Thursday, March 11, 2010 - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the grand opening of The Westin Austin at The Domain – the first Westin hotel to open in Austin, Texas. Today’s opening festivities will feature a performance by local music talent, Ryan Harkrider, highlighting Austin’s reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Owned by White Lodging and Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, The Westin Austin at The Domain offers 340 guestrooms and suites and the full suite of the Westin brand’s signature amenities and services.

The newly constructed hotel has a prime location within The Domain, Austin’s prestigious, upscale lifestyle center, just steps from a variety of upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment. Less than 15 minutes from downtown Austin, The Westin Austin at The Domain is convenient to the live music venues on Sixth Street, the lounges of the Warehouse District and top-rated University of Texas sporting events. Also nearby are the Arboretum mall, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, a choice of premium golf courses and numerous corporations including Dell Computer, IBM and Apple.

“We are delighted to extend the Westin brand into the dynamic city of Austin, known for its thriving high-tech businesses and world-renowned live music scene,” said Nancy London, Vice President, Westin Hotels & Resorts. “The Westin Austin at The Domain delivers our signature blend of sophistication and rejuvenation, designed to send guests home feeling even better than when they arrived.”

The soothing Westin Sensory Welcome creates a memorable first impression as guests enter the hotel, with its blend of signature white tea scent, music, botanicals and mood lighting. In their rooms, hotel guests will awaken their senses with the Westin Heavenly Bath® experience and restore in the Heavenly Bed®, a 10-layer ensemble of luxurious comfort featuring a pillow-top mattress set, a cozy down blanket, three crisp sheets, a comforter, duvet and five plush pillows. In-room, high-speed Internet access and an ergonomic work space offer travelers convenience and productivity in a tranquil setting.

An ideal venue for weddings, social galas and business functions, The Westin Austin at The Domain offers nearly 17,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, catering and event planning services, and the latest in meeting technology. Additional facilities include Urban restaurant and lounge, a 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Gym, business center and heated outdoor pool.

Thursday, March 11, 2010 - Key Management Group has announced the appointment of Larry Regan as chief financial officer for the hospitality management company. Albert Laclé, chief executive officer, made the announcement.

"I am pleased to formally welcome Larry to Key Management Group,” said Mr. Laclé. “His two and a half decades of experience in finance, including several years within the hospitality industry, will be a tremendous asset to our company as we continue to grow our management portfolio of hotels and resorts in Central America and the Caribbean.”

Larry Regan brings 25 years of experience in finance and financial accounting to his new role. Previous to joining Key Management Group, he was division president for Home Décor Products, Inc., located in Edison, New Jersey.

Mr. Regan launched his career as chief accountant and assistant controller for the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California. He has served as controller for Scanlon Enterprises, a company of independent hotels, and was corporate controller for Emerald Hotels, a chain of 17 properties located throughout the Northeastern United States.

Mr. Regan has previously held the title of vice president finance / CFO for K. Hovnanian / JPB Hospitality, Inc. of Red Bank, New Jersey. He has also served as vice president for Allen Associates of Iselin, New Jersey.

Larry Regan attended the Rochester Institute of Technology where he majored in Hotel and Restaurant Management. He is a graduate of the University of Denver, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Management. Mr. Regan resides in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

March 11, 2010 - John Pritzker, principal of Geolo Capital, the San Francisco-based owner and operator of Carmel Valley Ranch, is pleased to announce the appointment of Anna Olson as General Manager. Olson joins the resort after a long and successful career at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, where she has served as General Manager since 2001.

“We are thrilled that Anna was so enticed by our vision and plans for Carmel Valley Ranch,” said Pritzker. “The new Carmel Valley Ranch will be something very special – a new kind of resort experience – and we wanted to ensure we found the right leader for our team.”

Pritzker continues, “We are transforming Carmel Valley Ranch, into a place that goes beyond what people imagine a resort can be. We’ll have all of the traditional resort amenities – a great spa, tennis courts, swimming pools, a Pete Dye golf course – but what sets us apart will be our sense of play. We view it as our job to create experiences that tap into that powerful elixir of life, encouraging connection, self-discovery, the rekindling of romances, the rethinking of companies, and the reuniting of friends and families.”

Because of the unique proposition of this resort, Pritzker and his team went about searching for the ideal General Manager in a slightly different way. The team polled the resort’s employees and club members, seeking insights into characteristics that would be critical to a General Manager’s success. What emerged was a list of 25 qualities, some of them expected, such as “clear thinker” and “genuinely hospitable,” and others a bit more unique, such as “someone who possesses a sense of joy” and “sparkle in their eye.” Olson scored well on all fronts.

No stranger to resort reinvention, Ms. Olson led Ojai Valley Inn & Spa through a $120 million renovation, including the addition of a state of the art spa facility, and introduced market-leading wellness activities, instruction and programs. Under her stewardship, the resort earned a rare AAA Five Diamond award, was recognized as the “#1 Spa in the World” by TripAdvisor.com, and was included on the “Gold List of Best Places to Stay” and “Top 100 Golf Resorts” by Conde Nast Traveler. Prior to being named General Manager at Ojai, Olson served as Assistant General Manager and Director of Human Resources.

Olson holds a B.A. from Azusa Pacific University, and earned a certificate in Industrial Relations from Loyola Marymount University.

About Carmel Valley Ranch:
Carmel Valley Ranch will emerge in summer 2010 reinvented as a completely new style of resort that encourages guests to play, engage and connect. Taking full advantage of nearly 500 acres of magnetic landscape, the resort will offer scores of programs and activities such as beekeeping, cooking in the adventure kitchen, and early morning hiking to a yoga platform on an oak-shaded crest overlooking the valley below. One-of-a-kind experiences abound as guests engage with their surroundings and each other. Carmel Valley Ranch offers a rich array of amenities including a Pete Dye championship golf course, tennis courts, bocce ball and basketball courts, swimming pools, an organic garden and vineyard, three restaurants, playground, meeting rooms and a bevy of swings scattered throughout the resort hanging from majestic 300 year old oaks. A new spa, drawing on the bounty of the region, will open in summer 2010. The 139 extremely spacious suites are scattered along the foothills, affording spectacular views. The resort is located in Carmel Valley, a vibrant community of artist, winemakers and organic farmers, just inland from the bustling community of Carmel by the Sea. While many guests arrive by car, Monterey Airport is a 15-minute drive, San Jose Airport is a 45-minute drive and San Francisco Airport is an hour and a half drive.

March 11, 2010 - Continuing its mission to expand its collection of high profile, luxury properties, YTL Hotels announced today its acquisition of several operating assets plus 462-hectares in Niseko Village including the lease of an additional 155-hectare ski mountain in Hokkaido, Japan.

A prime winter and summer destination resort, the purchase includes the 506-room Hilton Niseko Village, the 200-room Green Leaf Hotel, two 18-hole championship golf courses - one of which was designed by Arnold Palmer, a 23-court tennis complex, the Niseko Village Ski Resort and ski school, and an equestrian center. Set at the foot of Mt. Niseko Annupur, the resort is the perfect base for skiers and snowboarders to access the mountain's powdery slopes, regarded as some of the finest alpine terrain in the world.

