As part of its strategy to ensure Jamaica maintains its competitive advantage in the marketplace, and enhances its appeal to visitors, a series of expansions in the attractions and entertainment sectors as well as infrastructural developments have been undertaken. As part of the airport expansion and development program, work is ongoing at both international airports.

Finnair, the national carrier of Finland, will operate five non-stop flights per week between Toronto and Helsinki starting June 6, 2010. Finnair will offer all-economy class flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, leaving Toronto at 10:50 p.m., arriving in Helsinki at 2 p.m. the next afternoon. Return flights will depart Helsinki at 5:45 p.m., arriving in Toronto at 7:35 p.m. on the same day. This schedule will be in effect from June 6 to September 9, 2010.

The sharp falls in tourist numbers to India have leveled out, according to the tourism minister. Kumari Selja said tourist numbers had dropped by 7 percent to 4.2m in the 10 months to October compared to the same period last year. Foreign earnings however have risen and are up by 4.1 percent over the same period.

Around 80 Tourism Ministers meeting at the UNWTO Ministers’ Summit called for global policies that are supportive of the travel and tourism industry. Ministers recalled that tourism is one of the world’s top job creators and can be a key driver of recovery and the transformation towards the Green Economy.

The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism has launched an international design competition for a new tourism logo for 2010 that reflects its culture, history, accommodations and activities.

The meetings and convention business in Puerto Rico has weathered the economic downturn better than most. For fiscal year 2008-09, which ended June 30, the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau reported a 20 percent increase in new bookings, generating more than $20 million in new conventions and meetings business for the destination.