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Experience refreshing business… Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad

In News on December 4, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Marriott International Inc, the leading world-wide lodging company today announced the opening of its second property in Hyderabad with the launch of a chic & contemporary – Courtyard by Marriott.

Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad, nestled on the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake is centrally located between Secunderabad – Hyderabad. The hotel is set to become the one-stop destination for warm and excellent services, a unique dining option and best-in-class amenities. The Courtyard by Marriott in Hyderabad will have 168 spacious rooms in two categories, fusing contemporary décor with a refreshing touch. Suited best for the business and leisure traveler, the hotel offers state-of-the-art meeting facilities divided into 7 zones comprising of a sprawling 6733 sq ft of space.

Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad will be among the first new age Courtyards in India to follow the MoMo Concept. The name MoMo Café comes from the idea of Modern Eating and Modern Living. The MoMo at the Courtyard Hyderabad will be a 3 meal period restaurant with an accent on oriental food including MoMo’s. The menu is engineered to maximize F&B offerings, enhance the guest experience and minimize the number of ingredients to ensure every meal is a healthy one.

Mr. Rajeev Menon, Area Vice President, Marriott International – India, Pakistan,

Maldives and Malaysia, said, “Hyderabad is rich milieu of heritage and modernity. The hub for IT & ITES industries, we see potential for tremendous growth in this market. We are delighted to have launched our Courtyard brand in Hyderabad with a promise of delivering the best service quality that the city has ever seen. The Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad is a step towards the fortification of our commitment of bringing the best to this city and also the Indian markets.”

He furth er added, “Courtyard by Marriott is one of our premium offerings and we have seen a phenomenal response for the brand worldwide. We launched the brand in India 3 years back with a property in Chennai and recently in Pune we foresee a strong growth trajectory for it in the Indian market. We have carefully studied the needs of the Indian traveler and are certain that the Courtyard by Marriott meets and exceeds them all.”

The hotel is a perfect blend of contemporary design which offers comfort and functionality ideal for a business traveler as well as extended stay guests. The Wi Fi enabled public areas sets the tone for some ‘Me Time’ when you have some thing to get done after the days work. Get into the exotic Spa to loosen those taut muscles or just work out in our fitness centre.

Speaking on the occasion of the opening of Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad, Mr. Ty Collins, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott, Hyderabad, said, “We are delig hted to extend our hospitality to our patrons through one more hotel. This hotel is designed to provide services & facilities for business travelers who want all the conveniences of an upscale hotel but with a casual, open design where they can be totally at ease. We hope that the hotel will live up to our guests expectations and create a new dimension in the business class hotels”.

With the opening of Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott would be the only hotel in the city to provide close to 500 rooms and the largest convention facility with 17 meeting rooms under one roof. This is a step to further consolidate Marriott’s position as a preferred MICE destination in India. Advanced technology and facilities, warm hospitality, personalized services of Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre; & Courtyard by Marriott coupled with immense natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the city offers unmatched services to the business community in India and abroad.

The brand Courtyard by Marriott, launched in 1983, has grown into one of Marriott’s largest brand and the world’s 12th largest lodging chain with more 8,000 Hotels worldwide. Courtyard by Marriott Hotels aspires to be the global leader in lodging for travelers who seek freedom and opportunity to disconnect from routine.

Notes to Editor

About Marriott International Inc. (NYSE:MAR): is a leading lodging company with more than 3,100 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.

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Another first for blueFROG – The launch of India’s premiere podcast series

In News on December 4, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Fans of music all over the world rejoice! Blue Frog – India’s premier live music venue, voted among the Top Ten Great Music Venues in the World by the Independent UK, has teamed up with Sonologue to produce India’s first music podcast series. Anyone with access to the internet – via a computer or a phone – can now download interviews and live tracks from the blueFROG website for free. http://www.bluefrog.co.in/music-store/podcasts.

“Blue Frog as a brand has been associated with many firsts and this is a novel way of giving music lovers in-depth, up-close-and-personal access to their favorite artists who come through the Frog,” said Emma de Decker, Head of Programming and the Record Label. “We are thrilled to be exploring this new area,” she added.

“Live From the Blue Frog” – a series of artist interviews is a music/chat podcast forum on musicians and their mus ic; made up of two parts: an audio interview about their musical journey, as well as an exclusive track download from the blueFROG archives – either acoustic in the studio or during a performance at the club.

Every fortnight, a new podcast will be added to the blueFROG Music Store. The free mp3 tracks of the interview and the song can be downloaded to an mp3 player, computer, phone or other device for playback on demand. “Podcasts will certainly be a good alternative to listening to the same old songs on the radio,” said Sonologue’s Chhavi Sachdev, who hosts the interview series. “It’s fun to get to know the artistes – from their seminal influences as a musician to the first record they ever bought, the musician they admire the most, what they’re currently listening to.” Next up in the series are Karsh Kale, Oliver Rajamani, Shai’ir+Func and DJ Markus Shulz.

To download the series, go to http://www.bluefrog.co.in/music-store/podcasts. Once you subscribe, it gets downloaded automatically when a new episode is released.

