The News Review:

- The sex tourism dilemma: Most onlookers do nothing
- Bangkok’s Best Western Mayfair Suites to open in March
- Minneapolis Hotelier Forms Partnership in China
- Phuket welcomes the Marriott in 2008

The sex tourism dilemma: Most onlookers do nothing
Toronto Star – Jan 17, 2008
It was hard to gauge her age but her mannerisms seemed self-conscious and young. We had heard so many stories by that point and had already wandered incredulously along Patpong Rd. We became convinced the girl was an underage prostitute. What did we do? We did what most tourists did ? nothing… What’s more many governments are implementing a national awareness campaign to educate people about the issue. Air France for example shows inflight videos about sex tourism. Travellers can help by asking a hotel or a tour company you’re considering using if they have signed the code. Smolenski admits it has been "incredibly hard" to get some companies to sign and notes that the only big tourism industry corporation to sign so far is Carlson Hotels which operates Radisson Park Plaza and Country Inn & Suites. She believes many companies don’t want to sign the code because "they believe that if they sign the code of conduct they’ll be subject to a lawsuit" if something does happen. But there this is one key thing travellers can do she says: Demand that any company that wants our business sign the code. As long as offenders think their chances of getting caught are slim they’ll continue to sexually exploit children.

Bangkok’s Best Western Mayfair Suites to open in March
ASIATravelTips.com – Jan 18, 2008
The hotel is within walking distance of a bustling clothing market Baiyoke Tower and the computer haven of Panthip Plaza and only minutes from the upscale boutiques and restaurants in Siam Paragon Central World and Gaysorn. Each of Best Western Mayfair guest room opens to a city view in the heart of Thailand’s capital. The hotel features Millennio Caf? serving scrumptious Thai seafood and international cuisine and The Bar offering a variety of beverages and drinks in a cool relaxing environment. See other recent news regarding:.

Minneapolis Hotelier Forms Partnership in China
Commercial Property News – Jan 17, 2008
The new properties will carry Carlson’s Radisson Park Plaza and Park Inn flags. “There’s a transformation in China and all predictions indicate it is going to be a huge growth area for the hotel industry” Tom Polski vice president of global communications and external relations for Carlson Hotels Worldwide told CPN today. Carlson and Sunshine100 have identified a bevy of cities–including Tianjin Chongqing Shenyang Yantai Changsha Nanning Liuzhou and Guilin–as prime markets for its new hotels. “We’re really going to be looking at second and tertiary cities where there is tremendous opportunity” he added… ” The partnership will allow Carlson which will ultimately manage the properties to double its presence in China. The company has increased its focus on China over the last few years and presently manages nine properties there including the 500-room Regent Beijing and the 511-room Regent Shanghai (pictured). ne of the company’s most recent efforts to further penetrate the market took shape last ctober when it joined forces with Lotus Hotel Investment to create a $1 billion fund for the development of hotels not only in China but in India Thailand and Vietnam as well. According to the China Tourism Industry Analysis (2007-2011) report by research firm RNCS tourism receipts will soar to $85 billion three years from now a growth pattern that is already placing immense pressure on the hotel industry particularly in less developed cities. Needless to say China has moved up higher on the radar of many hotel companies in recent years. In 2007 alone RREEF and H&Q Asia Pacific formed a $550 million joint venture to develop over 25 Hilton Garden Inn properties; Hyatt Hotels & Resorts revealed plans to open 15 new Park Hyatt Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency hotels; and Accor announced it would open 62 hotels by 2010. Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide is active in 71 countries with 955 properties featuring the Regent Hotels & Resorts Radisson Hotels & Resorts Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn brands.

Phuket welcomes the Marriott in 2008
e-Travel Blackboard – e-Travel Blackboard (press release) – Jan 18, 2008
The hotel represents the 11th hotel that Marriott currently has under construction in Thailand and the fifth that it is developing with Destination Properties. “We are thrilled by the rapid expansion of our lodging brands not only throughout Thailand but specifically in Phuket” said Ed Fuller president & managing director of international lodging for Marriott. “Phuket is the largest and most-visited island in Thailand. When this resort opens it will be our fifth property and third hotel brand on Phuket which positions us to offer travelers a lodging choice in the luxury upscale and upper-moderate tiers. We are also delighted to be continuing our strong relationship with Destination Properties. ”The 202-room property will be located on a hill south of Kamala Beach and will feature panoramic views of the Andaman Sea. The rooms will hold large terraces most of which will offer either a plunge pool an outdoor Jacuzzi or a personal pool.

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