Richard R. Kelley, M.D., Board Chairman of Outrigger Enterprises Group, Inc., since 1986, announced today that the family-owned company’s board of directors has accepted his initiative to step aside as Chairman in favor of his son, Charles Roy “Chuck” Kelley, M.D. W. David P. Carey III continues as Outrigger’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Richard Kelley now assumes the role of Chairman Emeritus. The changes took effect immediately following the board’s meeting on August 4. The board comprises four family members, including the two Drs. Kelley and Carey, and four outside directors.

“After 25 years as Chairman, I felt it was time to follow the example of my father (company founder Roy C. Kelley) and continue the evolution of our company’s leadership by passing the reins to the next generation. However, no one should imagine I’m retiring,” said the 77-year-old Kelley, who has long maintained a whirlwind schedule of meetings, nationwide speaking engagements, leadership involvement on professional and nonprofit boards, writing and international travel.

“I plan to keep doing most of what I’ve been doing since stepping down as CEO in 1993,” said the new Chairman Emeritus, “but I’m asking Chuck to take over the considerable governance work involved in chairing the board. Outrigger’s management remains in the proven, capable hands of David Carey. David has brilliantly led the transition that I began from the successful mom-and-pop business my parents created to one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest, fastest-growing, privately held hospitality companies. He has also led our highly successful and continuing energetic expansion from Waikiki to the neighbor islands, the Pacific and Asia.”

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First Bangladesh Property Added to Global Exchange Network

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), announced that Bengal Vacation Club at Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa has selected its quality global exchange network. The resort is the first affiliated property in Bangladesh and will be situated in Cox’s Bazar, one of area’s most popular tourist destinations.

Due for completion in October 2011, Sea Pearl Beach will offer guests miles of golden sands on the world’s longest natural white sand beach, which slopes down to the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. Plans include a mixture of studios, one- and two-bedroom units with sea views. The resort is being built to adhere to eco-friendly standards that embody the principles of “recycle, renew, reuse, reduce, and rethink.”

“Bangladesh has a population of some 160 million and is visited by a large number of tourists from all over the world,” said Joe Hickman, Interval International’s executive director for Asia Pacific. “Easily accessible by air and road, we believe Sea Pearl and its spectacular beachfront location will offer our members an appealing new holiday choice.”

The facilities are expected to include a clubhouse, cinema, restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and health club. Nearby amenities are boat rentals, horseback riding, and a selection of local restaurants. The beach is bordered by hills that run parallel to the sea for almost its entire length; towering cliffs; colourful, ancient pagodas; and Hindu temples that make it a natural attraction. Adding to the area’s charm are waterfalls, coral islands, and tribal villages.

“We are pioneering the timeshare concept in Bangladesh and want to provide high-quality exchanges,” observed Aminul Haque,chairman and chief executive officer of Sea Pearl Beach Resort and Spa Ltd, the developer of Bengal Vacation Club. “We decided to affiliate with Interval because we found its exchange and marketing programmes to be very effective and its quality network will complement our image. Their decision makers are very forthcoming and helpful, and we plan to affiliate our future resorts with Interval as well.”

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 34 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of more than 2,500 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

Thai hospitality, renowned for its warmth, friendliness and smiles, just got a little warmer as two industry management leaders joined forces on a boutique resort in Phuket, Thailand.

As part of its expansion into the Asia Pacific region, LaTour Hotels and Resorts, which offers personalized, luxury hospitality management services for four- and five-star properties worldwide, and Tri-Asia, a hospitality management company based in Phuket, Thailand, will now manage the Dewa Phuket Resort.

“Asia is a premier travel destination for affluent leisure and business travelers and an exemplary model of service and hospitality at its highest level,” said Tom LaTour, chairman of LaTour Hotels and Resorts. “We have found an ideal partnership with Tri-Asia, whose philosophy, ‘Excellence through people, for people, with people,’ mirrors our own. With our combined strengths, we look forward to continuing to build the LaTour brand in the Asia Pacific region.”

Dewa Phuket Resort is a luxurious four-star plus resort consisting of 34 resort pool villas and 62 one- and two-bedroom residences located a stones throw from the white sandy beaches of Nai Yang on the Andaman Sea. Dewa Phuket is a spacious, tranquil paradise catering to the discerning traveler, featuring lush landscaped gardens, two large pools, a Qi Shiseido Spa with double private spa treatment rooms with outdoor baths, restaurants, bars, a Bread & Butter bakery, shops, 24-hour room service and more.

