Event News | "Special Olympics event planned"

By: Tribune Chronicle
Source: http://www.tribtoday.com
Category: Event News

Four counties will be represented at the Special Olympics track and field meet this weekend, with opening ceremonies at 9:45 a.m. Saturday at the Girard Arrowhead Stadium. There will be seven teams from Columbiana, Mahoning, Summit and Trumbull counties among the 250 athletes. Events and awards will take place throughout the day. Volunteers from the Girard city schools and community will take part.

Businesses or individuals wishing to help support the event should call Randy at 330-402-1173. For information on the event, call Judy at 330-545-5431, Ext. 202.

YO-MAH-O PROFESSIONALS MEET TODAY: The Yo-Mah-O Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Fireplace Restaurant on East Western Reserve Road. Chapter member Judy Cundik will speak on "Understanding Your Insurance." Election of officers will also take place. Cost for the evening is $13. All administrative professionals are invited to attend. For reservations, call Mary Hake at 330-629-9147.

SOCIETY TO HEAR OF CIVIL WAR: The Bristol Historical Society will hold its annual "Welcome to Spring" program at 6:30 p.m. today at the township hall. Local historian Wendell Lauth will discuss local participation in the War of 1812.

SOCIETY PLANS MOTHER'S DAY EVENT: The Greene Historical Society will hold its annual Mother's Day Tea at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Greene Town Hall on Durst Colebrook Road. For reservations, call Kay at 330-583-3105 or Karen at 330-583-2540.

McDONALD SCHOOLS HOLD ART SHOW: McDonald High School, 600 Iowa Ave., will hold its art show from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Admission is $3.

LIBRARY TO CLOSE FOR WORK: The Ausintown Public Library, 600 S.Raccoon Road, will close temporarily starting May 14 for flooring replacement. The library is expected to reopen in mid-June. Wooden flooring in the entrance and center aisle of the library is worn and is in need of replacement. Carpeting and ceramic tile will be used. The library will extend due dates on items.

POWER OF THE PURSE FEATURES LEPORE HANDBAG: Designer Nanette Lepore is kicking off the inaugural Red Cross Power of the Purse event on Wednesday by donating a signature Nanette Lepore red handbag. This purse and the 50 other specialty labels filled with goodies can be bid on by guests while they also can enjoy an evening of food, wines and camaraderie with girlfriends or family as a pre-Mother's Day celebration.

The event will be held at Mastropietro Winery, 14558 Ellsworth Road, Berlin Center, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $35 each and are limited to 150 guests.

Proceeds will benefit local disaster victims and the military.

To purchase tickets, call 330-392-2551, Ext. 113, or email Debbie.Musser@redcross.org.

TODAY

Sounds of Square County, Women's Barbershop Singers, 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 56 Chestnut Ave., Niles. Call Terry at 330-544-0242 or Doris at 330-544-2252.

Warren Lion Club, noon at The Reef, 5000 E. Market St., Warren, in The Market Place.

Nicotine Anonymous, 5:30 p.m., St. Joseph Hospital Warren Room, Eastland Avenue, Warren.

Celebrate Recovery, 12-step faith-based program, 6:30 p.m., Fowler Community Church, 4651 state Route 305, 330-550-3393.

Smalltown Recovery Al-Anon Family Group, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Kinsman Presbyterian Church, 6383 Church St. Wheelchair accessible.

Kickin' It In Kinsman, a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Kinsman Presbyterian Church, Church Street. Wheelchair accessible.

Ladies Auxiliary Unit 700, 6:15 p.m., Howland American Legion Post 700, 8273 High St. N.E.

Inspired Retired Quilting Guild, 1 to 3 p.m., Newton Falls Community Center, 330-872-3122.

Celebrate Recovery, 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave., Warren. 330-392-6276.

 The Historic Perkins Homestead Neighborhood Association, 6:30 p.m., Red Cross building, Mahoning Avenue, Warren. Call 330-507-8831 or 330-392-0863.

Girard-Liberty Rotary, 6 p.m., Amen Corner, 21 W. Main St., Girard, 330-539-5837 or 330-545-5694.

Girard-Liberty Kiwanis Club, 6:30 p.m., Golf Dome, 1300 N. State St., 330-545-1338.

Stephen Foster Chorus, singing group for men, 7 p.m., Warren SCOPE Center, 220 W. Market St., Warren. Guests welcome. 330-652-5739.

Food Addicts Anonymous, 7 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 162 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. For more information call 330-793-1599.

Al-Anon, 9:30 a.m. basement, First Presbyterian Church of Warren, 256 Mahoning Ave. N.W., 9 a.m. beginner's meeting.

Howland High School Class of 1950, 1 p.m., J.D.'s Post House Restaurant, Mahoning Avenue, Champion.

TOPS 1429, weigh-in 9 a.m., meeting 9:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church, Hubbard.

TOPS OHIO 1374, weigh-in 8:45 a.m., United Methodist Church, Ridge Road, Newton Falls.

TOPS OHIO 1165, weigh-in 8:30 a.m., meeting 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave., Warren.

TOPS 1060, weigh-in 6 p.m., meet at 6:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Hubbard.

SOAR Chapter 28-4, American Welding Retirees Local 1574, 10:30 a.m., former unemployment office on Park Avenue, Warren.Minute by Minute group of Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m. closed discussion, First Presbyterian Church of Warren.

Champion Rotary Club, noon, Wayside Inn, Champion.

Source: http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/571474/Special-Olympics-event-planned.html?nav=5005

Hotel News | "Hotels continue cashing in on London Olympic Games "

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au
Category: Hotel News

Some innkeepers will be charging Ritz rates for Fawlty Towers rooms - and they will get away with it.

A limited hotel supply and unprecedented demand from almost a million tourists, media and businesspeople tied to the London Games means that accommodation in the British capital - never a bargain to start with - is more expensive than ever.

That guarantees a bumper year for London's hotel and rental sectors, but a nightmare for those who have been dragging their feet on making sleeping arrangements.Already, many central London hotels are fully booked from mid-July to mid-August, and those that still have rooms available now charge anything from double to four times more than their normal rates.

"It's almost too late now to get into central London," said Miles Quest, a spokesman for the British Hospitality Association."(Visitors) need to look outside the central area, where rooms will clearly be cheaper."

It's too good a business opportunity to miss, and hoteliers aren't the only ones cashing in. Vacation rental agencies and websites have reported a massive boom in business, with many homeowners planning to stay with friends or go abroad so they can rent out their homes.

"There was a massive increase in traffic as soon as 2012 turned - it was overnight. It was really crazy," said Matthew Parker, who is doing a brisk trade on his website Londonrentmyhouse.com, a matchmaking service for enterprising people looking to rent out their homes and visitors seeking a short-term stay.

"The site is taking adverts every day, we're into the thousands now and many more to come. Homeowners are really grabbing the idea and running with it," he added.

It's easy to see why. London tourism officials expect about 900,000 Olympics-related visitors - including athletes, their families, staff, journalists, and tourists - to London this northern summer, all needing a bed. That's on top of the 1.5 million tourists London typically sees every August.Even with many new hotels springing up all over the capital, there are only about 110,000 hotel rooms in the London area - and almost a third of those have been allocated to Olympic personnel.

Tourism officials have brushed off the shortage, insisting that London has more rooms and a bigger range of sleeping options than any other Olympic host city has been able to offer.They have also been encouraging visitors to research alternatives like hostels, bed-and-breakfast inns and university dorm rooms.

Still, they acknowledge they are not in a position to do anything about what Tessa Jowell, an opposition lawmaker, has called a "scandal of extortionate price rises".A recent survey by London-based international booking website Hotels.com suggested that the average London hotel room rate has doubled for the Olympic period compared to last year, but it's clear in many cases the jump is much steeper.

At the Travelodge in Stratford, the budget chain's property next to the Olympic Stadium, room prices have shot up from a modest 50 pounds ($80) per night to 274 pounds ($437) in late July."The prices aren't going to come down," said Hotels.com president David Roche.It's not that hoteliers are all greedy, he added - some owners are just looking to the Olympics to recover losses amid a sluggish British economy.

