By Martin Hickman

Gloomy predictions of extreme heat and the destruction of some of the world's top holiday destinations were made this week in a report assessing the impact of the dangers of mass tourism and climate change.

The Future of World Travel report found that, by 2020, the natural features of some of the wonders of the world will be damaged by global warming, while other resorts will become overcrowded.

Read full article: 'Get ready for holidays in hell'

Red Ocean ( http://games.ign.com/articles/726/726241p1.html ) is a new video game, which will be released in February. Released under the Anaconda label, Red Ocean combines shooter gameplay with underwater elements. In the game, players assume the role of diving instructor and treasure hunter Jack Hard, who stumbles upon a secret Russian cold war research station deep below the ocean's surface. Soon, he learns that the research station is controlled by a terrorist organization -- and things go downhill from there. From the looks of the trailer, the game might be very cool.

New dive adventure novel, Flooding Hollywood, features California diving

Criminals in Los Angeles are using a dive operation to smuggle illegal drugs into the City of Angels. Or are they up to something even more sinister? It is up to photographer Mike Scott to figure it out. And he has to do it before disaster strikes the heart of the city.

Beginning as a simple photo shoot to capture glamorous images of an actress enjoying the sport she loves–scuba diving around Santa Catalina Island–things quickly turn serious. Before it all ends, the two will face danger and fanaticism in the Hollywood Hills.


Read full article: 'New dive adventure novel'

Ulladulla, Australia (Sep 27, 2006 22:44 EST) Recreational divers' peas have been ignored with the State Government set to introduce a recreational dive tax.

Ulladulla Diving Adventure Centre owner and keen diver Steve Williams said he thought the idea of the tax had disappeared.

Read full article: 'Aussie Divers Outraged Over Recreational Dive Tax Scheme'

Read full article: 'NetTech Launches InfoBonaire One-Stop Quotes™'

Diving deeper, longer, and into unknown places has long been the dream of many divers. Hence, the reason for increasingly advanced dive gear, more complicated gas mixtures, and specially-designed submersible-suits. If you're one of these budding explorers who just can't seem to get deep enough, then I've discovered your next trip: you'll be heading into the abyss with Deep Ocean Expeditions. Who knows, while vacationing up to 17,000 feet below the waves, you might discover a new species!

Read full article: 'Deep Ocean Expeditions'

Semporna, Malaysia (Sep 9, 2006 17:42 EST) The RM1.5 million tourism infrastructure boost for Sipadan Island has been given the thumbs-up, with industry players describing the decision as a step in the right direction to conserve one of the world's top diving spots.

Managing director of Sipadan-Mabul Resort, Robert Lo, welcomed the move because "most divers only need simple facilities as what matter to them are the attractions beneath the water".

"Divers usually take a break after spending one hour in the water before plunging back into the sea. So, what they need is a shade with bench and table on which they can put their dry clothing and camera while changing into their diving suits, as well as having some light meal like sandwiches," he said.

Read full article: 'Local Gov't Gets OK to Build Dive Tourism Facilities on Sipadan Island'

BY JIM THARPE
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ISLA HOLBOX, Mexico - The big sharks, some the size of boats, swarmed in by the hundreds, relentless in their pursuit of a banquet that stretched for miles.

Not far behind were the humans - snorkel-toting adventurers, gadget-lugging scientists - all consumed by a desire for encounters of the close kind with the biggest shark on the planet.

The scientists, funded by Atlanta's Georgia Aquarium, were on a quest to get inside the heads - and bellies - of the massive, gentle whale sharks as they cruised the warm surface waters off this mosquito-infested sliver of island along the Yucatan Peninsula.

Read full article: 'Scientists, snorkelers go crazy over whale sharks'