STR and STR Global have formed a partnership with Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics’ company dedicated to quantitative analysis of the travel industry. The partnership will allow STR and STR Global to combine historical data with Tourism Economics’ rigorous modeling with industry knowledge to produce the ultimate resource for market forecasting.

There’s concern that Dr Jean Holder’s departure from LIAT could have a negative impact on the Antigua-based airline as it prepares to make some major decisions.

Hong Kong-based New World Hospitality has agreed to purchase luxury chain Rosewood Hotels & Resorts from Rosewood Corp. and Maritz, Wolff & Co. for $229.5 million. New World Hospitality manages New World hotels in China and Southeast Asia; the company describes the New World brand as “deluxe.”

Virgin America has garnered a reputation of being one of the best and fastest growing of the new crop of domestic airlines, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t taking a financial hit from higher fuel prices just like U.S. legacy carriers. On June 20, the airline, which is nearly a quarter owned by Virgin Atlantic, reported a $29.5 million operating loss, largely due to significantly higher fuel prices as well as its continued expansion.

In his contribution to the 2011/2012 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly on June 7 the Hon. Neko C Grant, Minister of Public Works and Transport said ensuring that adequate infrastructure exists throughout The Bahamas to support the future growth of the tourism industry is vital. Mr. Grant told Parliamentarians that over the past three years the Ministry of Public Works has played a pivotal role in “extensive” public infrastructure enhancements.

Northstar Travel Media, the leading business-to-business information company serving the travel and meetings industries, has acquired PhoCusWright Inc., the premier global travel, tourism and hospitality research and event business.