"Many hoteliers are looking at the Olympics to save them," he said.

"They're wondering when the good times are going to roll again."

Prices in the vacation rental market can be lower, since more and more flats and houses are coming onto the market as more homeowners and landlords realise the potential to make some quick cash.Rental costs vary wildly: As low as 75 pounds ($120) for a room in someone's flat, to 20,000 pounds (nearly $32,000) a week for a luxury central London townhouse. Many people are asking four times more than the normal rent, Parker said.

There's evidently demand to sustain such high prices.

"I'm booked for the entire Olympic period," said Marina Usher Mazur, who is renting her three-bedroom second home in Notting Hill to two American families for 6000 pounds ($9550) a week. That's more than double her normal rate, but she still received more than 30 responses.

"I had a couple people say, you're crazy. But it went pretty easily," she said.

"I was amazed at how many people were interested."

It's not impossible to find budget options, though, as long as visitors are prepared to commute. Kent and Essex, for example, are to the east in the Greater London area, and have good connections to the Olympic Park. Events will be taking part across all corners of the capital, so taking the time to research transport links will help determine which suburb to choose from."Many events are held outside east London," Roche said. "If you know where you're going, there's no need to stay in central London."

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/london-olympics/hotels-seek-new-heights-with-games/story-fn9dheyx-1226350505446

Travel News | "Emaar group wins at World Travel Awards "

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.tradearabia.com
Category: Travel News

Dubai-based Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure unit of property developer Emaar Properties, was named Middle East’s Leading Development Company, at the annual World Travel Awards 2012 in Dubai.

The group also won the Expedia Award for The Address Downtown Dubai, underlining the group’s commitment to service.

Jurgen Baumhoff, chief operating officer, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Emaar Hospitality Group offers three key differentials – location, high standards of service and ensuring tangible guest benefits – which have become the benchmarks in hospitality in the region. These awards are a true testament to our commitment to continued excellence.”

 

source: http://www.tradearabia.com/news/TTN_217120.html

Hotel News | "Hilton Garden Inn Expands Presence In Rome"

By: Hilton Web Release
Category: Hotel News
Source: http://news.hgi.com

Hilton Garden Inn announced the opening of its latest hotel in Rome's elegant Parioli district.  The former Claridge Hotel has been converted to Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge and is ideally located within easy reach of famous attractions such as Villa Borghese with its surrounding parklands, and Via Veneto.  The hotel becomes the fourth hotel in Hilton Worldwide's Rome portfolio, joining luxury Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, upscale Hilton Rome Airport and mid-market Hilton Garden Inn Rome Airport.

Adrian Kurre, Global Head, Hilton Garden Inn, said, "I am delighted to welcome our second Hilton Garden Inn to Rome, joining our growing portfolio of hotels across Italy and Europe.  Business and leisure guests can now enjoy award-winning Hilton Garden Inn hospitality whilst staying in a second location in the city, as well as in superb destinations across the country."

Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge features 93 bedrooms & suites, many with private balconies.  In addition, guests can enjoy the hotel's restaurant and bar, which features Italian and international cuisine. The 24-hour Pavilion Pantry is offered for light snacks and refreshments and leisure facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, guests can also make use of on-site laundry facilities.  For corporate and social events, the hotel provides 242 square metres of meeting space across four separate rooms.

Hilton Garden Inn is a popular choice with guests across the world, thanks to features such as complimentary Wi-Fi access, the Garden Sleep System bed, ergonomic chair, as well as a 24-hour business centre with remote printing capabilities. Guests at Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge will also have the opportunity to earn and redeem Hilton HHonors points and take advantage of benefits enjoyed by over 30 million members worldwide.

Fabrizio Roscioli, general manager, Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge, said, "We are now proudly trading as part of the Hilton Garden Inn global portfolio and look forward to offering guests the brand's world renowned service and amenities.  Guests staying at our hotel will enjoy a prime location during their visit to Rome, with easy access to the city's most famous attractions."

Hilton Garden Inn recently received JD Power & Associates' highest honour in Europe, taking first place in the 2011 European Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study for first time in the brand's five-year history in Europe.  This year marked the first time the brand has had a sufficient sample size to rank in the European study, coming in 57 points higher than the segment average.

Hilton Worldwide currently features 20 hotels in Italy that are either open or under development. In addition to the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Rome Claridge, the company is also looking forward to the opening of the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Siena-Chianti and the Hilton Garden Inn in Pistoia which are expected to join the portfolio in 2013.

 Source: http://news.hgi.com/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/4055

Patent News | "Sharif University Researchers Receive US Patent on Solar Cells"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.nanotech-now.com
Category: Patent News

"We have made it to propose a novel structure for the solar cells which can eliminate the unnecessary formation of the conductive glasses - a major cost intensive by-product in course of solar cells manufacturing," Nima Taqavinia, associate professor at Sharif University of Technology, said in an exclusive interview with INIC.

"Dye-sensitized solar cells are a type of nanostructured solar cells whose mechanism is based on light absorption by the pigment molecules plus electron and hole injection to a semiconductor and an electrolyte. This highly resembles the photosynthesis occurring in plants," Taqavinia added, elaborating on the invented dye-sensitized solar cells.

"Our research group is affiliated with the Nanoparticles and Nanocoatings Lab at the Department of Physics of the Sharif University of Technology. Our main mission in the mentioned laboratory is to pave the way for commercialization of the solar cells technology. Concurrent with this project, we are conducting some other researches within the same framework and hope to come up with convenient results soon in the future," he stated.

As for the commercialization and mass production of the solar cells in Iran, Taqavinia believes, "For fabrication of a small panel of solar cells, a large number of layering and heat treatment steps are required. Once regarded from the mass production view point, each of such apparently simple steps demands a great deal of design and operation.

"The production rate, processing cost, cost of the raw materials, and all other parameters impacting the final cost should be low enough for the new product to beat its rivals. Also, the durability and excellence of performance are two of other key factors. As a result, a combination of parameters together with technical novelty can guarantee a promising commercialization. We make our contributions to the different aspects of this development. To materialize such a dream, which is the localization of the solar cells production technology, we need to build a diverse and strong portfolio of the related patents."

Source: http://www.nanotech-now.com/news.cgi?story_id=45088

Hotel News | "Homewood Suites By Hilton Opens Hotel In Atlantic City, NJ"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com
Category: Hotel News

Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotels, today announced the opening of its newest property, Atlantic City West / Egg Harbor Twp., NJ.  The 4-story, 120-suite hotel is owned and managed by The Briad Group.  General Manager Scott Mullins has been in the hotel industry for 20 years, and is supported by Director of Sales, Pauline Kleinburd who has 27 years of local sales experience.

“While designed for extended-stay guests, our spacious suites are perfect for both business and leisure travelers,” said Mullins. “Homewood Suites delivers the value that travelers are seeking today and lets guests be at home with standard amenities including fully-equipped kitchens with full-sized refrigerators, complimentary high-speed Internet access, and separate living and sleeping areas.”

Homewood Suites by Hilton Atlantic City West / Egg Harbor Twp. offers studio, one- and two-bedroom suites, with additional guest amenities including a daily complimentary full hot breakfast in the hotel’s hospitality center—the “Lodge”—a full evening meal with drinks* Monday-Thursday, and a 24-hour on-site pantry.  The hotel also offers an indoor pool, fully-equipped fitness center, nearby walking trails and recreational activities, 24-hour executive business center and approximately 600 square feet of flexible meeting space. 

Located at 3008 English Creek Avenue, the hotel is conveniently situated off the Black Horse Pike on English Creek Road.  The property is within minutes from the Hamilton Mall, Atlantic City International Airport, the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Casinos and a variety of other shopping venues and restaurants.

Source: http://www.hotelinteractive.com/buyer/article.aspx?articleid=25036

Patent News | "Yahoo sees more Facebook patent infringements"

By: John Letzing
Source: http://www.marketwatch.com
Category: Patent News

Facebook disclosed in a regulatory filing Thursday that Yahoo  sent a letter in late April informing the Menlo Park, Calif., social-networking company that “they believe 16 patents they claim to hold ‘may be relevant’ to open source technology they allege is being used in our data centers and servers.” Facebook said Yahoo hasn’t threatened a lawsuit over the matter, but added that “it may do so in the future.”

