Earlier we announced the opening of the skin and nail salon at Rancho Santana's spa facility. Carmen Guzman, who received her cosmetology training in Managua, is managing all skin treatments offered at the spa:

- Manicures & Pedicures, traditional or French

- Massage

- Facial Treatments

Combined with the exercise facility, the spa, even in its formative stages, offers an array of services and treatments that will suit everyone when the need for relaxation, rejuvenation, and restoration arises.
The nail salon at Rancho Santana's spa facility To make an appointment, kindly call Carmen at 011 505-963-7663, or call the front desk at the Clubhouse at 011-505-887-4343.

The Santana Beach Club & Spa is yet another fine amenity that demonstrates Rancho Santana's commitment to providing owners, guests and visitors with the utmost in experiences - and Rancho Santana will continue to add to this ever growing list of amenities, setting the standard for all other communities on Nicaragua's Pacific coast.

Latest figures show over 3% increase in visitor arrivals to Nueva Esparta, Venezuela

The latest figures released by the state of Nueva Esparta in Venezuela show that Europeans, and especially the British, are increasingly falling in love with the best kept secret in South America. Located off the North East Caribbean coast of the country, it comprises three picturesque islands with a total population of less than half a million. Figures from the Nueva Esparta tourism corporation, Corpotur, show a 3.42% increase in visitor arrivals (2,045,143) to the state for the period Jan - September 2008.

'State of New Sparta' as it was named in 1864 measures 50 miles by 12 and its main land mass is Isla Margarita founded in 1525. The state’s name comes from the heroism shown by its people during the Venezuelan War of Independence, thought similar to that of the Spartan soldiers of Ancient Greece. Isla Margarita, known widely as the "Pearl of the Caribbean", benefits from being outside the hurricane belt with an average climate of 27 degrees Celsius. It boasts little rain, a variety of natural scenery from mountainous terrain to lush vegetation and over 200 miles of sandy beaches. The area around the main town, Porlamar, offers a large number of facilities and activities for visitors including an 18 hole golf course, shopping, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and hiking. For this reason it has been a popular vacation destination for around 30 years.

These once undiscovered islands and their rich history is something more and more people are travelling to experience. In 2007 2.5 million people visited Isla Margarita alone, over five times its population. However, this masks the full story. Nueva Esparta has remained largely hidden to those from outside the area as most visitors come from mainland Venezuela. 91% of visitors in 2008 thus far arrived from Venezuela, suggesting a still traditional destination unspoiled by western tourism. Nevertheless, word of mouth about the islands and their status as an undiscovered haven is increasingly reaching more and more potential visitors further afield.

Since 2001, the percentage of hotel rooms occupied by visitors to Nueva Esparta has more than tripled to 76%. Europeans are the most enamoured by the islands, making up the vast majority of international visitors. 60,000 Europeans make the journey compared to only 25,000 from the rest of the world. The tourism figures also revealed the love affair an increasing number of Britons are having with Nueva Esparta. Now the third major international tourist market, nearly 10,000 British tourists visited the islands during the last year. This represents a 38% increase on the previous 12 months when around 6,500 Britons visited.

In addition, other northern European countries have also discovered Nueva Esparta and Isla Margarita. The Dutch, Danish and French are nearly as eager as the British, with the keenest Europeans coming from Germany with around 15,000 visitors. Like their ancestors hundreds of years ago, Europeans are increasingly interested in Nueva Esparta. This is particularly the case with northern Europeans looking for an alternative sunny island retreat from the Mediterranean norm, with a Caribbean style twist as well.

Significantly, a further reason accounting for the increase in British and European visitors to the islands is their accessibility from major cities and airports. The third most popular of all charter flights to Nueva Esparta is the First Choice flight from either Gatwick or Manchester airport which in the first eight months of 2008 brought almost 9,000 people. With its activities, facilities, views and beaches it offers a competitive and distinctive alternative to the familiar European destination. Whether it is for holidaying, visiting or retiring it represents an interesting new location as well as an untapped buy to let opportunity.

Mark Andrew, Managing Director of Emerging Earth who is marketing the Caracola Beach & Spa Resort near Porlamar, said:

"Isla Margarita in Nueva Esparta has remained undiscovered for most tourists across the world but this will not be the case for long. Over the last five years Europeans have become increasingly attracted to this unspoiled part of the world, a part that reminds them of the best of sunny island living. Demand among Venezuelans for accommodation sees no sign of abating either and their continued fascination with the islands demonstrates the reason why more and more outsiders keep returning, particularly those from Europe. We expect demand for property and accommodation over the next few years will continue to grow, above all for apartment resort developments where facilities and close by tourist attractions are plentiful".

