Delano Franklyn, Jamaica´s minister of state for foreign affairs and trade, yesterday urged the United Nations´ Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to use its clout to assist Jamaica´s education system. The local education system, Franklyn said at yesterday´s opening of UNESCO´s regional consultative meeting at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Rosehall, was dogged by old-style hierarchical management, outdated methodologies and uncreative thinking.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce is leading a cleanup campaign in the city this week as a prelude to a larger plan to market the second tourism capital as an ideal investor´s choice. The campaign started with a press launch at the city´s civic centre on July 8, under the theme, “Mo Bay: Cleaner, Friendlier”.

Despite the projected arrival of over one million tourists to watch the 2012 Olympic Games in London, authorities believe the big sport event won´t help the local travel industry. Countries that stage the Games suffer a drop in tourism in the years around the event, the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) study claims.

Visitors to Tijuana, Mexico, can get tourism information by using three new kiosks located at the Aberaldo L. Rodriguez International Airport, the Mexicoach Station, and at the San Ysidro-Tijuana International border. The kiosks offer information via interactive touch-screens on city attractions, hotels and restaurants, as well as maps, printable discount coupons and secure online reservations systems.

Canadians are discovering their home and native land in record numbers this year. When asked which Canadian cities were “tops” in their minds, the three most popular were Vancouver (for exploring), Niagara Falls (for romance) and Montreal (for the best Saturday night party city and for fine dining). itravel2000, Canada´s independent online travel retailer, is experiencing record bookings at its newest destination portal, itravelcanada.com.

FCm Travel Solutions has expanded its global reach by selecting Flytour not only as its partner in Brazil, but also to manage its new Latin America region. On behalf of FCm Travel Solutions, Flytour Business Travel will initially sign agreements with six other countries in the region, namely, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.