In all seasons, rigorous activity is often followed in the evening by a soak in one of the resort's several natural onsen hot springs and a traditional Japanese massage. According to James W. McBride, President of YTL Hotels and Properties, the company's master plan for the resort is to create a sophisticated village atmosphere teemed with private houses, ski in ski out estates, onsen spas and a retail and restaurant center inspired by chic destinations like Vail in Colorado, Whistler in British Columbia, and St Moritz - the sister city of Niseko. 'Along with the development of the MUSE Hotel De Luxe in the French resort town of Saint-Tropez, both these resorts will be highly complementary assets to YTL's growing, international portfolio' says McBride.

To enhance the extraordinary summer season in Niseko, the company is already formulating plans for it to have an appeal beyond just the powder and greens crowd. 'We want to launch an International Food Festival that will attract chefs and gourmands from around the world, with the Pacific Ocean only 30 minutes away, offering some of the world's best seafood and given Hokkaido's reputation for being the bread basket of Japan' says Sarah Cairns, YTL's Executive Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

'We are excited and very enthusiastic with our expansion plans. As a company with a very strong financial position, YTL Hotels took advantage of the economic downturn investing in the company's future growth' says McBride. 'The locations of these new hotels and resorts were thoughtfully chosen, so we could integrate the local environment and culture seamlessly into our existing collection of properties, bringing out the best of each destination.'

In addition to the Hilton Niseko and the MUSE Hotel De Luxe in Saint-Tropez, YTL has expanded significantly in the last year - truly bringing to life its vision of creating treasured places and treasured moments with the addition of the Swatch Art Peace Hotel in Shanghai, China; The Chedi in Phuket, Thailand; and both Pulau Gaya and Pulau Tiga in Borneo. The former is a deluxe rainforest family resort near Mount Kinabalu, while Pulau Tiga s about 48 miles down south. Opening in 2011, both are great destinations for adventure, nature and water enthusiasts.

About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. The Company owns and manages a prestigious award winning collection of individually unique resorts, hotels and spas including the world's no. 1 resort, Pangkor Laut. With their global expansion in 2010 in Saint-Tropez, Shanghai and Borneo, YTL brings a natural essence of culture, character and tradition to each destination embracing different luxurious experiences. For reservations and enquiries, please contact YTL Travel Centre at +603 2783 1000 or email: travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my or visit www.ytlhotels.com. For images of YTL Hotels and Resorts, please visit:
http://onlineimages.ytlhotels.com.

March 11, 2010 - Accor announced its strategic expansion plans for Vietnam. This plan includes additional hotels within the Novotel, Mercure hotel brand, launching of the ibis brand and MGallery label and the ambitious goal of doubling the number of rooms under management in the Vietnam by 2012.

“Vietnam has always been considered as one of the strategic markets in Southeast Asia for Accor, which is demonstrated through Accor’s early entrance and consistent growth in the country since 1991. With signs of both economic recovery and a re-strengthening of tourism arrivals, Accor is confident and ready to selectively expand our presence throughout the country,” says Patrick Basset, Vice President of Operations for Vietnam, the Philippines, South Korea and Japan.

Accor’s multi-brand expansion throughout Vietnam
Accor plans to expand the number of brands on offer in Vietnam to include upscale products such as Pullman and MGallery, through to more economical ibis hotel brand.

In late 2010, Accor anticipates the opening of the first Pullman hotel in Vietnam - Pullman Vung Tao and the second MGallery hotel for Vietnam in the country’s capital – Hotel De L’Opera Hanoi.

Beyond this additional developments include 3 Novotels’ – Novotel Imperial Hoi An, Novotel Resort Phu Quoc and Novotel Saigon Centre. Mercure Hanoi Hado with it’s central location in the city will be the third Mercure for Vietnam.

The first 2 ibis hotels for the country are also announced for Ho Chi Minh City - ibis Saigon and ibis Saigon South. These hotels represent the first two international economy hotels for Vietnam.

“The coming twelve months is sure to be an exciting period for Accor in Vietnam, with many new developments in the pipeline. Pullman Vung Tao will be the first for the brand in the country, while Hotel De L’Opera Hanoi will be the second hotel of the highly distinctive upscale MGallery label.” Mr. Basset further explains.

Accor expansion ambitions Accor currently has 13 hotels and 2,147 rooms in operation throughout Vietnam and more than 2,000 additional rooms committed through the above mentioned developments.

“Accor has confidence in Vietnam’s continued economic stability and growth, and therefore determined to remain ‘the largest international hotel operator in Vietnam’, with a hotel brand portfolio covering the spectrum of luxury to economy,” Mr. Basset adds.

Mercure’s successful debut and the opening of Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa The launch of Mercure hotel brand in Vietnam exhibits a blueprint for success with Mercure Hanoi La Gare achieving remarkable performance since its opening in mid 2009, the introduction of Mercure Dalat Hotel Du Parc to the network, and the recent opening of Mercure Hue Gerbera. These achievements of the Mercure brand in Vietnam have been made in the first twelve months of the brand’s presence in the country, a likely indication of the success that this mid-scale brand of Accor is likely to enjoy in the country into the future.

Today, Accor announces the scheduled opening of Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa, a 131-room resort hotel located on Ha My Beach and near the Unesco World Heritage site – the Ancient Town of Hoi An, a city on the coast of the South China Sea in central Vietnam. The resort will welcome guests from April 1, 2010.

This new resort comprises a mix of garden rooms, together with bedroom villas and pool villas. The resort’s facilities include the all-day dining Champa Restaurant with a terrace overlooking the beach-view swimming pool, the Nam Dinh Restaurant in a 100 year-old traditional timber home setting, a poolside bar, two swimming pools and a spa.

“Le Belhamy Hoi An Resort and Spa, although not branded as a Mercure, delivers the same key brand initiatives and promises – unique personality, in harmony with the surroundings, and is to provide top quality services focusing on making guests’ experience a memorable one,” comments Mr. Basset on this new resort hotel on the beachfront of Hoi An.

MARCH 10, 2010 - Marriott International plans to open its third stylish Renaissance-branded hotel and first upscale Marriott Executive Apartments property for extended stay travelers in Tianjin, China later this year, under a management agreement with Tianjin Tianbin Real Estate Development Co., Ltd.

The two hotels are the 368-room Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview Hotel and the 96-unit The Lakeview, Tianjin—Marriott Executive Apartments. They will share the same lakefront building in Tianjin’s Hexi District. A lively night life scene, high-end shopping and the offices of major financial institutions are located nearby.

“We’re excited to see our presence in Tianjin continue to expand with these two distinctive properties,” said Ed Fuller, president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott. “Tianjin has evolved into an important high-tech and financial center in China and is home to a significant ex-pat community who will appreciate the availability of our first Marriott Executive Apartments in the city.”

Guest rooms at the distinctive Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview will be more spacious than those offered by its competitors with baths featuring separate showers and tubs and plush bath amenities. They will be contemporary in style and will offer modern amenities and features.

Three restaurants and a contemporary lobby lounge serving authentically prepared culinary specialties and beverages will form the foundation of the hotel’s dining and entertainment offerings. Recreational amenities will include an indoor swimming pool and a health club.

Business travel services will include a fully-equipped business center with two small meeting rooms and a comfortable executive lounge that will also have a private meeting room.