“We’re excited to put Dewa Phuket Resort into LaTour Hotels and Resorts’ group of managed properties and welcome their team’s expertise and guidance in providing premier services. By introducing LaTour, we will only further enhance what we have already achieved and thereby add more value for all our individual home owners at Dewa Phuket. As the saying goes, more tools in the tool box,” said Lars Ydmark, managing director of Tri-Asia.

Tri-Asia, headed by veteran hotelier Lars Ydmark, is well established in the Phuket region where LaTour Hotels and Resorts also manage the IndoChine Resort in Kalim Phuket.

About LaTour Hotels & Resorts
With headquarters in San Diego and San Francisco, LaTour Hotels & Resorts, previously known as ResortCom Elite, offers customized, luxury hospitality management services for four- and five-star properties. The company’s goal is to make the ownership experience as unique, tailored and memorable as possible through superior service, distinctive amenities, imaginative activities and an obsessive attention-to-detail.

Offering services ranging from conceptual planning through marketing, sales, staffing and operations, LaTour Hotels & Resorts specializes in managing new and existing luxury fractional, private residence club, hotel, mixed-use and condo resort developments. The global company currently operates properties in the United States, Mexico and Thailand with upcoming expansion plans throughout South America, Europe and Asia.

For more information, visit http://www.latourhotelsandresorts.com, or contact Sarah Rezak at 619-683-2470 x.1659 or e-mail srezak@latourhotelsandresorts.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT) have officially opened the doors of their newest hotel, Le Méridien Philadelphia. A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony included special guest speakers such as Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Pennsylvania Senator Larry Farnese, HEI Hotels & Resorts Chairman and CEO, Gary Mendell, Starwood Group SVP of North American Development, Paul Sacco.

Located in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, the hotel is housed in the former YMCA building designed by prominent American architect Horace Trumbauer, who also designed Philadelphia’s Union League and Museum of Art, among other well known projects of the Gilded Age. The historic adaptive reuse property was developed for HEI Hotels & Resorts, who will be the owner and operator of the hotel. Le Méridien, the Paris-born brand with an international presence of 105 hotels and resorts, will increase its North American footprint to nine properties with the opening of this newest hotel. Le Méridien Philadelphia will serve as a U.S. flagship for the hotel group, joining Le Méridien Chambers Minneapolis, which recently joined the brand’s portfolio in February 2010.

“We are excited about our debut in Philadelphia, a city that shares Le Méridien’s passion for art, culture and creativity,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, Le Méridien and W Hotels Worldwide. “With its vibrant arts scene, rich history and modern sophistication, Philadelphia is an ideal fit for Le Méridien as we continue to strategically open new hotels in primary, urban markets, cultural capitals and resort destinations across North America and globally.”

Le Méridien Philadelphia provides an integrated contemporary lifestyle experience, including 202 guestrooms and suites; a signature restaurant, the French brasserie Amuse; stylish lobby bar, serving coffee by day; and 5,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including a 200-seat Ballroom and the Abele Library, a 1,300 square foot reception space overlooking City Hall. The hotel is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and just one block from the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Love Park’s gardens and fountains, the Avenue of the Arts, and the boutiques and restaurants that line Benjamin Franklin Parkway – Philadelphia’s Champs Elysees – are all located within walking distance of the hotel.

Le Méridien has soared under Starwood since its acquisition in 2005, plugging into the company’s industry-leading centralized services as well as the group’s expertise of building world-class lifestyle brands. Le Méridien has been fully redefined and has earned global recognition for creating a curated, art driven guest experience from the moment of arrival. In November 2009, Le Méridien arrival experience was awarded “Most Innovative Concept in the Upscale Hotel Industry” at the 10th Annual Worldwide Hospitality Awards in Paris.

For hotel reservations and more information about Le Méridien Philadelphia, please visit www.lemeridien.com/philadelphia.

