The Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) held its first-ever roundtable event at Time Warner Center in New York City on Feb. 5, 2009.

IATA’s latest “Premium Traffic Monitor” shows that premium travel declined by more than 13 percent in December, and it looks as though even larger declines in air travel should be expected early this year. U.S. airlines, which switched capacity to long-haul international markets looking for better yields, now face a tough environment.

Latest figures released by the World Tourism Organization show that the number of visitors to Central America increased by 8 percent in 2008, the highest increase in the whole of the Americas.

The TradeWinds Island Resorts –the Island Grand Resort and the Sandpiper Suites- overlooking the Gulf of Mexico on the island of St. Pete Beach, Fla., named Cricket Wagner as the new vice president of sales.

Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, S.A.B. de C.V. (GAP) will host GAP Day 2009 at the Los Cabos International Airport, located in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur. The event will take place on Friday, March 6, 2009 and will feature an introductory presentation by the Mexican Communications and Transportation Department, as well as a government representative from the state of Baja California Sur.

Club Med Punta Cana will host its Food and Wine Festival on May 2-9, an event that highlight the brand’s exceptional culinary offerings as part of its all-inclusive package price.