Starwood continues its expansion in Latin America with the signing of the new Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center, due to open in Q1 2014

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sheraton® Hotels & Resorts today announced the signing of the Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center, a new project in Pernambuco state in the northeast region of Brazil. The Sheraton Reserva do Paiva is being developed by the Portuguese group Promovalor and the Brazilian group Odebrecht Realizações Imobiliárias and will be the first five star hotel in Reserva do Paiva, located approximately 30 minutes from Recife, as part of the third phase of this planned community. The hotel is scheduled to open in March 2014.

Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel will be located one block away from one of the most beautiful stretches of beaches in Northeastern Brazil. Featuring 289 rooms, including 21 junior suites and seven deluxe suites, the hotel will boast a spa; the brand’s signature Sheraton Fitness programmed by Core Performance® with more than 3,937 square feet of work-out space; and an exclusive Club Lounge on the top floor with beautiful sea views; restaurants and a Beach Club with leisure offerings including an infinity pool and spacious lounge area. The heart of the lobby will feature a bar and the brand’s Link@Sheraton(R) experienced with Microsoft® -Sheraton’s signature social hub where connections, whether face-to-face or webcam-to-webcam, can take place. The hotel will also offer 120 covered parking spaces and will be energy efficient, reducing its environmental impact.

“Our leadership position in the upper upscale hotel segment in Latin America highlights the success of the Sheraton brand’s distinctive positioning in this fast-growing market,” said Hoyt Harper, Global Brand Leader for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. “At the end of 2011, Sheraton has expanded its footprint to 29 hotels in ten Latin American countries, including four hotels in Brazil, strengthening Starwood’s position in the region.”

“We are thrilled with the robust expansion of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Latin America and to be announcing the groundbreaking for a new Sheraton hotel in Brazil. We continue to expand our presence in emerging markets with our nine distinctive brands, and as Brazilians pick up their pace of travel, they will look to stay with the brands they know and recognize. Additionally, with the focus on hotel development in preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, Starwood looks to continue to expand its presence in Brazil, and build upon our 37 years in the country.” said Osvaldo Librizzi, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Latin America.

Sheraton Reserva do Paiva Hotel and Convention Center features a modern convention center with more than 9,186 square feet that will accommodate up to 2,100 people. The meeting space will include two ballrooms, four function rooms and other flexible meeting and exhibition areas all featuring high ceilings, individually air-conditioned, sound-proof structure and top-of-the line technology in audio visuals and direct access to exterior terraces. Located just nine miles from the International Airport of Guarapes and the Suape Industrial Harbour Complex, this will be the largest and most well equipped convention center in Northeast Brazil.

The Sheraton Reserva do Paiva will blend in with the architectural concept of Reserva do Paiva which includes low buildings, extensive green areas and environmentally-friendly construction. The hotel will be an eight story building with a total area of 95,144 square feet of constructed area. Part of the third phase of Reserva do Paiva, the project was developed by a team of 20 international companies from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Portugal, all highly experienced professionals in the luxury hotel industry.

For more information, please visit: www.reservadopaiva.com

About Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

Sheraton helps guests make connections at more than 400 properties in 70 countries around the world and recently completed a US$6 billion global revitalization and is now in the midst of a US$5 billion global expansion over the next three years. Sheraton is owned by and is the largest and most global brand of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc, one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,071 properties in 100 countries and territories with approximately 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and ElementSM. The company boasts one of the industry’s leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

Contacts

Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Nadeen Ayala, 203-351-2542
nadeen.ayala@starwoodhotels.com

PRLog (Press Release) – Jan 08, 2012 -
Hanoi, Vietnam, January 08, 2012 – Luxury Travel Ltd (a long established specialist in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand) is expanding its reach with the launch of representative office in London. This office will service UK and Ireland travel agents and tour operators from Jan 2012.