 

MarketWatch's Dan Gallagher dissects how much Facebook is worth, after the social-networking titan set the price range for its initial public offering.Yahoo sued Facebook in March for allegedly infringing 10 of its patents related to online social services, advertising and privacy features. Yahoo later asserted two additional patents in the case. The lawsuit has drawn criticism, as Yahoo historically has used its patents more for defensive purposes rather than suing its peers. 

Yahoo hired Scott Thompson as its new chief executive in January. Thompson has expressed a desire for the Sunnyvale, Calif., company, which is in the midst of a turnaround effort, to start pursuing new revenue streams.

Facebook has countersued Yahoo, asserting its own 10 patents. 

Facebook, which Thursday filed additional papers for an IPO that could raise as much as $13.6 billion, now has two large, fully owned and operated data centers in operation in Oregon and North Carolina. The company has paid a great deal of attention to developing its own server computers to power those data centers.

 

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yahoo-sees-more-facebook-patent-infringements-2012-05-03?link=MW_latest_news

Travel News | "After 50 years, Cubans hope to travel freely to any country of the world"

By: Press Realese
Source: http://www.cubaheadlines.com
Category: Travel News

After controlling the comings and goings of its people for five decades, communist Cuba appears on the verge of a momentous decision to lift many travel restrictions. One senior official says a "radical and profound" change is weeks away.

The comment by Parliament Chief Ricardo Alarcon has residents, exiles and policymakers abuzz with speculation that the much-hated exit visa could be a thing of the past, even if Raul Castro's government continues to limit the travel of doctors, scientists, military personnel and others in sensitive roles to prevent a brain drain.

Other top Cuban officials have cautioned against over-excitement, leaving islanders and Cuba experts to wonder how far Havana's leaders are willing to go.In the past 18 months, Castro has removed prohibitions on some private enterprise, legalized real estate and car sales, and allowed compatriots to hire employees, ideas that were long anathema to the government's Marxist underpinnings.

Scrapping travel controls could be an even bigger step, at least symbolically, and carries enormous economic, social and political risk.Even half measures—such as ending limits on how long Cubans can live abroad or cutting the staggeringly high fees for the exit visa that Cubans must obtain just to leave the country—would be significant.

"It would be a big step forward," said Philip Peters, a Cuba expert at the Virginia-based Lexington Institute. "If Cuba ends the estrictions on its own citizens' travel, that means the only travel restrictions that would remain in place would be those the United States imposes on its citizens."

The move would open the door to increased emigration and make it easier for Cubans overseas to avoid forfeiting their residency rights, a fate that has befallen waves of exiles since the 1959 revolution.It could also bolster the number of Cubans who travel abroad for work, increasing earnings sent home in the short term and, ultimately, investment by a new moneyed class.

Scrapping exit controls should win Cuba support in Europe, which improved ties after dozens of political prisoners were freed in 2010.But Peters and several other analysts said they doubt the new rules would bring about any immediate shift in U.S. policy toward Cuba, which includes a ban on American tourism. Those restrictions are entrenched and enjoy the backing of powerful Cuban American exiles.

"I don't think it would lead to a drastic change in U.S. policy, but an accumulation of human rights improvements could lead to an incremental change," Peters said.Cuba-born Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican from Florida, said any discussion about immigration reform on the island is a peripheral issue.

"The kind of changes I'm interested in are not about immigration," said Ros-Lehtinen, who heads the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. "I'm interested in changes that affect fundamental freedom, democracy and respect for human rights."

U.S. officials said they have been watching for an announcement for months, noting there has been such talk as far back as August. But nothing has happened, and they are skeptical that the Castro regime is truly committed to such reform.

Asked about possible reciprocal measures, one U.S. official said the Obama administration can't promise anything because it doesn't know what exactly Cuba plans to announce. The official wasn't authorized to speak publicly and demanded anonymity.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. "would certainly welcome greater freedom of movement for the Cuban public."Rumors of the exit visa's imminent demise have circulated on and off for years. The whispers became open chatter last spring after the Communist Party endorsed migration reform at a crucial gathering. But Castro dashed those hopes in December, saying the timing wasn't right and the "fate of the revolution" was at stake.

Alarcon's comments, made in an interview published in April, revived hopes that a bold move is coming."One of the questions that we are currently discussing at the highest level of the government is the question of emigration," he told a French journalist. "We are working toward a radical and profound reform of emigration that in the months to come will eliminate this kind of restriction."

But on Saturday, Vice Foreign Minister Dagoberto Rodriguez told exiles not to set their hopes too high, vowing the government would maintain some travel controls as long as it faced a threat from enemies in Washington.Havana residents say they are anxiously waiting to see what the government does.

"The time has come to get rid of the exit visa," said Vivian Delgado, a shop worker. "It's absurd that as a Cuban I must get permission to leave my country, and even worse that I need permission to come back."Added Domingo Blanco, a 24-year-old state office worker: "It's as if one needed to ask to leave one's own house."

Many Cubans are reluctant to talk about their own experience with the exit visa. One woman named Miru, who has been trying to leave Cuba since 2006, shared her story on the condition her full name not be used for fear that speaking with a foreign journalist could land her in trouble."This has been a very long process," she said of her odyssey, which began when her husband defected from a medical mission in Africa and sought asylum in the U.S.

First, she had to get a letter releasing her from her job at a government ministry—a process that took five years. Only then could she apply for the exit visa. That was three months ago, and Miru still hasn't received an answer. Officials say her case is complicated but won't give a specific reason for the delay."I am very anxious to see my husband again," she said.

The exit controls are a Cold War legacy of Cuba's alliance with the Soviet Union. They were instituted in December 1961 to fight brain drain as hundreds of thousands of doctors and other professionals fled, many for new lives in Florida. That was three months before the U.S. embargo barring most trade with the island went into full effect.

Over the years, it has become much easier for Cubans to obtain permission to travel, though many are still denied, and it is particularly hard to take children out of the country.Also, the exit visa's $150 price tag is a small fortune in a country where salaries average about $20 a month. In addition, the person the traveler wishes to visit must pay $200 at a Cuban consulate.

Those who leave get only a 30-day pass, and the cost of an extension varies by country. In the U.S., the fee is $130 a month. Those who stay abroad more than 11 months lose the right to reside in Cuba. Before 2011, any property would automatically go to the state.

"The Cuban government has monetized every part of the humiliating process of coming and going," said Ann Louise Bardach, a longtime Cuba expert and author of "Without Fidel: A Death Foretold in Miami, Havana and Washington." "Getting out means running a gantlet, and it is all based on how much humiliation you can endure, and by the time they end up in Miami, people are filled with hate and dreams of revenge."

Cuban officials have long portrayed the measures as necessary to counter Washington's meddling. They accuse the U.S. of trying to lure away doctors by letting them walk into any American consulate and request asylum.

Cuban officials say even ordinary islanders are encouraged to leave by U.S. regulations that automatically grant asylum to any who reach American shores, a policy Cuba says has encouraged thousands to attempt the dangerous trip on leaky boats and makeshift rafts across the Florida Straits.

It's not clear how emigration reform will affect dissidents, who are routinely denied permission to leave and could still find themselves on some form of no-exit list.

In a recent New York Times opinion piece, dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez called the exit controls "our own Berlin Wall without the concrete ... a wall made of paperwork and stamps, overseen by the grim stares of soldiers." She has been denied travel papers at least 19 times by her own count.Some hardliners in Florida predict any change will be merely a sleight of hand designed to export malcontents, ease a severe housing shortage and fob off legions of superfluous state workers.

But for hundreds of thousands of Cubans like Miru, the exit visa is a personal matter, not political. After six years separated from her husband, she clings to hope that she will finally obtain permission or benefit from a change in the law."I have followed all the rules of my country," she said. "I'll be so happy to leave."

