Madrid._ The World Tourism Organization (WTO) is starting next February an International Tourism Networks, with the aim to improving caution conditions for travelers in their trips. The networks will be available on the web and will report on safety conditions in more than 60 countries.

London._ P&O Princess Cruises, the third-largest cruise operator, rejected Carnival Corp´s sweetened hostile bid of US$6.4 billion) and reiterated its plan to buy Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd instead. P&O Princess has rejected two Carnival proposals, citing concern the combination would not win regulatory approval in the US or UK. The London-based cruise operator said it will pursue a US$7.4 billion plan to buy Royal Caribbean, which accused Carnival of being a spoiler.

Cancun._ As a result of the crisis sparked off by the developments of Sept. 11, Jamaica, as well as other Caribbean countries, are focusing more strongly on Europe. Jamaica is planning on hurling a campaign in the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany with printed publicity and TV ads from March on, as revealed during the Market Place event taking place in Cancun.

San Juan._ Under the Paradisus trademark, Sol Melia is cracking open its first-ever all-inclusive resort in Puerto Rico called Paradisus Puerto Rico. Located in Coco Beach, a 30-minute drive from San Juan, the new hotel will open up in the winter of 2002 after a total investment of $107 million for the project and a second phase to be completed in 2004-2005.

Hamilton._ Tourism, once the golden pillar of the Bermuda economy, has apparently slipped to third when it comes to propping up the economy. Opposition Leader and Shadow Finance Minister Dr. Grant Gibbons told The Royal Gazette that Bermuda Monetary Authority statistics for the first half of 2001 indicated that income from Bermudian investments and assets overseas totalled $222 million - ahead of tourism´s $173 million but behind the overall leader, international business.

Montevideo._ Argentine tourists who spend their vacations in Uruguay won’t be able to temporarily use their MasterCard or Visanet credit cards for installment payments as a result of the crisis in Argentina. Furthermore, it was said that those credit cards could be used for normal operations exempt of installment defraying. However, real estate renting and leasing contracts won’t be included in this measure.