According to representatives of Luxury Travel Ltd, Vietnam offers all the sights and experiences preferred by British travelers, including a magical mix of tropical beaches, post-colonial charm, a string of world heritage sites, stunning inland scenery, world-renowned cuisine and a home-grown flair for hospitality.

With new luxury hotels and world class golf courses newly opening, luxury trains, exclusive cruises and upscale private tours spanning the length of the country, Vietnam is fast emerging as the world’s latest luxury destination and best value for the money.

“I am pleased to establish our representative office in Londonfor British and Irish markets and to promote luxury tours in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. We do hope we can expand our network of travel agents and tour operators to help us service sophisticated holidaymakers. Luxury Travel now has rep offices in London, Sydney and California.” said David Nguyen, Sales and Marketing Manager at Luxury Travel Limited.

Ha Pham, CEO and Founder of Luxury Travel said: “The UK and Ireland are great markets for us.  We have beautiful products and target the right clients. We have expanded and expect to stay strong in the UK as we have just joined the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), established a rep office in London, and take part in numerous trade shows in the UK every year.”

With many years of experience in the tourism industry, Mr. Richard Parks and Mrs. Anita Sach(http://www.travelprojects.co.uk/) have been appointed as representatives for Luxury Travel Co., Ltd.

Anita Sach said: “This is a great opportunity to promote Vietnam and Southeast Asia at luxury travel segment. Vietnam Airlines has just launched direct flights from Vietnam to the UK. I am really looking forward to working with Luxury Travel Ltd and increasing the company’s market share here in the UK and Ireland markets. RP Marketing is proud to be representing such a prestigious, award-winning travel company. Luxury Travel’s unique products, professional approach and personal service, in a truly special part of the world, will be of great interest to the UK travel trade.”

A member of ABTA, VITA, VNAT, ASTA, PATA, the company has handled around one per cent of the 100,000 British holidaymakers visiting Vietnam. Luxury Travel expects 30 per cent growth and to reach 1.6 million USD in turnover in 2012.

Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company Limited is the first luxury tour operator in Vietnam, has its own offices, luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors, and serves thousands of high-end travelers every year. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd has won numerous travel awards for excellent performance, including the most recent award: “Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam.”

For more information, email to uk@luxurytravelvietnam.com or visit luxurytravelvietnam.com

Contact:
David Nguyen
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
5 Nguyen Truong To Street
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi
Vietnam
84439274120
marketing@luxurytravelvietnam.com

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), one of the world’s leading organizations for meeting and event professionals, has selected Hotel Nikko San Francisco for its prestigious Annual Spirit Award. The Spirit Award honors an organization extensively involved in helping people in need. The award will be presented at PCMA’s 56th annual meeting, January 8-11, in San Diego.

In its announcement of the 2011 award winner, PCMA explained its choice of Hotel Nikko San Francisco: “The relatively small number of employees at this San Francisco property have made a huge impact in the community, volunteering over 1,200 hours annually…. The total number of volunteer hours equates to nearly $50,000 a year, in company time, donated by the hotel – a major feat for a stand-alone property.”

PCMA cited some of the projects undertaken by the hotel, including Project Homeless Connect, where employees interact with the homeless and prepare hygiene kits; Project Night Night, which helps homeless children sleep better by providing books, blankets and stuffed animals as comfort; and volunteer help for the Salvation Army, GLIDE Memorial Church, Florence Crittenton Services and San Francisco Parks and Recreation.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition from one of our industry’s preeminent associations,” commented Anna Marie Presutti, General Manager of the hotel and Vice President, Nikko Hotels International. “Our employees gain great satisfaction from their volunteer work, so PCMA’s award is icing on the cake!”

Hotel Nikko San Francisco, the United States flagship of Nikko Hotels International, features 532 stylish guest rooms and suites, the newly renovated Restaurant ANZU, the Rrazz Room known for its nationally-renowned entertainment, Club Nikko with its skylit pool, and 22,000-square feet of meeting and banquet space. The hotel is located in the heart of Union Square at 222 Mason Street. For reservations or more information, please visit www.hotelnikkosf.com or call 1-800-NIKKO-US.