About Le Méridien
Le Méridien, the Paris-born hotel brand currently represented by 105 properties in more than 50 countries, was acquired by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) in November 2005. Since then, Le Méridien has gone through a brand re-launch, which included a major portfolio consolidation through renovating, opening, and exiting off brand hotels. As part of the new brand direction, French arts provocateur Jérôme Sans was appointed cultural curator to support in transforming numerous guest touch points and bringing unique and interactive experiences to its guests. With close to 80 of its properties located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Le Méridien provides a strong international complement to Starwood’s primarily North American holdings. Plans call for dynamic expansion of Le Méridien hotels and resorts within the next five years, globally. Le Méridien recently opened new hotels in Dallas; Panama City, Panama; and Qingdao, Xiamen and Chongqing, China and will open in Oran, Algeria; Xi’an, China; Taipei, Taiwan; and Philadelphia in the coming months. Le Méridien has recently signed new hotel deals in Bangkok, Doha, Saigon, Lagos, Cairo, and Mahabaleshwar and Lonavala, India. For more information, please visit www.lemeridien.com.

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), has added Mayhills Resort to its network of quality resorts. Three hours from Seoul, the property is located in Gangwon Province, one of the most popular ski areas in the Republic of Korea.

The 357 studios and one- and two-bedroom units occupy a 12-storey tower with panoramic views of several mountain ranges. Each has a balcony, cable or satellite TV, and kitchen. In addition, owners and guests have on-site access to two restaurants, a fitness centre, sauna, game room, and a convenience store.

“We are delighted to welcome Mayhills Resort to Interval’s vacation exchange network,” said Joe Hickman, Interval International’s executive director for Asia Pacific. “This resort combines proximity to nature with nearby cosmopolitan amenities, offering our members the best of both worlds.”

Downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as golf and tennis, are nearby. The area is laced with bike trails and has a lake and children’s playground. The resort is also close to Kangwon Land Casino, Korea’s largest, with more than 100 table games and 960 slot machines and video games.

“’Best Value, Better Life’ is the guiding vision for Daelim Industrial Co, Ltd, the builder of Mayhills Resort. Our philosophy is the same in managing the resort day to day,” said HK Kim, managing director of Gloworks, the resort’s marketing company, and a veteran of the timeshare industry in Korea. “We are impressed by the quality of Interval’s network and think our resort will be a worthy addition. We look forward to working with Interval for many years to come.”

About Interval International
Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for more than 34 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of more than 2,500 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating segment of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

15 New Properties Further Starwood’s Position as the Country’s Largest US-Based Upper-Upscale and Luxury Hotel Operator

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it is on track with plans to grow its existing portfolio of 26 hotels in India 60% by 2013. The news comes as Starwood’s President and CEO, Frits van Paasschen, and the company’s leadership team, embark on a two week tour of the country to meet with hotel owners, developers and team members.

“India is a key focus of our expansion efforts, in large part, because it is a market that today is relatively under-hoteled,” said van Paasschen. “As a point of perspective, consider that India with a population of one billion people has just 100,000 hotel rooms, while New York City alone has roughly 80,000 hotel rooms.”

Starwood’s legacy in India began in 1973, when its Sheraton brand debuted in Mumbai. The company has since grown the portfolio to 26 hotels under its Westin, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, The Luxury Collection and Le Méridien brands – making Starwood the largest upper-upscale and luxury US-based hotel operator.

Looking ahead, Starwood and its partners have another 15 hotels under development in India – including six Aloft hotels – three of which are slated to open this year. In the process of opening these hotels, Starwood continues to help build infrastructure and create career opportunities. In fact, its new hotel openings from 2007 until the end of 2010 will have created more than 4,000 new jobs.

Notably, India trails only China in terms of future growth numbers for the company within Asia Pacific. And Asia Pacific represents the company’s largest growth market.

“Inviting comparisons between India and China can be dangerous, but we do see some commonalities,” added van Paasschen. “If you recall, the world believed that China was the place of the future for 20 years before it really saw an economic boom, and we feel the same way about India. All signs and trends we’re seeing show us that India in the next 10 years is where you want to be, and we are proud to have established our presence here almost 40 years ago.”

In terms of international visitors, India remains a relatively undeveloped travel market, with approximately five million inbound travelers each year, versus China’s more than 50 million. However, the rise of India’s middle class has led to a notable increase in domestic travel, while the influx of outsourcing contracts – including Starwood’s – is expected to create a surge in international tourism.

“India is one of the most promising markets within Asia Pacific, with GDP estimates topping seven percent for the next two years and a consumer market expected to rank as the world’s fifth largest by 2025,” said Miguel Ko, Chairman & President of Starwood’s Asia Pacific Division. “This relatively underdeveloped hotel market is fertile ground for our high-caliber lifestyle brands and we look forward to further establishing our presence here.”

