Imposition of a 1 percent increase in the hotel tax in the Turks and Caicos has been postponed to Nov. 1.

Imposition of a 1 percent increase in the hotel tax in the Turks and Caicos has been postponed to Nov. 1.

FareCompare.com, an influential airfare monitoring service, reports an unusually large number of domestic U.S. city pairs with an increase of up to $16 roundtrip –a hike initiated by American Airlines. FareCompare.com says Continental and Southwest started matching AA, quickly followed by Delta/Northwest, United and US Airways.

Although airline fares themselves may be dropping, it still may be difficult for some travelers to find bargain rates. Why? Creeping surcharges and baggage fees are quickly and surely becoming the standard in the airline industry.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is aggressively reading for 2010 with new marketing initiatives and upcoming events such as Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, new air service, the expansion of the destination’s Port Everglades to receive and home port the largest cruise ship in the world and new hospitality industry developments are destined to bolster year-end results and build a strong foundation for 2010.

Marriott International, Inc. reported third-quarter 2009 adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to Marriott of $53 million, a 57 percent decline over the year-ago quarter, and adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Marriott shareholders of $0.15, down 55 percent.