A forest fire which broke out in the world known Archeological Machu Picchu Park in the Andes highlands has been burning for the last four days with little prospects of a quick extinction, Peruvian newspapers report. According to police reports, dozens of firemen and forestry personnel are fighting the blaze which has razed tens of hectares and is threatening the habitat of several highlands species.

Europea de Seguros, Spain´s leading travel insurance company, has just appointed Sergio Serecigni Reboul as its new marketing director. Mr. Serecigni, 36, is a great connoisseur in the fields of international marketing, direct marketing and customer intelligence who got degrees in Marketing Management and Marketing at the Higher School of Marketing Management of Spain.

The Grenada Board of Tourism reports that Hurricane Emily, a category one storm that impacted Grenada on July 13, did not result in any damages to its hotel sector. The Grenada Board of Tourism also reports that all hotels are functioning as normal, as well as the established tourist sites and attractions, restaurants and dive sites. Grenada´s Carnival, set for August 8th and 9th, and the Carriacou Regatta, scheduled for July 24th to August 1st, will be held as planned.

Barbados braced for worst as hurricane Emily was dangerously closing in on the island last week. Barbadians awoke to the news that the country was still under the hurricane warning issued the day before and finished last minute preparations as they awaited the rains and heavy winds from Emily, expected to pass within 40 to 50 miles south of the country in the afternoon. Public sector employees were sent home from 10 a.m., while permanent secretaries and other senior Government officials remained on duty until the national shutdown.

In keeping with the British Virgin Islands Chief Minister´s promise to give an update on the Virgin Gorda airport, acting Chief Minister, Ronnie Skelton, held discussions last week with Air Safety Support International (ASSI) officials. It was agreed that the Virgin Gorda Airport will remain open and continue to operate with a provisional certificate. The British Virgin Islands Government will, however, continue discussions with ASSI officials with a view to establishing the terms and conditions of this provisional certificate.

Seven flights to and from Boston, Caracas, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Curacao and Aruba were cancelled at Las Americas Airport on Friday night due to the passing of Hurricane Emily. The National Emergency Commission also closed a large part of 30 de Mayo Highway as a preventative measure.