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Méridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Absolute World Group, organisers of Asia’s annual AOCAP Conference, have today announced that due to a prolonged period of exciting growth and development, they’ll be focussing all efforts to ensure the AOCAP Conference later in 2010 is an even bigger success than than the 2009 event.

With this in mind, the proposed interim AOCAP Sales & Marketing Forum scheduled for March 2010 will now be absorbed into the AOCAP 2010 conference in October.

Looking forward, the AOCAP Conference promises to provide the perfect platform for those involved in resort or property development, fractional ownership, vacation clubs and exchange registries to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences with like-minded people within the industry.

At Asia Pacific’s second Alternative Ownership Conference, you’ll find out exactly what the best options are for your business to help you achieve your goals. It offers a unique and unmissable opportunity to attend seminars and workshops from leading industry figures and to discuss future plans and initiatives to help generate additional revenue and increase cash flow.

Further details of the AOCAP 2010 business networking event will be released in due course.

For all enquiries regarding AOCAP 2010, please contact charlotte@aocap.org.

Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor Expands Company’s Metropolitan Portfolio

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world’s largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (NYSE: WYN), today announced it has welcomed its first CLUB WYNDHAM® Plus owners to its highly anticipated urban property – Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor.  In development for more than three years, this 250-unit resort is the company’s second resort in the popular Washington D.C. market, joining Wyndham Old Town Alexandria.

“Our nation’s capital has always been a popular vacation destination.  Wyndham Old Town Alexandria was wildly successful when it opened in 1999 and it remains one of our most popular resorts so it was a natural decision to double our presence in this market,” said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. ”The fact that our National Harbor property is more than 75% sold out is a testament to the popularity of our urban properties and the Washington D.C. area.”

Situated within National Harbor – a 300-acre waterfront community in Prince George’s County, Md. on the banks of the Potomac River – this purpose-built resort property features 250 condominium-style, fully furnished units, including 42 opulent, presidential suites.  Built in an 11-story tower, the resort also boasts an expansive health and fitness club, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, an outdoor terrace with a spa and wading pool as well as a recreation room.  Owners and guests will also enjoy the ever-growing popular urban vacation experience by having immediate access to the wide variety of shopping and dining options within the National Harbor complex, such as McCormick & Schmick’s, Dolce Enoteca, Ketchup, Grace’s Mandarin and Rosa Mexicano.

Located just minutes from the countless landmarks and attractions of Washington D.C., Wyndham Vacation Resorts at National Harbor, which will operate within the company’s CLUB WYNDHAM Plus exchange program, caters to a growing travel trend among timeshare owners to take vacations to major metropolitan centers.  In an owner survey, Wyndham owners indicated that nine of the top ten destinations they’d like to visit next are urban.

National Harbor was still being built when we bought,” said Eva and Al James of Oxford, NC, CLUB WYNDHAM Plus owners. “The location of the capital was a draw and the resort is right in the heart of the action.”

This resort property is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of urban resorts, which are designed to offer owners convenient access to the exciting shopping, dining and nightlife located in or near the epicenters of major metropolitan destinations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.  The company also boasts properties in other popular urban markets, including San Francisco, Calif., Seattle, Wash., Las Vegas, Nev., San Antonio, Texas, Vancouver, BC and Sydney, Australia.

About Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Wyndham Vacation Ownership, a member of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of companies, is the world’s largest vacation ownership business, as measured by the number of vacation ownership resorts, individual vacation ownership units and owners of vacation ownership interests.  Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its three primary consumer brands, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, WorldMark by Wyndham, and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific.   As of January 1, 2009, Wyndham Vacation Ownership had developed or acquired approximately 150 vacation ownership resorts throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific that represent approximately 20,000 individual vacation ownership units and more than 830,000 owners of vacation ownership interests. Wyndham Vacation Ownership is headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and is supported by approximately 13,800 employees globally.

About National Harbor
National Harbor is a community unlike any other in the D.C. region, designed to take full advantage of the most historic river in the nation.  Rising from the banks of the Potomac River just south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Prince George’s County, Md., National Harbor is a 300-acre, mixed-used development designed to include five hotels (including the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center), thousands of residential and office units, tree-lined promenades with scores of shops and restaurants, a marina and much more.

