News articles in Tourism Boards

Bikinis and Booze are Welcomed in Egypt.

(Dive Travel Business News - May 22, 2013) -- Earlier this month, Egypt's tourism minister claimed the Islamist-ruled country was open to bikini wearing, alcohol drinking tourists as part of his plan to boost Egypt's tourism numbers.

Hisgam Zaazou is looking to increase the country's tourism rate after it drastically declined when a popular uprising overthrew president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. The minister said the government had "optimistic goals" for the sector, and played down comments from radical Salafi Muslim groups who have called for a ban on alcohol and women wearing swimsuits.

In 2010, before the uprising, Egypt received $12.5 billion in earnings from 14.7 million visitors, but in 2011 arrivals slowed to 9.8 million producing a revenue of $8.8 billion.

Zaazou's strategy looks to promote the idea that Egypt is safe and open for all kinds of visitors. During his visit to the United Arab Emirates he disparaged comments from radical Salafi Muslim groups who have called for a ban on alcohol and women wearing bathing suits. read more »

Belize Tourism Board Honors Tourism Industry Partners at the Twelfth Annual Tourism Awards Ceremony.

(Dive Travel Business News.com - May 28, 2013) -- On Saturday, May 18, 2013, over two hundred and thirty guests, including industry stakeholders and government officials, gathered at Bannister Caye in Belize to honor the recipients of the 12th Annual National Tourism Awards. Among those was Splash Dive Center based in Placencia who BTB named Tour Operator of the Year.

"Splash Dive Center - A licensed tour operator that excels in customer service, creativity, and personalization, while offering a variety of tours. This tour operator sets the bar for marketing initiatives, meeting the standards of safety and security, equipment quality, cleanliness and reliability. This awardee ensures that visitors have a memorable and enriching experience, therefore, leaving guests with a great lasting impression of Belize."

Belize has some great diving including the famous Blue Hole and is one of the few places on the planet where you can schedule diving with whale sharks. You can check Splash Dive Center Belize our at www.splashbelize.com read more »

New Thai Minister of Tourism puts Tourism Safety First

(Dive Travel Business News - April 10, 2013) -- Under the direction of the new Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Dive Travelers to Thailand will be better protected as visitor safety and security will be a primary focus of Tourism policy.

"Thailand will be a safer place under my watch," said career politician and former provincial governor Mr. Somsak Pureesrisak, who has been appointed Minister of Tourism and Sports, effective April 9. He replaces the late Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa, who passed away last January 2013.

The policy emphasis was welcomed by TAT Governor Suraphon Svetasreni. "Safety and security for visitors is becoming an over-arching area of importance all through the global travel & tourism industry. We constantly get questions about this matter at international trade shows, and are very pleased that the minister has taken up this issue as a matter of priority." read more »

Second Strong Year of Arrivals for Cayman Islands.

(Dive Travel Business News - Friday January 18, 2013) -- Although final year-end 2012 numbers have yet to be issued, Cayman Islands air arrivals for were up 3.9 percent between January and September. Air arrivals through November of 2012 (the last month for which statistics are available), showed the destination within reach of its goal, with 286,242 arrivals. When the final tally is in it will have welcomed more than 300,000 overnight visitors in 2012, the first time in 10 years the Caribbean destination has registered as many “stayover” tourists in consecutive years, according to Shomari Scott, director of tourism.

While the year-end 2012 will not reach the historic highs achieved between 2003 and 2007 (when annual cruise traffic averaged 1,790,106 visitors), the destination’s cruise business remains buoyant, said Scott, echoing the Caymans’ success in attracting more overnight visitors. read more »

South Africa Reports Record Visitors from U.S. in 2011

(Dive Travel Business News - May 4, 2012) -- South African Tourism North America said 2011 was a record-breaking year of tourist arrivals from the U.S. following a breakthrough year with FIFA World Cup that made history in South Africa. With a year-on-year increase of 1.9 percent, representing 287,614 travelers from the U.S., and a total increase of 23.2 percent in the last two years during one of the toughest economic times is proof of the resiliency of the destination.

