The Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office has unveiled a new tool, The Riviera Maya Travel Agent Program, which will enable travel agents to familiarize themselves with the places, archaeology, natural attractions and services of this remarkable destination and better design unforgettable trips for their clients. The program has four easy to complete modules that can be accessed for reference at any time after completion, and participation allows the agent to receive future news and up to date information - oriented toward developing more and better business - about Riviera Maya.

» Read more about the Travel Agent Program or just complete it, visit rivieramayatravelagentprogram.com.

On October 17, dozens of damselfish and snappers looked on as Maldives' President Mohamed Nasheed, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, the cabinet secretary and 11 ministers donned scuba equipment and descended 15 feet to the ocean floor to sign a document calling on the world's countries to cut their carbon dioxide emissions. The underwater meeting was created to highlight the threat of global warming to the lowest-lying nation on earth. "This is not merely an issue for the Maldives but for the world," said President Nasheed. "If we can't save the Maldives today, you can't save the rest of the world tomorrow." Wetsuits used by the president and his ministers were signed and will be auctioned off at protectmaldives.com.mv to raise funds for reef preservation.

» Read more at presidencymaldives.gov.mv.

In the run-up to the Christmas/New Year season, British Airways announced that new routes and an increased number of flights from the United Kingdom to St. Kitts and other Caribbean destinations would translate to an additional 2,000 seats per week. Starting next summer, BA is offering an increased frequency of flights to St Kitts, Grenada, Barbados and Bermuda, and new flights from Gatwick to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. In total, BA will operate 55 flights a week from London to the Caribbean, and claims to offer more seats from the UK to this vibrant region than any other carrier.

» Read more at CaribbeanNetNews.com

Celebrating its 40th year, Our World - Underwater, held February 19-21, 2010, will introduce a new component. The Middle Coast Award, to be presented at the Friday Night Film Festival, will be given to an individual from the USA's Midwest for his/her contribution and support of diving in the Midwest. The goal is to give recognition for extraordinary efforts and thank these individuals for their devotion to the scuba diving industry. Read more about the Middle Coast Award and this wonderful Chicago-based consumer dive show at ourworldunderwater.com