Starwood’s The Luxury Collection Brand Signs Seven New Deals and Opened Five Hotels in 2009

International Growth and Conversion Opportunities Extend Starwood’s Luxury Leadership

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces today that its world-renowned The Luxury Collection brand has signed two new deals to open the brand’s first hotels in China. The Astor Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is scheduled to open as a Luxury Collection Hotel in May 2010 after a $22 million renovation, and The Malus Sanya, a Luxury Collection Resort, a new-build resort set to open in late 2012. These new developments are illustrative of The Luxury Collection brand’s overall global growth that includes seven new deals and five hotel openings in 2009.

“By working with the right partners on the right properties in the right places, The Luxury Collection has enjoyed steady and strategic international growth in key markets like China even amidst challenging times”

As evidenced by its two new deals in China, the brand’s growth is fueled by strength in Asia Pacific and a notable increase in conversion properties. In fact, of the seven deals for new Luxury Collection hotels, the majority are in Asia Pacific markets like China, India and Malaysia. And nearly half of the recently signed hotels are conversions.

“By working with the right partners on the right properties in the right places, The Luxury Collection has enjoyed steady and strategic international growth in key markets like China even amidst challenging times,” said Simon Turner, President, Global Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “In addition to new-build properties, Starwood is attracting a growing number of owners and developers who seek to rebrand existing properties as Luxury Collection hotels. By doing so, they maintain their independence while tapping into the power and breadth of the Starwood network, including our Starwood Preferred Guest® program, which drives business for owners and provides guests unprecedented access to the world’s finest luxury hotels.”

The Luxury Collection marked an important milestone in October of 2009 with the opening of ITC Royal Gardenia, a Luxury Collection hotel in Bengaluru, India, which is Starwood’s 150th hotel in Asia Pacific. Building on that success in Asia, The Luxury collection continues to grow in the region including the December 2009 re-branding of the iconic The Andaman, a Luxury Collection Resort in Langkawi, Malaysia, and in addition to the two recently signed Chinese hotels, The Luxury Collection will debut the Vana Belle Samui, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa on a secluded cove on the tropical Island of Koh Samui, Thailand.

“The Luxury Collection stands out in its category for delivering authentic, indigenous experiences and an exceptional level of service to its guests – a compelling combination for discerning global travelers,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “We are proud to serve as a portal to even more of the world’s most enriching and desirable destinations as we continue our global expedition.”

Originated in 1906 as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries across the globe including Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Grand Bretagne, Athens; Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain; The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills; Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki and The Phoenician, Scottsdale.

The Astor Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tianjin
Scheduled to debut in May 2010, following a $22 million (RMB 150 million) renovation, The Astor Hotel Tianjin features 152 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, approximately 1,000 square metres of meeting space, five world class restaurants and bars, an indoor swimming pool, and state-of-the-art fitness and business centres.

With a heritage extending more than 140 years, The Astor Hotel first opened in 1863 and is one of China’s most iconic landmarks. Classified as a National Important Historical Relics Protection Unit by the Chinese Government, The Astor Hotel is renowned as the preferred destination for foreign expatriates and local dignitaries. Since its opening, the hotel has gone through several restorations and expansion programs including the building of its second tower which was completed in the late 20th century. The Astor Hotel has played host to VIPS, Heads-of-State and International Diplomats including Dr. Sun Yat-sen and Madam Song Qingling, former United States President Herbert Hoover, the last Emperor Puyi and Empress Wan Rong.

The Astor Hotel is located in the central business district (CBD) of Tianjin at Tai’erzhuang Road, Heping District, facing the Haihe River and Green River and at the back of Victoria Park. It is also a 35 minute drive from the Tianjin International Airport. For more information please visit, www.luxurycollection.com/astor.

The Malus, a Luxury Collection Resort, Sanya
Opening in the autumn of 2012, The Malus Sanya is part of the integrated Haitang Bay Beach Resort district spreading over a site area of 150 square kilometers with 40 kilometres of beachfront. Offering lush landscapes and breathtaking sea views, the resort will offer The Luxury Collection global explorers 160 luxury guest rooms and villas, approximately 300 square meters of meeting space; two signature restaurant and bars; a 24-hour business center; state-of-the-art health club and fitness center; signature spa; outdoor swimming pool; tennis courts; specialty shopping, and will share a recreational centre with the newly opened Sheraton Sanya Haitang Bay Resort.

