The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is crying wolf over pollution generated by cruise liners and oil tankers that´s posing an impending threat to the poorest Caribbean islands and nations. UNEP experts note as many as 50,000 cruise liners with 14.5 million tourists onboard sail through the Caribbean Sea every year, let alone freighters and oil tankers that make this region one of the world´s busiest maritime traffic areas.

Two months after James Eramus has been in the post as the Front Office Manager for the Marriott´s Aruba Ocean and Surf Clubs, he has been praised as "a shinning example of hospitality ingénues". In his position, Mr. Eramus oversees day-to-day operations including check-in and check-out, bell service, doorman service, guest satisfaction, employee satisfaction and department´s budget.

Travelplan Tour Operator, a wholesale division in the Globalia Group, has welcomed Susana Reoyo as its new Sales Director. She’s entrusted with maximizing the company’s presence in the national and international markets. Mss Reoyo, a graduate on Public Relations and Publicity from the San Pablo University in Madrid, started her professional career in the tourist industry in 1991 in the marketing department of Pullmantur Tour Operator.

During the latest edition of the World Travel Awards in Barbados, Amadeus E-Travel was picked as the best online booking outlet of the world in 2004. "This award is not only a recognition to investment programs on information technology, but also a sign of the excellent results travel agencies and airlines can come up with in terms of growth numbers, benefits and faithfulness to the end users, said Jérôme Destors, chief of Suppliers & Agencies for Amadeus´ E-Travel.

The lack of equipment and personnel is barring tourism police officers from guaranteeing safety and security for foreign visitors, even though local authorities insist the Caribbean country is still a "safe travel destination." Tourism Police Chief Daniel Martinez said he only has 900 law enforcement officers on the beat in different travel circuits, way too few to patrol all the resorts and keep crime at bay.

A pair of Cuban Cohibas have joined our list of classic smokes with ratings of 95 points. It´s hard to imagine that the Cohiba Robusto has been made for only 15 years, the magazine Cigar Aficionado has highlighted. This benchmark smoke is the very definition of a strong, bold cigar. One from that first release in 1989 retained its spicy character, while maintaining full-bodied balance and scoring 95 points. A Cohiba Lancero from 1990 also scored 95 points, showing delicate flavors and a surprisingly perfect draw.