Caracola Beach & Spa Resort, Isla Margarita

The Caracola Beach & Spa Resort comprises of a variety of apartments and duplexes spread across 15 floors, most with stunning views of the beautiful Caribbean beach. The development boasts excellent facilities that include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, chill-out areas, spa, gymnasium, beauty salon, high end retail outlets and beautifully landscaped gardens. All apartments are 1 or 2 bedroom and have air conditioning, are spacious with large terraces, fully furnished and come with a guaranteed rental return of 7% pa net for 10 years. This investment purchase is SIPP qualifying and offers tax efficient freehold ownership. Prices start from 79,000 EUROS / £63,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Kevin Brass - The New York Times Media Group -- The International Herald Tribune, October 24, 2008 Friday

Developers of a coastal project in Nicaragua say that, despite the global real estate slowdown, they have sold out the development's first phase.

Seaside Mariana Spa & Golf Resort is being advertised as ''the first luxury resort of its size and caliber in Nicaragua.'' Plans call for more than 1,300 residential units on 923 acres along the west coast near San Rafael Del Sur, a village about an hour's drive from the capital, Managua.

Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2009 on the first phase, which includes a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, as well as a spa, retail space and about 320 residential plots and condos. Prices range from $224,000 to about $653,000.

Some investors have been cautious about buying in Nicaragua since the Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega regained power in 2006. But the country's undeveloped coastline and prices that often are less than those in neighboring Costa Rica have spurred sales.

In regards to our 19.5-acre (79,200m2) site, thus far the ocean side site has been cleared, which included relocating all palm trees of certain sizes. These were relocated to a parcel directly across from the ocean side site that will eventually be the location for our "back of house" facilities - electric generators, water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, offices, etc.

Next, we completed the majority of our site stabilization through a process known as dynamic compaction. During the dynamic compaction we commenced filling operations for the purpose of elevating the site an average of 1.5 meters to further enhance each building’s ocean view.

Before actual construction can commence final Construction Drawings need to be completed reflecting the changes to the residential buildings described earlier and one permit is required, which we expect to have within the next 60 days.

Sol Meliá Vacation Club (SMVC) is opening a new project, The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic late this year that will feature 190 one and two-bedroom lock-off units with modern upscale design, exotic Balinese beds, private hot tubs and direct access from the lower level patio units into a spectacular lazy river swimming pool. Presidential Club Suites will feature two, three and four bedrooms, with the four bedroom suites accommodating up to 10 people, sold as a multi-week product.

"The growth of this new project with its exciting lazy river concept and the larger, high-end accommodations continues to put SMVC as the forerunner in this exciting destination," states Denis Ebrill, Sol Meliá Vacation Club's new Executive Vice President. "Our members enjoy the best of both worlds with the blending of amenities, services and home-away-from-home accommodations," Ebrill concluded.

Paradisus Palma Real's five-star amenities and services include: first-class spa treatments, a custom fitness program, championship golf course, a large, gorgeous white-sandy beach and crystal clear water, variety of gourmet restaurants, specialty bars, a casino and nightly entertainment, supervised children's programs, daily adult activities, concierge service and 24-hour room service.

Including The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real , Sol Meliá Vacation Club has three member resorts in Punta Cana. "In my short time with SMVC at this point, I have found that it is a strong and popular destination," continued Ebrill. "The varied and unique product offering in Punta Cana continues to address the increased demand for aluxury lifestyle product in the area."

Orlando-based Sol Meliá Vacation Club, part of Spain-based Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts, is an internationally-branded membership club that focuses on providing leisure lifestyle experiences that include exotic destinations, designer-appointed luxury accommodations, exclusive services and unforgettable amenities. The lifestyle concept is designed to provide members with an entire lifetime of leisure experiences to meet their ever changing needs. All members have access through SMVC to stay at any of the Sol Meliá hotels and resorts worldwide, including those in destinations such as Paris, London, Madrid, Rome and more.

