Bayahibe’s marine surface, “known as one of the richest and most important coral ecosystems in the Antilles,” now has its own information guidebook to assist tourists around the world that love underwater life about their explorations in the zone. “You could say that this is a guide for ecological snorkeling, given that in it are contained all pertinent conservation measures that should be applied when submerging under our waters,” said Lissette Gil, director of the Romana-Bayahibe Hoteliers Association.

Many Americans over 65 rely on Medicare health insurance, but Medicare generally does not cover health services outside the U.S. or its territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands). The November issue of TravelSmart Newsletter reports that in rare emergencies, Medicare will pay for care in Canada or Mexico, particularly if a hospital in either country is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital.

The newest member of Leading Hotels of the World is Tortuga Bay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Of the 355 hotels that applied last year for acceptance into Leading Hotels, two dozen properties (7 percent of the total applicants) were accepted.

California’s Los Angeles has become the first city in the world ever to get the green light for opening a tourism office in China. The city’s mayor opened the Beijing office last week in a ceremony attended by Chinese officials and a delegation of Los Angeles business and elected leaders. LA INC., recognized as the official organization responsible for marketing Los Angeles tourism, said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the president of LA INC., Mark Liberman, formally opened the first city-level tourism office licensed to operate in China.

The Las Vegas tourism industry roared to life after a three-month slide in visitor numbers with the area’s strongest August on record. More than 3.3 million visitors came to the valley during the month, a 2.7 percent increase compared with 3.2 million visitors in August 2005, according to statistics released Thursday by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

The answer to a big question –the future of New Orleans’ cruise ship industry- is now unfolding as the first regularly scheduled liner to sail since Hurricane Katrina left the city’s docks. Before Katrina, four cruise ships were home-ported in New Orleans. The industry was rapidly expanding, with more than 700,000 passengers leaving and arriving in 2004 through the Port of New Orleans.