Source:  http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2012/05/03/35136/after_50_years_cubans_hope_to_travel_freely_to_any_country_of_the_world.html

Event News | "Cuba Exchanges Solidarity with Organizations Worldwide"

By:  Prensa Latina
Source: http://www.solvision.co.cu
Category: Event News

The Cubans and more than one thousand representatives from union organizations and social movements worldwide on Wednesday expressed solidarity in this capital with the best causes of the peoples.

Parallel to the traditional issues of support to Cuba are the battles carried out by millions of workers in the humanity protesting for the effects of the global economic crisis, organizers of the International Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba stated.

Participants from several countries took part of the forum, held at the Havana's Conference Center, a day after mass marches in squares and avenues on occasion of May Day celebrations.

Among issues to debate were the actions to demand the return to the island of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unjustly held in U.S. prisons for more than 13 years. Their real crime was to monitor Miami-based violent groups operating with impunity against his country.

Gerardo Hernandez, Ramon Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, the latter in supervised release since October, were detained in September 1998 in Miami, and condemned to harsh sentences ranging from 15 years to double life plus 15 years.

The general secretary of the Cuban Workers' Union (CTC), Salvador Valdes, on Tuesday sent the examples of solidarity from the Cubans to the workers worldwide who are victims of the global economic crisis, protest, and are brutally repressed for demanding their rights.

Source: http://www.solvision.co.cu

Event News | "Fans can watch every Olympic event live online"

By: Press Release
Category: Event News
Source: http://www.foxnews.com

Usain Bolt could be defending his Olympic 200-meter title on a Thursday afternoon in the United States.

Fans will be able to watch the race live online for the first time during this summer's London Games, but what they'll see is very different from the tape-delayed, prime-time package that will still air a few hours later.

NBC executives decided to shift from their longtime philosophy and make every event available as it happens, convinced that the plan will build interest in the Olympics and not siphon off viewership from the traditional nightly broadcasts. That means the Internet streams will be fairly minimalistic, a move aimed at tempting fans to re-watch the competition in a more stylized presentation on the network that evening.

"You'll be able to live the moment," said Rick Cordella, the vice president and general manager for NBC Sports Digital.

The online coverage will use the world feed instead of NBC camera angles. That's what viewers in many smaller countries see on their local networks, so the production is high quality, if less specialized than Americans are used to for the Olympics. There will be basic graphics and, for some popular sports, announcers from the Olympic Broadcasting Services.

Cordella said he didn't know yet which commentators would call high-profile events like track, swimming and gymnastics for the OBS.And if Bolt wins in another world record, fans will have to wait until prime time to see a post-race interview.

"It's not infringing upon prime time," Cordella said.

NBCOlympics.com streamed many smaller sports live during the 2008 Beijing Olympics for a total of 2,200 hours, but the big-ticket events were held back. This year, more than 3,500 hours will be shown on the website. For the top sports, replays will not be available online until after the event airs in prime time.

The service will include extra feeds for certain sports — fans can watch each apparatus in its entirety during gymnastics and up to five courts for tennis.

Most of the Internet streams will be available only to viewers who subscribe to cable or satellite services. They will need to "authenticate," log in to prove they are customers. The "TV Everywhere" model has become popular with many networks as a way to allow viewers to watch programs on multiple devices while encouraging them to stick with cable and satellite providers. Cordella said he believed viewers were becoming more familiar with the process.

Social media has proliferated since Beijing, and NBC is counting on buzz from viewers who watch events live to attract others to the prime-time broadcasts.

"If Bolt sets a record and prances over the finish line," Cordella said, "you want to see that."

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/05/02/fans-can-watch-every-olympic-event-live-online/

Travel Package Deals | "Europe Package Deals"

By:  kirsten
Category: Travel  Package Deals
Source: http://blog.besttraveldeals.net/travel/europe-package-deals

Travel Package Deals "Athens Greece"

$2659 — Greek Isles Package w/Roundtrip Air & Hotel Stays

Highlights: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini includes RT flight from New York (JFK), accomodation, daily breakfast. Travel July – October 2012.

$664 — Northern Europe: 7-Day Princess Cruise w/ $75 Ship Credit

Highlights: Southhampton, Zeebrugge, Copenhagen, Helsingborg, Oslo; aboard the Caribbean Princess with $75 Ship Credit. Travel July 1-8 2012.

$4899 — Greece-Turkey-Black Sea: 7-Day Regent Cruise, Free Shore Excursions

Highlights: Rome, Sorrento, Taormina, Katakolon, Thira, Kusadasi, Istanbul; aboard the Seven Seas Voyager. Travel October 24-31, 2012.

$1599 & up — 8-Night Ireland Inn & Castle Trip from NYC

Highlights: Dublin, Dromoland Castle, Ballsbridge Hotel ; includes airfare, accommodations, car & taxes. Travel July 1 – August 31, 2012.

$2999 & up — Ireland: 6-Nights w/Chauffeur & Biz Class Air

Highlights: Four Seasons Dublin, Glenlo Abbey Galway, Muckross Park Hotel Killarney, Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt; includes airfare, accommodations, private chauffeur. Travel June 1 – August 22, 2012.

$1899 — Paris in Summer: 5 Nights w/Air

Includes RT airfare, 5 nights stay at The Rochester Hotel Champs Elysees, breakfast daily & taxes. Travel Jul 8 – Aug 22, 2012

$3019 — Italy: Escorted 4-City Trip incl. Rome & Tuscany

Includes 10 nights hotel stays, private luxury motorcoach, buffet breakfast, dinner, sightseeing tours. Travel through October 2012

Source: http://blog.besttraveldeals.net/travel/europe-package-deals

Travel News | "Unregulated tourism is ravaging the Western Ghats"

By: Subir Ghosh
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com
Category: Travel News

Unbridled tourism in the Western Ghats will be a thing of the past if the Union government accepts the recommendations of an expert panel that was formed to look into the environmental aspects of the ecologically-fragile region.The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, which submitted a comprehensive report to the government in August 2011, has noted that some of the environmental footprints relate to the uncontrolled growth of tourist establishments in the Western Ghats leading to habitat fragmentation and increasing human-animal conflict.

Unlike in the case of mining where it urged for a blanket ban in the more ecologically sensitive areas, the panel has called for the ecotourism policy of the Ministry of Environment and Forests to be refined by the proposed Western Ghats Ecological Authority to promote minimal impact tourism. It has also stressed on the need for strict regulation for waste management, traffic, and water use.

There are a number of causes for worry. The 14-member panel headed by eminent ecologist Prof Madhav Gadgil found that there has been a tremendous increase in garbage accumulation in the area which attracts various pest species and also causes an increase in pathogens and disease. Untreated water is discharged into the open and this impacts vegetation and groundwater. There is also an increased risk of fires.

On the socio-cultural front, the group noticed changes in traditional livelihoods. Agriculture has been adversely affected because of land use changes and labour shortages, besides loss of access by indigenous and local communities to their land and resources as well as sacred sites. The report remarked, “Despite ecotourism, arising as a concept to promote nature conservation, it is found that the way ecotourism is practiced in India, it is being perceived as becoming just another form of mass tourism.”

Tourism in the Western Ghats has been increasing steeply. The forms of tourism observed in the region include ecology and wildlife, religious, social, and business. Religious tourism has the highest share of tourism in the Western Ghats followed by nature-based, social and business; the largest share of tourists is from the domestic sector. Tourist flows have risen sharply to the protected areas in the Western Ghats – Periyar, Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole, Dandeli-Anshi since 2000.

Most of the tourism is unplanned and unregulated. The panel observed that even planned world class tourism projects, e.g Amby Valley and Lavasa, have considerable local impacts. Tourism is being promoted both by the Centre and states without proper environmental impact assessments or cumulative impact assessments.

Among other things that can be done to mitigate adverse effects of tourism, the panel said that smallscale tourism should be encouraged by adopting benefit-sharing measures with local communities. Tourism infrastructure, particularly accommodation, should be eco-friendly, with careful use of locally available materials.

