Breaking news on the travel and tourism industry in Costa Rica brought to you by the editors of the Costa Rica Travel
Review
Shermans Travel/MSNBC select secluded Costa Rica eco-lodge as
top luxury value
The Inn at Coyote Mountain has been singled out by prestigious travel publisher
November 13, 2008- In a recently published article,
Shermans Travel and MSNBC.com have selected the Inn at Coyote Mountain for an article on luxury deals in Central and South
America. The focus of the article is vacation getaways that cost less than trips to European destinations. "Although the dollar’s
weak exchange rate may have put that lavish European getaway on hold, a luxury vacation is still within your reach," wrote
the editors.
Shermans Travel newsletter reaches more than 3.5 million subscribers each week and their articles are
published in various venues, including MSNBC.com and USAToday.
The article described the Inn at Coyote Mountain as
"an elegant Spanish colonial-style villa surrounded by 70 acres of private nature preserve." It also recommended properties
in Argentina. The article focused on the Inn's Observatory room, which offers 360-degree views of forest and ocean for $219
per night.
"Instead of reserving a room at a costly Chalet in the Alps, consider a secluded mountain getaway at an
eco-friendly lodge in Costa Rica," the article suggested. Costa Rica is known as the Switzerland of Central America due in
part to its small size and mountainous character.
The Inn at Coyote Mountain opened in 2004 to fanfare from Travel
& Leisure and Food & Wine magazines. It has earned praise as a secluded nature retreat that follows eco-friendly practices.
The Inn is sister property to Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia.
ShermansTravel, LLC is a leading publisher of top travel
deals and destination advice. Founded by James Sherman in 2002, ShermansTravel has built a loyal audience among travelers
who share a passion for travel bargains and values.
Costa Rica posts rising tourism figures
From January-May 2008 foreign arrivals to Costa Rica increased 16 percent from the same period in 2007, according to the
Ministry of Tourism in San Jose.
The upswing represented an additional 133,000 foreign visitors over the period, taking the total to 987,000 arrivals. The
US remains the main country of origin, accounting for 54 percent of arrivals, followed by Europe with 17 percent.
The Ministry of Tourism stated that recession in the US had not affected the propensity of high and middle income earners
visiting Costa Rica. Nor have increased airline prices dissuaded European travellers.
While the world economics forum has ranked Costa Rica as the number one nation in Latin America in terms of tourism - the
second successive year that Costa Rica has occupied top spot. Costa Rica registered 1.9 million foreign visitors in 2007,
generating US$1.92 billion in tourism receipts.
And research from the overseas property specialist, David Stanley Redfern Ltd, shows that despite Costa Rica's semi-mature
market, wisely chosen property has plenty of growth potential.
The country's diverse economy is one of the strongest in Latin America and is likely to continue growing irrespective of
global markets - the World Economic Forum has just ranked Costa Rica as the second most favourable Latin American country
in terms of trade.
Add to this Costa Rica's huge tourism industry and property can be expected to grow by more than 15 percent in the coming
years, and possibly by as much as 20-25 percent per year for the next three. The large number of tourist arrivals means property
is likely to fetch rental yields of 10 percent or more.
Luxury Travel Company Latin Excursions Redefines Luxury Travel For Modern Times
With worries about the world financial situation in the forefront of everyone’s
minds, traditional approaches to luxury travel don’t seem in touch with the times. Which is why Latin Excursions’ belief
that travel experiences are not “one size fits all,” but are instead very personal, with each aspect tailor made
to specific tastes and preferences. With Latin Excursions, the focus is on high quality service, guides and unique destinations
that take you far away from the stress of your everyday life. The goal is to find the most charming, distinctive and authentic
option in a region – from family-owned haciendas constructed around Inca foundations, to an intimate lodge set in the
Patagonian wilds, to a stylish family villa in Brazil – for your travel experience.
Picture yourself getting
up close and personal with the largest colony of Galapagos penguins and then relaxing on the beach of your rustic chic hotel
on unspoiled Isabela Island; wine tasting on an exciting road trip through the striking landscapes of Northwest Argentina;
or watching the flight of the majestic condor over the Colca Canyon are just some of our travel experiences for making your
trip more than just a vacation, but a journey into a different culture and world.
