The fate of Cuba's ailing leader, Fidel Castro, has focused renewed attention on his communist nation and generated speculation about the Caribbean island's political and economic future. Cuba's economy -- now largely dependent on tourism and subsidies from Venezuela -- grew by eight percent in 2005, according to independent estimates, and continued expanding in 2006.

India's most visited architectural monument, the Taj Mahal, is getting a face lift.

The popularity of Mariachi music is on the rise on a global scale. From the acclaimed "M" in Las Vegas and the Hollywood Bowl Mariachi Festival to Mariachis from Japan, the Mariachi phenomenon knows no bounds.

Armenia is fast becoming a new hot destination for tourists and those who enjoy traveling. Armenia occupies a territory of 2977thousand square kilometers. The average altitude of the territory is 1,800 meters above the sea level, the highest peak has an altitude of 4,090 meters and the lowest point is ravine of Debet with an altitude of 380 meters.

There will be six new lifts at Slovenian winter sport centers by the beginning of December, when the 2006-2007 ski season will begin for tourists and visitors. These are:

According to preliminary data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, the first eight months of the year recorded a total of 1,720,294 arrivals, representing a 1% increase over the same period last year, and 5,557,024 overnight stays, equaling last year's figures.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT), the world's second largest travel management company, today announced a sizeable increase in sales volume for the first six months of the year and considerable progress in the implementation of its three-year strategic development plan, CWT 007.

Marriott International, Inc. will open its 11th hotel in Beijing in 2008 under a management agreement reached with Beijing Huhua Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. When opened, the 19-storey hotel will be called the Beijing Marriott Hotel City Wall and will have 615 guest rooms.

Hilton Hotels Corporation (NYSE:HLT) today announced they will create a joint venture company (JV) in India with DLF Limited (DLF). The joint venture company plans to develop and own 75 hotels and serviced apartments over the next seven years. The formation of the joint venture is pending receipt of formal written approval from the Government.

Wyndham Hotel Group, the lodging unit of Wyndham Worldwide, today announced it has signed an agreement with Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. of Bangalore, India, to develop 10 Ramada(R) hotels totaling at least 1,000 rooms in the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtr, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Armenian travel agencies have joined Armenian and foreign tourists in complaining about how expensive holidaying here has grown over the past few years.

By the end of 2006 the number of tourists visiting Armenia will reach 380 thousand, Deputy Minister of Trade and Economic Development Ara Petrosyan said in a press conference today. More tourists are expected to travel to Armenia.