South African Tourism attributes positive and sustainable growth numbers to concerted efforts by partners in both trade and consumer marketing that always stressed value for money. Major investments in integrated marketing platforms in 2011 parlayed mass-level consumer awareness including media partnerships with the New York Times Travel Show, the Los Angeles Times Travel Show, National Geographic & Whole Foods experience, as well interactive social media programs. read more »

Orlando to Offer Flights to Cuba.

(Dive Travel Business News - Feb 27, 2012) -- Orlando International Airport is the latest U.S. airport to be granted permission to offer flights to Cuba. The airport received the OK from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Feb 1, 2012. But airport officials said that none are currently scheduled. As the seventh airport to be given approval for Cuba, Orlando International joins Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Key West, Palm Beach and Fort Myers in facilitating such flights. read more »

Tourist Boom Continues in Cuba.

(Dive Travel Business News - January 27, 2012) -- Fueled by the Arab Spring, changes in US policy and economic reforms, Cuba is enjoying one of the best tourist seasons ever. Last year Cuba had it's best year ever with 2.7 million visitors but observers are predicting that this year should beat that number. The political stability and lack of crime in tightly controlled Cuba are strong lures for visitors. Clean Cuban beaches are also an attraction.

This high season has also seen a resurgence in visitors from Europe. Cuba has attracted many Europeans who would have gone to North Africa but balked because of the "Arab Spring" uprisings, tourism officials say.

Cuban Americans have been flooding into Cuba since U.S. President Barack Obama lifted restrictions for them to travel to their homeland in 2009. But now the number of other American visitors is climbing after Obama changed regulations in 2011, making it easier for non-Cuban Americans to enter a country the US trade embargo made off-limits for the past 50 years. read more »

Understanding the Mexico Travel Alert

(Dive Travel Business News May 27, 2011) -- The most recent U.S. State Department alert, issued April 22, expanded the areas in Mexico that are experiencing drug-cartel-related violence and advised U.S. travelers to exercise caution in visiting some parts of Mexico. One of the more confusing things about the State Department’s warning was that it sometimes named cities, sometimes states,sometimes vaguely delineated portions of states, sometimes roads, routes or border areas: The result leaves many travelers with the impression that entire states posed a security risk for visitors. read more »

New Packages Could Open U.S. Travel to Cuba

New Two-Destination Packages Could Open U.S. Travel to Cuba

(Dive Travel Business News - May 25, 2011) -- A joint project to develop tourism links between Cuba and Mexico could open the U.S. tour market to the Caribbean islands in the form of vacation packages that combine Mexico and Cuba.

The decision by Cuba and Mexico to work together to promote vacations that combine both countries was unveiled at Cuba’s recent 31st International Tourism Fair in Cuba (FITCUBA 2011). FITCUBA is Cuba’s annual international trade event, attracting travel agents and tour operators from 40 countries, including Western Europe and Canada – but not the U.S.

Cuba is the Caribbean’s third most popular destination, according to Cuba’s tourism ministry, and that’s without benefit of travel from the destination’s number one travel market – the U.S. The U.S. market accounts for more than half of the Caribbean’s annual vacation visitors.

At least one American proponent of opening U.S. travel to Cuba sees the joint promotion with Mexico as a foot in the door for American travelers. read more »

Blue Dives Deeper

Online Dive Magazine "Blue" offers up Caribbean dive destination details.

(Dive Travel Business News - May 12, 2011) -- Blue magazine continues to promote the scuba diving and ecotourism markets of the Caribbean in its current issue, which is now available through various dive centres and tourism affiliates, regionally and internationally.

The second issue, April-July 2011, features Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Kitts and Nevis, all chosen for their increasing popularity and success in the tourism sector.

Barbados turns out to be a pleasant surprise as a scuba diving destination. It is more widely known for its beaches, blissful resorts and numerous attractions-a place where one can go diving while on vacation. Blue magazine illustrates in depth, just how good the diving really is and how diverse Barbados' mastery of its tourism product has become. read more »