Luxury spas at US hotels have experienced further falls in profitability as less people look to use top-end services amid the deepening recession.

In the latest update of its Spa STAR report, research company STR revealed that revenue per available treatment room hour (RevPATH) declined 13 per cent during the year to June 2009 (from US$136.79 in June 2008 to US$120.88 in June 2009) at hotel spas. Read the rest of this entry »

MARINA Bay Sands is having more difficulty than anticipated in filling up its casino positions with Singaporeans. It has filled only 2,000 out of 4,500 gaming positions.

It is holding a recruitment fair this weekend at Suntec Convention Hall 603, as a last ditch effort to get Singaporeans to apply for casino jobs, in particular, dealer positions. Read the rest of this entry »

Stenson, one half of the dynamic Swedish duo who secured the Omega Mission Hills World Cup for their country, will defend the trophy at Mission Hills, where he and partner Robert Karlsson recorded a three shot victory.

It was Sweden’s second victory in the event, Anders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson having captured the trophy for the first time in 1991. Read the rest of this entry »

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Asia Pacific Golf Summit, the region’s premier industry gathering slated for Oct. 26-28 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has retained Signature Golf as the event’s Official Marketing Agent in the United States.

The third annual Asia Pacific Golf Summit is owned and produced by Singapore-based Asia Pacific Golf Development Conferences Pte Ltd, which is affiliated with Asian Golf Monthly and Asian Golf Business magazines and their respective Web sites. Read the rest of this entry »

July 27 (Bloomberg) — Macau’s new leader Fernando Chui says China will help the casino hub develop, which may boost operators including Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts Ltd. that were hurt last year by mainland travel restrictions.

“The Motherland not only provides us with powerful backing, but also continuously injects dynamism into our development,” Chui, who takes charge of the Chinese territory Dec. 20, said in a statement yesterday. Chui got 282 of the 296 votes cast by Macau’s 300-member election committee, his victory a foregone conclusion because he was the only candidate. Read the rest of this entry »

The posh Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club is offering a trial membership for those interested in trying out one of the club’s multi-million-dollar residences (and really who wouldn’t be?). The Trial Membership offers access to beach, mountain and golf destinations in idyllic vaction spots including the Turks & Caicos, Deer Valley and Kiawah Island.

Most residences are 4,000 square feet with four bedrooms and at least four bathrooms providing a luxurious home away from home for a gathering of family and friends to celebrate a special event or just gather for some much-needed relaxation. Read the rest of this entry »

Francisca Rocha Antunes has been appointed spa director of the Six Senses Spa at Sharq Village & Spa in Doha.

She will be responsible for daily spa operations and management of staff to ensure outstanding customer service.

Prior to joining Six Senses, Antunes was general manager of the Sheraton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa in French Polynesia where she was responsible for the four-month transition of the Starwood brand to a Hilton Worldwide Resort. Details: sixsenses.com

Santo Domingo (July 23rd, 2009) – Bisonó Enterprises is pleased to announce RockResorts’ first venture in the Dominican Republic with Balcones Del Atlántico, A RockResort.  With a soft opening of the resort scheduled for August 2009, the RockResort Grand Opening is expected this winter season.

Bringing the world-renowned RockResorts brand to the tranquil resort community in Las Terrenas, Balcones Del Atlántico will be an exceptional destination for those seeking both relaxation and adventure on some of the world’s most stunning beaches. Read the rest of this entry »

SANTA FE, NM – The City Different, renowned as one of the country’s most significant centers of art and culture, is about to become more accessible for Los Angeles area residents. Beginning November 19, 2009, American Eagle Airlines will launch daily, roundtrip non-stop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Santa Fe Municipal Airport (SAF).  The Residence Club at El Corazon de Santa Fe not only offers the affordable luxury of shared ownership, but its Southern California owners can now get to their vacation residences in just a couple of hours. Read the rest of this entry »

Several staff members from the Golf Academy of America campus in San Diego recently participated in the Welcome Home Golf Tournament at Camp Pendleton, California. Director of Admissions Henry Salgado and Program Director Buck Page actually played in the tournament. They were teamed with a colonel who is stationed at Camp Pendleton.

“It was a real thrill for us to play in this great tournament and salute our Marines who are coming back home,” says Salgado. “But the best part was to be able to play with Colonel Steven Hanson, a veteran of thirty years with the U.S. Marine Corps.” Read the rest of this entry »