The American State of Georgia has launched a new internet presence in German. The state-run travel agency of Georgia in Bielefeld informs about attractions, museums and history at www.georgia-usa.de. It also offers news and radio streams, as well as the possibility to win a CD with music by stars such as Otis Redding, Gladys Knight and the Pips and the Allman Brothers.

by editorial office, am

Following investments of 20 million Euros, eight new holiday compounds will be operating under the name of Sunparks in the most beautiful regions of Belgium and the Netherlands, with two of the properties being the first ever to operate in Germany. Sunparks’ comfortable holiday homes offer privacy like at home, while delivering comprehensive service in restaurants and a large range of leisure, sports and shopping.

The Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications of the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT), Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, updated the problems in her country during a press conference at the ATF in Hanoi, Vietnam:

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. marks a milestone in its aggressive growth in Greater China announcing the signing of the Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng Hotel, their 100th hotel in the area. As the first international hotel chain to enter China when the historic Great Wall Beijing Sheraton Hotel was established in 1985, Starwood today is the largest international upscale hotel company in China

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held in Hanoi, Vietnam, that Singapore’s tourism sector had generated an estimated $14.8 billion in tourism receipts (TR) in 2008. This represents a growth of 5% over 2007 and sets a new record for Singapore, despite the impact of the global economic slowdown in the second half of the year.

During the ATF meeting, the ministers commended the success of the ASEAN Plus Three Youth Festival held in Singapore in July 2008 with the aim to encourage active youth participation in regional youth affairs and help young people appreciate the diverse cultures in the region.