International visitor numbers and spending to the UK have fallen in the key third quarter of the year. In the three months to September 2008 –the peak of inbound tourism- total visits dropped three percent against July-September 2007 to 9.3 million and spending decreased two percent at £5.1 billion.

Elegant Hotels Group extended booking dates for its Winter Warm-Up Sale, offering increased savings at its five Barbados properties well into 2009. Elegant Hotels Group, Barbados, is a portfolio company of Vision Capital, London.

As Radisson Resorts in the Caribbean prepares to increase its inventory by over 40 percent with the opening of Radisson St. Martin Resort, Marina & Spa in December 2008, the brand continues to grow its sales force in preparation.

The Brazil Tour Operator Association –a trade association comprised of the leading 29 U.S. tour operators selling Brazil in the U.S., along with new allied and associate members from Brazil- is looking forward to aggressively promoting members’ offerings this coming high season.

The Caribbean nation of Antigua could have its highest mountain named after Barack Obama. The prime minister of Antigua wants to rename the island’s highest mountain Mount Obama in honor of the US president-elect.

Bookings for meetings and conventions in San Juan are up 20 percent over the same time last year, but the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau continues to work new markets and implement new sales strategies in the face of the current economic situation, according to Ana Maria Viscasillas, president and CEO.