Tourism Fiji launches new ‘Romance Me’ website

Further positioning Fiji as one of the world's premier destinations for the international wedding, honeymoon and romantic travel sector Tourism Fiji has this week launched its new look 'Romance Me' website.

Easily located on the national tourist office's umbrella website at www.FijiMe.com/RomanceMe, the new look website carries considerably more information on the legal requirements for those considering getting married in Fiji or reaffirming their wedding vows, honeymooning or simply looking for a couples holiday in one of the most romantic locales on the planet.

The new website also contains a much increased section detailing the various operators who can help plan that perfect romantic visit.

The huge number of hotels and resorts now offering specialised wedding and honeymoon facilities in Fiji has also been increased.

Additional new features include an image gallery complete with video clips and for the first time, a blog.

Visit: www.fijime.com

Preferred Hotel Group Congratulates Its Asia Pacific Hotels and Resorts On Their Recent Accolades and Awards

As a testament to its exceptional portfolio of the finest hotels and resorts in the region,
Preferred Hotel Group congratulates its Asia Pacific properties on receiving numerous
awards and accolades in the last three months.

Ananda in the Himalayas
Rishikesh, India - Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Favourite Spa in Asia - 2010 SpaFinder Readers' Choice Awards
Destination Spas - Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards 2010 (UK)
India's first and only destination spa has swept the eighth annual awards of SpaFinder by
winning, not only the most-coveted Crystal Award for "Favourite Spa in Asia", but also five
more awards in other categories. It was also ranked number two by Condé Nast Traveller
readers for its ambiance and décor.

Andara Resort & Villas
Phuket, Thailand - Preferred Boutique
Best Villa and Condo Development - Thailand Property Awards 2010
Its second consecutive win at the Thailand Property Awards 2010 for the Best Villa and
Condo Development, Andara won on the basis of its superb location and features, high
quality of finishing, along with its environmentally friendly design.

Angkor Palace Resort & Spa
Siem Reap, Cambodia - Summit Hotels & Resorts
ASEAN Green Hotel Standard Award
For the second consecutive year, the resort was awarded the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard
Award for its environmental and energy conservation practices. These include a water-saving
campaign, using energy-saving lights, and using treated wastewater to maintain the lush
garden on the 11-hectare site.

Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa
Borneo, Malaysia - Preferred Boutique
Resort Development Category - Malaysia Property Award 2010 (FIABCI)
The Malaysia Property Award is the gold standard for developers and owners in the real
estate industry, and winners will go on to compete at the FIABCI International Prix d'
Excellence Award, the "Oscars" of the real estate industry. A key player in eco-tourism, the
resort's villas and facilities were built with minimal impact on their surroundings. The resort
also independently funds a Marine Ecology Research Centre and farms its own seafood to
reduce pressure on ocean life.

Hotel Mulia Senayan
Jakarta, Indonesia - Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Best City Hotel in Jakarta - TTG Travel Awards 2010, Asia Pacific
TTG Travel Awards serves a benchmark for high standards across the industry, and winners
are determined by votes cast by TTG readers and the travel industry across Asia Pacific.
This is the third consecutive year that the hotel has won this award.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
India - Preferred Hotels & Resorts
World Travel Market (WTM) Global Award
WTM's Global Media Network, comprising key travel industry media around the world, put
forward organisations and individuals that have contributed to their region's tourism industry.
Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts secured an award in recognition of its standards of
excellence and rapid expansion carried out while giving back to the local community

Regal Airport Hotel
Hong Kong - Summit Hotels & Resorts
Best Airport Hotel in the World - Business Traveller Awards 2010
Best Airport Hotel - TTG Travel Awards 2010, Asia Pacific
The awards recognize the hotel's comprehensive services and facilities as an airport hotel.
This is the third consecutive year the hotel has won the Business Traveller Award and the
sixth consecutive year for the TTG Award.

Royal Plaza on Scotts
Singapore - Summit Hotels & Resorts
Best Independent Hotel - TTG Travel Awards 2010, Asia Pacific
The fourth consecutive year for this award, TTG voters recognized the hotel's distinctiveness
as an independent offering personable service.

