Tourism

Friday, February 15th 2013 - 19:12 UTC
Stranded cruise vessel docks in Alabama; “the ship’s afloat, so is the sewage”

More than 4,000 people, passengers and crew members, disembarked on Friday from a crippled cruise ship that docked at Mobile, Alabama four days after an engine fire knocked out power while sailing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Friday, February 15th 2013 - 18:56 UTC
Top UK trade and media birdwatchers aiming for Falkland Islands’ experience

The Falkland Islands Tourist Board (FITB) will be hosting some of the UK’s top bird watchers at the end of this month, on a trip led by Tim Appleton, cofounder and organiser of the prestigious British Birdwatching Fair.
Wednesday, February 13th 2013 - 20:43 UTC
Dr. Kim Crosbie named Executive Director of Antarctic tour operators

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) announced on Wednesday a restructuring of its Secretariat, re-establishing the post of Executive Director, with Dr. Kim Crosbie named to the position.
Tuesday, February 12th 2013 - 18:00 UTC
Punta Arenas cruise business picking up; 62.000 visitors expected this season

The cruise business has been picking up for the last three seasons and so far including January an estimated 31.000 visitors landed in Punta Arenas, extreme south of Chile, which represents a 7% increase over the previous season and 10% for international cruises, said the head of the Austral Port Authority, Ignacio Covacevich.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 22:10 UTC
Quick rescue operation for ‘Carnival Triumph’ adrift in the Gulf of Mexico

Carnival cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico with more than 4,200 passengers and crew will be towed to port after a weekend engine fire left it dead in the water, a cruise line official announced. The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Vigorous arrived early Monday to aid the stranded ship. The first of two tugboats is expected on the scene by midday, said Greg Magee, commander of the Vigorous.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 05:25 UTC
Millions celebrating the arrival of the ‘snake’ and Chinese New Year

Millions of people are celebrating Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, the most important annual holiday in much of Asia. The New Year began in China at midnight Saturday, with firework displays and family gatherings. It marked the opening of the year of the snake, taking over from the dragon.
Monday, February 11th 2013 - 00:54 UTC
Cruise lifeboat safety drill ends in tragedy killing five crew members

Five people are dead following a lifeboat safety drill aboard a cruise vessel in the Canary Islands that turned in to a tragedy. The lifeboat fell about 20 meters when a cable snapped, trapping crew members beneath it and killing five of them
Friday, February 8th 2013 - 00:30 UTC
Air France returns to Uruguay as of next April with five flights a week

Uruguay seems to be recovering its air connectivity after a rough year that saw the closing down of its flag air carrier Pluna, and the announcement by Spanish airline Iberia that it will cease flights between Montevideo and Madrid as of next April. Iberia is the only European airline currently calling in Uruguay.
Wednesday, January 30th 2013 - 06:19 UTC
International tourism up 4% last year and reached a record 1.035 billion arrivals

International tourist arrivals grew by 4% in 2012 to reach 1.035 billion, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. Emerging economies (+4.1%) regained the lead over advanced economies (+3.6%), with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest results. Growth is expected to continue in 2013 only slightly below the 2012 level (+3% to +4%) and in line with UNWTO long term forecast.
Monday, January 28th 2013 - 20:13 UTC
An Argentine queen for the House of Orange; Beatrix steps down April 30

Dutch Queen Beatrix, who turns 75, announced she was abdicating in favour of her son, Prince Willem-Alexander, who will become king on April 30. Willem-Alexander, 45, is married to Argentine born Princess Maxima Zorreguieta and has three young children.