The News Review:

- Raffles Singapore Hotel Appoints David Watson New Executive Chef
- Details Released of Pact With Resort Developer
- Get away from it all this Easter to Phuket’s Indigo Pearl Resort
- X2 Samui Announces Partnership with LIFESTYLEHTELS Group
- Home > Business > Bt15 billion for expansion
- Singapore and Moscow await vote to select host for 1st Youth lympics…
- The picket line was everywhere for him

Raffles Singapore Hotel Appoints David Watson New Executive Chef
Hospitality Net – Feb 20, 2008
In this highly revered position Chef Watson will preside over the kitchens of Raffles Hotel?s 18 characteristic bars and restaurants banquet and catering facilities as well as the newly reopened Raffles Culinary Academy. He was also the mastermind behind yet another creative chapter of the highly anticipated Annual Raffles Hotel Wine Food and Arts Experience which took place from 30 January to 3 February 2008. Hailing from Surrey United Kingdom Chef Watson is no stranger to the legendary service tradition of the Raffles family as he was for a period Chef de Cuisine at Raffles Grill. Fluent in English and French Chef Watson?s work stints overseas took him to France India Taiwan and Thailand honing his craft at two Michelin-star restaurants Le Manoir Aux Quat?saisons in xford United Kingdom and L?Hostellerie de Levernois in Beaune France and one Michelin-star L?Auberge de Noves in Avignon France… He was also the mastermind behind yet another creative chapter of the highly anticipated Annual Raffles Hotel Wine Food and Arts Experience which took place from 30 January to 3 February 2008. Hailing from Surrey United Kingdom Chef Watson is no stranger to the legendary service tradition of the Raffles family as he was for a period Chef de Cuisine at Raffles Grill. Fluent in English and French Chef Watson?s work stints overseas took him to France India Taiwan and Thailand honing his craft at two Michelin-star restaurants Le Manoir Aux Quat?saisons in xford United Kingdom and L?Hostellerie de Levernois in Beaune France and one Michelin-star L?Auberge de Noves in Avignon France. Just prior to joining Raffles Hotel he was the Group Executive Chef at De Vere Hotel and Resort Group. Having sharpened his senses and polished his culinary skills through extensive research and travels Chef Watson is sensitive to his adopted country?s gourmet penchants and profoundly perceptive to global dining trends adventurously interweaving his classical techniques with contemporary touches. ?The role of Executive Chef is crucial to a legendary property that is Raffles Hotel and we believe Chef Watson will infuse his creativity valuable wealth of experiences and impressive cuisine style to our team? shared Mr Robert Logan General Manager of Raffles Hotel. ?We are most delighted to have Chef Watson on board and look forward to the creation of many elegant soirées and awardwinning gastronomic affairs together?.

Details Released of Pact With Resort Developer
Bahama Journal – The Bahama Journal – Feb 20, 2008
It is now proposed that the developer will commence construction of the hotel within six months Mr. Ingraham disclosed. “Subject to the hotel being constructed and operational the government undertakes not to approve any development on its remaining 250 plus acres of land at Norman’s Cay that is incompatible with the developer’s overall project concept” Mr. “The developer has agreed to prepare a development plan for the retained government lands for the consideration of the government. The developers’ vision calls for a hotel lodge consisting of a reception area hotel back-of-house component restaurants bars and function areas; 40 hotel bungalows; 28 residential villa sites; a beach club and pool and spa and fitness centers. They have also committed to extending and upgrading the existing airport; customs immigration and police facilities at the airport; living accommodation for customs immigration and police; island infrastructure (electrical water sewage communications cabling and island roadways) and marina and marina village… He also appeared to be impressed with the track record of Amanresorts. “Amanresorts have developed an excellent reputation around the world for its visionary design extraordinary attention to detail and unsurpassed personal service” he told members of the House of Assembly this week. “The Amanresorts portfolio of properties includes ultra-luxury hotels and resorts in some of the world’s most pristine and exotic destinations including Thailand Bali The Philippines India and Morocco. ” He also explained that the Norman’s Cay development by Amanresorts was to have been owner Adrian Zecha’s first property in the region and in The Bahamas. Zecha is the driving force behind world-renowned hotel companies which include Regent International Hotels Ltd Rafael Hotels and Amanresorts. “There were also plans for a second property in The Bahamas” the prime minister said.