For social events and conferences, the hotel will have 2,750 square meters of function space including a 1,500-square meter ballroom that will be divisible into three sections, a 400-square meter junior ballroom capable of being divided in two, and three additional meetings rooms in varying configurations, all of which will be divisible into two sections each.

The Lakeview, Tianjin—Marriott Executive Apartments will offer a range of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, all of which will be stylishly furnished and include a fully-equipped kitchen; in-unit laundry and safe; flat screen, high definition television; and high-speed internet access.

While residents will be able to use the recreational and dining options at the Renaissance hotel, they will have a dedicated restaurant and lounge of their own for breakfast as well as an on-premise sundry/delicatessen. Other amenities will include, a multi-purpose game room, a children’s playroom, room service and on-property resident storage room.

The Marriott International portfolio in Tianjin currently consists of the 280-room Renaissance Tianjin and the 284-room Renaissance Tianjin TEDA. The 400-room Tianjin Marriott is planned to open in 2013.

MARCH 10, 2010 - W. Marriott, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott International, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th annual International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Germany. The IHIF Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a business leader who, over his or her lifetime, has made a significant difference in the hospitality industry.

“I want to thank the delegates of the International Hotel Investment Forum for honoring me with their Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Mr. Marriott. “What started as a nine-stool root beer stand my parents opened in Washington, D.C. more than 80 years ago, has evolved into a global hospitality company with more than 3,400 hotels and resorts in nearly 70 countries. We continue to grow around the world and just yesterday we announced that we will be doubling our portfolio in Europe by 2015. At Marriott, we say, “Success is never final,” and I believe that. But I am also gratified that during my career I’ve been able to help build something of real value – with an authentic, caring culture – that provides thousands of people around the world with opportunity.”

Marriott’s strong commitment to environmental preservation is a key element of that culture. Marriott’s environmental strategy includes global conservation efforts to reduce and offset Marriott International’s carbon footprint; reduction of fuel and water consumption by 25% over the next 10 years with installation of solar power at 40 hotels by 2017; engagement of Marriott’s top 40 vendors to supply price-neutral green products across 12 categories of its $10 billion supply chain and empower Marriott International hotel development partners to site, design and construct new hotels according to green standards by updating Marriott International’s design guidelines in line with LEED standards by the end of 2009.

“IHIF is delighted to award Bill Marriott with this prestigious award due to his commitment to the hospitality industry and his responsible actions in regards to the environment,” said Jon Leibowitz, EVP of Questex Media Group, co-organiser of IHIF.

“We feel that his integrated approach to combining business with a green strategy sets a positive example about how a hotel company can make a big difference in the world. He has continually made outstanding contributions to our industry and we are delighted to present this award to him as a shining example for us all,” stated Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of IHIF.

On hand to accept the award was Amy McPherson, Marriott’s new president and managing director for Europe. “On behalf of Mr. Marriott and all of the Marriott associates around the world, thank you so much for this great honor,” said McPherson

Mr. Marriott is actively involved in various boards and councils including the U.S. Travel and Tourism Promotional Advisory Board, the executive committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council, the National Business Council, the board of trustees of the National Urban League, a director of the National Geographic Society, and a director of the Naval Academy Endowment Trust. He has served as chairman of the President's Export Council, a group that advises the U.S. President on matters relating to export trade, and has served as chairman of the Leadership Council of the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is selected by a committee comprised of the IHIF’s Patrons, Sponsors, Hosts, and Organizers.

March 10, 2010 - First Finish, a premier construction services company, has hired Adrian Donnelly as Director of Project Management and Estimating. First Finish expanded this role for Donnelly, who will oversee and implement all facets of hospitality and commercial construction, as well as lead the team of project managers and estimators.

Donnelly brings more than 19 years construction experience, and his expertise includes managing multi-million dollar hospitality and high-end commercial construction projects. A veteran of James G. Davis Construction Corporation, he is also versed in LEED Construction practice integration and has successfully managed several LEED certified projects that have received Gold Certification.

“Adrian brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table,” says First Finish president and founder David Burman. “His record of strong leadership skills and business acumen shows that Adrian has the know-how to get projects completed successfully, making him an excellent match for First Finish’s results-oriented corporate culture.”

Donnelly began his career serving in the US Army as a Squad Leader where he was responsible for overseeing 22 historic buildings and was the liaison for several military construction projects. Mr. Donnelly will bring the “owner’s perspective” to each and every project he oversees for First Finish resulting from holding executive level management positions for prestigious hospitality companies such as LTD Management and The Buccini/Pollin Group where he acted as the owner’s representative. Past performance with LTD Management includes new construction of 6 limited services hotels in 18 months with a total value of $150 million, including The Aloft and Element properties by Arundel Mills, MD. While with The Buccini/Pollin Group, Adrian oversaw the construction of 6 limited and full service hotels in 4 years valuing $200 million, including the Hilton BWI, Baltimore, MD.

At First Finish, Adrian will be overseeing the project management team and working on projects including Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia, Jurys Dupont, Washington, D.C., Capital Hilton, Washington, D.C., among others.

ABOUT FIRST FINISH
Based in Columbia, MD, First Finish provides premiere construction services for a full range of market segments including: commercial, government and those specific to the hotel & lodging industry. First Finish manages every aspect of a project from planning, construction, finishing, to installing FF&E. First Finish is a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

www.firstfinish.net

MARCH 11, 2010 - TravelTex.com, Texas Tourism’s official Web site, is a comprehensive source for Texas travel planning, featuring over 400 cities and thousands of activities. Featuring cities, attractions and events, offering discount packages and a hotel booking engine, the redesigned site even further enhances the user experience.

“Since TravelTex.com is an important marketing tool, we strive to provide the most relevant information and cutting-edge technology to our visitors,” said Julie Chase, Chief Marketing Officer, Texas Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism Division. “Thanks to this redesign, planning a vacation in the Lone Star State is more enjoyable than ever.”

Trip Planner, an interactive planning tool, now features special events, allowing users to explore activities near a chosen location. Users can e-mail or print an itinerary, along with Google maps and directions. Trips are viewable by city or day, and planners can add day trips, driving tours, podcast walking tours – even locations featured in print and TV ads.

TravelTex.com offers exclusive podcast walking tours (TravelTex.com/podcasts) for Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston and Corpus Christi. Travelers can download six podcasts from TravelTex.com – free of charge – and follow the audio guide on foot through cultural and historical attractions. The most recent is an Austin tour, and soon all podcasts will be available for free on iTunes.

In the Cities & Regions section, the site now features webisodes (“Texas Videos”), in which local Texans guide the viewer through different cities, showcasing hidden gems. The first three feature the Texas Hill Country, including Austin; Fredericksburg, Burnet and Luckenbach; Wimberley and Bandera. Future webisodes will feature the South Texas Plains and Texas Gulf Coast, with the remaining regions forthcoming. A Google weather tool allows users to view weather forecasts for the following three days.

The Texas Radio and Featured Musician pages now offer a custom radio station, which automatically plays songs from TravelTex.com featured artists and Texas Tourism television commercials. There is no longer a download required, and users can access an Amazon.com link to purchase the song or album for their own collection.

In keeping with the ever-increasing trend of social media, the site now has share functionality, allowing users to share TravelTex.com content via approximately 230 external sites, including Digg, MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, de.li.ci.ous, StumbleUpon and Google Live. Users can also subscribe to an RSS feed, receiving notifications when a particular Web page is updated.

