The Ozama river dredging and resumption of the Don Diego Port construction would allow the Dominican capital to start harboring the 40 cruise ships on schedule for the 2006-2007 season, according to investors of the project. Lisandro Macarulla, president of the Sans Souci firm undertaking this enterprise, announced that on October 24, the Braemar cruise ship will arrive, to become the first to use the modern sea terminal, after its total reconstruction.

The Kuoni Group has bought British travel company Holiday Supplies Ltd. The acquisition underlines Kuoni’s strategy of expansion in the specialist and premium segments. Kuoni UK is buying Holiday Supplies Ltd. from its owners and founders. Since 1972, this company is well established in the UK market for high quality escorted tours to New Zealand, Australia, Ecuador/Galapagos, South Africa, Canada and China.

Online travel company Travelocity has chosen AT&T to provide the technology infrastructure for its two primary call centers. The three-year multimillion dollar agreement expands an existing agreement between AT&T and Travelocity’s parent company, Sabre Holdings Corporation.

Edward Steiner has been promoted as Senior Vice President in Latin America and the Caribbean for One&Only Resorts and Managing Director of the One&Only Palmilla, in the Bahamas. Mr. Steiner is internationally recognized as one of the industry’s most distinguished hoteliers and is known for his hands-on management approach, with more than twenty years of experience under his belt.

The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) has applauded the decision of the U.S. House and Senate to push back the passport requirement deadline for all travelers entering the United States by land. The new date for the implementation of this requirement is now June 1, 2009. “The Hotel Association of Canada has always recognized that continental security is critical for all,” stated HAC President Tony Pollard. “We want to do this right at the outset –including the necessary technological infrastructure and conversion standards and training.”

The sudden resignation September 29 of Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.), following allegations that he sent sexually related electronic messages to at least one congressional page, leaves the Congressional Travel & Tourism Caucus without one of its co-founders. Mr. Foley, in a bi-partisan effort, teamed with Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) in 1997 to resurrect the then long-dormant caucus to draw support for the travel industry and to highlight its impact on the U.S. economy.