With an emphasis on ecologically
friendly, off-the-beaten track destinations, and socially responsible partners throughout Latin America, your Latin Excursions
adventure will be more than just a glitzy splurge, but rather, a life-changing voyage. Whether that once-in-a-lifetime vacation
to a dreamed about destination, family reunion, honeymoon or anniversary, or annual travel, your adventure will be filled
with personalized, subtle touches of luxury, where the actual activity is what defines your travel.
Some trips that
perfectly combine our preference for spontaneity and authenticity over generic and ostentatious travel are our eco bungalows
on Colombia’s Caribbean coast; land based adventures on Isabela Island in the Galapagos; treks across the Bolivian salt
flats; unspoiled tropical paradises like Brazil’s São Miguel dos Milagres; and high desert adventure in the Atacama
Desert.
“We don’t have a formula that we use to design every trip, but we do have a consistent sensibility
that informs everything we do,” says Eric Sheets, founder of Latin Excursions. “We believe life is to be enjoyed
and discovered, and we take the greatest pleasure in sharing our discoveries with you.”
Latin Excursions’
approach to travel offers the opportunity to slow down and take part in something genuine, meaningful and real. Avoiding what
has become a part of modern tourism and package tours, Latin Excursions instead seeks out experiences that resonate with local
life, and are carried out on a more relaxed rhythm. Focusing on the genuine passion of local characters who bring alive their
world, as well as highly trained guides who are enthusiastic about sharing their culture with guests, a Latin Excursions travel
program provides an unforgettable journey.
“Each day we woke up knowing that the day would be full of fun and
adventure,” say past Latin Excursions clients.
Latin Excursions is a boutique travel company dedicated to arranging
luxury adventures for its clients. Highly trained travel consultants pride themselves on their personal touch, working closely
with travelers to prepare itineraries that are aligned with particular interests and requests. Consultants have visited the
destinations, and with regional offices in South America, have access to the best land partners in each location. Specializing
in the Galapagos Islands, along with destinations throughout South America like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru, Latin
Excursions announces its focus on providing clients with understated, unique luxury travel.
From families, to honeymooners,
large groups and active travelers looking for luxury and that personal touch, Latin Excursions is the premier option. (http://www.latinexcursions.com).
About Latin Excursions: Founded by Eric Sheets in 2001 and headquartered in Miami, Latin Excursions arranges custom
travel to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands and Peru. Latin Excursions is the proud
recipient of Travel+Leisure magazine’s prestigious A-List Travel Consultants award for the past three years.
For
more information, contact: Latin Excursions 500 Bayview Drive, Suite 922 Miami Beach, Florida, 33160 USA Toll
Free: 1-866-626-3750 International: 1-305-948-8088 Fax: 1-305-393-8202 Email: info ( @ ) latinexcursion dot com Website:
http://www.latinexcursions.com South America Travel Blog: http://blog.latinexcursions.com
Costa Rica Boutique Hotel & Eco-lodge Reels In Accolades
The Inn at Coyote Mountain near San
Ramon, Costa Rica has received a place on three top 10 lists in the past few months.
The Inn at Coyote Mountain, which opened
in late 2004 as an eco-friendly inn, has been named one of the top 10 ultra boutique hotels in the world by globorati.com/Reuters,
one of the top 10 hotel culinary schools in the world by gayot.com: the guide to the good life, and one of Costa Rica's top
hotels by the Costa Rica Travel Review.
The 4-bedroom inn overlooks the Gulf of Nicoya and Pacific Ocean from about
1000 meters in altitude, and has a 70-acre private nature preserve. A secluded nature retreat, the Inn offers elegant dining
and respite from the outside world.
Luxury travel site globorati.com listed 10 of the world's top "ultra boutique"
hotels which all have a dozen rooms or less. The list was published by the Reuters news agency and called Coyote Mountain
"a standout among Costa Rica's premier eco-lodges."
The Costa Rica Travel Review (www.costaricatravelreview.com) granted
the Inn a 2008 Silver Palm Award, and Gayot.com named it one of the top culinary vacation destinations in the world. The Inn
has offered seasonal cooking vacations since 2005.
The Inn is owned by Daniel Abel, Charles Leary, and Vaughn Perret,
who also operate Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia, however Coyote Mountain is enitrely managed and staffed by local Costa
Rica. It also follows innovative sustinable tourism practices, such as a completely gravity-fed fresh water system, a grey
water system for watering fruit trees, no use of air conditioning, and reforestation.