MARCH 11, 2010 - The Indian Union Ministry of Tourism has unveiled one of the largest pavilions at ITB Berlin, offering guests a chance to explore the nation’s travel offering. ITB Berlin is regarded as one of the premier international travel related events, providing an opportunity to showcase new products, learn about the latest international trends and promote existing tourism related services. India is a regular attendee, setting up an India Pavilion with the participation of ten state governments and a host of travel industry co-exhibitors.

A total of 84 participants have confirmed their participation this year; with four public sector units and 70 travel agents, tour operators, hotels and airlines on hand to exhibit their products. More than 250 Indian stakeholders are also present at ITB, displaying their products outside the India Pavillion, while another 200 professional media guests are also expected.

The Commonwealth Games - scheduled to be held in Delhi in October this year – are being extensively promoted, while medical, wellness, rural, MICE, and caravan tourism are also on India’s agenda. To celebrate the event, India Tourism in Frankfurt is undertaking an advertising campaign in Berlin. This will include advertising on hoardings within the Messe Berlin Exhibition grounds and on taxis around the city.

Tourism Turnaround
India is keen to illustrate the turnaround in foreign tourist arrival numbers witnessed from December 2009 onwards and explain the strategies adopted by the central government which contributed to this turnaround. An overview of these trends will be given at the Incredible India press conference, hosted by Devesh Chaturvedi (pictured), additional director general at the Ministry of Tourism in India. Tourism numbers had fallen sharply in the wake of a number of terrorists attacks on the county in the preceding years.

MARCH 11, 2010 - Samaya Hotels & Resorts has confirmed it will be appearing at this year’s International Tourism Bourse (ITB).

Regarding as the leading think tank of the travel industry, the event is scheduled to run until March 14th, with representatives from the global tourism industry expected to be present.

Samaya Hotels & Resorts’ stand will be located within the Dubai Department of Tourism Marketing and Commerce (DTCM) along with more than 100 representatives from the travel, trade and hospitality industries.

“This is our second participation in ITB which we deemed necessary to promote our property to other European tourists and tour operators,” explained Samaya Hotel chief Ghassan Jaber.

“We are receiving a good number of European guests but we hope to gather more guests and ITB is the best platform to do that.”

Samaya Hotels and Resorts is a newly established brand, it’s a vision seasoned hoteliers with wide range experience who have worked for leading international hotels chains across the Middle Eastern region region.

“Our participation shows our support to the Dubai government in its efforts to promote and position Dubai as a leading tourist destination,” added Mr Jaber.

“We now have more attractions - especially with the opening of Burj Khalifa and the Metro - so tourists have more reasons to visit the UAE.”

Earlier this month, Samaya Hotel in Deira hosted the pre-ITB event meeting organized by DTCM for all the participating companies and organization.

The International Tourism Bourse which is annually held in Berlin gathers a host of tourism experts from all over the world and accommodating more than 10,000 exhibitors each year.

With more than 180,000 visitors, this year’s convention will offer the tourism industry the latest trends and innovative business models in global tourism.

MARCH 11, 2010 - The travel industry will not fully recover from the global economic slump until 2011 at the earliest, according to the latest predictions from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Unveiling its annual research results at ITB Berlin today, the council emphasised the importance of travel as a component of global economic growth over the past two decades, but also illustrated the impact of the recent recession on demand.

“As was the case with other sectors, travel was hit hard by the credit and housing market collapses last year; both of which triggered the deepest recession since the Great Depression,” said WTTC’s president Jean-Claude Baumgarten.

In a macroeconomic sense, world GDP fell by 2.1 per cent during 2009, with developed economies – a major source of demand for travel & tourism – the most severely affected. But behind these headline figures, individual households were forced to curtail leisure travel plans; often substituting lower-cost short-haul and domestic travel for more expensive long-haul trips.

Corporations also reduced business travel budgets, cutting demand further.

“Within the travel sector itself, investment plans were shelved or delayed,” added Mr Baumgarten, “even in some previously dynamic, expanding destinations.”

The A(H1N1) influenza pandemic also contributed to the reticence among travellers, generating panic in many markets.

As a result – and despite the resilience of some, notably Asian, emerging economies – activity and employment contracted across the sector. Some five million jobs were lost in 2009 alone, with global tourism GDP declining by 4.8 per cent overall.

235 million employed in Travel & Tourism worldwide, despite the downturn

Nevertheless, even in such a depressed year for activity, travel and tourism still employed over 235 million people across the world – 8.2 per cent of all employment – and generated 9.4 per cent of world GDP.

The global economy has now moved into a recovery phase, although the pick-up in developed economies is expected to be gradual as households, corporations and governments all battle to rebuild their balance sheets.

“Despite recent encouraging short-term indicators of tourism activity, the recovery in world travel and tourism is expected to be muted,” warned Mr Baumgarten. “Both firms and households will be examining travel plans carefully and continuing to limit expenditure.”

Spending in real terms is expected to increase by a mere one per cent in 2010 – while business travel spending will again decline, by nearly two per cent.

The recovery should gain momentum through 2010 and 2011

In the longer run, travel and tourism will sustain its leading role in driving global growth, creating jobs and alleviating poverty.

Emerging economies, in particular, are expected to be engines of growth, boosting international travel – with China alone set to provide almost 95 million visitors for other destinations by 2020 – and also generating an increasingly vibrant domestic travel sector.

“But developed economies will continue to dominate global travel and tourism for the foreseeable future,” continued Mr Baumgarten.

“While many are mature markets reaching a ceiling in terms of propensity to travel, a growing preference for, and priority focus on, leisure is expected to provide clients for new destinations once consumers fully regain confidence.”

Overall, the travel and tourism economy is forecast to grow by 4.4 per cent per annum in real terms between 2010 and 2020, supporting over 300 million jobs by 2020. This accounts for up to 9.2 per cent of all jobs and as much as 9.6 per cent of global GDP.

A collective sigh of relief resounded for many Spring break travelers as the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced the reopening of I-70 at mile marker 125 in Glenwood Canyon, just nine miles from the resort town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. CDOT officials worked round the clock to remove debris and repair damage from a rockslide that occurred on Monday, March 8. As of 3:30 PM on Thursday, March 11, two lanes are now open for safe and direct travel to and from Glenwood Springs for Spring break.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO - (March 11, 2010) – Smoothing out the bump in the road left by Mother Nature on Monday, March 8 was no easy task for Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) employees, but after extensive efforts the roadway through scenic Glenwood Canyon is open for travelers headed west on I-70 to Glenwood Springs for their Spring break adventures. As of 3:30 PM on Thursday, March 11, one lane is open in both directions.

Alternate driving routes and Amtrak kept Glenwood Springs accessible despite the Glenwood Canyon closure but like travelers heading west to Glenwood Springs, locals are happy to see the path to a great Spring break has been cleared. “Living in Colorado is always an adventure,” said Dylan Lewis, Sales and Marketing Manager for Sunlight Mountain Resort, “but now skiers and riders can get to Sunlight Mountain Resort without the hassle of extra driving for their own adventure on the slopes.”