Sol Meliá Hotels & Resortsis a 50-year-old international hospitality company with 350 hotels in 30 countries on five continents. Sol Meliá Vacation Club members enjoy the best of both worlds: all the conveniences and amenities of aworld-class resort, plus the value, flexibility and choice that vacation membership offers. Members have more vacation lifestyle options through global luxury accommodations in a variety of unique resort and urban destinations around the world, as well as the flexibility to choose the length of stay, season and size of unit. In addition, Members can save their vacation time from one year to the next if needed, borrow from future vacation years to create a special experience that could include airfare or a spectacular cruise, divide their vacation time into shorter getaway or nightly stays, or stay at any Sol Meliá hotel or affiliated resort worldwide.

ForSol Meliá Vacation Clubdetails, call (407) 370-3671

Business Wire, October 15, 2008 Wednesday 8:15 PM GMT

We expect that the majority of our purchaser's will elect to participate in our Palmera Rental Program. To maximize rental income we will modify a number of our villa floor plans to a lockout design. Simply stated, and as an example, a typical three-bedroom villa will now include heavier doors with electronic lock mechanisms, resulting in the ability to host different rental guests in the two bedroom suites with a third guest in the master suite that will include all of the main living area (kitchen, dining, grand terrace, etc.).

When an owner chooses to visit he or she will have the option of using their entire villa, or alternatively allowing for the rental of one or both of the adjoining lockout bedrooms -- each of which comes with a large private bath as well as a private terrace.

As a result we intend to maximize the potential income for each of our owners in the Rental Program. However, if a purchaser does not intend to place his unit in the program and this is communicated prior to the commencement of construction we will incorporate a more typical door system.

The Rental Program will require each participant to purchase a prepared package of furniture, fixtures and equipment, commonly referred to as FF&E, to provide for a uniform experience typical of what you would find at the Ritz, or the Four Seasons as examples. To accomplish this our interior designer, Living Interior Design, LLC has prepared a furniture package for Rental Program participants.

A sample of the furnishings is demonstrated in our Virtual Tour. The FF&E package will be of the highest quality and purchased directly from the manufacturer, thus cutting out any middleman fees, and further be delivered to your clients at our cost. There will be certain colors, fabrics, and furniture to choose from to allow for personal taste, while still delivering the uniformity that the management company will require as a condition of participation in the program.

Dear All

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise for not having contacted in the last few weeks, but have been waiting for confirmation of the following information before doing so.

The Confotur is now in place....at last

I was informed last Saturday that the long-awaited Confotur meeting occurred last Friday and that Punta Perla was given first stage approval and that the final stage was approved yesterday.  The immense size and complexity of Punta Perla are the reasons that the project was discussed in more than one meeting. Now that Punta Perla has obtained full and complete approval, the developer will contact you directly with the good news. This means that full construction will get under way imminently and that we can all look forward to some rapid progress. The developer will provide you with specifics on dates and build schedules in the near future as well.

I am delighted to inform you that I had a very positive meeting with the developer last Friday as well as having been over to the Dominican Republic to meet with Ricardo Miranda, the President of Punta Perla Caribbean Golf, Marina & Spa S.A.  During my time with Mr. Miranda, we had the great honour of being invited to meet with President Leonel Fernandez, who graciously took time from his busy agenda to speak to us about the great importance of tourism for the Dominican economy and about how projects like Punta Perla are essential for strengthening this economic sector.

The new Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, was also kind enough to allot us some time for a meeting.  Mr. Garcia echoed the thoughts of Mr. Fernandez with respect to tourism and the economy and went on to add that projects like Punta Perla would not only attract increasing levels of tourism but also serve to drive standards of accommodation, facilities and service levels higher and higher.

As an emerging residential & tourism market the DR has provided us with a number of bureaucratic obstacles, which have impeded progress over the last two years. Nevertheless we have gone about everything in the correct and right way which means that as soon as we start building that because we have all permits in place for the whole project that we can forge ahead without any hitches. Other similar projects in the DR do not have approval across their whole projects and therefore have to go around the loops we have had to time and time again each time they plan a new phase.

We are expecting that you will have been contacted directly by the developer by the 31st October. If you have not heard from them by then, please do not hesitate to contact us. In the mean time, I hope you will all agree that this news is great and that we all have much to look forward to with our investment in Punta Perla.

Kindest regards
 
Mark Andrew
Emerging Earth Ltd

We have decided to significantly increase the size of the spa resulting in as many as 8 to 10 private treatment rooms as well as all of the other facilities that a luxurious full-service spa is expected to have.

