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Cuba's Popularity Concerns Caribbean Tourism Officials

In this May 13, 2015, file photo, tourists ride a classic American convertible in Havana

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Caribbean tourism officials are pushing for a partnership with the U.S. government because of concerns that warming relations between the U.S. and Cuba will result in a significant loss of visitors to the rest of the region.

Cuba has seen such a surge in visitors that the fragile budgets of many tourism-dependent islands will be hit hard if they don't take action, Frank Comito, CEO of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, said Wednesday.

"If we continue to operate business as usual, and we all draw from the same pie and Cuba is in the equation ... there will be serious economic and employment consequences," he said in a phone interview.

The association seeks to create a Caribbean Basin Tourism Initiative to help boost investment and travel across the region with help from the U.S. The plan would be modeled on the Caribbean Basin Initiative, a U.S.-led program in the 1980s that sought to boost trade in the Caribbean and Central America.

Comito also said the region should work together to boost overall investment and travel to the Caribbean.

"It's a little idealistic, but I think you need an element of that in this," he said. "A stronger Caribbean benefits everyone, including Cuba."

The association proposes the plan in a report that warns of Cuba's impact on the Caribbean and that was sent to the U.S. International Trade Commission.

The report calls the opening of travel to Cuba for U.S. visitors "the biggest and most disruptive pebble to be dropped into the Caribbean pool in fifty years."

From January to early May, Cuba saw a 36 percent increase in U.S. visitors from the same period in 2014. It also had a 14 percent jump in other international arrivals, and Caribbean tourism officials say they expect those numbers to keep rising.

"Those countries whose focus has been on the United States as their primary source market and who have not felt any competition from Cuba ... will be surprised at how sophisticated and effective the Cuban marketing machine has become," the report says.

The association said the islands where the tourism business could be most affected are those closest to Cuba — Jamaica, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

It is unclear whether tourism officials on those islands support the association's plan or whether they have taken steps to help attract more visitors. Tourism officials in Jamaica and the Bahamas did not return messages for comment.

Cayman Islands Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell issued a statement saying that opening Cuba to visitors has increased people's awareness of the Caribbean.

"However, it is important to note that there are only limited and very specific categories of American visitors allowed to travel to Cuba, a barrier which the Cayman Islands does not have in place," he said.

Travelore Tips: Air travelers Must Commonly Navigate A Range Of Fees

(AP) Common airline fees fliers face this summer

As a record 222 million people prepare to fly on U.S. airlines this summer, here's a reminder about some of the fees fliers will face.

— Checked bag. Most airlines now charge $25 each way for a checked suitcase. Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways do not, although JetBlue is about to start charging for some types of tickets.

— Reservation changes. Airlines charge up to $200 to change a domestic ticket and that is before any difference in fare. International flights cost even more to alter.

— Preferred seats. For short flights, it could cost as little as $9 extra to get a better seat. For long-distance international flights, it could be $300. Typically, passengers pay $25 to $50 more.

— WiFi. Up to $30 a flight. Large discounts are given for purchasing it in advance with Internet provider Gogo selling one-day passes for $16.

— Other common needs. Discount airlines like Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier charge for things most fliers assume are free, like water, carry-on bag and printing a board pass at the airport. Read the fine print before booking.

Travelore Breaking News: Evacuation In Progress At Paris CDG International Airport

After a deadly ISIS terror attack in France yesterday, Charles De Gaulle (CDG) International Airport is now center of a new scare.

This time it's a bomb scare at the busiest airport in France.

Terminal 2E is being evacuated due to a bomb scare by French police. Airlines operating from Terminal 2 E are
Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air Europa, Air France, Air Mauritus, Air Tahiti, Alitalia, Armavia, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta Airlines, Japan Airlines, JAT Airways, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Airlines, Qantas Airways, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines

Tweets received from passenger say they experience Chaos. The evacuation is in progress and all flights are on hold.

Another tweet says:"This is not going to end without a fight."

Travelore News: Thousands Of European Tourists Being Evacuated From Tunisia

A Jetairfly aircraft flying yesterday from Germany to Tunis turned around midair after news emerged on the terror attack.