The Upper House
Hong Kong - Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Best Business Hotels 2010 - Wallpaper UK
2010 Luxe List: The Region's Best New Hotels and Resorts - DestinAsian
100 Best Hotels in The World - The Sunday Times Travel (UK)
Best Boutique Hotel in Asia Pacific - Business Traveller Awards 2010, Asia-Pacific

The 2010 World Travel Awards
The World Travel Awards are regarded as the highest achievement that a travel product can
receive. Votes are cast by 183,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and
transport companies, and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.
Preferred Hotel Group's Asia Pacific winners are:
Asia's Leading Resort
The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala, Kerala, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
India's Leading Conference Hotel
The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore, Bangalore, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
India's Leading Resort
The Zuri Kumarakom Kerala Resort & Spa, Kerala, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Indonesia's Leading Business Hotel
Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)

The 2010 World Luxury Hotel Awards
The 2010 World Luxury Hotel Awards are accepted as the pinnacle of achievement for hotels
and a symbol of excellence chosen by 50 travel industry consultants and tour operators.
Preferred Hotel Group's Asia Pacific winners are:
Global Category
Luxury Spa Hotel
La Flora Resort & Spa Khao Lak, Khao Lak, Thailand (Summit Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Hotels Brand
lebua Hotels & Resorts, Thailand (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Boutique Hotel
The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur, Udaipur, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Diplomatic Hotel
Dusit Thani Hua Hin, Hua Hin, Thailand (PHG Travel Partner)
Country Category
Luxury Hotel, Cambodia
Angkor Palace Resort & Spa, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Summit Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Business Hotel, Thailand
lebua at State Tower, Bangkok, Thailand (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Hotel, India
The Imperial New Delhi, New Delhi, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury City Hotel, India
The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore, Bangalore, India (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Luxury Boutique Hotel, Cambodia
The Sothea, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Preferred Boutique)

Travel + Leisure China Travel Awards 2010
Given by one of the top travel publications in China, these awards are voted on by its
discerning readers.
Best New Hotels in China
Les Suites Orient, Bund Shanghai, Shanghai, China (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Top 100 Hotels in China
The Opposite House, Beijing, China (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
Best New Boutique Hotels in China
The Upper House, Hong Kong (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)

Note to travel agents: When booking via the GDS, please use master chain code PV.

About Preferred Hotel Group
Celebrating over 40 years of excellence, Preferred Hotel Group is a leading provider of
business solutions for independently owned and operated hotels and resorts around the
world. Services include sales, marketing, technology, distribution, and quality assurance.
Comprised of more than 800 best-in-class hotels in over 70 countries, Preferred Hotel Group
encompasses five distinct brands: Preferred Hotels & Resorts (www.PreferredHotels.com),
Preferred Boutique (www.PreferredBoutique.com), Summit Hotels & Resorts
(www.SummitHotels.com), Sterling Hotels (www.SterlingHotels.com), and Historic Hotels of
America (www.HistoricHotels.org). Preferred Hotel Group also offers I Prefer™
(www.IPrefer.com), an exclusive global guest benefits program, as well as Preferred Golf™
(www.PreferredGolf.com), a membership program with entrée to the world's most
spectacular luxury golf resorts. For more information, visit www.PreferredHotelGroup.com.

In September 2007, the company entered the luxury real estate market with the launch of
Preferred Residences - a membership and exchange program for luxury shared ownership
resorts that provide an exceptional level of service and amenities. Preferred Residences are
held to exacting standards derived from the same Preferred Global Standards of
Excellence™ on which the company has built its 41-year heritage in the hospitality industry.
For more information, please visit www.PreferredResidences.com.

IHG Launches Australian Hospitality Industry's First Reconciliation Action Plan

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) last night introduced the Australian hospitality industry's strongest commitment to equal opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to date, becoming the first hotel company to establish a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

In doing so, IHG has established the 201st RAP to be recognised and endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the independent national body created to foster reconciliation through strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and other Australians.

IHG's RAP is one of only two such commitments within Australia's AU$33 billion tourism industry, the other being held by QANTAS.

With Reconciliation Australia's support and encouragement, IHG has set a target of having 2% of its total workforce in Australia made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by 2013. This target is just one of many undertakings that make up IHG's holistic approach to closing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

IHG RAP outlines the journey toward that commitment, and the partners who will play a role in providing education, training, employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, in and around IHG's Australian businesses.

Included in this journey will be the creation of new training, education and employment opportunities at every InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn hotel across Australia. The plan outlines partnerships with job network and registered training providers, Native Title representative bodies, community groups to assist with meeting its commitments.

The plan also incorporates opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to participate in IHG's international I-Grad and Emerging Leaders programs for high-potential trainees and employees.

The endeavours outlined in IHG's RAP were developed out of the collective experience of more than a decade working with communities in and around Kakadu in the Northern Territory, where IHG operates Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Gagudju Lodge Cooinda and Yellow Water Cruises on behalf of the traditional landowners. It is here that IHG chose to introduce its national RAP, presenting the commitments to the people of Kakadu.