Nikko Hotels International is a global luxury hotel group operated by JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., a Hotel Okura Co., Ltd. company headquartered in Tokyo. Nikko Hotels’ 43 properties are located in Europe, the Americas and throughout Japan and the Asia/Pacific region. Plans for Nikko Hotels openings in 2013 include Hotel Nikko Guangzhou and Hotel Nikko Suzhou in China. For more information, visit http://www.jalhotels.com.

Contacts

Hotel Nikko San Francisco
Joseph Curran, 415-394-1190
jcurran@hotelnikkosf.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Discover the World Marketing has created a global sales division to respond to strong growth and diversification of its client portfolio. The new division is headed by Vice President of Global Sales David Lee. Lee is responsible for managing client relationships and Discover’s vast global network operations of 85 offices in 60 countries and nearly 500 personnel. Also newly appointed to his team include Director of Global Airline Sales Steve Harrison based in London and Director of Hospitality Sales Lisa Pisaturo, based at Discover’s Scottsdale headquarters.

“These appointees bring crucial experience that enhances our position as the best outsourcing sales and marketing company for the travel industry,” said Jenny Adams, CEO of Discover the World Marketing. “With these appointments we are taking our global business to a new level. David and his global account team work directly with Discover’s offices to ensure continued excellent performance with the goal of maximizing our clients’ revenues and providing direction for our BPO center in Asia.”

Lee has 15 years of global travel industry experience including nine with American Express, where he ran new product development and global airline strategy and was a principal consultant for advisory services, managing global client relationships such as Microsoft and Intel. Lee’s previous experience includes working for Sabre and IExplore.com where he was director of business development. He is an undergraduate in International Business from Washington University in St. Louis and has a Masters from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Harrison brings a senior level of global airline experience through his varied career with British Airways where he served most recently as general manager for Africa and the Middle East. He gained his international credentials by managing projects and programs in Mexico, Central America, India, the Middle East and Africa. With Discover, Harrison’s focus will be on managing Discover’s global airline portfolio.

Pisaturo recently worked as a marketing and operations consultant for numerous international hotel brands. She gained her hospitality experience from positions at Walt Disney Attractions and Cruise Lines and strong agency perspective at AAA of Northern California, where she was responsible for supplier relations and marketing. Her career started with Certified Vacations where, among other duties, she managed international product development. Pisaturo holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University in Communications.

For more information about Discover the World Marketing, visit discovertheworld.com, or call (480) 707-5566 or +44 207 107 2303.

About Discover the World Marketing

Discover the World Marketing has earned a reputation as a leader in global travel distribution and its success in developing a worldwide network of 85 offices in more than 60 countries capable of exceptional representation performance is unmatched. With a portfolio of 71 clients utilizing its sales, marketing and business process outsourcing services, Discover the World Marketing remains a dominant innovator for the travel industry.

Grenada Board of Tourism and Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association Launch New and Improved Booking Engine System By Regatta Solutions

ST. GEORGES, Grenada, Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The Grenada Board of Tourism (GBT) and the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association (GHTA) have jointly launched a new, and improved, booking engine on their respective websites www.grenadagrenadines.com and www.gogrenada.gd  which, it is expected, will bolster the island’s tourism industry.

The implementation of Regatta allows hotels, villas and other activity providers in Grenada to use the websites of the tourism board and hotel association to exhibit control as to exactly how they are promoted. It also comes with the capacity to attract a much higher volume of bookings through the various channels that are available.

“We have every intention of maintaining close relationships with our Online Travel Agency (OTA) partners as well as our hotels,” commented Simon Stiell, Director of Tourism for Grenada.  “But we are seeing impressive results from other Caribbean destinations that have implemented Regatta and this change in our online sales and marketing strategy makes perfect sense for us.  Regatta’s powerful booking engine and destination marketing expertise is an attractive combination for any destination.”

