Eleven Wireless announced that HotSpot International (HSI) has licensed ElevenOS. The on-demand software solution from Eleven will help HSI better manage its guest broadband networks in hotels. After intensive evaluation and testing, HSI decided to change its infrastructure to ElevenOS. “ElevenOS gives us the control, flexibility and features that were not offered by our previous software vendor,” said HotSpot International CEO Louie Miller. “Features such as bill-to-room through the PMS system regardless of user location in the hotel, group codes and meeting scheduling, along with multi-level access for reports and administration provide the ability to tailor the solution for the requirements of hotel chains or individual locations.”

Thailand is confident of grabbing a record number of tourists this year, with business returning to normal in resort areas devastated by last year´s tsunami, an official said Wednesday. “The next few months will be our high-peak season,” said Phornsiri Manoharn, the Tourism Authority of Thailand´s deputy governor for international marketing. “We feel certain we will meet our target of 13.4 million visitors. Thailand is back to normal and we are ready to welcome the world,” she said.

The Curacao Tourism Development Board (CTDB) announced the appointment of Clifton Walle as Executive Director of Tourism. In his new position, Mr. Walle will be responsible for marketing Curacao as a unique and different destination. “I am very committed to leading Curacao tourism to new heights,” commented Mr. Walle. “As a native Curacaoan, I know this island possesses all the qualities to become a first-class destination and one of the top seven tourism options in the Caribbean.”

Microsoft India, in collaboration with India´s Tourism Ministry, has introduced an exclusive Windows XP desktop theme that features the Incredible India campaign. The freely downloadable theme pack was consciously launched on Tuesday to coincide with the World Tourism Day, a Microsoft statement said here on Wednesday.

Local authorities in Cali are clearly angry over the latest travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department that tries to deter American citizens from trekking to that Colombian city. According to Foggy Bottom, the high levels of criminality in Cali –and in most of the South American nation- “pose a huge threat to the lives of U.S. citizens there,” the report indicates.

In an effort to assist its travel and tourism partners in the Gulf Coast region, the National Tour Association sent a letter today to President Bush urging him to make rebuilding the tourism industry in the Gulf Coast a priority of his administration. In a letter signed by NTA Chairman and CEO Ann Thomas, CTP, NTA noted that tourism restoration, development and promotion are an investment. “In a project that will have tremendous financial implications for our nation, investing in travel and tourism will generate additional tax revenues and will aide the recovery of this region.”