Ann Denney, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Glenwood Hot Springs, concurs, “Though the rockslide in Glenwood Canyon put a crimp in people’s plans, we didn’t see many cancellations as a result. We appreciate the fact that several guests drove many miles out of their way to keep their reservations with us. For those who were waiting to book their vacation until Glenwood Canyon reopened, come on over!”

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park owner and avid caver, Steve Beckley is amazed at the power of nature and the determination of humans. “Nature is awe-inspiring. Even though it sometimes makes us change our plans and inconveniences us, we always find a way to make the impossible work.” Beckley should know, he has wedged himself into impossibly small spaces on his own adventure of discovering and developing one of the largest cave networks in Colorado, bringing to Glenwood Springs a park filled with thrill rides, attractions, and a 4-dimensional theater, all via a gondola ride up Iron Mountain.

While safe travel through Glenwood Canyon to Glenwood Springs has resumed and is faster than by any other route, travelers should plan for some delays. For updates, visitors can check http://www.visitglenwood.com/I-70-update.The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association advises drivers to relax, enjoy the scenery and bring along some extra drinks and munchies. Of course, feel free to wave enthusiastically to the CDOT workers who cleared the road for everyone headed for Spring break adventures in Glenwood Springs.

To book a vacation package, go to http://www.visitglenwood.com/packages

About Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs is located between Aspen and Vail, 165 miles west of Denver or 90 miles east of Grand Junction on Interstate 70 off exit 116. For more information about Glenwood Springs, Colorado, call 970-945-6589 or go to http://www.visitglenwood.com/. For lodging reservations, call 888 4 GLENWOOD (888-445-3696). A complete press kit and press releases are available at http://www.visitglenwood.com/press-kit and http://www.visitglenwood.com/press-releases. Access to downloadable photos is available at http://www.visitglenwood.com/photos.

Media Contacts:
Kate Collins, Vice President of Tourism Marketing
Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association
970-945-6589 ext. 105
kate@glenwoodchamber.com
or
Vicky Nash, Public Relations Representative
Resort Trends, Inc. – Tourism & Resort Communications
970-948-4923
vicky@resorttrends.com

MARCH 11, 2010 - ResortCom International, the pioneer in providing servicing solutions in the Shared Ownership Industry has named Luis Lara as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Operating on a Global scale with extensive multicurrency and multicultural capabilities, ResortCom is a 25 year old company with a menu of products and services that expands the full spectrum of business processes. In his new role at ResortCom, Luis Lara will oversee financial operations for both the company’s Financial Services and Technology Division and Tapestry Resorts Management Division and participate actively in ResortCom’s Strategic Planning, Special Projects and Business Development efforts, particularly in the Latin American market.

Mr. Lara was formerly Managing Director for all of RCI Latin America and Chief Executive Officer for Grupo Costamex. Prior to that, he served as Chief Financial Officer for Grupo Real Turismo, which owned and managed the Camino Real – Westin hotels and resorts, the Calinda – Choice hotels and resorts and Club Maeva and the Casolar holdings in Manzanillo. He holds an MBA from the prestigious Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and has participated in executive programs in the Cornell Hotel School, the University of California at Berkeley and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

According to Jeff Healy, President of ResortCom, “We have refocused our efforts to simplify our corporate structure between two operating divisions. With Luis Lara’s in-depth business expertise, we expect both divisions to more fully expand its role providing services for both U.S. and International markets. We are proud to add Luis to our highly seasoned group of executives who know what works for a variety of business models domestically and internationally.”

ResortCom’s Financial Services and Technology Division provides Receivables Servicing on timeshare and fractional loans and maintenance fees. It is widely regarded as a top performer in Portfolio Management exemplified in healthy portfolios, low delinquencies and foreclosures. In addition to loan receivables servicing and portfolio management, ResortCom also specializes in Maintenance Fee Billing and Collections, Merchant Credit Card Services, Tax Withholding Trust Administration, Custodial Services and Lender Support.

ResortCom’s Hospitality, Reservations, Rental and Club Services Division, now known as Tapestry Resorts, is a full service Hospitality Management Company offering resort management, rental, reservations and travel services to the vacation ownership, fractional and luxury resort industry. Tapestry Resorts also brings sophisticated reservations systems to its clientele and effective yield management with strong rental solutions to its resort clients. Tapestry Resorts applies a comprehensive, yet cost effective, suite of superior technology, distribution strategies, and sales and marketing tools to maximize ADR’s and occupancies to enhance the profitability of its clients.

“ResortCom’s exceptional technology capabilities and in-depth industry understanding of important features such as online web/member reservations and payment processing and real time access to all reporting and member data is just the tip of the iceberg in what we have to offer. Over the next year the industry will see some exciting changes from us as we streamline our company and its services,” said Lara.

For more information about ResortCom International, visit www.resortcom.com or call Alejandro Lara at 619-683-2470, ext. 1685.

Located in the heart of Blue Devil country, The Millennium Hotel Durham is illustrating the effects of March Madness with their “Devil of a Deal” Package, offering Duke fans accommodations for the price of the points at the buzzer during the NCAA Tournament.

Guests checking in on the night of any Duke Blue Devil NCAA Tournament game will receive a guaranteed rate of $89*, with the second night’s rate matching Duke’s final score from the night before. And don’t worry Duke fans, you can cheer your heart out without worrying about paying triple digits, as prices won’t exceed $89.

None of the action will be missed on the hotel’s collection of plasma TV’s at the Varsity Lounge, where fans will enjoy complimentary appetizers during the game.

To make reservations, please visit the Millennium Hotels & Resorts website at www.millenniumhotels.com or call directly at 1 (919) 383 8575 and use the booking code DEVIL.

*This package is available through Duke’s participation in the NCAA Tournament, based on a two-night minimum during any of Duke’s games. Applicable fees and taxes do apply.

About The Millennium Hotel Durham
Experience the Southern hospitality of North Carolina at the Millennium Hotel Durham, perfectly suited for sightseers as well as business travelers. Steps from Duke University and Duke Medical Centers, and minutes from the Durham Bulls Baseball Athletic Park, the Museum of Life & Science and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, guests will discover genuine Southern charm in 316 guest rooms and suites, including the Club Level. Visitors can relax in the indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center, and enjoy contemporary Italian cuisine at the hotel’s Bel Gusto Restaurant, or kick back with cocktails and light fare at the Varsity Lounge

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - (March 11, 2010) - Buenaventura Hotels is proud to announce six new appointments at the company’s three Mexico properties: Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa, Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa and Hacienda Hotel & Spa.

Susana Ramirez has been appointed Corporate Director of Sales and Marketing. In her new position, Ms. Ramirez will oversee all levels of business development, sales, marketing and public relations for the company and its three properties.

Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa is proud to announce the appointment of Abel Villa as General Manager. He joins the hotel after participating in the Hilton Elevator Program, a management development program at the Hilton Buenos Aires in Argentina and Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa welcomes Ronald Vega as General Manager and Carlos Dominguez as Sales Director. Mr. Vega previously served as Resident Manager of Occidental Allegro Cozumel and was on the Food & Beverage Management team at Occidental Grand Aruba. He brings over 20 years experience in working in the Mexico and Caribbean hospitality industry. Mr. Dominguez previously served as Sales Director at Hacienda Hotel & Spa for the past four years. Prior to that he held various sales positions at Emporio Mazatlan, Hotel The Cid Mega Resorts and Hotel Fiesta Americana all located throughout Mexico.