Commenting on this development, Executive Director of the GHTA, Mrs. Pancy Cross noted that “Our hotels are very excited about this project.  Regatta has made itself very accessible and we are pleased about having a partner that can finally help us reach consumers at a reasonable cost.”

President of Regatta Travel Solutions Mr. Ashwin Kamlani stated that “There is much potential in Grenada where the tourism industry is hungry for growth and waiting to take advantage of all of the new marketing tactics that are available on the internet.  We are proud to have been chosen for this project.”

About Grenada Board of Tourism

The Grenada Board of Tourism’s objective is to market and promote Grenada as a preferred year round Caribbean tourist destination, while providing technical and managerial support to the travel trade, tour operators, industry partners and airlines. For more information on Grenada, contact the Grenada Board of Tourism at 416-595-1339, email at tourism@grenadaconsulate.com or visit www.grenadagrenadines.com

About Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association

The Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association’s purpose is to advocate and lobby on behalf of its members.  In addition, the association assists members with the marketing of their businesses through its website and its printed medium, the Grenada at a Glance magazine.  For more information on the GHTA call 444-1353, email mail@ghta.org or visit www.gogrenada.gd

About Regatta Travel Solutions Inc.

Founded by Ashwin Kamlani, Regatta Travel Solutions provides specialized online booking technology and marketing tactics for DMOs (Destination Marketing Organizations).  DMOs that use Regatta on their sites can increase demand for their destination, lower the cost paid by suppliers per booking, and increase membership for their organizations. Visit www.regattatravelsolutions.com.

CHICAGO (September 29, 2011) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Jinan in the capital city of Shandong province, introducing the Hyatt Regency brand to the booming Jinan city.

Hyatt Regency Jinan occupies a landmark 28-storey tower adjacent to the Wanda Plaza retail hub, Wanda Office Tower and Luxury Residences in the center of the city. The hotel is in close proximity to train stations and the airport, as well as some of Jinan’s most well-known tourist attractions, including Baotu Spring, Daming Lake and Thousand Buddha Mountain.

Hyatt Regency Jinan offers 343 spacious guestrooms, including 38 suites, created in a contemporary style with unique, localized design elements and high-tech modern amenities. Rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with views over Daming Lake, the surrounding mountains or downtown Jinan.

In addition, the hotel features four world-class dining venues: Lobby Bar, a lobby lounge; Market Café, an all-day dining buffet restaurant with show kitchens; Su Yuan, an American-style coffee shop; and Jinan Palace, the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant serving Shandongnese and Cantonese cuisines.

The hotel offers two dedicated floors of sophisticated meeting and event venues, including a more than 13,000 sq ft (1,300 sq m) pillar-less ballroom that can accommodate 1,200 people for receptions and nine additional venues accommocating 15 to 130 people, all with events teams on hand to deliver creative programming and seamless service. Leisure facilities include a fitness center, a luxury day spa by Hyatt, and a 32-meter indoor swimming pool.

Known as the City of Springs because of the natural artesian springs dotted across the landscape, Jinan is Shandong’s provincial capital and a thriving commercial hub at the intersection of cross-China transport and trading routes.

About Hyatt Regency

Hyatt Regency hotels are conveniently located in urban, suburban, airport, convention and resort destinations around the world. Properties range in size to more than 2,000 rooms, feature intimate and large meeting spaces, and offer a full range of services and dining options tailored to serve the needs of conventions, business travelers or resort vacationers. Hyatt Regency enables all guests – whether they are traveling to work, unwind or gather in celebration – to feel productive and revitalized.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Summerfield Suitesis being rebranded as Hyatt HouseTM. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Vacation Club®, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of June 30, 2011, the Company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 456 properties in 44 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

CHICAGO (December 21, 2011) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) today announced the opening of Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi – located at the city’s premium business address on the top floors of the iconic Capital Gate building, which leans a record-breaking 18 degrees.