The panel has recommended that erection of concrete structures around springs, lakes and other perennial water bodies should be discouraged. There should be site-specific control of tourism infrastructure in the buffer regions of protected areas. Rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory for all new large and medium tourist infrastructure in the Western Ghats.

The WGEEP also laid a roadmap on how to implement its recommendations. A special cell within the WGEA would need to be constituted to deal with tourism-related issues. Control of tourism developments and activities, including licensing and overall targets for and limits to the scale and type of tourism should be overseen by the WGEA, the panel recommended.

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_unregulated-tourism-is-ravaging-the-western-ghats_1681318

Holiday News | "Apartments plan for sea front hotel rejected"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk
Category: Holiday News

PLANS to convert rooms at a vacant hotel in Clacton into self-catering holiday apartments have been turned down.The owners of the Parade Hotel, in Marine Parade East, have applied to convert 14 of the building’s 22 bedrooms into eight apartments. 

A report said the property has been “neglected and abused and requires extensive renovation”.Agent Brian White, in a design statement, said: “The hotel has not been operational for a few years due to its poor condition brought about by a move away from this type of holiday accommodation within the district and lack of investment, resulting in a low standard of facilities. 

“The cost of providing a catering service is prohibitive to the business, so the owner is removing this service, but providing rooms with tables and microwave ovens so that take-away food services can be used within rooms.”The plans were aimed at attracting families and groups and would also have seen improvements to common areas and facilities, along with disabled access and accommodation. 

The plans have been refused by Tendring Council planning officers by delegated decision.Planning officers said the hotel sits in a sea front location that is ideal for tourist accommodation and is protected by local planning policies, which seek to protect existing hotels and guest houses in the resort. 

A report said: “The conversion of a hotel with 22 bedrooms to a building with eight hotel bedrooms and nine apartments represents a significant loss in hotel rooms.”It added that the remaining hotel rooms, without restaurant facilities, maid service or reception, would not be suitable for tourism use. 

Source: http://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/9670090.Apartments_plan_for_sea_front_hotel_rejected/

Travel News | "TripAdvisor Survey Reveals Air Travel On The Rise In 2012"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.sacbee.com

Tripadvisor the world's largest travel site*, today announced the results of its annual air travel survey of more than 1,000 U.S. respondents. Americans are flocking to the skies this year as 91 percent of respondents said they plan to fly domestically in 2012, compared to 84 percent that did last year.  International flights are also on the rise, with 65 percent planning a flight out of the country, up from 55 percent in 2011.

Source:  http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/25/4440626/tripadvisor-survey-reveals-air.html

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/25/4440626/tripadvisor-survey-reveals-air.html#storylink=cpy

Travel News | "Travel Agents Make a Return Trip"

By: Kate Springer
Category: Travel News
Source: http://newsfeed.time.com

At their height in the mid-1990s, travel agencies boasted more than 34,000  locations in the U.S. Today, thanks to the economic uncertainty of the past decade and the boom in online travel sites, that number has been sliced in half. But don’t shed a tear for your neighborhood vacation expert just yet: brick-and-mortar agencies are making a comeback, reports the New York Times.

The rebound is thanks to an uptick in corporate and leisure travel, but it’s also due to growing frustration with the sheer amount of travel-related information on the web.  As discount travel portals and free-for-all recommendation sites have multiplied, more and more people are turning to experts to help make sense of it all. “I needed recommendations and someone to steer me in the right direction,” Jessica Griffin, who opted to work with an agent despite making her own reservations for years, told the Times. “I wanted somebody from a reputable agency who could say yes, you’ll enjoy this stay.”

Source: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/04/23/travel-agents-make-a-return-trip/

Event News | "Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts Announce New Partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival"

By: Press Release
Category: Event News
Source: http://www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com

Conrad Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Hotels & Resorts - two of Hilton Worldwide's market leading brands - announce a new three-year partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF). Both brands will serve as Official Hotel Partners of the Tribeca Film Festival, the international film festival that supports emerging and established filmmakers. The partnership comes as Conrad enters New York City with the opening of the Conrad New York, the luxury hotel brand's nineteenth property and one of six new properties expected to open this year and as both brands continue their involvement in entertainment and pop culture.

"All of us at Tribeca are delighted to partner with Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, two leading brands with a deep commitment to the global film community," said Jon Patricof, president and chief operating officer of Tribeca Enterprises. "Given the origins and mission of the Tribeca Film Festival, it will be a wonderful moment for us to celebrate our Awards Night at the Conrad New York. That property and this new partnership offer a remarkable testament to the vitality of Lower Manhattan."

As Official Partners of the Tribeca Film Festival, Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts will provide their signature hospitality to guests of Tribeca, serve as the destinations for key TFF events, and offer guests and film enthusiasts highly sought-after opportunities to attend film screenings and exclusive events. To celebrate the highly anticipated opening of the Conrad New York, a new 463 luxury, all-suite hotel in New York's Financial District, the property will host the Festival's 2012 Award Celebration. Hilton New York Fashion District, an upscale hotel on West 27^th street just off Seventh Avenue, will serve as a hub for filmmakers and industry attendees throughout the 2012 festival.

"At Conrad Hotels & Resorts, we believe the greatest luxury is the luxury of being yourself. This one-of-a-kind sophistication has now arrived in lower Manhattan with our newest property, the Conrad New York," said John Vanderslice, global head, luxury and lifestyle brands, Hilton Worldwide. "Our partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival is a celebration of individuality, style and the city of New York as a dynamic place for filmmaking."

Source: http://www.hiltonglobalmediacenter.com/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=1898&tl=en&mobile=0

Event News | "DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center Hotel Awarded Prestigious 2011 Hilton Pride Award "

By: Press Release
Category: Event News
Source: http://www.prweb.com

The DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center hotel has been awarded the 2011 Pride Award from Hilton Hotels. This award is given to a few DoubleTree hotels throughout the world for their outstanding commitment to guests, community and staff. Representing the highest quality of excellence throughout the DoubleTree brand, congratulations go out the entire DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech Center team. 

Discover Denver hotel beauty and unbelievable luxury and breathtaking views of the famous Rocky Mountains when you stay at DoubleTree Hotel Denver Tech hotel. Located in Greenwood Village in the heart of the Denver Tech Center, our South Denver hotel is an easy commute to the Meridian Office Complex, and the downtown Denver business district—making us an ideal destination for corporate travelers. With more than 300 guest rooms and suites, an indoor and outdoor pool, a wonderful restaurant and an amazing 20,000 square feet of event space, DoubleTree Hotel Denver Tech is the hotel of choice for anyone visiting the Denver area. The DoubleTree by Hilton Denver Tech hotel is proudly managed by Stonebridge Companies in Denver, Colorado.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9419292.htm

Travel And Leisure | "Petrol prices pump up fears for travel sector"

By: Rachel Cooper
Category: Travel And Leisure
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

“Rising oil and petrol prices lead us to take a more cautious stance on the prospects for the travel and leisure sector,” cautioned analysts at Panmure Gordon. “Record petrol prices have the potential to alter longer-term leisure habits, with consumers reassessing the need to travel meaningful distances to undertake regular out-of-the-home leisure activities.”

With mortgage rates also rising and inflation “stubbornly high”, the broker argued that this was “not a comfortable backdrop for a sector heavily reliant on discretionary income”.Given increasing petrol prices, Panmure was particularly anxious about the outlook for businesses with out-of-town locations and downgraded both Cineworld and Goals Soccer Centres to “hold”.They were also worried about The Restaurant Group – whose restaurants such as Frankie & Benny’s are often located in sites such as leisure complexes – and cut their rating to “hold”.Conversely, the broker turned a buyer of JD Wetherspoon, arguing that its pubs could benefit from being “community-based and may therefore show resilience in the face of record petrol prices”.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/marketreport/9168115/Petrol-prices-pump-up-fears-for-travel-sector.html

Travel News | "The Scripps-owned cable network has five new shows in the works for the 2012 programming slate"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com


Travel Channel has greenlit three pilots and announced development of two new original series. Network GM Andy Singer discussed the plans on Thursday.

