Online travel company Travelstart has started operations in Brazil by opening an office in Sao Paulo.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon said his government will spend $70 million during the next four years to clean up Acapulco Bay, where barely treated waste has tarnished beaches that were once top Mexican destinations for U.S. visitors.

Copa Airlines, Emirates and SN Brussels Airlines advised U.S. agents they are moving to all-e-ticket policies worldwide. A total of eight carriers have announced all-e-ticket policies prior to IATA’s implementation of 100 percent e-ticketing for agents outside the U.S.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released international traffic data for April. Year-on-year international passenger demand grew by 3 percent in April. Capacity growth of 5 percent saw load factors fall to 75.4 percent.

Brazilian airline TAM was awarded the 2008 Modern Consumer Award for Excellence in Customer Service in the airline category on the evening of May 26. The top consumer relations award in Brazil is given out once a year by Modern Consumer magazine in partnership with GFK Indicator, one of the world’s largest market research groups. TAM Marketing Director Manoela Amaro received the award on behalf of the company.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has named Amy Curtis-McIntyre to the newly created position of senior vice president, brand communication. In this role, Curtis-McIntyre is responsible for developing a global brand communication strategy to differentiate and drive preference for Hyatt’s full-service brands worldwide.