Orbitz Survey: 67% of Americans Stress Importance of Eco-friendly Travel
U.S. Tourism Industry Not Environmentally Friendly, According to 51% of Travelers
CHICAGO With over two-thirds* (67%) of Americans placing importance on the eco-friendliness of a destination, this
market segment has a growing future ahead of it. Orbitz.com (http://www.orbitz.com) is taking time out of this spring to review just how much Americans consider the environment in their travels.
Travelers are reassessing how they travel, where they stay and the impact they leave behind when on vacation, according
to the Orbitz survey.
Conducted by MarketTool's Zoomerang's polling service, the Orbitz survey highlights that:
-- More than half (65%) state it would somewhat impact their decision to stay at a hotel if they knew the hotel was using
solar or wind energy to supplement the powering of the building.
-- A strong majority (63%) state they would pay a little more to rent a hybrid vehicle or stay at a "green" hotel.
-- More than half (52%) of Americans state they would be willing to donate a small portion of their vacation budget to
help save the environment when booking a trip.
Although great strides have been made regarding eco-travel awareness, it is clear that many Americans feel that destinations
in the United States could be doing a better job when it comes to working to preserve Mother Nature. More than half (51%)
of Americans surveyed feel the tourism industry in the United States is not environmentally friendly.
"As a responsible global business within the tourism industry, Orbitz is working to provide its customers with more eco-friendly
travel information and choices," said Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandising for Orbitz. "Orbitz encourages our
customers increase their awareness and consideration of the planet -- whether sea kayaking in Alaska or cleaning up a beach
in Key West."
MarketTool's Zommerang Methodology
The Orbitz poll was conducted online using MarketTool's Zommerang panel of 320 adults ages 19-65, who are regular travelers.
Zommerang is a market research service, owned by MarketTool, that directly manages a nationally-representative online panel
of more than 2.5 million individuals, with a global network extending to more than 8 million consumers worldwide.
Orbitz Staff Insider Picks Include Costa Rica
As summer vacation preparation heats up, the travel experts at Orbitz have profiled beautiful destinations that support
the preservation of the environment. A trip to any one of these locations provides opportunities to help maintain the health
and well-being of natural locations that belong to everyone.
Costa Rica
Extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica is an
exuberant country where nature fully manifests itself thanks to the
magnificent biodiversity of its territory. Known to many as the birthplace
of ecotourism, Costa Rica has 20 natural parks, eight biological reserves
and a series of protected areas that captivate eco-tourists with one of the
world's most abundant manifestations of flora and fauna. Though Costa Rica
covers roughly 0.3 percent of the surface of the Earth, approximately five
percent of the world's animal and plant species are found there. From
horseback riding through deep forests or on pristine beaches, to rafting or
kayaking in white water rivers, Costa Rica offers a variety of eco-friendly
activities for the traveler that is looking to bond deeply with nature. The
variety of landscapes and microclimates that can be enjoyed in one single
day make Costa Rica a paradisiacal destination filled with sun, beaches,
nature, adventure and culture.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz (http://www.orbitz.com) is a leading online travel company that
enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel
products, including airline tickets, lodging, rental cars, cruises and
vacation packages. Since launching its website http://www.orbitz.com to the
general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become the third largest online
travel site based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search
more than 400 airlines, more than 65,000 lodging properties worldwide and
13 car rental companies. Orbitz is a Travelport brand. Travelport
(http://www.travelport.com) is one of the largest and most geographically
diverse travel companies, dedicated to creating the exceptional travel
Originally slated for release in September, American Express delayed the release of its annual Global Business
Travel Forecast and Trends report in order to evaluate the impact of market activities that have occurred over the last 30
days.
American Express Business Travel today published
its annual Global Business Travel Forecast and Trends report. Originally slated for release in September, the American Express
Advisory Services department responsible for producing the report delayed its release in order to evaluate the impact of market
activities that have occurred over the last 30 days. In the past weeks, modifications were made to reflect the potential impact
of the anticipated global economic slowdown. In certain markets, the Forecast predicts a negative increase in 2009 to airfares
and hotel rates. Both suppliers and buyers of travel and related services are expected to face new operating challenges in
the coming year.