Get away from it all this Easter to Phuket’s Indigo Pearl Resort
e-Travel Blackboard – e-Travel Blackboard (press release) – Feb 20, 2008
The design chic hotel is offering an Easter package for the period of 19-27 March and is a great choice for families looking to enjoy a relaxing holiday. The resort which has just celebrated its one year anniversary has already attracted worldwide acclaim having been named one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler (US) and ranked among the “TP 50 Dream Resorts” by Honeymoon and Travel magazine. Also included is a Thai cooking lesson or spa pampering at the luxury 5-star resort inspired by the island’s tin mining history which is set amidst lush tropical gardens pools and postmodern art… The resort which has just celebrated its one year anniversary has already attracted worldwide acclaim having been named one of the best new hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler (US) and ranked among the “TP 50 Dream Resorts” by Honeymoon and Travel magazine. Also included is a Thai cooking lesson or spa pampering at the luxury 5-star resort inspired by the island’s tin mining history which is set amidst lush tropical gardens pools and postmodern art.

X2 Samui Announces Partnership with LIFESTYLEHTELS Group
e-Travel Blackboard – e-Travel Blackboard (press release) – Feb 20, 2008
Samui Thailand (January 2008) – X2 Samui a soon-to-be opened design hotel and resort on Koh Samui today announced a strategic marketing partnership with LIFESTYLEHTELS the Austria-based marketing and sales company for independent luxury hotels. LIFESTYLEHTELS has a business philosophy characterized by values of individuality originality authenticity and quality.

Home > Business > Bt15 billion for expansion
Nation Multimedia – Feb 20, 2008
CPN will invest Bt6 billion in new shopping malls in Chaeng Wattana and Pattaya as well as renovating existing complexes. CHR will allocate Bt3. 5 billion this year for Grand Hotel at Central World which will be officially opened midyear as well as its hotel at Wong Amart Beach in North Pattaya. Central Group executive director for finance Prin Chirathivat said major sources of investment funds this year would come from the firm's cash flow. He plans to seek new loans and issue property funds if the new government relaxes the 30-per-cent withholding rule. CPN plans to issue a property fund worth Bt7 billion. CHR also plans to issue its own fund worth Bt4 billlion… The overall economy last year was actually better than in 2006 due to strong exports and higher state spending. Suthichai said the major cause of under-achieving targets was the higher cost of oil which spurred inflation battering the purchasing power of consumers. Asked if the group would extend a lease with the State Railway of Thailand on its Central Lat Phrao mall that ends this year Suthichai said the group had not yet received an invitation letter or details from related agencies. Kwanchai RungfapaisarnThe Nation.

Singapore and Moscow await vote to select host for 1st Youth lympics…
USA Today – Feb 20, 2008
The votes were counted by a Swiss notary and the result put in a sealed envelope which Rogge will open during a ceremony at the lympic Museum in Lausanne. Moscow is underwriting a games budget of $180 million compared to $75 million for Singapore. As well as the Luzhniki stadium the Moscow bid plans to reuse the 1980 athletes’ village at the Izmaylovo hotel complex and requires already scheduled upgrades to the athletics and tennis venues. Singapore proposes 24 venues including one large cluster of 13 sports. Nineteen of the venues already exist four would be built as temporary facilities and one is under construction for equestrian. Singapore and Moscow made the final list after the elimination of Athens Greece; Bangkok Thailand; Turin Italy; Debrecen Hungary; Guatemala City; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia; and Poznan Poland. The Associated PressPosted document… Singapore proposes 24 venues including one large cluster of 13 sports. Nineteen of the venues already exist four would be built as temporary facilities and one is under construction for equestrian. Singapore and Moscow made the final list after the elimination of Athens Greece; Bangkok Thailand; Turin Italy; Debrecen Hungary; Guatemala City; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia; and Poznan Poland. The Associated PressPosted document.

The picket line was everywhere for him
Hindu – Feb 20, 2008
Then everything was brought to a screeching halt. He got initiated into an experience that has become part of everyday Malayali life — the hartal. Since he had to fly to Thailand via Colombo from the Kochi airport on Tuesday evening he set out from the hotel very early in the morning considering possible hurdles put up by the strikers. An autorickshaw took him to the south railway station where he learnt that there would be no train to Aluva till the afternoon. He was forced to think of alternative ways including seeking the assistance of the police to reach the airport. “It causes great difficulty to travellers” he said. However he understood the absence of vehicles on the road and the risk involved in defying the strike call.

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