The hotel is strategically located adjacent to the thriving Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, within walking distance of the upmarket Embassy District and only 15 minutes from the international airport.

Occupying floors 18 to 33 of the Capital Gate building, Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi offers 189 luxury guestrooms and suites featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer sweeping, bird’s eye views of the Arabian Gulf and the city.

“Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is unique in its forward-thinking design and well-crafted hospitality approach,” said Peter Fulton, Managing Director, Hyatt International, South West Asia. “The hotel was designed to cater to the individual traveler seeking indigenous experiences and the property offers many thoughtful features that executive travelers value today.”

“ADNEC is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Hyatt to bring this landmark property to the Abu Dhabi market. Hyatt Capital Gate is well on its way to becoming a ‘must-visit’ for tourists and Abu Dhabi residents alike,” said Sanjay Tanna Director of Business Development and Investments of ADNEC. “The opening of the hotel further broadens the destination appeal of ADNEC for the business traveler.”

Design

Owned and developed by ADNEC, the Capital Gate tower, has already earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for its 18 degree lean – more than four times that of the world-famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The impressive architectural feats that define the Capital Gate building are combined with elegant interior design concepts to create a uniquely refined guest experience. While standing at the outer periphery of a guestroom, guests feel as though they are floating in mid-air since they cannot see the ground directly below them. The inner atrium provides a view to the sky and draws natural light into the core of the building.

Guestrooms and Suites

Designed to be stylish, welcoming and a calm retreat in the city, each guestroom is unique with its own configuration and size giving guests the experience of staying in a “new” room each time they check-in to the hotel.

Guestrooms have an open plan with seamless living, sleeping and bathing areas, which help to make the room feel spacious and welcoming. The rooms are designed with a careful selection of muted earth tones and natural textures. Rough, natural stone is contrasted with smooth Cappuccino marble from Turkey, while olive Zebrano wood millwork from Africa is combined with grass effect panels in a soft color palette.

The guestrooms and suites offer features for business travelers, such as high-speed wired and wireless Internet, spacious work areas, easy-to-use clocks, and power outlets at desk level. Rain showers and separate oval bath tubs will make the hectic business day feel a million miles away, while guests who stay in the hotel’s suites can relax and take in the view from luxury infinity baths providing a private, spacious escape.

Dining

The hotel’s signature restaurant, 18˚ (degrees), is an ideal location to experience the intriguing flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean while taking in eagle’s eye views of Abu Dhabi city and its coastline. Using locally sourced produce and simple, fresh flavors, the three show kitchens and interactive counters add to the theatrical “mise en scene” of the restaurant.

The Lounge is a refined destination for the local and international business elite, and discerning residents of the capital. An eclectic spread of premium teas, coffees, fresh pastries and snacks are available in comfortable lounge-style seating or the more intimate library area.

Located on the ground floor, Profiterole caters to the adjacent exhibition center and the executive office floors located within the Capital Gate building. Profiterole offers a unique à la carte menu that revolves around small baked pastries with sweet or savory fillings.

For something more intimate, the sleek, contemporary bar Privé serves premium beverages and gourmet tapas, ideal for the casual meeting or for unwinding after work with business associates.

Meetings & Events

Within the hotel, four exclusive state-of-the-art Salons (boardrooms) are available to host private meetings, while Privé can be used as a breakout venue for refreshments or casual light lunches. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer natural daylight, while the latest technology and experienced associates ensure every event is a resounding success. In addition, the adjacent ADNEC offers 19 meeting rooms, two conference rooms, a large banquet hall and 785,000 square feet of interconnected exhibition space.

Spa and Fitness Center

Rayana Spa, Abu Dhabi’s only “sky spa,” is perched on the 19th floor of the hotel and features unsurpassed views of the city. Rayana Rituals — holistic treatments designed to instil power, beauty and energy – are offered by experienced therapists in suites filled with natural light.