Among the pilots is Barn Finds, produced by BCII, which follows car expert Corky Coker on a roadtrip through the American south, looking for automotive bargains. Another auto-centric project, Power Trip with Jason Harper (Departure Films), has the host touring different countries behind the wheel of different famous (and pricey) cars. Kevin Michael Connolly Project, from Crazy Leg Productions, takes the titular thrill seeker and noted author and photographer, born without legs, around the globe.

In development, Travel is pursing Coffee Hunter and City Swappers. The first, from Nancy Glass Productions, takes a peek into the world of premium coffee peddlers, focusing on Philadelphia-based La Colombe Torrefaction. City Swappers comes from Stone Circle Films and explores what happens when two couples swap homes, cars, friends, etc. when they go on vacation.

"Our programming mission is to continue to provide a myriad of travel perspectives that not only entertain and inspire, but will take viewers beyond the guidebook," said Singer. “We’re excited about our new shows in development which feature a group of new talent who each weave their own personal experiences and stories through each show’s unique travel lens.”

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/travel-channel-pilots-development-313038

Travel News | "Travel Apps Targeted in Patent Infringement Lawsuits"

By: Michèle McDonald
Source: http://www.travelmarketreport.com
Category: Travel News

Mobile devices give agents exciting new opportunities for servicing customers, but creativity in the mobile channel could be stymied by a phenomenon known as the “patent troll.”A patent troll is a company that makes money primarily by suing other companies for patent infringement. Mobile technology is proving to be fertile ground for such companies – and travel companies are among the targets.

Travelocity, UAL, Hertz Are Sued

A Tulsa, Okla., company called Macrosolve has sued 59 companies, claiming infringement of a patent that it was awarded in October 2010. Among the defendants are some of the largest travel companies in the U.S.

American Airlines, Avis Rent A Car System, Continental Airlines, the Hertz Corp., Hipmunk Inc., Hotels.com, Priceline.com, Southwest Airlines, Travelocity.com and United Air Lines were sued on Dec. 21. They have since been joined by Marriott International, Intercontinental Hotel Group and Six Continents, IHG’s corporate predecessor.Macrosolve has not shied away from taking on other big names – including Facebook, Groupon, Dell and AT&T.

Patent for app transmissions

The patent that is the basis of its lawsuits gives MacroSolve the rights to a process that sends applications to mobile devices for downloading, collects information from users and sends it back to a central database.That covers any existing or future mobile app that sends data from the app user back to the makers or administrators of the app.

Any booking, purchase or request for information would fall into that category. That makes every transactional travel app a potential target for a lawsuit.

Tricky legal terrain

Patent infringement lawsuits are nothing new in the world of technology. Alexander Graham Bell was sued by several inventors after he produced the telephone. But software patents present some difficulties.

The U.S. Patent Office resisted awarding software patents for a long time, believing it was akin to awarding a copyright for language. You can copyright a book, but you can’t copyright an idea. But several court decisions in the 1990s forced it to change its stance.

The office was then deluged with applications, and according to M-CAM, a patent consultancy, patents for the same “invention” were often granted to different companies. In some cases, the language of the patent is mystifying even to the inventor.

‘Abysmal monument’

M-CAM chairman Dr. David E. Martin called MacroSolve’s patent “an abysmal monument to the complete failure of the patent system,” noting wryly that the patent hinges on keyword searches “with innovative terms like ‘survey,’ ‘poll,’ ‘collect’ and ‘gather.’”

Macrosolve does market some mobile applications and tools for restaurants, school safety and other categories under the Illume Mobile brand, but it has openly declared that “monetization” of the patent is a priority. It told investors that it has targeted an additional 250 companies for legal action.

Lucrative business

In Macrosolve’s most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, it said it “has received 14 settlements in the form of non-exclusive, perpetual paid-up licenses for licensed products resulting in revenues of over $1 million in 2011, which represented approximately 63% of total revenue in 2011.”

Source: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/technology?articleID=7051&LP=1

Tourism News | "Campaign to attract new visitors pays off"

By: Adam Thomson
Source: http://www.ft.com
Category: Tourism news


For years, Ivan Ignatievich has been going on family holidays in and around his native Russia. But last year, he tried something different: an all-inclusive resort hotel south of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast.“Very nice,” he said in a thick accent as he sipped on a piña colada by the pool. “Very warm.”

Mr Ignatievich may not know it but he and his family are the new face of international tourism in Mexico. In the past two years, the number of visitors from the Bric (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries, has increased at rates above 50 per cent a year.

The surge is the result of the most aggressive campaign to promote tourism in Mexico’s history. During the past two years, Gloria Guevara, the tourism minister, has been travelling the world, seeking out markets and working to make things easier for non-traditional visitors to go to Mexico.

“It’s all about diversification and exploring new growth markets,” she told the FT last month. The aim, she says, is to turn Mexico into one of the world’s top five tourist destinations by 2018 from 10th place currently.One aspect of that work has been to streamline and simplify the visa-application process. As of May 2010, for example, any person holding a passport with a valid US visa can visit Mexico without further paperwork.

In the case of Russia and China, the time it takes to receive a Mexican visa has come down from 45 days to just three. That, says Ms Guevara, has helped prise open a market that did not exist before.“We realised that a lot of people were not coming because it was too difficult,” she says. “We have changed all of that.”

Gloria Guevara

The aim is to turn the country into one of the world’s top five tourist destinations by 2018 from 10th place, says Gloria Guevara


The broadening of Mexico’s customer base has not come a moment too soon. The country’s image as a tourism hub has faced challenges in recent years as Latin America’s second-largest economy finds itself in the midst of a battle against well-armed drugs cartels.

The violence has produced about 50,000 drug-related deaths since President Felipe Calderón of the National Action Party came to power at the end of 2006. Unsurprisingly, the news of decapitations, extortion and kidnappings has dominated much of the international press.

The recent travel advisory issued by the state of Texas warning residents to avoid travel to Mexico – a move heavily criticised by the Mexican government – has hardly helped.

At the same time, the number of US citizens travelling abroad declined10 per cent between 2008 and 2011 to 36m as the US financial crisis and ensuing global recession took hold. As the most popular foreign destination for Americans – US visitors account for about 60 per cent of total – Mexico has been particularly exposed.

To counteract the falling numbers, authorities in 2010 began a media campaign in the US to promote “the Mexico you thought you knew”. Put simply, the strategy consists of promoting Mexico’s cultural and geographical heritage beyond the traditional “sun and beach” profile.

Among the new offerings are more than a dozen themed tours, including cuisine in the state of Puebla, archaeological excursions in the Yucatán peninsula and, of course, the tequila tour in the state of Jalisco.

The idea, says Rodolfo López-Negrete, who heads the country’s Tourism Board, is to attract a new crowd of North American tourists by offering a wider range of holiday activities. “Mexico is so much more than beaches,” he said.

The tourism board is also about to launch a second advertising drive to reassure US citizens that Mexico is a safe destination in spite of the military-led offensive against the cartels. The campaign will consist of candid-camera interviews with people who have just returned home after spending their holidays in Mexico.

So far, the strategy seems to be working. According to figures from the country’s immigration authorities, 22.7m tourists visited Mexico last year – higher than the previous record in 2008. Meanwhile, Mexico’s market share of US tourists travelling abroad has increased from 14.6 per cent of the total in 2008 to 15.3 per cent.

For businessmen such as Carlos Berdegue, who owns the El Cid chain of hotels, the campaigns have helped build an average occupancy rate last year of 85 per cent – an 8 per cent increase over the previous year.“I’m happy,” he says. “Things are definitely improving.”

International hotel groups are also upbeat. InterContinental Hotels Group expects its franchise holders to invest US$550m in Mexico over the next five years. Gerardo Murray, the group’s vice-president of sales, says that the plan is to build 47 hotels around the country during that time.

With prospects for the US economy improving slightly this year, Ms Guevara believes that the combination of recovering numbers from North America and new visitors from non-traditional markets will bring in 25m foreign tourists this year. If she is right, it would be a record.