“Based on forecasted economic conditions
for 2009 and the substantial increase in fares already experienced in 2008, it is possible that airfares in 2009 may decrease,”
said Hervé Sedky, vice president and general manager, Global Advisory Services, American Express Business Travel. “However,
this doesn’t necessarily correlate to a decrease in prices paid as airlines continue their pursuit of expanding the
suite of fees charged for services such as in-flight meals and baggage. In this difficult economic environment, successful
T&E management strategies will be based upon the total cost of a business trip, which takes into consideration costs such
as parking fees, airline fees, meals and other related expenses.”
Global Business Travel Forecast
Sedky continued, “Considering airfare,
car rental and hotel stay, we expect the average domestic trip to increase 2.8 percent, or $31 USD, to a total of approximately
$1139 USD. An increase of 4.3 percent, or approximately $147 USD, is expected for international trips to bring the average
cost to $3556. However, if you include the costs of additional travel expenses including baggage fees, dining, airport parking
and even package shipping, it can add an estimated $400 to the total trip cost.”
Global Airfare Forecast
The proliferation of new fees and a delicate
supply and demand balancing act will determine whether airfares remain steady, increase or potentially decrease compared to
2008.
“In response to the record energy
prices in 2008, many airlines began charging fees for different services such as checked luggage, in-flight refreshments and
aisle seating. To help mitigate the impact of these new charges, which can increase air travel costs up to an additional 15
percent per trip, we advise companies to consider increasing their focus on demand management to ensure planned trips meet
the guidelines designed to promote the most effective use of their business investment,” continued Sedky.
- Capacity cuts are likely to lead to a
shortage of available seats at lower price points, while changes in ticketing and minimum-stay requirements, uncertainty surrounding
the future price of jet fuel, movement in airline consolidation and alliances and tighter controls over contract performance
measurement are likely to drive price increases. - Prices are predicted
to experience downward pressure due to a slowing global economy, improved demand management by corporations and stronger traveler
compliance. The expansion of low-cost carriers, more efficient aircraft and airline operations and the continued liberalization
of the industry are also expected to mitigate increases.
Global Hotel Rate Forecast
Although American Express Business Travel
forecasts some rate growth in the global hotel industry, most regions will likely experience declines in occupancy, which
will keep rate increases below the level of those seen in 2008.
- The record oil prices that began in 2008
are expected to continue to impact the hotel industry and airline capacity cuts should drive down demand in some markets. - As new hotels expand global supply and demand decreases in some markets, travel
buyers should have increased bargaining power for 2009 rates.
Strategic Meeting Management Forecast
As economic conditions continue to draw
attention to meetings as a source for savings, senior business leaders are expected to seek further visibility into meetings
spending and aim to measure the return on investment of meetings and events for their companies.
- Effective demand management tactics and
a movement toward shorter events in more local destinations should help corporations achieve the best return on investment. - Implementing and managing meetings policy is expected to provide companies
the ability to drive certain cost-saving behaviors. Based on a recent survey of American Express clients, over 70 percent
of companies do not have a stand alone meetings policy. - Technology developments
offer cost-effective ways to supplement meetings and events schedules. Teleconferencing and social networking sites are gaining
popularity as tools to strengthen the interpersonal relationships created through traditional meetings. -
Leveraging transient hotel programs with a meetings hotel program is expected to enable companies to have visibility in both
areas and drive savings. Negotiating packages for the preferred properties will likely simplify the process to drive and support
compliance.
Cost Containment Strategies for 2009
Companies across the globe are seeking new
ways to manage their travel investments and maximize the value of their T&E programs.
- Companies should revisit their travel
policies to ensure that travelers have a comprehensive guide to navigate the current travel environment. -
In addition to a tight travel policy, demand management and an increased focus on traveler compliance can deliver savings. - Benchmarking that is based on average segment cost or average ticket price
is no longer sufficient due to the expansion of airline fees. Companies should benchmark the entire cost of a trip in an effort
to minimize expenditures related to business travel.
Get the full report including regional
highlights atAmerican Express
Art and Nature Artists' Village
In the heart
of Costa Rica's magnificent nature, a unique project is being established -- "Art and Nature", a global artists' village,
based on the principles of "eco-living" and founded by the international artist Avi Feiler. The village is the jewel
in the crown of the prestigious Turubari Heights project
On March 31, 2008, in the Turrubares region of Costa Rica,
the cornerstone of the Turubari Heights project was laid. Turubari Heights is a prestigious project embodying the spirit
of "eco-living" and based on the principle of quality of life in a green environment, harmoniously integrated with nature.
