Americans may get an extra year before needing a passport to return from the Caribbean, according to a senior U.S. State Department undersecretary. If that much-discussed delay occurs, U.S. citizens will not need passports coming home from Caribbean trips until December 31, 2006, according to the official, who said the delay is "highly likely" and may be announced by month´s end. The delay to the Caribbean deadline would put it on the same effective date as travelers returning from Canada and Mexico.

Sandals Resorts in St Lucia have scooped three trophies from the Ministry of Agriculture at the island´s first National Biodiversity Awards. Sandals won the awards for Private Sector Support to Environmental Management, Access and Benefit Sharing in Bio Diversity Management and Bio Business for Environmental Management.

Global hotel group Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with Pierhead Project Investors Inc. to manage a 200-bedroom hotel in Barbados. Part of a new luxury waterfront development at the Pierhead in Bridgetown, Le Meridien Barbados is expected to open in 2010. The five-star hotel, just 20 minutes from the airport, will be part of a mixed development project, which will also include 200 apartments, a 150-berth marina, tax-free shopping outlets, parking and a maritime museum.

In an effort to provide its visitors with a vibrant new look and feel reflecting the ease and spirit of La Cabana, the Aruban resort has recently revamped its website, www.Lacabana.com, and is now offering a fifth night free on all new Internet bookings, now through December 31, 2005, with the purchase of four nights or more. “Our newly revamped website provides a more accurate representation of the resort with vivid photography and a fun user experience,” said Albert Laclé, director of Sales & Marketing, La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort & Casino. “As an added incentive to drive bookings to the new site, La Cabana is now offering a fifth night free on all online reservations made through the end of the year,” he added.

Two Argentines out of a group of five remain lost in an Antarctic crevasse in King George Island, while the other three were rescued on Sunday by a Chilean Air Force helicopter. The three could have been rescued on Saturday but decided to remain next to the so far unfathomable crevasse which virtually gobbled their lost companions. A new rescue attempt has been scheduled as soon as Antarctic weather conditions improve, although all contact with the two Argentines was lost Saturday when the accident occurred.

Barcelo Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Linda Finley to the newly created position of Director of Group Sales, Incentives & Meetings. In this position, Ms Finley will also oversee the incentive and business travel markets for Barcelo Hotels & Resorts worldwide with an emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. Ms. Finley´s appointment is made in conjunction with this year´s planned opening of the Barcelo Maya Tropical & Colonial Beach in Riviera Maya, as well as the acquisition of The Tucancun in Cancun, Mexico, and the growing emphasis on Barcelo Resort properties in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Ms. Finley is a 20 year hospitality industry sales veteran.