Source: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f638e72e-832c-11e1-9f9a-00144feab49a.html#axzz1sHA5ja6F

Holiday Package | "Off to London for Olympic Games"

By: Press Release
Category: Holiday Package
Source: http://www.thesundaily.my

Olympic Games this year? Holiday Tours have got just the deal for you.

The packages are priced according to the games ticket prices and each package offers a different combination of game events such as table tennis, boxing, ­tekwondo, athletics and ­volleyball, among others.

The Multiple Games ­Combination offers three packages (Package 2, 3 and 4) at prices between RM8,430 and RM10,400.Those who opt for ­Package 4 (six games tickets at RM7,470) will be able to catch the men’s bronze medal ­basketball match.

Holiday Tours is also offering a Badminton ­Highlights package at RM7,710 that comes with tickets to watch the quarter finals, semi-­finals and the gold-medal final of the badminton matches.

There are also standalone games tickets for popular events such as athletics, ­badminton, diving, ­synchronised swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics and football.Holiday Tours also offers packages for those who want to catch the grand opening and c­losing ceremonies.All packages come with­ ­accommodation at a city centre hotel with daily ­breakfast.

The ­regular ­packages such as the Multiple Games ­Combination and Badminton Highlights come with ­accommodation at the four-star Holiday Inn ­Kensington, which is a mere two-minute walk to the Gloucester Road tube ­station.

The Opening and Closing Ceremony packages spoil you with a luxurious stay at ­Cadogan, a five-star hotel ­located in the heart of ­Knightsbrige close to ­Buckingham Palace, Green Park and the Natural History Museum.All offers come bundled with a Travel Card as well as a London Pass.

The Pass allows you access to over 60 ­attractions in ­between the games you are set to catch. They include historic buildings and ­museums such as ­Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, National Maritime Museum and more.

Source: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/351752

Hotels News | "4 Hotels and 850 Rooms to Open in 500 Metres Before Olympics"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.london-se1.co.uk
Category: Hotels News

The four new hotels are due to open their doors to guests this summer and are no more than 500 metres apart.

The first of the four to open is likely to be the clumsily named Premier Inn London Southwark (Tate Modern) at the corner of Great Suffolk Street and Lavington Street. This week the scaffolding has been removed from the building and Premier Inn signage has been installed. Its 180 rooms are now available for booking from 4 June.

The existing Premier Inn London Southwark at The Anchor Bankside has had "(Borough Market)" appended to its name to avoid confusion with the new venue.

At the opposite end of Lavington Street the new 191-room CitizenM hotel – made of a series of prefabricated pods – has also recently been cleared of scaffolding. The Dutch chain is hoping to open its first London hotel by the end of July.

Southwark councillors recently approved a scheme to improve Lavington Street for pedestrians which will be funded by cash from the two hotel developments.

Meanwhile on Blackfriars Road the last panels of cladding are being added to the new building which will house two hotels in the Accor Group: the 182-bedroom Novotel London Blackfriars and the lower-cost 297-room Ibis London Blackfriars.

Plans for a fifth hotel – an upmarket 280-room Hilton – to be built between Bear Lane and Great Suffolk Street are thought to be back on track after an ownership dispute was resolved.

The owners of the Holiday Inn Express London Southwark recently submitted an application to extend the hotel into the adjacent Dominion House office building adding an additional 48 rooms.

source: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5939

Hilton Hotel News | "DoubleTree by Hilton Introduces Newest Hotel Destination in Gurgaon"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com
Categoy: Hilton Hotel News


Hilton Worldwide announced the opening of a new DoubleTree by Hilton in India. Located in Gurgaon, Delhi National Capital Region (NCR), the DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR offers a sophisticated, modern combination of guest services, amenities and technology in a refreshingly spirited and welcoming ambiance.
Conveniently located on the Golf Course Road, the hotel is within easy access of the business and commercial establishments in the dynamic business centre of Gurgaon and 18 km from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).  The 184-room hotel is only 7 km from the HUDA City Centre and IFFCO Chowk Metro stations, which can whisk travellers to many of New Delhi’s heritage attractions and Indian monuments such as Qutab Minar, Lord Mahavira’s statue at Ahinsa Sthal and the Bahai (Lotus temple).
Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide, said, “With the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR, Hilton Worldwide now operates six hotels in the Delhi National Capital Region.  We are expanding rapidly in India and anticipate increasing our presence to 14 hotels by the end of this year, following on from a great year of growth in 2011, when we opened six hotels”.
Guests at DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR will experience the characteristic qualities found at more than 280 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels around the world, including the warm welcome of the brand’s legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest at check-in; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme and a unique and caring team member commitment to guests, colleagues and the local community.
Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton, said, “The opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR is another significant step in our brand’s growth strategy in India and strategic city centre locations around the world.  The hotel is an outstanding representation of the DoubleTree by Hilton brand, which is built on the vision of creating a rewarding travel experience by understanding and thoughtfully addressing the individual needs of today’s business and leisure travellers”.
Owned by the JMD Group and managed by Hilton Worldwide, DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR features 45 Executive Rooms, 11 Junior Suites and two Terrace Suites.  All guestrooms and suites are equipped with wired and wireless internet access, remote printing, LCD satellite television, electronic safe, refrigerated private bar, in-room tea and coffee making service, a radio alarm clock with MP3 player connection and a refreshing collection of bath and body products.  Additional amenities include 24-hour in-room dining, laundry, concierge and travel desk services.
Guests in residence and visitors can enjoy an extensive selection of cuisines at the hotel’s four restaurants and bars. The Food Store, an all-day café and deli, serves freshly brewed coffee and tea, healthy juices, homemade breads and pastries and a wide selection of snacks and wholesome meals.  Asia Alive, the South East Asian specialty restaurant, takes diners on a theatrical culinary journey encompassing Malay, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Indian cuisines paired with wine from an extensive list.  At Spiritual, the gastro bar and lounge, guests can enjoy classic cocktails, and a fine selection of spirits and wines accompanied by Tapas platters and a range of pizzas straight from the wood-fired oven.  When Casablanca, the first Moroccan specialty restaurant in the city, opens in the second quarter of the year it will introduce guests to the diversity of Moroccan cuisine with Berber-Moorish, European and Mediterranean influences.
Appreciating the needs of today’s business travellers, the hotel features a 24-hour business centre that provides a range of essential services, and meeting rooms equipped with the latest audio-visual and communications technology.  The 9,500 sq. ft. (900 m2) of expansive conference and banqueting facilities at the hotel accommodates up to 300 persons in a variety of flexible settings ideal for business meetings, training seminars, banquets and social gatherings.  Recreational options at the hotel include an outdoor pool, a Fitness Centre by Precor and AristoRejuv, a foot spa.
Sunil Bedi, managing director, JMD Group, said, “We are delighted to be associated with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand in India, and we are confident this hotel will become the first choice of travellers in the region”.
Along with the DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon-New Delhi NCR, Hilton Worldwide currently operates the following hotels in India: Hilton New Delhi/Janakpuri, Hilton Mumbai International Airport, Hilton Chennai, Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar, DoubleTree by Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar, Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/Saket, Eros Hotel-Managed by Hilton New Delhi/Nehru Place and Hampton by Hilton Vadodara-Alkapuri.

source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/doubletree-by-hilton-introduces-newest-hotel-destination-in-gurgaon/

Hotel News | "Government’s push to promote tourism will help improve tourist arrivals and receipts"

By: ANGIE NG
Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my
Category: Hotel News

The local hospitality sector can look forward to a steady growth this year, given the number of initiatives to promote the tourism industry, property consultants said.Knight Frank in its Second-Half 2011 Real Estate Highlights report said the local hospitality sector remained optimistic that performance levels would show steady growth.It said this was despite analysts predicting moderating economic expansion ahead as a result of slowing external demand and continued uncertainties in the Middle East, Europe and the United States.“Moving forward, the Government will seek to enhance various sector-specific initiatives that focus on high-yield visitors, in particular business and medical tourism. The Budget 2012 announcement will keep the 4-star and 5-star hotel category at the forefront of development opportunities with the provided benefits in the form of tax exemption or allowances.“With concerted efforts from all parties, Malaysia will remain well positioned to retain its ranking among the global top 10 tourist arrivals and top 15 tourist receipts,” the report added.