Hacienda Hotel & Spa announces the appointments of Pedro Mancilla as General Manager and Norma Garcia as Sales Director. Ms. Garcia previously served as the Group Sales Manager at Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa and brings 12 years of experience in sales and marketing.

About Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa
Nestled on Bahia de Banderas, Villa Premiere Hotel & Spa is an inviting retreat located on a serpentine stretch of golden sand beach walking distance from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Awarded the AAA Four Diamond status for three consecutive years and Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice award for two consecutive years. The hotel’s contemporary Mexican ambiance houses just 83, beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites come complete with Mexican furniture and art, private terraces, whirlpool tubs and sliding doors overlooking miles of Pacific blue. Designed as a tranquil place, reaching out to the region’s indigenous culture and customs to create a most distinctive sense of place, the Spa at Premiere offers a feast for the senses. Stone-patterned flooring, stucco walls, Tepescohuite tree beams and rope ceilings, and palm mats provide textural contrasts while flowering plants, hand painted murals of angels by local artists done in subdued colors, Huichol Indian handicrafts, tranquility fountains, and aroma candles create an inviting and relaxing setting.
www.premiereonline.com.mx

About Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa
Located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, embraced by the Bay of Banderas and kissed by a serpentine stretch of gold-sand beach, Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa offers guests - singles, couples and families alike - a host of exciting activities and a charming ambiance of pure Mexican delight. Awarded the AAA Three Diamond status in 2008. Housing 236 newly remodeled spacious rooms and suites with panoramic ocean views, upgraded furniture and amenities as well as a wealth of fine dining options to whet any palate, the hotel attracts all travelers seeking a vibrant and unforgettable vacation. For spa enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in harmony, an idyllic sanctuary providing an array of invigorating and therapeutic treatments is found at the Shakti Spa. For more information visit:
www.hotelbuenaventura.com.mx.

About Hacienda Hotel & Spa
Discover the charm and serenity of a true Mexican Hacienda with lush tropical gardens, palm trees, waterfalls and secluded garden areas. Located just a short stroll from the beach and a short drive from the heart of Puerto Vallarta. Housing 155 spacious rooms decorated in a traditional Mexican style with private balconies. The hotel offers a free form freshwater swimming pool with swim up bar and three restaurants and three bars. The spa at Hacienda Hotel & Spa offers a relaxing atmosphere featuring a small brook running through the spa featuring cabanas with palm roofs and bamboo curtains surrounded with tropical flora and fauna providing an array of rejuvenating spa treatments.
For more information visit www.haciendaonline.com.mx

Panama City Beach, FL - March 11, 2010 - The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announced that Ryan Jones has joined their company as food and beverage director. Jones will join Brian McConnell, the current food and beverage director, to share responsibilities for directing and organizing the operations of the food and beverage department in order to maintain high standards of quality and service.

“We are happy to welcome Ryan to our growing team,” said Tom Sparks, general manager for The Resort Collection. “His industry experience will be a great asset to our company.”

Jones graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in sport marketing and sport management. Prior to joining The Resort Collection, Jones was the director of restaurants for 14 food and beverage outlets at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. Originally hailing from Illinois, Jones began his career in the hospitality industry at the 600-member Champaign Country Club. He later moved to Greensboro, Georgia to work as club manager at Great Waters Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus signature course located at Reynolds Plantation with more than 2,000 members.

“I look forward to serving our owners, members, and guests of The Resort Collection,” said Jones. “It is truly a privilege to be part of The Resort Collection team that genuinely cares about the hospitality business and its employees.”

About The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach
The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach includes the family-friendly Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, the intimate Majestic Beach Resort, the new luxuriously appointed Emerald Beach Resort, the relaxing Long Beach Resort, the exclusive En Soleil, and the distinctive Marina Landing—all properties managed by The Edgewater Beach Resort Management, Inc. They boast more than 1,000 full-service gulf-front suites and golf villas, 90,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor meeting space, six Plexicushion tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, batting cages, 21 luxurious pools, a 9-hole executive golf course and 27 holes of championship golf at the Hombre Golf Club on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. For information on The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach, call 866.203.1164 or visit www.ResortsPCBeach.com.

Contact:
Lisa Burwell
President & Founder
Cornerstone Marketing & Advertising, Inc.
114 Logan Lane, Suite 4
Grayton Beach, FL 32459
850.231.3087, ext. 1
lisa@theideaboutique.com

Phuket, Thailand – March 8, 2010 – Peter Schiess has been appointed as general manager of the 211 room Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach, a stunning beachfront resort located on Phuket Island’s picturesque Makham Bay.

The Swiss national is a highly regarded hotelier who brings to his new role over 25 years of hospitality background across more than ten cities. He most recently served as general manager of the 330-room Radisson Blu Resort Hotel, Tala Bay in Aqaba, Jordan where he played a pivotal role in the resort’s successful launch. From 2006 to 2009, he successfully managed the Radisson Blu Resort, Taba, Egypt and was also instrumental in the opening of the Ramada Renaissance Hotel Colombo, Sri Lanka.

“Today, the Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach is ranked as the number one hotel on Tripadvisor.com out of some 445 hotels in Phuket, Thailand. This is a remarkable achievement for the hotel and I have strong ambitions to ensure that we continue to set the benchmark in providing vibrant, contemporary and engaging full service hospitality that centres around the ‘Yes I Can’ service philosophy, unique to the Radisson brand.”

As part of its Ambition 2015 plan to expand Radisson as a powerful, globally consistent, first-class brand, Carlson Hotels Worldwide also recently announced that the Radisson brand is poised for significant growth around the world and is expected to grow to at least 600 hotels by 2015.

About Radisson
Radisson is one of the world's leading global brands. It offers vibrant, contemporary and engaging full service hospitality that is characterised by its distinctive 'Yes I Can!' service philosophy. Radisson continues to grow worldwide, focused on adding key hotels in major cities, airport gateways, leisure destinations and other important locations.

About Carlson Hotels
Carlson Hotels is a leading global hotel company with more than 1,060 locations in 77 countries. Its brands include: Regent®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & SuitesSM and Park Inn®. Carlson Hotels is part of Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company. For more information, please visit www.carlsonhotels.com. (30)

BERLIN, Germany - 9 March 2010 – Working together to ensure that global policies are supportive of the sustainable growth of tourism and position travel and tourism as one industry speaking with one voice were some of the challenges highlighted by UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, speaking on the occasion of the opening of this year’s ITB Travel Trade Show (Berlin, Germany, 10-14 March 2010).

ITB 2010 kicks off as the tourism industry is starting to leave behind one of the most difficult years of its history, after international tourist arrivals fell by 4% in 2009, while earnings are estimated to have fallen by approximately 6%.

The return of growth to international tourism in the last quarter of 2009 and the first results from January 2010 suggest that recuperation is underway. In this framework, UNWTO forecasts a growth of 3% to 4% in international tourist arrivals for 2010.

"Though there are positive signs emerging from the global economy, we all recognize that recovery is still weak, uneven, easily reversible and that many downside risks remain", said Mr. Rifai. "It is therefore key to devise ways for tourism to be well positioned in any new economic cycle", he added.

At the same time, Mr Rifai highlighted the lessons learned from the UNWTO Roadmap for Recovery process: countries which were quick in reacting to and implementing measures to mitigate the crisis have seen that their initiatives have made a difference.