To accomplish this we will be relocating this building to the western edge of our property where we are better able to accommodate the increase in size. The fitness and exercise facility will remain adjacent to the tennis court.

Next, we decided to significantly enhance and enlarge our welcome/reception building. Our grand entrance will now be located adjacent to our gourmet restaurant. Upon entering the reception building you will have an immediate view through the tall distinctive glass doors to the same beautiful garden that is shared with the spa.

Off to the right in the reception hall will be a very upscale lounge/bar, while the restaurant will be entered to the left. We will also have room for several retail boutiques in various locations on the property.

We decided that it would be necessary to create more room for the changes described above while at the same time we wanted to shift the positioning of four of our beachfront buildings so that they face more directly toward the ocean. As a result of these changes it became necessary to eliminate our two small swimming pools. This still leaves us with three of the largest pools in the Caribbean, each with infinity edges as originally planned and designed.

DR is sophisticated luxury, exciting venues, 60,000+ hotel rooms, golf courses and top beaches.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism introduced their beautiful Caribbean nation as a premier affordable and luxurious meetings destination to U.S. meeting planners at the Incentive Travel Meeting Professionals (ITME) 2008 Motivation Show Sept. 23-24 in Chicago, with the premier of their first U.S. Meeting Planner guide for 2009.

A reception to celebrate the DR as a meetings destination was held at the Hyatt McCormick Place, 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 directly after the Show. Montserrat Despradel, Director of Conventions and Incentives for the DR Ministry of Tourism, said, "Today we celebrate the DR as a premier meetings paradise and present our 2009 Meeting Planner guide with information on designer resorts and hotels, championship golf courses, casinos and luxury marinas, as well as fascinating history, culture and lush tropical scenery. The DR offers sophisticated venues and value not found elsewhere."

The DR Meeting Planner guide features major meetings venues, convention centers, resorts and hotels and provides information on traveling to the DR, including a list of eight international airports, seaports and convention centers. Visit: http://Worth.texterity.com/custom/dominican2009 to view the colorful guide online.

Sponsors of the DR meeting planner reception include AM Resorts, Casa de Campo, Connect Travel, El Embajador Hotel, The Hotel Association of Santo Domingo, Private Jet Services, Sanctuary Cap Cana, Sol Melia and the Westin Roco Ki. The comprehensive 2009 Meeting Planner guide was developed by the DR Ministry of Tourism, Worth International and bvk, a marketing communications agency.

Rich in history, the Dominican Republic's first tourist was Christopher Columbus in 1492. Since then, it has developed into a diverse and luxurious destination offering both Dominican and European flavors to more than one million U.S. visitors each year. At 10,000 feet, the Dominican Republic is home to the highest point in the Caribbean. It also features some of the best golf courses and beaches in the world, the largest marina in the Caribbean and is a chosen escape for celebrities, couples and families. For more information, visit the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's official Web site at: http://www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or call1-888-FUN-INDR.

 SOURCE The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - Sept. 10, 2008 - According to a recent report issued by the Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism, overall visitors to the DR in the first half of 2008 increased by 6.55 percent compared to the same period in 2007.* Approximately 2.2 million guests selected the DR as their vacation spot of choice in the first half of 2008. According to Central Bank of Dominican Republic (www.bancentral.gov.do), as of July 31, 2008, there were 2,602,675 visitors to the DR, a 3.81 percent increase compared to the same period in 2007.

The U.S. continues as the largest visitors market with 32.2 percent followed by Canada at 22.6 percent, France with 9 percent, Spain with 5.7 percent, Germany with 5.6 percent and UK with 5 percent. 

The most popular destination remains Punta Cana. The region's international airport received approximately 53.5 percent of 2008 first half arrivals followed by Las Americas in Santo Domingo. Puerto Plata International Airport received approximately 16.6 percent of the arrivals, followed by La Romana with 6.06 percent.

Affirming the DR's popularity as a growing tourism destination, JetBlue will launch its first intra-Caribbean service with daily nonstop service between San Juan, Puerto Rico and the DR beginning Dec. 18, 2008. "The DR is dedicated to supporting JetBlue's efforts to provide the Caribbean with additional air service," said DR Vice Minister of Tourism Magaly Toribio. "JetBlue's new flights to our capital city, Santo Domingo, will help meet the growing demand of visitors and enhance our collective economies."

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Hotels, 9/10/2008