Florida International University (FIU), Carnival Corp. and Carnival Cruise Lines marked the dedication of the new Carnival Student Center at FIU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the university’s Biscayne Bay Campus.

Construction is underway at Kittitian Hill, a new 18-hole golf course on the island of St Kitts in the Caribbean. Designed by European Golf Design, in association with US Masters winner and 2006 Ryder Cup Captain Ian Woosnam, the course sits on the lower slopes of Mount Liamuiga, with each hole offering panoramic views of the Caribbean sea and surrounding islands.

Panama’s minister of science, technology and innovation has announced a socio-economic research study on the impact of sport fishing tourism. The Billfish Foundation in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will conduct the research.

Tourism minister Francisco Javier Garcia Wednesday questioned the World Economic Forum report which affirms that Dominican republic’s tourism has lost competitiveness, noting that the local tourism sector wasn’t consulted.

Carnival Corp. and plc named Robert “Jerry” Montgomery, a hospitality industry veteran, senior vice president of global human resources. In this position, Montgomery is responsible for corporate human resources strategies across Carnival Corp. and plc’s worldwide organization, which includes offices in North America, Europe and Australia.

A large number of tourists are thought to be among 400 passengers feared drowned after a high-speed bullet train and cruise ship went missing following the devastating Japanese earthquake on Friday.