The UK Foreign Office has warned travelers that some attackers may still be at large in Tunisia and has urged people to stay indoors and not disclose information on social media.

Ten bodies have been identified out of 38 -- eight Britons, a Belgian and a German, said senior ministry official Naoufel Somrani.
Another 39 people were wounded including British, German and Belgian nationals.

The Tunisian ministry said more time was needed to identify the other victims because most of them were in beachwear at the time of the attack and were not carrying identification.

Ten Thomson Airways flights are travelling to Tunisia from Britaomto bring approximately 2,500 Thomson and First Choice customers home.

All Thomson and First Choice packages to Tunisia will be cancelled for the next week. Amendments can be made to bookings on holidays to Tunisia until 24th July. Instead passengers booked on a holiday to Tunisia can will be offered trips to Cape Verde, Rhodes and Gran Canaria. Additional flights are already scheduled.

Also German tour operators allow free cancellation and are sending planes to Tunisia to pick up travelers.

Tourism is a key component of Tunisia's economy, generating around 15 per cent of its GDP.

TUI joint chief executive Peter Long said: "Our whole organisation is reeling with pain to see the suffering that is taking place in Tunisia with our customers...We are doing our very, very best to look after our guests who are still in Tunisia."

Thomson had hundreds of customers at hotels in the Sousse area, and confirmed several of the victims were its customers, but was unable to confirm how many had been killed or injured.

Itaka Polska, a Polish tour operator is also cancelling all trips to this North African country.

Confirmed! ISIS Killed Infidels At A Bordel, The Riu Imperial Marhaba Tourism Resort In Tunisia

ISIS terrorist in Tunisia holding his weapon and prepared to fire at civilians in Sousse

"Our brother, the soldier of the Caliphate, Abu Yihya al-Kairouni, reached his target the Imperial hotel despite the security measures," the statement issued by ISIS said. It said ISIS had attacked a "border" and killed "infidels'.

The ISIS terror organization declared war on the largest industry in the world, the global travel and tourism industry. Tourism is recognized as an industry of peace.

Minutes ago the Islamic State terrorist group has issued the above statement on known social media channels claiming responsibility for the deadly attack on tourists at a Tunisian beach which claimed at least 39 lives.

Click here to read eTN's earlier coverage.

22:02 GMT:
The number of those killed in the terrorist attack on tourists has increased to 39, said the head of Sousse Civil Defense, Mohamed Saleh Benanis, as cited by RIA. Another 40 people were injured in the attack, according to the latest data.

21:00 GMT:
Hours after the Tunisia hotel attack, people are still looking for their loved ones who are believed to have been at the scene of the attack and who are still out of contact. They have been utilizing social media, posting pleas for help.

Mainstream media is accused of not telling the entire story on ISIS. Therefore eTN is publishing this video: Views in this video are not necessary the views of the eTN editorial team.

Travelore News: Disney Bans Selfie Sticks At Theme Parks

The selfie stick ban begins at Disney parks in Paris and Hong Kong on 1 July. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

The Orlando and California locations are asking tourists to leave their selfie accessories at home due to ‘safety concerns’, a Disney World spokeswoman said

Disney officials have announced that are banning selfie sticks at some of its parks worldwide, beginning on Tuesday with US locations in Florida and California.

The popular tool used by tourists will no longer be welcome at Disney’s four Orlando theme parks and the Disneyland resort in California on Tuesday. The ban begins on 1 July at Disney parks in Paris and Hong Kong.

“We strive to provide a great experience for the entire family, and unfortunately selfie sticks have become a growing safety concern for both our guests and cast,” a Disney World spokeswoman, Kim Prunty, told the Orlando Sentinel.

Officials say visitors will have the option of turning in their selfie sticks for pick-up later, or returning them to their cars or hotel rooms.

The sticks have been banned at a growing list of museums, music festivals and sports venues. The Smithsonian museums told visitors to leave them at home In March, calling it “a preventive measure to protect visitors and objects, especially during crowded conditions”. 

From www.guardian.com . The Associated Press contributed to this report