Rayana Spa is complemented by a fitness center equipped with modern cardio and resistance machines, a sun terrace, an outdoor cantilevered swimming pool and a whirlpool.

City Activities

Abu Dhabi is known as the cultural and sporting center of the UAE. Activities in the destination can range from a heart-pounding drive in a F1 car at Yas Marina Circuit and Ferrari World, to a round of golf on one of the world-class championship courses nearby. For a more cultural experience, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is nearby.

The opening of Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi follows the November 1, 2011 opening of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas. The resort is an exclusive sanctuary of contemporary luxury located on Saadiyat Island.

Opening Rates & Reservations

Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is now open and available for reservations. Rates start from AED 1,050 per night plus applicable tax and gratuities. Reservations may be made by visiting www.hyatt.com, calling +1 800 233 1234 or +971 2 596 1234, or contacting a Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Center or travel specialist.

More information on Hyatt Capital Gate Abu Dhabi is available at abudhabi.capitalgate.hyatt.com.

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Summerfield Suites is being rebranded as Hyatt House™. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt Residences™ and Hyatt Vacation Club™, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence Club™. As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 478 properties in 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

Partnership has Raised Awareness of Mexico as a Meetings Destination and Increased the Flow of Group Business to the Country

MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Cvent, the world’s largest cloud-based provider of event management, venue selection and web survey solutions, today announced that its one-year-old partnership with Mexico Meetings Network (MMN) has successfully helped to increase the flow of group meetings and events business to destinations in Mexico. Under the partnership, Cvent and MMN are working together to provide Convention & Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) and venues in Mexico with integrated online marketing packages that showcase Mexico cities and properties to highly-qualified meeting and event planners.

The integrated campaigns encompass a variety of channels, including the Cvent Destination Guide, the first and only destination-specific and free online travel guide designed exclusively for meeting planners; the Cvent Supplier Network (CSN), the world’s largest free online marketplace that connects event planners with venues—which generated $4 billion in business for hotels in 2011; and MexicoMeetingsNetwork.com, the leading English language platform for content and up-to-date news on Mexico’s meetings industry.

“The Mexico meetings and events industry accounts for $18.1 billion in spending each year, and yet there is still a wealth of meeting and convention venues that remain largely untapped,” said Chuck Ghoorah, Cvent’s Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “With this partnership, we’re coupling MMN’s extensive knowledge of the Mexico meetings market with Cvent’s vast audience of meeting planner users to put Mexico on the map as a premier destination for meetings and events.”

Cvent has already seen an increase in the adoption of the CSN as a result of this partnership, evidenced by a 40% growth in the number of Mexican venues that have profiles on the marketplace. This can be largely attributed to MMN’s efforts to educate the market on Cvent and the importance of using electronic request for proposal (RFP) tools. Additionally, although Mexico’s tourism industry has faced challenges in 2011—with several Mexican news sources reporting that international arrivals to some destinations are down by 10% or more—Cvent has seen a 24.65% year-over-year increase in the number of unique RFPs sent to Mexico through the Cvent Supplier Network.

“To see a growth in the volume of request for proposals coming to our country represents a vote of confidence for Mexico by international meeting planners,” said Oscar Garcia, General Manager of the Leon, Mexico CVB and National President of Mexico’s Destination Marketing Association. The Leon CVB was the first Mexican destination to leverage a marketing package through the Cvent and MMN partnership.

“Mexico offers outstanding value and variety for international meeting planners,” added Margot Lee Shetterly, Mexico Meeting Network’s Co-founder and President. “MMN and Cvent have a long-term commitment to grow this market; and through this partnership, Mexican destinations are able to offer international planners a world-class quality of communications and RFP response.”

