Following an unusually cold and prolonged winter, UK consumers are turning to the internet to research weather forecasts in nearby holiday destinations as they seek out short breaks and holidays in the sun. According to Hitwise, the online competitive intelligence service, searches for “weather” and “forecast” frequently form part of destination searches driving traffic to the online travel sector.

New York-based JetBlue will become the first low-cost carrier to serve Aruba from the United States, a spokesperson from the U.S. Transportation Department said this week. Following Washington´s approval, JetBlue is planning to begin service from New York (Kennedy Airport) beginning September 15 on A320 aircraft.

The Senate approved an amendment that would push back the implementation date of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law that requires persons crossing U.S. borders to present a passport or other U.S. government-approved documentation. However, in the flurry of activity surrounding the passage of the amendment, an impression emerged that the amendment would impact a series of phased in administrative deadlines imposed by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, the agencies responsible for enforcing the WHTI.

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) tapped Donald Dawson as interim director of tourism, effective June 1. Mr. Dawson, who currently serves as deputy director of tourism, sales/USA with more than 30 years of experience at the JTB, will serve in the position until a candidate is named to replace Paul Pennicook, currently director of tourism.

Bocage Secondary School in Castries, St. Lucia, has won the first Treasure St. Lucia tradeshow competition, run by Sandals Resorts International and the St. Lucia Tourist Board. The school beat nine others to claim the $1,800 dollars awarded at a ceremony at the Sandals Halcyon in St. Lucia. Treasure St. Lucia aims to encourage school children to be more aware of the importance of tourism to the island.

A Boeing 777 airliner from Varig, Brazil´s downtrodden carrier, was seized last week during service at JFK Airport in New York due to non-payment. The information was confirmed by a Varig spokesman on Thursday.