The Dominican Republic is building a highway to shorten the drive from Santo Domingo to the popular resort town of Punta Cana. President Leonel Fernandez says construction of the 45-mile (70-kilometer) highway will cost $279 million. It would together three airports.

Mary Paz Canseco has been named general manager of the AAA four-diamond Embassy Suites Hotel Mexico City-Reforma. Ms. Canseco joined the Embassy Suites Hotel Mexico City in 2005 as director of human resources and training.

Sandy Lane, Barbados named two acclaimed chefs to its culinary team –Conny Andersson as executive chef and Claire Clark as executive pastry chef, effective Oct. 15. Andersson has 20 years culinary experience at the executive chef level with large international operations such as Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in Beverly Hills, Nevis, India, Bali and the Maldives.

Port Everglades has installed two new flexible, custom-designed Mobile Elevating Gangways and a fixed walkway at Cruise Terminal 18 in time for the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s new 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas this November.

Travelers are being warned they must have passports to enter or reenter the United States by air from the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda or Canada. The rule affects U.S. citizens and all other air travelers. It does not apply to travelers arriving by land or sea.

There are many wonderful reasons to visit Long Bay Beach Resort, Tortola’s only full service resort featuring a recent multi-million dollar renovation. Now the list has greatly expanded, as Caribbean vacationers will wish to discover why Long Bay just won TRAVEL WEEKLY’s prestigious 2009 Silver Magellan Award for “Best Beach Resort.”