About Cvent

Founded in 1999, Cvent is the world’s largest meetings and event management technology company and has over 800 employees worldwide. Cvent offers web-based software for meeting site selection, online event registration, event management, e-mail marketing, and web surveys, and helps over 90,000 users in 40 countries manage hundreds of thousands of events, surveys and e-mail campaigns. The company has processed over $2 billion in online payments and has managed over 30 million event registrations and survey responses for its clients. Cvent’s client base ranges from small non-profits to large corporations, and includes over 30 companies from the Fortune 100. A leading authority on Strategic Meetings Management (SMM), Cvent’s technology has been used to implement SMM programs around the world. For more information, please visit www.cvent.com.

About Mexico Meetings Network:

Mexico Meetings Network (MMN) is the leading English language media platform for meetings and group tourism in Mexico. With thousands of pages of articles, profiles and listings of Mexico’s destinations, venues and meetings infrastructure, and an extensive industry events calendar, MMN is the most comprehensive site of its kind in the market. MMN’s online tools and up-to-date content provide international meeting planners with the information they need to plan and execute successful events in Mexico. For more information, please visit www.mexicomeetingsnetwork.com or follow @mexmeetingsnet.

CHICAGO (January 10, 2012) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa in the eastern coastal city of Ningbo. The hotel is the first Park Hyatt-branded resort in China, offering luxury services tailored to leisure travelers and high end meeting groups.

Ningbo, a prosperous city with a history of foreign trade since the 7th century, is a two-and-a-half hour drive from Shanghai and is a key driver of the economy on the east coast of China. Located on the banks of Dong Qian Lake, one of the most scenic areas in the region, Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa is surrounded by tea plantations, ancient Buddhist temples, caves, and stone carvings, and working fishing villages—a landscape that is reminiscent of a classical Chinese painting.

Combining understated sophistication and authentic hospitality, the beautiful resort destination offers elegant guestrooms, suites and villas, an array of world-class dining options, and comprehensive recreational facilities harmoniously set along a picturesque lake front and tranquil gardens.

“We are excited to open the very first Park Hyatt resort in China,” said Ivan Leung, general manager of Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to create a unique ambiance and environment at Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa, and we look forward to inviting guests to experience the contemporary luxury and personalized service of a Park Hyatt, while discovering some of the lesser known delights of this beautiful area.”

Design and Guestrooms

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa offers 236 contemporary guestrooms, including 17 suites and 10 free-standing villas ranging from 45 to 237 square meters (484 to 2,551 sq ft). The guestrooms feature a double daybed situated by large picture windows for in-room pampering and relaxation. The bathroom features a bathtub, vanity area, rain shower and dressing area.

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa has been created in the style of a traditional Chinese water village to blend discreetly into the surrounding vista. The complex of low-level, standalone villas with simply plastered exteriors and tiled, gabled roofs resembles a hamlet that has developed organically over time. Multiple open courtyards and sky wells, punctuated with ponds and gentle landscaping, echo Chinese architectural principles. The interconnecting structures create a layered effect and an experience of gradual discovery for guests, unveiling new spaces at every turn.

Dining and Drinking

The resort’s location has directly inspired the signature restaurant, Seafood House, which strives to offer the freshest seafood in the region and is expected to become the area’s premier dining destination. Seafood House comprises a series of indoor and outdoor villas, accessible by a secluded, private driveway. Guests can dine in the main dining room, outdoors, or in one of ten private pavilions catering to parties between six and 16 guests, with a majority of the pavilions offering a private entrance, lounge, washroom and dedicated butler.

Dining Room is a residential-style, all-day dining venue serving both authentic Western cuisine and Chinese comfort food. Dining Room provides an elegant and serene home-style setting with magnificent views of the outdoor pool pavilion overlooking the Dong Qian Lake. Breakfast is à la minute buffet style served from the show kitchen, while à la carte and special wine-pairing menus are available for lunch and dinner.

Located in a former ancestral family mansion in the center of the hotel premises, the Tea House serves Chinese and Western tea in the most classical way, accompanied by authentic desserts, cakes and Chinese savories in the afternoon. In the evening, the Tea House transforms into an intimate social venue serving signature cocktails, premium wines and champagnes.

