According to the monthly report by Donald N. Martin & Co., analysts on American travel to Europe, the stronger dollar and lower fuel prices should help limit the decline in travel. Overall trans-Atlantic traffic continued to drop in January, with leading carriers reporting an average decline of 4.2 percent compared to January 2008.

Costa Maya, one of Mexico’s largest cruise ports and an emerging destination, announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship, Norwegian Epic, will make a maiden call to its shores in summer 2010. The 150,000-ton Norwegian Epic is the latest addition to Costa Maya’s ship roster, which includes Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, NCL, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Windstar Cruises, MSC Cruises, Ocean Village and Cunard.

Michael Misick, embattled premier of the Turks and Caicos, will resign from office March 31 and will not seek reelection as head of the Progressive National Party.

The Punta Cana Group is among the finalists of a dozen destinations to receive the Tourism of Tomorrow Prizes 2009, awarded by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) since 2003. The Dominican tourism group has been nominated in the Destination Management category.

Holland America Line has expanded the number of sailings through the Panama Canal this year to 45 cruises, ranging in length from 10 to 28 days.

Blue Tulum Resort & Spa, the Riviera Maya’s premier five-star all-inclusive resort, has named Luis Fortanell director of management, sales and marketing. In this capacity, Fortanell oversees all aspects of the on-property guest experience at Blue Tulum, as well as external promotional efforts.