With its tropical climate, crystalline water and endless azure skies, Hainan is celebrated as the “Hawaii of China,” offering guests the ideal destination for leisure and business retreats. The Malus, Sanya is situated on the southern part of Hainan and Haitang Bay, and is ideally located on the Island’s eastern coastal area. Due to the growing influx of leisure travelers to Hainan, the region is currently constructing its third International Airport only 127 km from Haitang Bay in Boao, Qionghai City. For more information please visit, www.luxurycollection.com/malus.

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 982 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is a selection of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 75 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel’s distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.

Green Key Global, the exclusive provider of the Green Key Eco-Rating Program (“Green Key”), and Travelocity have partnered to recognize “green” hotels and resorts. Travelocity, the popular online travel website, will include Green Key members in its Green Hotel Directory; likewise, those hotels will also be tagged with an “Eco Friendly Hotel” symbol within Travelocity’s hotel shopping path.

Green Key, the first program of its kind to rank, certify and audit hotels and resorts based on their commitment to sustainable “green” operations, is a joint venture between LRA Worldwide, Inc. and the Hotel Association of Canada. Green Key has been in operation in Canada for more than ten years; it launched in the United States in September of 2009. Currently, Green Key has more than 1,200 member hotels throughout the United States and Canada.

“We are very excited to include Green Key as one of the official certification programs for our Green Hotel Directory, as the program is highly-respected within the sustainable travel community,” said Alison Presley, Manager of Travelocity’s “Travel for Good ®” program. “A hotel’s environmental practices are an area of interest to our customers, so recognizing Green Key membership on our site provides more value to the consumer.”

A recent study by the U.S. Travel Association and Ypartnership indicated that nearly 60-percent of consumers consider a hotel’s environmental practices when making a booking decision, and a smaller subset of that group is willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly lodging options. In addition, the same study indicated that less than one-third of the respondents feel it is easy to find out about the environmental initiatives of travel and hospitality companies; the partnership between Travelocity and Green Key is designed to make this information more readily accessible to consumers while they are shopping for accommodations.

The Green Key evaluation itself is a comprehensive 140-question audit that is self-administered by the staff at the participating property. The audit covers the following operational areas and sustainable practices:
Operational Areas

•    Corporate Environmental Management
•    Housekeeping
•    Food & Beverage Operations
•    Conference & Meeting Facilities
•    Engineering    Sustainable Practices
•    Energy conservation
•    Water conservation
•    Solid waste management
•    Hazardous waste management
•    Indoor air quality
•    Community outreach
•    Building infrastructure
•    Land use
•    Environmental management

Upon completion, the answers are tabulated and the property is awarded a ranking of 1 to 5 Keys and a corresponding display plaque. The property also receives a comprehensive report that includes recommendations, best practices and potential areas for improvement and savings. Unlike other programs of this nature, Green Key includes random, on-site verification of audit results, mitigating the risk of score inflation.

“We are always looking for outlets to recognize Green Key members and their sustainability efforts,” explained Zach Conen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Green Key Global. “Travelocity fits the bill perfectly, as they have been on the leading edge of providing information on responsible, sustainable tourism to the consumer.”

The Travelocity Green Hotel Directory currently has 700 members globally; in addition, Travelocity is the only major online travel agency that designates green certified hotel properties in its hotel shopping path. The “Eco Friendly Hotel” symbol is integrated into the master Travelocity hotel search database.

About Travelocity Global:
Travelocity® is committed to being the traveler’s champion — before, during and after the trip – and provides the most comprehensive and proactive guarantee in the industry (www.travelocity.com/guarantee). This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, competitive prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity one of the largest travel companies in the world with annual gross bookings of more than U.S. $10 billion. Travelocity also owns and operates: Travelocity Business® for corporate travel; igougo.com, a leading online travel community; lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel; and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation, a world leader in travel marketing and distribution.

About Green Key:
The Green Key Eco-Rating Program is the first of its kind to rank, certify and inspect hotels and resorts in North America based on their commitment to sustainable “green” operations. The program was originally developed for the Hotel Association of Canada by a leading environmental engineering firm with funding from the Canadian Government. Designed specifically for hotel operations, the Green Key Eco-Rating Program is a comprehensive environmental audit that will allow each participating property to benefit on several fronts – cost savings, increased bookings from environmentally conscious consumers and meeting planners and responsible corporate citizenry. In the United States Green Key is a joint partnership between the Hotel Association of Canada and LRA Worldwide, Inc. For more information on Green Key or to register your property now, visit www.greenkeyglobal.com, call +1.888.752.7061 or email info@greenkeyglobal.com