People of the Caribbean are already watching Tempo, the new cable network devoted to all things Caribbean. With over 300,000 subscribers, Tempo is the most successfully distributed new channel by the Caribbean Cable Corp., one of the Tempo´s distributors. Some of the programming highlights include “Caribbean Rising,” a half-hour documentary style show that underscores the influence Caribbean people and the region itself have had on the world, and “Tempo Live and Direct,” showcasing some groundbreaking events taking place on various islands in the Caribbean.

Palace Resorts reopened the north section of its Aventura Spa Palace resort in Mexico´s Mayan Riviera following Hurricane Wilma, and several of its other properties are scheduled to come back online. The north section of the Aventura Spa Palace features some 900 of the resort´s 1,266 rooms, as well as the spa. The rest of the resort is scheduled to open November 30.

The Dominican Republic´s tourism sector maintains its position that hotel rooms be taxed with an 8 percent Processed Goods and Services (ITEBIS) tax, to ensure its competitive capacity in the region. Enrique de Marchena, president of the National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (ASONAHORES), added that hoteliers would pay 8 percent, rather than the 16 percent proposed by authorities.

Carlson Companies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Carlson Nelson has been picked to serve as vice chair of the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The announcement was made by U.S. Commerce Department Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez. The board will work with Secretary Gutierrez to determine how to increase the number of international visitors to the United States and help create a national tourism policy.

The WTO.SBEST course for Excellence in Tourism Destination Management will take place in Argentina´s Buenos Aires from December 5 to 17, within the framework of the agreement inked between WTO and the Ministry of Tourism of Argentina. The Argentine government, through the sponsorship of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is offering financial support for Spanish-speaking public officials and managers of tourism destination organizations to attend this intensive WTO.SBEST course on “Excellence in Tourism Destination Management”.

Switzerland Tourism (ST) has signed a marketing initiative with UNESCO to promote all World Heritage sites in the country. The agreement is valid until the end of 2006. Seven sites are on UNESCO´s list and they are Bern old town, Bellinzona castles, St Gallen and Mustair convents, the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn, the Monte San Giorgio, and the region of Entlebuch.