Hurricane Milton strengthens fast, threatens Mexico, Florida Hurricane Milton intensified rapidly on Monday, with dangerous winds and storm surges forecast for Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula before the massive storm is set to slam into Florida by Wednesday. The storm comes close behind deadly Hurricane Helene, which hit the same areas, and some Florida residents have been ordered to evacuate again. The US National Hurricane Center said Milton was “an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane,” on a scale of five, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 miles (240 kilometers) an hour. It warned of storm surges raising water levels by five feet (1.5 meters) along the Yucatan Peninsula and large, destructive waves on the coast. Rainfall of 10 inches (25 cm), with localized spots of up to 15 inches (38 cm), are expected to cause havoc in Florida, bringing flash flooding in urban areas. Emergency workers are still racing to provide relief in [...]

Travelmation introduces destination wedding certification program Photo by Panuphon/Shutterstock.com Fort Lauderdale-based host agency Travelmation has introduced a destination wedding certification program for its travel advisors. Advisor Katie Lynn Reynolds, who created the program, has been named destination wedding coordinator. Reynolds, a graduate of Destination Wedding University, has coordinated more than 30 weddings. In her three years at Travelmation, her travel sales total more than $7 million. "Destination weddings have changed the trajectory of my life and my travel career," she said in a release. "Not only have they increased my book of business, there is also a huge boom happening in the industry." With that boom comes increased demand for travel professionals, Reynolds added. The course covers finding the right location, venue and amenities for clients and wedding guests. Advisors who complete the course will be designated as certified and will get the chance to join wedding fams with Sandals, AIC Hotel [...]

Sandals will convert Emerald Bay to a Beaches resort Sandals Resorts International is bringing its Beaches family brand to the Bahamas, announcing plans to transform the Sandals Emerald Bay into the Beaches Exuma. The oceanfront Sandals Emerald Bay will close on Aug. 15, and renovations are expected to begin this fall. Sandals did not say when the resort will reopen as a Beaches. According to Sandals, guests with affected reservations at the Sandals Emerald Bay are in the process of being contacted. Impacted guests are being provided with options to rebook at another Sandals resort and will get "special benefits." The Beaches Exuma will feature updated accommodations, including reconfigured multi-bedroom villas, suites and connecting rooms as well as upgraded food and beverage offerings. Family-oriented amenities like a new Kids Camp, splash deck and other play areas will be added. Sandals plans to retain its Red Lane Spa and Greg Norman-designed 18-hole [...]