"As the world's largest hotel group, we have both responsibility and opportunity to make significant contributions to the communities within which we operate. In Australia, reconciliation is a key part of this commitment," said IHG chief operating officer Australasia, Bruce McKenzie.

"We believe that responsible business requires contribution to reducing the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. To that end, we're now in our second decade of close partnerships with the communities of Kakadu and providing training, employing and other business opportunities.

"With the RAP and working with Reconciliation Australia and other partners, we now have the framework and resources to expand this experience into a national commitment."

Core to IHG's RAP is the establishment of close relationships with communities in areas where it conducts its business, which includes 35 hotels, resorts and other tourism operations in every state and territory of mainland Australia. It also sets clear timelines and targets for the expansion of its traineeship, education and employment programs and partnerships.

IHG's progress will be regularly monitored internally by IHG's RAP working group and externally by Reconciliation Australia, providing the hotel company with opportunities to benchmark against other best-practice employers.

"IHG's decision to frame its plan for creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a RAP not only demonstrates the depth of its commitment to reconciliation, it also sets a clear challenge for an industry that employs close to one million people in Australia," said Reconciliation Australia director, Tom Calma.
"Having a company of IHG's size, scale and international reputation make this level of commitment sends a powerful message to other hospitality companies. It also places IHG within a select community of businesses, government agencies and other organisations that have established their own RAP, and clearly positions the company as one of Australia's best and most progressive employers."

Bruce McKenzie has expressed excitement at the possibilities set to arise from rollout of IHG's national RAP.

"IHG aims to become one of the world's great companies. Today's events, and the subsequent rollout of our Reconciliation Action Plan, are a critical step toward achieving that ambition."

For more information on career opportunities at IHG, visit www.ihg.com/careers.

About IHG
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns, through various subsidiaries, over 4,500 hotels and more than 650,000 guest rooms in 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards with 52 million members worldwide.

IHG has over 1,200 hotels in its development pipeline, which we expect to create 160,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

About Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2000 by the former Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. It is the peak national organisation building and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for the wellbeing of the nation.

www.reconciliation.org.au

Muri Beach Club Hotel Takes Home Luxury Award

Muri Beach Club Hotel has been voted "Winner 2010 - Luxury Boutique Hotel' in the World Luxury Travel Awards Ceremony.

The very best hotels from across the world competed at the 2010 "World Luxury Hotel Awards" gala ceremony in Hua Hin, Thailand, and Muri Beach Club Hotel was the only Resort from the Cook Islands to take home an award.

Muri Beach Club Hotel is a privately owned boutique adults only Resort, perfect for couples wanting a romantic escape. The Resort boasts an enviable location on the best stretch of beach facing the famous Muri Lagoon on the island of Rarotonga.

The "World Luxury Hotel Awards" is about congratulating hotels that have taken the extra step with regards to the quality of their facilities and service standards and, as such, they are differentiated from 'good hotels' to become recognized as "exceptional hotels."

The resort offers world class facilities designed to pamper guests, with a choice of accommodation ranging from Garden View to Beach front Rooms. Boutique in style and service, Muri Beach Club Hotel invites guests to experience the real rhythm of Rarotonga and prides itself in delivering on its promise.

Luxury Group Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas Set to Open its First City Hotel in Bangkok

Anantara Hotels Resorts and Spas recently held a signing ceremony with V.C.A.L. Business
Group Co. Ltd to manage the luxury hotel brands first city hotel situated in the heart of
Bangkok. With twin towers of 37 floors rising prominently amidst Bangkok's city skyline, the
new property named Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, slated to open in February 2011, highlights
the company's confidence in the tourism industry in Thailand and Bangkok as one of the
world's top destination for travelers. Anantara has become synonymous with the world's most
enchanting destinations, and opening the brands second Bangkok property and first city hotel
serves to strengthen its presence in one of the world's most vibrant capitals.

Picture shows: Mr. William E. Heinecke, CEO of Minor International, owner of Anantara and
Mr. Apichai Taechaubol, Executive Chairman of V.C.A.L. Business Group Co. Ltd shake
hands over the new management partnership of Anantara Bangkok Sathorn at the signing
ceremony held at the Four Seasons, Bangkok on November 30th, 2010.

WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS WINNERS SPEARHEAD TRAVEL RECOVERY

World Travel Awards capped its year-long search for travel and tourism’s finest with its glittering Grand Final 2010 Ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House hotel.

After a challenging year for the industry, organisations including American Express, Kuoni, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Europcar and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority all demonstrated their world-class pedigree as they spearheaded the global travel and tourism recovery.

Hailed as “The Oscars of the Travel Industry” by the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards is recognised worldwide as the ultimate travel accolade.

