Travel Roundup: Carnival Yanks UK Cruise, International Travel to Drop, Southwest Seeks Mediation and More

Carnival pulls out of UK to Europe route – Carnival Cruise Lines yanked European plans for the Carnival Liberty, deciding to base the cruise ship in Miami instead of the U.K., citing economic uncertainty and the flailing market. The 2009 scheduled route would have taken passengers on a 12- and 13-night cruise from Dover.  Passengers already booked on the cruises will be offered a 12-night sister cruise on the Carnival Dream that starts in Rome and cruises along the Mediterranean Sea. [Source: Hotel Executive]

International travel to decline in 2009, group says – The Travel Industry Association reported international travel to the United States will drop 1.6 percent in 2009 because of a global recession and its effects. The group also said overseas travel, excluding Mexico and Canada, will also sink 3 percent. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Southwest and baggage handler union seek mediation –  Southwest Airlines and the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents baggage handlers, ground service operators and other flight operations staff, are both seeking mediation to resolve a union contract.  A spokeswoman for Southwest said the two parties are close to an agreement. The contract has been in negotiation since Jan. 15. [Source: San Francisco Business Times]

Wyndham promotes Don Li to development regional vice president —  Wyndham Hotel Group announced  the promotion of Don Li to regional vice president of development in China and Japan, a job responsible for the growth and development of Wyndham’s five hotel brands. Li previously worked as the company’s director of development in China and Japan. [Source: HotelInteractive]