Hilton Worldwide continues expansion of its upscale Doubletree by Hilton brand, following the signing of franchise agreements for two new development deals in Turkey. One of the newly announced properties will be in the Turkish capital of Ankara, with an additional upscale hotel revealed for the Moda section of Istanbul.

PATA will help shape a recovery plan for tourism in Thailand once the situation in Bangkok has stabilized. A PATA delegation led by new Chairman Hiran Cooray met on May 18 with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. PATA headquarters and the PATA Chapter in Thailand will “assist the TAT in the recovery phase,” according to a statement. Also present at the meeting, held in Bangkok, was immediate-past PATA Chairman Phornsiri Manoharn. Manoharn is also a former governor of the TAT.

In a recent visit to the UNWTO headquarters in Spain’s Madrid, President of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez, expressed his firm belief in the social and economic contribution of tourism to sustainable development. This is the first visit of a President of the Dominican Republic to the Organization.

Florida is ramping up online and social media resources to assist travelers when planning getaways and visiting the Sunshine State this summer. The recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has raised many questions about the Florida beaches, especially for the holiday weekend.

Emirates, the biggest Arab airline, said annual profit more than quadrupled on cost savings and a rise in revenue from core business.

Bahrain aims to make tourism one of its top earners alongside banking over the next two decades, a top government official has announced.