UNESCO marked its 60th anniversary with a symposium chaired by one of the great thinkers of the 20th century, the French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss. Levi-Strauss, who is 96, took part in a ceremony attended by UNESCO director-general Koichiro Matsuura and two of his predecessors, Amadou-Mahtar M´Bow and Federico Mayor.

UNESCO marked its 60th anniversary with a symposium chaired by one of the great thinkers of the 20th century, the French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss. Levi-Strauss, who is 96, took part in a ceremony attended by UNESCO director-general Koichiro Matsuura and two of his predecessors, Amadou-Mahtar M´Bow and Federico Mayor.

Aruban officials have appealed to the US State Department and the Netherlands for help against a call for a tourist boycott of the Dutch Caribbean island over complaints the investigation into the disappearance of an Alabama teenager was mishandled. Tourism Minister Edison Briesen said Wednesday that it´s too early to determine whether a call by Alabama Gov. Bob Riley to boycott the island due to the handling of the Natalee Holloway case has led to any cancellations.

Amadeus has reported significant growth in cruise bookings of more than 75 percent (year-on-year) through its unique Cruise reservations solution, as per the information available. The company has signed 65 new UK cruise customers so far this year.

Italy ranks as the top overall destination, according to a first-of-its-kind global survey released today that identifies countries as brands and suggests the pivotal role that branding could make in helping countries differentiate themselves. Australia and the U.S. take the second and third positions in the FutureBrand Country Brand Index, which is comprised of a three-tier analysis of statistics, a global quantitative survey, and expert opinions of international travel professionals.

Cendant Hotel Group has established a hotel management company to oversee daily operations of the more than 20 Wyndham hotels the company runs. Cendant also announced the appointment of Greg Ade as its president. Mr. Ade will oversee the company´s managed Wyndham hotels and the nearly 3,500 employees who work in them.