Tropical depression 16 popped up about 180 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida on Tuesday and prompted a tropical storm warning along 120 miles of Florida´s Atlantic coast, from Jupiter north of Palm Beach to Titusville near Cape Canaveral. The tropical depression could strengthen into Tropical Storm Ophelia anytime soon, with a threat of heavy rains over the next few days along the coast. Ophelia would be the 15th tropical storm of the 2005 season, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (PRCB) announced its year-end results during the organization´s annual membership meeting held on August 24. The presentation was made to more than 400 members of the organization at the new Puerto Rico Convention Center. During Fiscal Year 2004-2005, the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has confirmed a total of 557 definite group bookings for a total of 241,084 overall room nights. This stands for a five percent increase over bookings in the past fiscal year. In addition, 1,541 leads were generated in fiscal year 2004-2005, representing a total of 1,170,252 potential room night bookings in Puerto Rico.

Nearly 30,000 visitors crowded into Hong Kong Disneyland on Sunday for a charity trial run, putting the theme park to its first major test ahead of its official opening on Sept. 12. The park has said 30,000 is the maximum number of visitors it can accommodate in a day. Television news showed long queues of people both outside and inside the park despite rainy weather. Throngs of visitors were shown pouring out of special Disney trains to the park, which recorded 20,000 passengers by noon. Car parking spaces outside the park were also full by noon.

Ana María Viscasillas, president & CEO of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). The organization, formerly known as the International Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (IACVB), is the world´s largest association of convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs), serving more than 1,200 members from more than 550 destination marketing organizations in more than 30 countries worldwide. Ms. Viscasillas´ nomination was presented to the DMAI Membership during the annual business meeting at the association´s Annual Convention in San Diego, CA in August. As a result of her confirmation, Viscasillas will serve a three-year term with the DMAI Board of Directors, beginning on October 20, 2005 through August 2008.

The University of Hawaii´s School of Travel Industry Management (TIM) on Oahu will launch its first approved Master of Science degree program in Singapore next February. Focusing on tourism and travel in the Asia-Pacific region, TIMS hopes to attract both students and mid-career professionals to the program.

Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa has been awarded the ENTRÉE Travel Newsletter Golden E of Excellence by Editor and Publisher William Tomicki. Speaking from his Santa Barbara headquarters, Mr. Tomicki said that Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa was only the 35th property to be recognized in ENTREE´s 25-year history.