Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT) has revealed a drop of up to 30 percent visitor arrivals in the southern province of Thailand as a result of adverse publicity over two women tourists raped, resulting in one death. The incidents have hit the country´s tourism industry at a time when it is still reeling from the financial impact of the tsunami attacks, SARS, scare over avian flu, and a series of devastating bomb attacks in the southern provinces.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) today announced the appointment of Tom Conophy to the newly-created position of Chief Information Officer (CIO). Tom, who will report directly to CEO Andrew Cosslett and take a seat on the Group Executive Committee, will start in his position next month. Mr. Conophy, 45, joins from Starwood Hotels & Resorts International, where he held the position of Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer. Previous to Starwood, Tom was Senior Vice President for Strategic Architecture for Sabre Inc and has held senior technology management posts at Galileo International and Century Analysis Inc.

United Airlines quietly celebrated its departure from bankruptcy Wednesday, a leaner and more cost-efficient carrier after a painful restructuring that began in 2002 and lasted a record 1,150 days. America´s number-two airline said it would officially exit Chapter 11 when it files documents in U.S. Bankruptcy Court by day´s end. But it was marking the event in low-key fashion throughout the day even before that formality, sending top executives to airports around the country to thank United employees and customers for their patience.

Tornadoes early Thursday tore through New Orleans neighborhoods that were hit hard by Hurricane Katrina just five months earlier, collapsing at least one previously damaged house and battering the airport, authorities said. Roofs were ripped off and utility poles came down, but no serious injuries were reported.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez accepted Friday in Cuba an international award from UNESCO and opened Havana international Book Fair, this time around honoring Venezuela. Cuban President Fidel Castro presented the Venezuelan leader the Jose Marti Award before a massive crowd of over 200,000 people that gathered Friday night at Havana´s Revolution Square.

Turks and Caicos will hold this year´s World Travel Awards, World Travel Awards. Transformed from a sleepy fishing and farming community in the Caicos islands, and salt raking in the Turks Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands is now a shining beacon , with a rapidly expanding tourism sector. With such a world class offering, the islands are a fitting venue for next year´s World Travel Awards 13th Annual Gala Ceremony on September 20, 2006.