The Westminster Collection (TWC), the prestigious collection of venues in the City of Westminster, has announced a joint venture with Westminster City Council in an effort to further develop Business Tourism in the heart of London. The collaboration, which was officially launched, will include links between the two organizations web sites, joint networking events and promotional activities.

A large part of the Czech Paradise area including the Protected Czech Paradise nature reserve, the oldest in the Czech Republic, has been declared a UNESCO Geopark. The Czech Paradise joins 21 European and 8 Chinese Geoparks and can also pride itself on being the only such park in any of the countries which recently joined the European Union. Members of the Committee for European Geoparks, advisors to the World Geological Union and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have welcomed the Czech Paradise into a distinguished club of geologically valuable locations.

Spanish chain Barceló Hotels & Resorts has employed Rick McCauley as Director of Sales & Marketing for Canada. Mr. McCauley is a veteran travel industry expert with more than 25 years of experience specializing in the tour operator market. He will oversee all of the group and tour business originating in Canada for Barceló Hotels & Resorts.

Lan Argentina announced the beginning of an international service between Miami and Buenos Aires, Argentina on December 1. The non-stop overnight flight will depart Miami International Airport daily at 8.15 pm and arrive at Buenos Aires´ Ezeiza International Airport at 7.05 am the following morning. “We are happy to announce the launch of LAN Argentina´s first international operation. Our daily non-stop flight linking Miami and Buenos Aires will be an opportunity to offer our passengers and cargo customers a highly valuable and competitive service with the highest standards of quality, safety and service that distinguishes all LAN Alliance airlines,” said Paul Petrelli, General Manager of LAN Argentina.

The paralysis of Mexico´s world famous tourist resorts on the Yucatan peninsula caused by the devastating passage of Hurricane Wilma may slow the country´s economic growth in 2005 by up to a quarter of a percentage point. The region, which accounts for 35 percent of Mexico´s income from tourism, will take at least three to four months to recover, according to hotel owners.

At 6:30 a.m. October 24, Hurricane Wilma made landfall in Cape Romana, Florida, near Marco Island, as a Category 3 storm with sustained winds near 125 mph. The storm quickly sped across the state, dropping down to a Category 2 storm and moved out to the Atlantic Ocean on Monday afternoon, leaving severe damage and millions without power in its wake. Throughout Florida, six deaths were attributed to the passing of Wilma; in Mexico, four deaths have been attributed to the storm.