The News Review:

- Hard Rock Hotels Bali and Pattaya Websites Record 60% Growth
- Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Set to pen in the Bay Islands Honduras…
- Kid-friendly summertime vacation spots
- National TV in parentheses
- Museum director in antiquities probe dies in federal custody
- BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/5

Hard Rock Hotels Bali and Pattaya Websites Record 60% Growth
e-Travel Blackboard – e-Travel Blackboard (press release) – May 14, 2008
First quarter 2008 versus first quarter 2007 has already recorded a growth of 32%. Total bookings on both websites currently represent about 78% of the two Hard Rock Hotels’ overall online bookings making this channel an important online distribution for the properties. According to Ms Karen Chan Marketing Communications Manager for HPL Hotels & Resorts which manages Hard Rock Hotels Bali and Pattaya this impressive figure was achieved as a result of an intense e-commerce strategy that is tied in with aggressive Internet marketing activities. The two hotels have also just unveiled a new look for their websites. The revamped websites’ URL remains unchanged at.

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Set to pen in the Bay Islands Honduras…
hospitalitynet.org – May 14, 2008
Scheduled to open in fall 2010 Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Roatan located in Honduras? stunning Bay Islands will deliver over-the-top luxury and the brand?s signature Nikki style with more than 100 luxury suites penthouses and ocean view villas; a lavish spa; a mega-yacht marina and an 11-acre interactive nature park and reserve. Roatan has been recognized by the New York Times and CNN Money as one of the world?s top up-and-coming travel destinations and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa will create a private enclave where jet setters can experience the island?s natural beauty and sparkling waters along with Nikki Beach?s unsurpassed entertainment. The resort will be the centerpiece of Blue cean Reef an exclusive 90-acre development bordered by 2500 linear feet of white sand beaches. For guests interested in an equal balance of nightlife and wildlife the resort area is surrounded by the world?s second largest barrier reef offering spectacular diving and snorkeling… ?The glamour style first-class dining and incredible energy that Nikki Beach is known for will help us cement Roatan?s status as an in-demand destination for the upscale international traveler. ? Nikki Beach one of the world?s most recognizable lifestyle and entertainment brands expanded into the luxury boutique hotel and resort business with the introduction of Nikki Beach Resort Turks & Caicos Islands in April 2008. Fifteen additional hotels and resorts are planned at hotspots in 12 countries around the world including Mexico Qatar Dubai Panama Cape Verde and Thailand. Building on the unprecedented growth of the Nikki Beach Club concept with more than 3. 5 million customers and 12 venues worldwide the many Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts under development represent a natural progression from the lifestyle entertainment industry to the hotel and resort sector. For more information on Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts and real estate opportunities for investors visit.

Kid-friendly summertime vacation spots
MSNBC – May 14, 2008
Unlike the family vacations their grandparents took likely by car to the countryside or a national park today’s young travelers tag along with their parents on cross-country or international flights to isolated destinations metropolitan cities and theme parks. With more flights to more destinations today family vacations can easily involve globe-trotting. The summertime vacation in particular is when parents can block out two weeks for a trip to Thailand three months to explore Africa or a maybe a week in Paris with a biking trip in the Loire Valley. These itineraries are familiar to Samantha McClure owner of Austin Texas-based travel agency Small World Travel ? she created the packages for clients vacationing this summer with 10- 12- and 14-year-olds. Story continues below ?advertisement |… Neither is superior but services and programs for children will vary. Theme parks for example cater to kids non-stop which Lipman sees as kid-friendly. More hotels and resorts on the other hand are offering nanny services and creative age-appropriate activities which Lipman considers kid-focused.

National TV in parentheses
ESPN – May 14, 2008
Richard Gutierrez Miami 10 junior middleweights. At Aguascalientes Mexico (PPV) Jorge Arce Mexico vs. Devid Lookmahanak Thailand 12 super flyweights. At Durango Mexico Cristian Mijares Mexico vs. Alexander Munoz Venezuela 12 for Mijares’ WBA and Munoz’s WBC super flyweight titles. At Mexico City Ulises Solis Mexico vs. Juanito Rubillar Philippines 12 for Solis’ IBF light flyweight title… Raphael Butler Rockester Minn. June 21At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood Fla. (SH) Edison Miranda Puerto Rico vs. Arthur Abraham Germany 12 middleweights. June 27At Las Vegas (ESPN2) Yuriorkis Gamboa Cuba vs. Jose Rojas Miami 10 junior lightweights.

Museum director in antiquities probe dies in federal custody
Seattle Times – May 14, 2008
Roxanna Brown the director of the Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum at Bangkok University in Thailand was found dead around 2:30 a. said FDC spokeswoman Maggie gden. Brown was arrested at her hotel last Friday as she prepared to have dinner with colleagues from the University of Washington where she was scheduled to speak Saturday according to news reports. gden said the cause of Brown’s death is under investigation… said FDC spokeswoman Maggie gden. Brown was arrested at her hotel last Friday as she prepared to have dinner with colleagues from the University of Washington where she was scheduled to speak Saturday according to news reports. gden said the cause of Brown’s death is under investigation. Brown had complained of being ill after her arrest and her scheduled appearance before a U. magistrate Monday was postponed because she didn’t feel well.

BUSINESS IN BRIEF 14/5
VietNamNet Bridge – May 14, 2008
China imports 64 percent of the country?s rubber with Singapore the Republic of Korea Germany and the US the next highest among the 40 countries that buy Vietnam ?s rubber. The lack of a trademark is one reason Vietnamese rubber sells at low prices. The country exported 760000 tonnes of rubber last year while the target was 780000 tonnes. This year the Ministry of Industry and Trade targets a 4 percent increase in export output and a rise of 12… 46 hectares urban area is a 100 percent foreign investment project which is estimated to totally cost 85 million USD. The project will build high-end apartments and villas with a total floor space of 450000 sq. m a five-star hotel a trade centre and a recreation and sport centre. It also includes schools an international hospital. About 60 percent of the area is earmarked for green trees and lakes. The investor pledged to build modern architectural projects with systematic infrastructure using environmentally friendly equipment in the ur City area. Banking system on the right track: workshopA workshop on May 13 affirmed that orientations for economic development and the banking system are on the right track and commensurate with the market economy?s development regulations.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.