London beat off the likes of New York, Cape Town, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney to win “World’s Leading Destination” in a year that saw tourist arrivals in the capital rise to 27 million as the excitement builds ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Etihad Airways continued its meteoric rise by picking up “World’s Leading Airline” for the second year in succession, following a year that saw the UAE flag carrier launch five new routes and play a leading role in a resurgent year for aviation.

A host of VIPs attended the gala ceremony, including His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia, who collected “Leading Personality of the Year” for his development of religious tourism in the Holy City of Makkah, and his pioneering philanthropic work for the King Faisal Foundation.

Meanwhile, German businesswoman Regine Sixt, President of Sixt, was voted “Woman of the Year” for her pivotal role within the organisation that has navigated its way through the downturn.

Other VIP attendees included David Scowscill, President & CEO, WTTC; Sally Chatterjee, CEO, VisitLondon; H.E. Chumpol Silapa-Archa, Minister of Tourism & Sports, Thailand; Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market & Just a Drop; Alec Sanguinetti, CEO & Director General, CHTA; Josef Forstmayr, President, CHA; Tan Sri Dr.Mohd Munir bin Abdul Majid, Chairman, Malaysia Airlines; Dato' Lee Choong Yan, President & COO, Resorts World Genting; Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica and Adam Stewart, CEO, Sandals Resorts International.

The WTA Grand Final marked the climax of a year-long search to find the very best travel companies in the world, and follows heats in Dubai, Johannesburg, Antalya, Delhi and Jamaica.

WTA 2010 nominations featured 5,000 companies in 1,000 categories across 162 countries. The winners were selected by thousands of industry professionals and consumers worldwide who have been voting online.

Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards, said: “This year, like the last, continues to challenge every strata of travel and tourism. However tonight’s World Travel Awards winners see struggle not as sign of weakness or failure, but as an opportunity for growth and renewal, and a chance to put their business model through the ultimate test.”

He added: “By combining flair and ambition with savvy business acumen, these organisations are spearheading the worldwide recovery of travel and tourism. In doing so they are also reinforcing our industry’s role as one of the mainstays of the global economy.”

Established 17 years ago, World Travel Awards is committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Consumers are increasingly using the list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday. Companies and destinations that make it on to the winners’ podium receive global coverage and commercial benefits.

Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for a complete list of World winners.


About World Travel Awards
 
The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.

Now celebrating its 17th Anniversary, the awards is regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.

Votes are cast by 183,000 travel professionals, including travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.

Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in over 1,000 different categories.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

The World Travel Award’s official list of worldwide media partners includes: ABTA Magazine, ASTA Network Magazine, BBC World News, eTurboNews, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabiya, Khaleej Times, L’Agenzia di Viaggi, Trav Talk, Trade Arabia, TTN, Travel Daily News International, Focus on Travel News, New Focus Travel Magazine, Tourism Review, JAX FAX, Travel & Leisure China, Travel & Leisure Golf China, Xenios & Xenios World.

www.worldtravelawards.com

ACCOR AND TRIPADVISOR PARTNER TO PUT SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSPARENCY FOR HOTELS

Accor is the first major hotel group to partner with Tripadvisor to post recent customer opinions about its hotels online and feature the Tripadvisor widget on its own site so that guests can automatically see what previous guests have said about the hotel before making a booking.

With a direct link to Tripadvisor on www.accorhotels.com the Accor group delivers real transparency to its guests while making hotels more accountable for the quality of services and facilities they offer. The project was launched in recognition that today's guest is more likely to turn to online forums to make their travel decisions. The project shows Accor's commitment to quality product and to adapting to customer expectations.

Since launching in Australia, over 52% of Accor hotels have improved their ranking against their geographic competitor set and more than 11.5% of hotels increased their Trip Advisor '5 star' ratings.

The new service is available for Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel and Formule 1 hotels in all of the Group's host countries.

To support and expand the process, e-mail messages are sent to travelers one week after their stay encouraging them to provide feedback. Opinions and comments appear on the traveler rating form for each hotel that is posted on both accorhotels.com and the TripAdvisor website.

"Through this partnership, accorhotels.com is demonstrating its commitment to quality by transparently providing hotel ratings posted by customers via TripAdvisor," said Romain Roulleau, Accor's Deputy Director of Direct Sales in charge of e-commerce. "In this way, the portal is improving service for Web users by supplying them with more information before they book their hotel and enabling them to share their impressions with other travelers after their stay."

Rooms in Accor hotels around the world can be reserved at accorhotels.com, the Group's multi-brand worldwide online booking portal.