The project integrates tourism, hotels, commerce, recreation, arts and residences. At the heart of the project is the ecological
artists' village led by the international artist Avi Feiler.
Two international architects have been appointed to plan
the project: Jose Flasterstien from Costa Rica and Moshe Shtartzer of Israel. The project is under the ownership of international
entrepreneurs.
The Art and Nature Artists Village will be established
on an extensive, spacious area of 200,000 sqm on the banks of the Tarcules River, immersed in wild nature and a landscape
of Costa Rica's nature reserves. The village will be open to artists from the fields of painting and sculpture, writing, music
and other artistic areas. The village will grant its guest artists the quiet, the atmosphere and ideal conditions to create.
The village, which will also serve as an international center for hosting artists, has been planned in such a way that it
can provide all the needs of the artists at the site: from livelihood to creativity. Creative areas will be established here
within open and closed studios dispersed throughout nature along with high standard guest rooms furnished for
long periods of residence. Among the rooms, beautiful nooks will be developed with organic fruit and vegetable gardens
and interspersed with galleries, open and closed, that will display and sell the creative works of the guests and residents
of the village.
Another part of the artists' village is intended for
artists interested in building their home and future here in order to play a part in realizing a vision of establishing an
international artists' village in nature and in the spirit of "eco-living". This integration of artists from various areas
will create a varied and multi-cultural community that will lead to personal and group growth. Construction of the artists'
village is expected to begin within the year. The flagship project of the Art and Nature Artists Village is the art school
for gifted children which will be established as part of the outlook of the entrepreneurs who attribute the highest importance
to socially contributing to the community. Artists who will visit the village or who will be permanently residing there will
be invited to give courses and workshops for the children.
Avi Feiler
was born in Yafo in 1949 and began to paint from childhood. Over the years he has developed unique oil painting techniques.
Feiler has been described in the media as "one of the important artists of the modern era and Fantastic Art." He has
displayed his work at many esteemed and well-known galleries throughout the world. His works are to be found in major collections.
Down through the years, Feiler has lived and created in many countries around
the world, among them: Israel, Japan, Kenya, India, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Bolivia and more. After years of creativity
throughout the world, Feiler decided to transfer the center of his life and to settle in Costa Rica in order to establish
his visionary project at Turubari Heights.
Feiler: "After years
of traveling among continents, cultures and between communities, teaching and learning, I arrived at the conclusion
that Costa Rica embodies the garden that I have sought down through the years to plant the seed of my vision of an artists'
village, green and global in nature. Costa Rica – breathtaking nature, democratic rule, stable, without an army, warm
people, a calm and quiet lifestyle, one of the best climates in the world and economic opportunities among the best in the
global market today. All these, together with a quiet life amid an astonishing nature, creates a natural space for the
springs of creativity to flow. Not as therapy in the framework of western urban life, but in harmony and in the joy of creation
with life and nature.
The Turubari Heights project in Costa Rica,
Central America, is located in the center of the country on the main highway between the cities of Orotina and Puriscal, an
hour's drive (about 65 km) from the capital city, San Jose, and the international airport. This distance will be shortened
by some thirty minutes with the completion of a highway crossing Costa Rica. The work is well underway and the highway is
scheduled for completion in 2010.
The project is located in the Turrubares region which is regarded as one of the most
famous in the world for the excellent quality of its water and clean air. These conditions are the main reasons for its unique
nature: rich tropical vegetation and the hundreds of different types of animals to be found here.
The
Turubares region is approximately six km in a direct line from the Pacific Ocean. In this region there are unique tourist
sites which take advantage of the nature here and are situated within it. These factors have made Turubares into a
tourism pearl, a magnet drawing thousands of tourists every year who come to enjoy the climate, the nature and the tourist
sites.
For further information, please contact Or Shtartzer –
972-52-3281054
2nd annual Costa Rica Blues Fest
THE FIRST AND ONLY SIX-STAR HOTEL RATINGS SYSTEM TO PREMIERE SUMMER ’09
Airlines Also To Receive Six-Star Rating Status As Entrenched Standard For Luxury Travelers Is Raised A Vital Notch
ATLANTA – With the development of a whole new level of service and amenities at hotels around the world, ProfessionalTravelGuide.com,
the world’s most comprehensive online travel resource, will be shaking up the hotel industry with the debut of the Six
Star rating for luxury hotels in summer 2009. The new category will be added to the industry’s official Five Star Rating
System, the Star Service, which is owned and operated by ProfessionalTravelGuide.com.