Recreation

The Fitness Pavilion houses a heated indoor pool, fully equipped gym, reflexology facilities, steam rooms, saunas, whirlpool baths, and a 26-meter (85-foot) outdoor infinity pool with panoramic lake views.

Guests who take a more leisurely approach to health may prefer Yue Hu Spa, which offers a wide selection of western and oriental treatments focusing on holistic wellness that adopt the principles of ancient Chinese wellness philosophy centered on the meridian system and on balancing qi (vital energy).

Meetings & Events

Park Hyatt Ningbo Resort and Spa offers a total of 1,312 sq m (14,122 sq ft) of sophisticated event venues, including The Ballroom, a pillar-less event space ideal for conferences, special social events and weddings, which can accommodate 400 people for banquets. The Salon and The Pavilion are residential-style event facilities designed for more intimate meetings and exclusive events.

All meeting and event facilities feature the latest audiovisual and lighting equipment. A dedicated team of event planners, service coordinators, technicians, floral designers and entertainment specialists are on hand to ensure every event is a memorable one. www.ningbo.park.hyatt.com

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt provides discerning, affluent individual business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodations. Guests of Park Hyatt receive highly attentive personal service in an intimate environment. Located in many of the world’s premier destinations, each Park Hyatt is custom designed to combine sophistication with distinctive regional character. Park Hyatt features well-appointed guestrooms, meeting and special event spaces for smaller groups, critically acclaimed art programs and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 27 Park Hyatt hotels in the following locations: Abu Dhabi, Aviara, Baku, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Canberra, Chicago, Dubai, Goa, Hamburg, Istanbul, Jeddah, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Saigon, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington D.C., and Zurich. www.parkhyatt.com

About Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company’s subsidiaries manage, franchise, own and develop hotels and resorts under the Hyatt®,Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®,Hyatt Place® and Hyatt Summerfield Suites® brand names and have locations on six continents. Hyatt Summerfield Suitesis being rebranded as Hyatt HouseTM. Hyatt Residential Group, Inc., a Hyatt Hotels Corporation subsidiary, develops, operates, markets or licenses Hyatt ResidencesTM and Hyatt Vacation Club®, which is changing its name to Hyatt Residence ClubTM. As of September 30, 2011, the Company’s worldwide portfolio consisted of 478 properties in 45 countries. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com.

For fun, relaxation, adventure, romance, Rotorua New Zealand is an emerging favorite destination among Aucklanders and international tourists.

Jan 10, 2012 – Voted as the most beautiful city in New Zealand for 6 out of the last 11 years. Rotorua is located 3 hours from New Zealand’s commercial capital, the big little city, Auckland.  Rotorua has its own airport and regular bus services from major centres.

Below is a quick list of the most mentioned Rotorua tourist activities and scenic locations:

• Mineral Pools
• Zorb, Bungy Jumping, Mountain biking, Walking Trails
• 16 Lakes and 6 geo-thermal valleys
• Cultural landmarks like the Rotorua Bath House, Maori Cultural Spots
• Trout fishing
• Busy Shopping District featuring famous international brands
• Award winning cafes and restaurants

For more information about things to do in Rotorua, please visit http://stayrotorua.com/

Adventure tourists from Europe and Canada have written about their extensive tours and travels around Rotorua emphasizing it’s unique and very diverse natural resources. The diverse attractions enable anyone from any age and circumstances to enjoy what Rotorua has to offer.

A day is simply not enough so it is best that your itinerary is well planned . Look up Tripadvisor, forums, blogs and review of accommodation choices to make sure you get the best deal and the best service. It is recommended to book accommodation in advance.

MALFROY motor lodge offers free wifi, unlimited capacity, off street parking, mineral pools, barbeque area, private gardens and spacious rooms. Most importantly, the MALFROY hosts and business owners provide exceptional customer service. To make sure your stay is well worth the journey, book your Rotorua accommodation at http://malfroymotorlodge.co.nz