Director of the St. Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB) Louis Lewis, has re-affirmed the government’s commitment to taking the necessary steps to safeguard the tourism industry against crime.

Donald N. Martin & Company released its monthly update of American travel to Europe on behalf of the European Travel Commission (ETC). According to the report, overall trans-Atlantic traffic, which includes traffic in both directions, fell for the 14th consecutive month in December, but only by an average 1.7 percent as reported by leading carriers.

Walter Keats, president of Asia Pacific Travel, reported that North Korea’s state-run travel company, the Korea International Travel Company, has confirmed its decision to allow American tourists permission to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) all year long, giving Americans the same visitation privileges as other nationalities.

Resorts along Cancun beaches are again showcasing their white-sand beaches that have been the Yucatan’s primary attraction.

Growth returned to international tourism in the last quarter of 2009 contributing to better than expected full-year results, according to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. International tourist arrivals fell by an estimated 4 percent in 2009. Prospects have also improved with arrivals now forecast to grow between 3 percent and 4 percent in 2010. This outlook is confirmed by the remarkable rise of the UNWTO Panel of Experts’ Confidence Index.

Japan launched a comprehensive campaign for the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Along with the tourism campaign, the Japan Tourism Agency set the Japan MICE Year to appeal Japan as MICE-friendly destination as well as further promotion to the international MICE market.