Vacation.com has graduated the first agents to complete its new Travel Agent Training program, a comprehensive educational tool released in August of 2008. Shalona Goodfellow of Cruise and Travel Masters and Lori Salzman of Tampa Cruise Shop completed all 12 modules of the online Advanced Learning Platform.

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis has had some pretty good luck as of late, considering its risky location in the Caribbean hurricane belt. But the resort’s nearly 10-year streak without a major closing will end this year when it is forced to shut its doors through the Christmas holiday to repair damages caused by Hurricane Omar.

Hotel bookings in the Caribbean are plunging as financial turbulence dashes vacation plans, and hoteliers and governments are trying to ward off a deep slump by ramping up marketing efforts and slashing prices.

Leaders of the travel and tourism sector of the national economy will convene to share ideas and prepare recommendations to assist President-elect Barack Obama in accelerating the economy through travel and tourism. The outcomes will be presented to President-elect Obama, his transition team, and key members of Congress following a meeting in Washington, DC on December 16.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) has appointed Mario Lopez-Belio as vice president and chief procurement officer. He reports to Marc Karako, CWT executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Foreign tourists in Bulgaria have increased by over 18 percent in the first 9 months of the year. This was announced by the chair of the State agency on tourism Anelia Krushkova, cited by BNR. She pointed out that by the end of the year it is totally realistic that the forecast of 20 percent increase of tourists is realized.