Quintana Roo Governor Felix Gonzalez announced this week the beginning of an aggressive onslaught aimed at thwarting violent gangs that are playing havoc with some of the country´s premier Caribbean destinations, like Cancun. Mr. Gonzalez huddled recently with U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, in an effort to persuade American authorities not to issue travel warnings that might eventually blemish Cancun´s glitzy image.

Behind the glitzy playgrounds of Cancun is a growing drug war, fueled by widespread police corruption, the partial disruption of once-popular trafficking routes through Haiti and a sudden turf battle between two of the country´s main drug gangs. Three years after authorities thought they broke up the cocaine trade here, nine people have turned up dead, revealing a smuggling ring involving corruption at all levels of government and that took even federal investigators by surprise.

Pedro Pelaez has wrapped up a successful tenure as general manager of Havana´s seafront Riviera Hotel and moved up the ladder as Marketing Chief for the Gran Caribe Group, one of the island nation´s top hotel chains. The lodging´s front office has appointed Jesus Enriquez at the helm of this flagship establishment built in the late 1950s and that has remained one of the hottest spots in Havana for over five decades.

Riu Hotels and Resorts will open its third all-inclusive resort in Jamaica and its 24th in the Caribbean next November, the 846-room ClubHotel Riu Ocho Rios on Jamaica´s north coast. Facilities will include six restaurants, seven bars, two pools, a sauna, and a kids´ club. Riu has two properties in Negril, Jamaica, two in Florida, 10 in Mexico, one in the Bahamas and eight in the Dominican Republic, totaling 11,087 rooms. The total number of Riu-operated properties worldwide is 110.

Pegasus Solutions, Inc. today announced new customers and other participants for its PegsTour service, which enables automated hotel reservations by tour operators and other wholesale travel distributors. Many Pegasus hotel chain customers, including Sol Meliá, have signed agreements to participate, and new wholesale customers have been added. Dallas-based Pegasus Solutions is a global leader in providing technology and services to hotels and travel distributors.

The 83-suite Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa announces its new Summer-Autumn Super Sale package, which offers a savings of 20% off regular rates. Ocean views, full service spa, eclectic atmosphere, first class personalized service and a great savings make Puerto Vallarta the ideal summer or autumn getaway. The special summer autumn rates are valid for travel between now and December 23, 2005. Deluxe Room $132, Premiere Room $160, Suite $187, Master Suite $215, all rates are per room, per night, based on single or double occupancy, taxes and gratuities are additional. Package is subject to availability. An all inclusive supplement of $70 is available.