Continental Airlines announced that it has given notice it will withdraw 69 of 274 regional jet aircraft from its capacity purchase agreement with ExpressJet Holdings, Inc. and ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. (ExpressJet). ExpressJet is currently the exclusive operator of regional jet services for Continental Airlines. Continental will request proposals from numerous regional jet operators to provide regional jet service to replace the withdrawn capacity. The transition of service from ExpressJet to a new operator is expected to begin in January 2007 and be completed during the summer of 2007.

Scholarships of up to $20,000 are being made available to Caribbean nationals wishing to study tourism or hospitality, as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) again assists with the educational development of the region´s youth. The region´s tourism development agency, through its scholarship program, the CTO Foundation, is awarding the scholarships to individuals wanting to study tourism or hospitality at the Master´s (postgraduate) level.

Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. said last week it reopened its land-based casino at the Isle of Capri Casino Resort in Biloxi, Mississippi, following Hurricane Katrina in August. The company said that the casino includes 950 slot machines, a poker room with nine poker tables, 27 table games, two restaurants and 550 hotel rooms. Plans call for a new European spa and additional hotel rooms to open after the new year.

Tourism Australia is to launch a major publicity campaign to lure international visitors to the country. The initiative follows recent riots and consequential issuance of caution against traveling by various travel advisories. Tourism Australia is planning several campaigns, with a particular focus on the US and European markets. New South Wales (NSW) Premier Morris Lemma made a personal plea to international tourists to ignore travel warnings, according to local media. “My message is very simple,” he said. “It is a great city to come to, it is a great city to live in, and the message over summer will be that those 800 police will be out in force. This is a safe city.”

Friends of Maldives (FOM), the UK-based aid and campaign group, used the recent World Human Rights Day to launch a campaign to boycott 24 named resorts in the Maldives that are operated by owners known to be closely linked to the regime of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The concept of a boycott of specific resorts in the Maldives has been developed by Maldivians who say that tourism to the specific resorts have enabled President Gayoom to maintain his power base.

The Fairmont Mayakoba Hotel in Mexico is currently taking reservations for visits beginning April 1, 2006. The resort´s original opening date was delayed due to damage sustained from Hurricane Wilma. Fairmont is working hard to restore this unspoiled tropical paradise to its original beauty –badly battered by Wilma´s gusty winds and pouring rainfall back in October- and looks forward to welcoming guests to the Riviera Maya.