He also recalled that "tourism can rapidly create jobs" inviting the sector to consider a "collective initiative that stimulates the preservation and creation of decent jobs and qualifies human resources to be part of the transformation to the green economy".

In considering the roots of the still persisting challenges, Mr. Rifai said "it seems that our global economic order and our global ecological balance are both challenged at the same time". He added, "the entire development model of the last 60 years seems to be unsustainable and in question".

Against this backdrop, UNWTO Secretary-General underscored that "recent developments have revealed some of the structural weaknesses of our sector, both within the private and the public realms."

"There is clearly a need to revisit our business models in order to master innovation and technology as much as there is a need to develop comprehensive, clear and strong public policies. We cannot build a meaningful public-private partnership without strong, healthy and identifiable national public policies on travel and tourism"., he concluded.

Relevant links:

• Read the full speech at: http://www.unwto.org/pdf/ITB2010EN.pdf

• UNWTO welcomes the Outcome of the First T.20 Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa:
  www.unwto.org/media/news/en/press_det.php?id=5661

• Roadmap for Recovery: www.unwto.org/pdf/roadmap_EN.pdf

Contact information:

Contact number during ITB: + (34) 620 729 731

Media Officer: Marcelo Risi
T: +34 91-567-8178 / +34 91-567-8100 / F: +34 91-567-8218
comm@UNWTO.org - mailto:www.UNWTO.org

WASHINGTON, DC - March 11, 2010 - On March 5, 2010, the U.S. Department of Commerce published in the Federal Register the announcement for this year's Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant award competition. This year, the applications will be due on April 19, 2010. For further information on the schedule, how to apply, helpful links, or for an application, please visit the MDCP website at: http://www.ita.doc.gov/mdcp/.

Public Meeting March 16
A meeting to discuss the 2010 MDCP competition will begin at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 16 at the Herbert C. Hoover Building at 1401 Constitution Ave., N.W. in Washington, D.C. Interested parties can participate via teleconference by dialing 1-800-369-1883. The access code is BHESS.

Applications from travel and tourism organizations will be in competition with all other sectors of the U.S. economy for MDCP grant monies. On the MDCP web site pages, past award winners are announced and there are numerous links that provide detailed information to assist you in the development of your proposal. Previous grants have been awarded to: Travel South USA, Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau, Western States Tourism Policy Council, Mountain South, USA, National Tour Association, and Capital Region USA.

The Office of Travel and Tourism Industries and the U.S. Commercial Service are available for limited background-related assistance with market background and plan suggestions for this grant, as long as it is within the official MDCP guidelines. You are encouraged to use these resources to show the public/private partnership links. When developing your proposals, please visit the ITA web sites as well. OTTI suggests that you review the Commerce resources available to assist you in the market when applying for a Commerce grant. You can visit:

http://tinet.ita.doc.gov/
http://trade.gov/cs/
http://www.buyusa.gov/eme/tra.html
http://www.trade.gov/mas/
http://www.ita.doc.gov

For further information on the MDCP, please contact:

Brad Hess, Manager, Market Development Cooperator Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
14th & Constitution Ave. N.W., Room 3209
Washington, DC 20230
Telephone: (202) 482-2969 Fax: (202) 482-4462
http://www.ita.doc.gov/td/mdcp/

MARCH 11, 2010 - Already an experienced host to high-level guests, the elegant luxury hotel was prompted to create the private hotel concept after identifying an increasing demand for bespoke, easily-contained hotel accommodation for groups during global summits, official visits and conferences. These groups will now be able to take over the hotel completely during their stay, ensuring both enhanced personal service and security for guests.

Reema Sanger, Director of The Bentley London Waldorf Astoria Collection, explains the reasoning behind the new concept, “Hotels deal with a wide range of clientele across the business and leisure travel sectors, so services and facilities are predominantly geared towards these guests. Through experience, we have identified potential in introducing a private and secure accommodation solution specifically for high-level guests, who due to the nature of their business or lifestyle have special requirements whilst travelling.”

As part of the concept, the hotel will also assign a ‘Head Guest Ambassador’, who will act as the day-to-day liaison for guest’s personal requirements and special requests, also coordinating activities or events held within the hotel premises.

Located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, The Bentley London regularly accommodates foreign dignitaries and heads of state, due to its proximity to various international embassies, the Houses of Parliament and royal residences. With four superior event spaces in addition to Peridot restaurant, the hotel is able to host a range of occasions, from intimate private dinners and glamorous receptions to high-powered meetings and official banquets.

Featuring six different suite categories including the Royal, Presidential and Imperial Suites, all guest quarters are graced with rich fabrics and hand-crafted furniture, reminiscent of the grand palaces of Europe, whilst retaining the comfort, convenience and technology of a modern five-star hotel. Three in-house kitchens enable private chefs to accompany VIP guests and attend to specific culinary requirements, alongside the resident chef brigade. Discreet access to the hotel’s Le Kalon Spa with Turkish hammam and fitness room by private elevator on each floor, by-passes the public lobby so that guests can move around the building in spa robes and slippers if desired.

“Some of our regular guests and corporate bookers have already shown interest in the concept, so we are anticipating a good response, especially in the lead-up to and during the 2012 Olympics,” ended Sanger.

CHICAGO, IL - March 9, 2010 - Burgeoning resort development company Amble Resorts has contracted the hospitality experts West Paces Hotel Group to manage Amble's sophisticated, environmentally sensitive debut resort community, The Resort at Isla Palenque.

The collaboration is noteworthy for its marriage of Amble's unique, visionary ideas with West Paces' experience and well-known service standards. Amble, founded by Ben Loomis in 2007, is a new resort development company that is committed to the mission of creating sustainable accommodations for discerning travelers. West Paces, an established giant in the hospitality industry whose leadership hails from The Ritz-Carlton Company, has long prided itself on providing an unparalleled level of personalized service to guests. This combination makes The Resort at Isla Palenque an unmatched resort real estate opportunity for homebuyers now, and for travelers once the hotel opens in 2012.

Amble's selection of West Paces as their management team is sure to have significant impact, not only for homebuyers and resort guests, but for the resort industry at large. Amble's vision - uniting environmentally sustainable concepts with chic, high-end design and comfort - now has support from lauded hospitality veterans like West Paces Chairman and CEO Horst Schulze.

"More than a passing trend, the green movement is creating far-reaching change in the hospitality industry," says Schulze, hotel management legend and former president, COO and founding member of The Ritz-Carlton Company. "I'd been looking for a company with innovative ideas; one that can provide guests with a sustainable, close-to-nature experience without compromising the luxury they deserve. When I learned about Amble Resorts and their plans for Isla Palenque I said, 'This is the one.'"

West Paces Hotel Group will manage every aspect of the resort, such as the hotel, spa, dining, rental program, private in-home services, the yacht club, the organic farm and nature preserve, as well as transport on and off the island and delivery of mainland supplies to the secluded Isla Palenque community.

Still, the resort will still maintain its individuality. "The island itself and our mission for its development are too unique to fit any existing brand," says Loomis. "Both Amble and West Paces believe that it is best to keep The Resort at Isla Palenque an independent hotel. But the same expertise that West Paces brings to their Capella and Solis brands will be brought to Isla Palenque, ensuring a level of quality that no other resort in Panama can boast. We're pretty excited."