The upcoming launch was announced by Peter Nicas, CEO and Editor-In-Chief of ProfessionalTravelGuide.com, who also revealed
that the site will simultaneously unveil a six-star system for airlines, rating first-class, business class and coach services.
A six-star rating system for luxury cruise ships will follow in the fall.
Star Service developed the star ratings system in 1939 and is the most stringent of ratings systems for the hotel industry.
The Star Service ratings system is widely considered the industry standard and used extensively throughout the travel industry.
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com will delve into its extensive hotel database to choose hotels for the six-star designation,
a select group of exclusive luxury hotels that represent the new crème de la crème of the hotel industry, setting the gold
standard that all hotels should strive to attain. This robust database consists of more than 160,000 hotels and 10,000 of
the world’s most in-depth hotel reviews, which are based on anonymous inspections from 325 professional reviewers located
around the world.
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com offers consumers unprecedented free access to the renowned Star Service five-star rating system
on its site. The Star Service ratings are also syndicated to such leading travel companies as Carlson Wagonlit, and to many
of the major online travel research portals, online travel agencies (OTA’s) worldwide and most of the world’s
travel agencies.
"Star Service is one of the most reputable hotel rating systems for travelers in existence today," said Marshall A. Calder,
senior vice president, marketing, The Leading Hotels of the World. "It is one of the few systems that faithfully subscribe
to an objective approach."
The Six Star ratings, based on a very stringent set of more than 1700 criteria including cultural and emotive factors,
will be awarded to hotels that are truly the most discerning of hotels around the world. Among the criteria are:
· A minimum one-to-one employee to guest service ratio
· Non-intrusive, seamless service attenuated to each guest and their needs
· Privacy for guests in public areas, dining, etc.
· Architectural uniqueness
· Local flavor of the location where the hotel is situated
Further details of the six-star criteria will be made public when CEO, Peter Nicas begins his worldwide tour of the six-star
candidates.
"After staying in hundreds of the top hotels around the world, I have recognized over the course of the last few years
that a new class of hotels is being built and operated, going beyond the current five-star designation," Nicas said. "One
of the key factors in determining which of the current five star properties will be awarded the sixth star is the hotel’s
commitment to scale, ensuring the ultimate in personal attention. The property must not only meet this criterion, but also
transport the guest into a realm that makes even the most discerning and affluent feel as though they are someplace distinctive
and captivating."
Examples of hotels that will be considered for six-star status include:
· Europe – Austria’s Capella Schloss Velden
· Africa - Namibia’s Susuwe Island Lodge
· Middle East - Dubai’s One & Only Royal Mirage
· South Pacific - Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Ubud
· Asia - Hong Kong’s Peninsula hotel and Japan’s Hyatt Regency Kyoto
· South America - Argentina’s Park Hyatt Buenos Aries
· North America – Jackson Hole, Wyoming’s Amangani Resort and New York City’s Lowell Hotel.
"These luxury hotels aren’t available on your typical online travel website selling rooms for the lowest price possible,"
Nicas said, "Travelers who stay in six-star hotels overwhelmingly book their rooms through traditional travel agents or directly
through the hotel’s web site, not via a traditional OTA."
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com does not allow online booking and therefore includes all properties – including the upcoming
six-star designees – in its extensive database, unlike other sites that only list properties whose inventory they are
trying to sell. ProfessionalTravelGuide.com encourages its users to plan their trips using its extensive databases and wealth
of information that until now has only been available to travel industry professionals.
The site recommends that users then book directly through the hotel or travel agents to get the best pricing possible.
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com does not contain any user-generated content. It relies solely on unbiased reviews by professional
journalists who possess the experience and knowledge necessary to distinguish a six-star hotel from a five-star runner-up.
About ProfessionalTravelGuide.com
ProfessionalTravelGuide.com is the most comprehensive, unbiased travel resource on the Internet. Designed for leisure and
business travelers who value credible and objective travel information above all else, the website comprises the most extensive
collection of professional hotel reviews, breaking travel news, images, videos and destination guides ever assembled on the
Internet. The site features the world’s largest travel database including 159,000+ hotels, 7,000+ destination travel
guides, 10,000+ professional hotel reviews, 250,000+ associated high-resolution images, streaming videos, real-time health
and travel security alerts, international business etiquette, and personalized eGuideBooksTM. ProfessionalTravelGuide.com
is written by professional travel journalists and draws its content from the travel industry’s leading databases, such
as Star Service hotel reviews, Weissmann Professional Destination Reports, Hotel & Travel Index (HTI) and Official Meeting
Facilities Guide (OMFG).
