcome their 1 millionth tourist arrivals by the second week in October, according the Turks & Caicos Tourist Board (TCTB). While TCTB officials did not reveal overall tourist arrival figures, “Turks and Caicos tourist arrivals for 2010 remain strong with a 12 percent increase when compared to 2009,” according to a statement.

The Ministry of Tourism is currently developing a National Tourism Strategy and Implementation Plan in an effort to improve the sector. Tourism Minister Dr Rupert Griffith disclosed this last Monday at the San Juan Business Association’s Tourism Symposium at Himalaya Club, San Juan.

Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), Alec Sanguinetti, today said that the industry is having its worst period in its history due to the ongoing global financial crisis and government taxation policies. “The industry I would say is threatened and unfortunately because of the contracting of government revenues because of the downturn in tourism (and) tourism has become the bull’s eye for taxation,” Sanguinetti said.