Notes to Editor

More about blueFROG & Sonologue:

blueFROG is a revolutionary, integrated music project in Mumbai, India. It consists of the country’s premiere live music performance club, four state-of-the-art music recording studios, a music production house comprising top-notch composers, musicians and producers, and an independent record label & artist management service. http://www.bluefrog.co.in

Sonologue is an independent audio production house based in Mumbai. Visit http://www.sonologue.com for more information and services.

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Feel Negombo 2009 All Set To Bedazzle Sri Lanka

In News on December 4, 2009 at 9:10 pm

Feel Negombo 2009- a family event is set to take place from 11th to the 13th Dec 2009 along the Negombo beach stretch. The core purpose of the event is “to create a vibrant and attractive image of Negombo as popular destination for both local and international travellers.” Feel Negombo 2009, in keeping with its theme of catering for the entire family, has a host of events and entertainment lined up for all members of the family during the three days.

“The main objectives of this event are to promote Negombo as a destination for family and youth traveller (flash packers) and enhance economic development by creating employment and opportunities surrounding tourism in the region. We also want to showcase Sri Lankan hospitality and milieu along with establishing an international event in Negombo which is recognized in the international and local calendar of events. Feel will help build strong and productive partnerships with regional stakeholders and l ocal communities in Negombo” Hon Faiszer Musthapha, Minister of Tourism Promotion

For the first time in Sri Lanka, Feel Negombo 2009 will also feature Water Walking and Zorbing (Sphearing). There is also an extensive list of activities that will span over 3 days that includes:

  • Water Sports – Jet Skis , Wind Surfing , Banana Rides
  • Boat Rides
  • Canal Tours
  • Diving / Snorkeling
  • Plastic Ball Bumper
  • Wake Boards
  • Tube Rides
  • Arial rope
  • Water Ski
  • Fishing activities
  • ATV Rides
  • Paint Ball
  • How fast can you bowl
  • Ball Pool
  • Water Cannon Park/ shooters
  • 4 x 4 (Sunday)
  • Kids Activities
  • Street Parade/Opening Ceremony
  • Drum Sensation< /li>

“Negombo has the required infrastructure in place to make it into an upmarket beach tourist hub. It’s key that with re-branding we focus on developing on various cities/towns in the island giving everyone something to treasure in Sri Lanka”, Hon Nimal Lanza, Minister of Tourism-Western Provincial Council.

There is a Senior citizens Programme incorporated into the event whereby Sri Lankans abroad will have the opportunity to pay for a day trip for their parents living here. The organizers will provide transport, buffet and various activities which will entertain them. After spending an entire day in Negombo they will be taken back to Colombo.

“There is a lack of attention to the ageing people who need mental relaxation and peace of mind. We are keen to create events that appeal to all sectors of the Sri Lankan population”, said Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, George Michael.

Sri Lanka tourism is constantly strivin g to hone and promote local talent. The Drum Festivals organized by the Bureau have always featured the best local talent. Feel Negombo 2009 will feature the following artists

  • Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi
  • Triloka
  • Naardo
  • Elephant foot
  • Hurricane

Feel Negombo too will feature a versatile range of international artists including:

  • Dj Acee (Switzerland, Hip Hop)
  • Dj Miss Match (Australia, R n B/Reggae)
  • Dj Eric Carver (Canada, House)
  • Manipuri Drummers
  • Bikram with Naadbrahma

“We warmly welcome all international and national visitors and guests to Negombo to feel the warmth, serenity and hospitality. It’s a multi religious city where we work very closely with all sectors of community,” concluded Hycinth Goonawardene, Chairperson, and Negombo Hotels Association.

This initiative is in keeping with H.E . the President’s vision to bring in 2.5 million visitors to Sri Lanka by 2016 and thus declaring 2011 as the Visit Sri Lanka year. The projects for Visit Sri Lanka 2011 include a big PR idea, which will be launched in 2010 to encourage and entice tourists to visit Sri Lanka in the year 2011. In addition a wide range of spectacular events are planned, along with the Sri Lanka Tourism’s burgeoning list of successful annual events.

For more information please log onto www.feelnegombo.com.

Notes to Editor

About Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s ( SLTPB) goal is to promote the destination aggressively in their key markets. Apart from promotions SLTPB also engages in research and international marketing, tourism marketing and tourism product development. The Ceylon Tourist Board was establi shed by the Ceylon Tourist Board Act No 10 of 1966 in order to cater to the growing demand of international tourists. Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) was founded in October 2007 and is incorporated by an Act of Parliament (Act No 38 of 2005). It is governed by a Board of Directors with a Chairman appointed by the Minister of Tourism.

It was earlier a part of the Ceylon Tourist Board. Consequent to the Act of Parliament, the former Ceylon Tourist Board was divided into several institutions; Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ( SLTDA), Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau ( SLTPB), Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management ( SLITHM) and Sri Lanka Convention Bureau ( SLCB).

SLTPB has an office in the U.K and has recently appointed destination representation companies in India, Dubai, France, Germany and Russia

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