Knight Frank said tourism contribution to gross national income was expected to almost triple the 2010 figure of RM34bil to RM94bil by 2020 (ranked the fifth-largest contributor to national economy in 2010).

The growth-centred Budget 2012, announced in October last year, is generally well received by the wider hospitality sector.

In the Budget, the Government has pledged to assist the private sector in developing more international standard accommodation to attract a higher number of tourists through a “pioneer status” income tax exemption of 70% or an investment tax allowance of 60% for five years for new 4-star and 5-star hotels in Peninsular Malaysia.

CB Richard Ellis Research, in its fourth quarter 2011 report on Kuala Lumpur's hospitality sector, said it hoped the various initiatives under the Economic Transformation Programme would be successful in stimulating demand, especially in raising tourist arrivals and average spending.

It also hopes that growing tourist arrivals from China, India and the Middle East would compensate for the likely continued decline from struggling Western economies.

“Tourism Malaysia is maintaining its target of 36 million annual visitors by 2020 with an estimated revenue of RM168bil, up from 24.6 million tourists with revenue totalling RM56.4bil in 2010,” the report added.

It said the hospitality market performed better in the last quarter of 2011 compared with the same period in 2010, led by improvements in overall occupancy rates for 3-star to 5-star hotels.

Although Kuala Lumpur had some of the lowest room rates for luxury hotels in the region, the announced redevelopments in the city centre would add to the growing quality of the city's hospitality market, it added.

The Knight Frank report said industry leaders had now fully recognised the importance of the MICE (meetings, incentive, convention and exhibition) industry as a major contributor to the economy.

The Tourism Ministry, which established MyCEB (Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau), plans to further strengthen the nation's tourism brand and grow the total number of conventions and exhibitions held on home soil.

The number of MICE visitors is expected to reach 1.3 million for 2011 with RM10.8bil in receipts (2010: 1.28 million visitors and RM10.6bil receipts).

It said the Government's concerted efforts to attract more arrivals from the BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) through various measures, including a simplified and shortened visa application process, had shown excellent results with recently released figures showing the number of Chinese tourist arrivals increased by 57% between January and July 2011.

As at November 2011, there was a total stock figure of 17,862 hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur. The supply figure of 4-star and 5-star hotel rooms in the city currently stands at 7,667 and 10,195 respectively.

During the review period, average occupancy rates for 4-star and 5-star hotels in the city registered increases to 72% (first half 2011: 69%) and 71% (first half 2011: 68%) respectively.

Both occupancy and average room rates (ARR) for 4-star and 5-star hotels have shown an improvement over the second half of 2011 review period to November.

The ARR for 4-star hotels was recorded at RM214 (first half 2011: RM209), reflecting a 2.39% increase, while the 5-star category saw a 1.18% increase to RM343 (first half 2011: RM339).

Knight Frank said that during the second half of 2011, Kuala Lumpur's hotel market maintained a reasonable performance with steady improvements in the tourism industry.

source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/16/business/11096929&sec=business

Patent News | Europe Opens Patent Investigations Into Motorola Mobility

By: James Kanter

source: http://www.nytimes.com

category: Patent News

The European Union’s competition office on Tuesday opened two antitrust cases against Motorola Mobility for possibly abusing its patents following complaints by two rivals, Microsoft and Apple.

The cases are the latest stage in what has become a full-blown battle over the ownership of essential technologies that help power mobile and gaming devices, a fight that has engulfed Google and virtually all the other major players in the industry.The European Commission opened two cases to look at separate allegations by Microsoft, which is concerned about access to video and wireless patents for its products including the Xbox, and by Apple, which is concerned about access to other wireless patents for the iPhone and iPad.Microsoft and Apple complained to the commission that they were victims of unfair licensing conditions and abusive litigation by Motorola Mobility.The investigation will look at whether “Motorola has failed to honor its irrevocable commitments made to standard-setting organizations” to license its technologies to other companies on fair, reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms, the commission said.Motorola Mobility said in a statement it was “confident that a thorough investigation” would show it had honored its “obligations and complied with antitrust laws.” It said it would “continue to work closely with the European Commission to resolve this matter as soon as practicable.”The cases could also have consequences for Google, which is seeking final regulatory approvals for its purchase of Motorola Mobility to compete directly with its archrival, Apple. Google’s deal, worth about $12.5 billion, cleared its biggest hurdles by winning regulatory approval in the United States and Europe in February.In a warning in February, Joaquín Almunia, the E.U. competition commissioner, said his decision to clear Google’s deal for Motorola Mobility would not exonerate any wrongdoing concerning patents “by Motorola in the past or all future action by Google.”News of the investigations came a day after Microsoft said it was moving its software distribution operations to the Netherlands from Germany because of concerns that an adverse decision in a patent dispute with Motorola Mobility could hamper crossborder shipments.Motorola filed a lawsuit against Microsoft in July last year asking for a royalty of 2.25 percent on the price of each product using video software on which Motorola holds some patents.Microsoft refused to pay, saying the demand by Motorola could lead other patent holders to make similar demands and make the costs of licensing technology unaffordable.Motorola then sued to stop sales and shipments in Germany of any product that uses Microsoft software with the video software.A ruling against Microsoft on April 17 by the Mannheim regional court could block the software giant from distributing Windows software and the Xbox gaming system in Germany.On Tuesday, Microsoft said there had been no previously existing royalty agreements concerning the video software before the dispute.Microsoft had a “great relationship” with its current distributor but “Motorola’s refusal to live up to its patent promises has left us no choice,” said Thomas Baumgärtner, a spokesman for Microsoft in Germany. “Unfortunately the risk of disruption from Motorola’s patent litigation is simply too high.”The commission can fine companies as much as 10 percent of their worldwide annual income if it finds them guilty of antitrust violations. But the way any such fines would be calculated would depend on which company owned Motorola Mobility at the time of the offenses. Determining which company would pay any such fines can often depend on the fine print of merger agreements. Motorola Mobility was split off from Motorola in January 2011.

The commission also has the power to require companies to change the way they do business. That, too, could have consequences for Google and its deal for Motorola Mobility.

“We haven’t finalized our acquisition of Motorola Mobility, but will work with the European Commission to answer any questions they might have,” said Al Verney, a spokesman for Google in Brussels. “We have longstanding concerns about patent abuses, including lawsuits and royalty demands targeting the Android ecosystem,” Mr. Verney added, referring to Google’s operating system for mobile devices.

But a prominent commentator on the issue, Florian Mueller, who also advises companies including Microsoft on patent issues, said in a blog entry that the decision Tuesday by Mr. Almunia to start a formal investigation into Motorola Mobility was a bad sign for Google.

“If and when Google closes the deal, it will effectively buy itself into two more E.U. antitrust investigations,” Mr. Mueller wrote.

“It’s time for some people in Mountain View to realize that a multi-front war against competition authorities, on three continents in parallel, is a war that they won’t be able to win,” he added, referring to Google’s headquarters in California.

The commission is already investigating Samsung for the way it used standard, essential patents and for the way it sought injunctions against its competitors in national courts.

Samsung, a South Korean company that relies on Android for many of its products, has been pursuing legal battles worldwide over the levels and fairness of fees it imposes on others for using patented technologies.

Travel sites vs. Google

TripAdvisor filed an antitrust complaint against Google with E.U. regulators Tuesday, adding a second case against the search-engine operator by online travel companies, Bloomberg News reported from Brussels.

TripAdvisor said the complaint addressed “anti-competitive and unfair practices by Google that harm the marketplace and consumer welfare.”

Expedia last week added its complaint to an E.U. investigation of claims that Google discriminated against other services in its search results and stopped some Web sites from accepting rival ads. Joaquín Almunia, the E.U.’s competition commissioner, has said he could decide this month whether to proceed with a case against Google.

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/business/global/europe-opens-patent-investigations-into-motorola-mobility.html