Not only is Micronesia not overrun with tourists, it probably never will be. It is a very difficult place to get to and there is only one airline that flies there. The end points of the flight are in Hawaii and Guam which are tourist destinations in their own right, so Micronesia will never get many tourists. I don’t know if any any island in Micronesia has more than 100 beds.

I also don’t talk about hotels much on my blog. I do have a personal list of favorite places I’ve stayed while traveling, but I’ve never shared that list with anyone

About 987,000 people visited Windsor Castle – a rise of 6.3 percent, while 402,000 tourists saw Buckingham Palace in 2009, up 2 percent in a year.

Of the 30 million tourists in 2009, 5.8 million visited a castle, 5 million went to a historic house, while 6.4 million saw a religious monument.

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 could be a “bonanza” year judging by the popularity of the monarchy among tourists, the organisation said.

However BA painted a more optimistic outlook, saying that “while some economic experts are flagging the risk of a ‘double-dip’ recession, the steady recovery continues.”

Chief executive Willie Walsh said the airline had seen an improved operating performance despite the disruptions and that BA expects to break even this year after two years of losses. Operating losses narrowed to £72m from £94m in 2009.

Walsh said he saw “positive underlying trends in both cargo and passenger traffic”.

Cabin crew have taken 22 days of industrial action since March and further walkouts could take place from September as the unrest lingers on.

Virgin’s group full-year, pre-tax operating loss for March 2009 to February 2010 was £132m, compared with a profit of £60m for the same period the previous year.

But it says the picture is improving with both revenues and passenger numbers up in the first quarter of its new financial year, from March to May. Total airline revenue rose 10 percent to £513m, the passenger load factor was up 5 percent to 82 percent. Cargo revenues rose 36 percent to £52m.

The business class market increased 15 percent over the quarter, whilst the airline also benefited from a successful start to its new service to Accra in Ghana.

Situated in the new Glasgow City Central Conservation Area, the property occupies the former Royal Scottish Automobile Club headquarters and adroitly juxtaposes classic touches of colourful history with contemporary flair.

In the lobby – below an elegant Art Deco chandelier – dashing red booths nod to the square’s previous incarnation as a red light district, while in the basement the Rally Bar references the glamorous Monte Carlo rally which once started from the doorstep.

The themes continue throughout the 100 bedrooms, with Tunnocks teacakes teasingly taking their place alongside glistening champagne in each mini-bar.

Driving Ambition

Although business friendly – with a smart location offering ease of access to central Glasgow – Blythswood Square offers a rather informal, relaxed atmosphere for a hotel of its quality. Discreet staff provide excellent service to the black suited clientele, but their attention is never oppressive.

But for the leisure traveller, talkative bar staff – who will also be pleased to offer advice on local nightspots – will have no trouble mixing a Whisky Mac as the evening begins.

This warm, welcoming professionalism is all the more remarkable as the property has been open less than a year. While the original 33 rooms – located in the original 1823 terrace property – opened last November, the soft opening of further accommodation will see the hotel spread outward into adjoining residences like a sumptuous maze.

Atop it all is the penthouse suite offers views over the city below. A private bar, Jacuzzi and roof terrace add to the air of decadent glamour in what used to be the stuffy RSCA staff headquarters.

The mood within the South American tourism industry is remarkably buoyant, with only Africa weathering the economic storm better.

Brazil in particular is firing on all cylinders, with plans in place to build upon opportunities offered over the next decade.

The continent’s largest economy has both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games in the pipeline – both of which are set to catapult the country – and indeed region – into the international spotlight.

While the whole country will celebrate the FIFA World Cup, Rio de Janeiro will step up to host the XXXI Olympiad, with expectation already building.

(Cristo Redentor, Rio de Janeiro)

Not surprisingly, the country is therefore looking to the long-term, with Embratur during the World Cup laying out the national tourism organisation’s goals and objectives for the next decade. Covering all tourism sectors – from sun & beach, culture, and sports to city, ecotourism and business travel – the plan is heavily centred the two world-class sporting events.

Both will boost the national profile of the country, with Brazil seeking to maximise the long-term benefit of hosting the events moving toward 2020.

Minister for Tourism Jeanine Pires explained that the country hoped to see a 113 per cent increase in the number of international visitors over the period, raising foreign currency earnings by 304 per cent.

Brazil also hopes to sustain tourism growth at a rate at least one per cent higher than any other South American county; eventually taking a 27 per cent share of all visitor arrivals in the region.

There are already modest signs of success.

(Rio’s famous Maracana)

For example, the hotel association of São Paulo reports a strong trend in international business arrivals as the world economy picks up and investors become aware of Brazil’s continued prosperity.

Peru is also looking to celebrate in 2010, following a muted 2009.

Machu Picchu citadel has been reopened to the public following the floods that forced the closure of the Inca trail earlier this year.

The reopening could not have come soon enough, after Peru was hit last year by a combination of the world economic situation, a flu epidemic international political strife that all dented tourism.