The Resort at Isla Palenque will be an integrated, immersion-in-nature eco-resort experience, and with West Paces Hotel Group management offering their high-level, personalized service, guests and residents will have the best of both worlds: nature and nurture.

About Amble Resorts
Amble was founded by Benjamin Loomis in 2007 to develop and own unique upscale hotels and resorts that provide ecologically and culturally sensitive travel experiences. http://www.amble.com

Amble's new Panama real estate project, The Resort at Isla Palenque, will be a secluded and sustainable resort community with a unique boutique hotel, ingeniously designed residences, and sumptuous amenities.http://www.islapalenque.com

About West Paces Hotel Group
The West Paces Hotel Group was founded in 2002 by Horst Schulze, former president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, in concert with a team comprised of former key Ritz-Carlton executives. West Paces was created to develop and operate hotels in select upscale market segments, and has successfully launched two luxury hotel brands, Capella and Solis. http://www.westpaceshotels.com

ADAIRSVILLE, GA - (March 9, 2010) – Barnsley Gardens Resort is excited to announce that General Manager Scott Mahr was named as an outstanding general manager by the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association during the annual Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards on March 2, 2010.

“It is such an honor for me to win this prestigious award,” said Mahr. “I have been working at Barnsley Gardens Resort since the property was being converted into a resort, and I am excited to be a part of such a special place.”

Mahr joined Barnsley Gardens Resort in 1999 and served as the resort’s golf pro. He worked his way to assistant general manager, and in 2005 Mahr’s passion for the property resulted in him being promoted to general manager. Mahr encourages all of the employees at Barnsley Gardens Resort to provide quality service that exceeds guests’ expectations and inspires his team to become better individuals overall. He has cultivated not only a strong employee base but a real sense of family among all the employees at the property. Under Mahr’s direction, the resort’s revenue has continued to grow. Even in 2009’s tough economy, Barnsley Gardens Resort was able to increase its leisure business by 19 percent.

Mahr is also very active within the golf community, serving as a member of both the PGA of America and the Georgia PGA. His other current board positions include the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, Cartersville/Bartow County CVB, and Advance Adairsville.

BOSTON, MA – March 9, 2010 - The Massachusetts lodging industry came together at the Omni Parker House Hotel on Friday, February 26, 2010 to honor exemplary employees and unique programs in the industry, at the 2009 Stars of the Industry Awards Gala. All winners will be submitted to national nomination for the American Hotel & Lodging Association Stars of the Industry Awards, which parallel the Massachusetts Lodging Association awards.

“We had a record number of nominees this year,” said Paul J. Sacco, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Lodging Association. “We’d like to congratulate all winners and nominees on their accomplishments in the past year”. This year's recipients of the Stars of the Industry Awards are: Employee of the Year (medium property – 101-300 rooms) Lai Chan, Nine Zero Hotel

• Employee of the Year (large property – over 300 rooms) - eidre Leahy, Hyatt Regency Boston

• Manager of the Year (medium property – 101-300 rooms) - Barbara Anastasia, Phillips Family Properties

• Manager of the Year (large property – over 300 rooms) - David Markland, The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers

• General Manager of the Year (small property – up to 100 rooms) - Juli Lederhaus, Hawthorne Hotel

• General Manager of the Year (medium property – 101-300 rooms) - Brian Stiglets, Best Western Inn at Longwood

• Industry Partner Employee of the Year - Cathy Doran, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year (up to 150 rooms) - Michelle Wolforth, Mandarin Oriental, Boston

• Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year (over 150 rooms) - Elaine Strunk, The Lenox Hotel

• Prism Award for Diversity - Hawthorne Hotel

• New Technology - Mandarin Oriental, Boston

• Community Service - Four Seasons Hotel – Teddy Bear Tea

• Employee Relations (up to 150 rooms) - Hotel Commonwealth

• Employee Relations (over 150 rooms) - The Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers

• Guest Relations - Hotel Marlowe - Kimpton Hotels/Pet Friendly Program

• Good Earthkeeping - The Charles Hotel

• Special Events (Ongoing– over 150 rooms) - The Liberty Hotel

• Special Events (One Time – over 150 rooms) - Westin Copley Place – Dinner on the Mayflower

The Massachusetts Lodging Association is a trade association representing and promoting the lodging industry in Massachusetts. MLA has more than 400 active property members, which include hotels, motels, resorts, inns and bed and breakfasts, comprising more than 35,000 rooms. Association membership includes more than 200 companies that supply products and services to the lodging industry. In addition, more than 15 colleges and universities that have hospitality programs are members, as well as a number of corporate members that represent companies which own or manage properties. For more information, please visit MLA’s website: www.masslodging.com

NEW YORK, NY - (March 9, 2010) - The storied Empire Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt New York has undergone a $12 million renovation and is again welcoming Presidents, royalty and celebrities alike. Originally built in 1917, the Empire Ballroom’s recent facelift, paired with its long history and prime location as an anchor of the Grand Central neighborhood, make the venue one of the most desirable in the U.S.

Known previously as the Commodore Ballroom, it was the place where President John F. Kennedy accepted the Democratic Party nomination for President in 1960. Martin Luther King gave a speech 1956 and former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrated her victory of the New York Senate race.

The 18,000 square foot space accommodates 100 to 1,500 guests and can be elegantly divided into five function or meeting units. Tapping into architectural references from the original Commodore Ballroom, design firm Looney and Associates created a design and feel that upholds and celebrates the integrity of the legendary space.

Special touches of the Empire Ballroom include metal grillwork reminiscent of neighboring Grand Central Station and original tin tiling throughout the function spaces, respecting and enhancing the historic nature of the venue. The Ballroom also features beaded glass drapery in the entrance and an Italian marble foyer. The spectacular chandeliers are comprised of 7,000 individual hand-blown pieces of art glass creating a “champagne cloud,” giving the ballroom a sense of contemporary New York style.

The newly renovated space proves ideal for business meetings and functions of any size. Progressive audio-visual equipment has been installed along with permanent drop-down projection screens. Advanced LED lighting control system can create multiple hues and color tones to reflect the mood of each event. Both the ballroom and foyer feature enhanced communications and data packages, such as Category 6 branded communications infrastructure, to meet the needs of today’s meetings.

To learn more about Grand Hyatt New York, please visit www.newyork.grandhyatt.com or call 1-800-233-1234 or 1-212-883-1234.

About Grand Hyatt New York With a premier location on 42nd Street between Park and Lexington Avenues, the Grand Hyatt New York lies in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Attached to the legendary Grand Central Terminal, the Grand Hyatt is just steps away from the city’s best culture and attractions, including Times Square, Broadway, art, culinary experiences and world-class shopping.

The hotel has 1,311 guest rooms including 51 suites. The suites range in size from 600 to more than 3,500 square feet. The guest rooms feature the Hyatt “Grand Bed” and have large workspaces. The Grand Club provides added luxury offering elevator key access, complimentary breakfast, afternoon snacks and evening hors d’oeuvres and drinks. The Grand Hyatt New York is perfect for groups of any size. Boasting over 50 meeting rooms and 55,000 square feet of meeting space, the hotel can accommodate groups from 10 to 1,500 people.