With the rise of China, India, Russia and Brazil as tourism powerhouses and increased global competition, the UK looks to slip in terms of global competitiveness in the travel industry. This was one of the conclusions at a World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) meeting on Friday in London and comes after the publication of its latest research on UK tourism.

The Casino at Emerald Bay, which adjoins the Four Seasons Resort Great Exuma in the Bahamas, has opened as the first casino on the island. The 5,000-square-foot facility includes 65 slot machines and eight table games and is open daily.

The worldwide popularity of The Da Vinci Code has the travel industry abuzz with bookings to Rome, Paris and London. As travelers clamor for vacation deals, Virgin Vacations announces fling vacations to London, Paris and Rome. The unprecedented popularity of The Da Vinci Code has Americans flocking to the Internet to book vacations to the central cities in the book and motion picture –London, Paris and Rome.

A training course on the marketing and advertising of tourist destinations have been planned on Phu Quoc Island, off the coast of southern Kien Giang province, for officials from 39 tourism departments nationwide. The course, jointly conducted by the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VAT) and the European Commission (EC), is part of a US $1.4 million project to develop human resources for the Vietnamese tourism sector, funded by the European Union (EU).

There´s hardly a spot on Cuba untouched by its slavery past, not unlike most Caribbean islands. Ports where African slaves were brought in or taken away, fortresses built with their sweat and tears and sugar mills where they labored to fuel the economy dot the island. Later came the caves where runaway slaves found refuge and plazas that hosted rebellions.

SuperClubs Inclusive Resorts is bolstering its U.S. sales team headquartered in Hollywood, Florida, with a series of promotions, appointments and restructuring moves, marking its 30th anniversary. Bryan Drew, former general manager of Grand Lido Negril Resort & Spa, has been appointed vice president of retail sales. Mr. Drew, a veteran hotelier with a 20-year record under his belt, started his hospitality career with Hyatt Regency Hotels.