All informational assets that comprise ProfessionalTravelGuide.com have been formerly owned by such publishers as Rupert
Murdoch, Ziff Davis and Reed-Elsevier.
Eco-luxury priority for Costa Rica based hotel group
The Canticum Hotels Group of Canticum, S.A. (Costa Rica) has revamped its membership and prestigious image,
but with a twist: sustainable luxury and eco-consciousness.
The Canticum Hotels Group provides marketing and booking
services to a select group of small hotels, inns, and vacation experiences including properties in Canada, Spain, Turkey,
Honduras, and Costa Rica. The company began operations in 1999.
The new eco-friendly image is backed up by requirements
that member hotels demonstrate the use of specific sustainable practices in their day-to-day operations without loosing sight
of luxury treatment and services for guests. The Group makes the point that luxury travel and sustainable travel are not antithetical.
For
example, member hotel Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia publishes a list of committments to the environment, and has received
the highest rating from the Hotel Association of Canada’s ECOmmodation program. At the same time, the ecolodge also
received a stamp of approval from Condé Nast Johansens in 2008.
Another example, the Inn at Coyote Mountain has
merited inclusion in Travel & Leisure magazine’s 2007 book The World’s Greatest Hotels, Resorts, & Spas
and ranked among the world's top 10 ultra boutique hotels according to Reuters, in yet has also received praise from Lonely
Planet, Green Places to Stay, and ethicalescape.com for its eco-practices.
The company looks to attract the market
of those wealthy and exclusive travellers who also care about the environmental impact of their vacations. The group's newest
member is Mango Creek Lodge in Roatan.
NatureAir Launches Educational Eco-Tourism Blog
Today NatureAir, the world's first certified carbon neutral airline, announced the official launch
of its Nature Blog. The blog was created to help educate readers on sustainable travel and keep people informed and involved
in Costa Rica as an ecotourist destination. Nature Blog provides an educational outlet for people to share and exchange information
on ecotourism, global warming, climate change and its impact on the world.
San Jose, Costa Rica October 20, 2008 -- TodayNatureAir, the world's first certified carbon neutral airline, announced the official launch of itsNature Blog. The blog was created to help educate readers on sustainable travel and keep people informed and involved
in Costa Rica as an ecotourist destination. Nature Blog provides an educational outlet for people to share and exchange information
on ecotourism, global warming, climate change and its impact on the world.
NatureAir as an airline is working to combat the effects of global warming by using carbon credits
from every passenger to help conserve Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, one of the region's most biologically diverse rainforests.
"It becomes a duty and necessity for us to preserve and protect the environment that we are living
in," said Alex Khajavi, Founder and CEO of NatureAir. "We are the users of resources and this should motivate us to protect
and to give back to the environment."
Nature Air's blogger,Naturally Larry, offers information relating to the efforts of people and institutions that make a difference, helping
to create a balance between commerce and conservation amidst the backdrop of some very serious global issues, like climate
change, and sustainable travel. In addition, NatureAir's flight captain will be sharing his stories from the sky. This column
will give readers an inside perspective on what it means for this pilot to be an integral part of a sustainable airline.
The blog was created to be a social networking educational outlet. Travelers, pilots and professionals
in all fields are encouraged to share their stories and thoughts about Central American travel, ecotourism, global warming
and climate change. To learn more about how to become involved and post stories, questions or comments visit:http://blog.natureair.com
About NatureAir: Since its inception in 2000, NatureAir has grown from flying 18,000 passengers
annually to more than 150,000 in 2007. The company got its start with one plane and 17 employees. Now it has a fleet of eight
planes and more than 150 employees. NatureAir offsets more than 6,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and uses carbon credits
to help conserve Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula, one of the region's most biologically diverse rainforests. It's the only twin-engine
airline in Costa Rica with both scheduled and chartered flights, and offers 74 daily flights to 17 destinations in Costa Rica,
and Panama. For pricing, and a complete list of flight schedules visit:www.natureair.comor call 800-235-9272.
