Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com UNWTO advances partnership approach for monitoring sustainability CHINA – The Global Observatory on Sustainable Tourism (GOST), a UNWTO initiative for the monitoring and evaluating of sustainable tourism pol icies, received a signi f icant boost following the signing of a Collaboration Agreement between UNWTO and Sun Yet-Sen University in Guangzhou, China. To maintain the competitiveness and sustainability of destinations a complete understanding of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of tourism has become a crucial factor. GOST, was established in response to this demand from tourism organization and stake- holders for accurate information on tourism's impacts in order to support responsible tourism policies. S i gning the Col l abor a t ion Agreement wi th the President of Sun Yet-Sen University, Huang Da r e n , UNWTO S e c r e t a r y - General, Taleb Rifai, underlined the importance for UNWTO of relying on partners for the sustainable development of tourism. "UNWTO has been promoting the use of sustainable tourism indicators since the early 1990s, but it is only through close cooperation with partners on the ground that these can be properly applied," he said. "We are extremely pleased to count on Sun Yet-Sen University to promote their application and monitor their implementation across the region, thus providing vital information on sustainability issues". "UNWTO has been promoting the use of sustainable tourism indicators since the early 1990s, but it is only through close cooperation with partners on the ground that these can be properly applied," he said. "We are extremely pleased to count on Sun Yet-Sen University to promote their application and monitor their implementation across the region, thus providing vital information on sustainability issues". A Monitoring Centre for UNWTO Sustainable Tourism Observatories will be established at Sun Yat-Sen University for establishing, managing and monitoring all existing and future UNWTO observatories in China and potentially in the Asia-Pacific region. New Centara Resort opens at Phuket's Karon Beach THAI – Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket is the latest 5-star property from Centara Hotels & Resorts, that opened on Karon Beach on October 15, 2010. All the 262 guestrooms and villas have a balcony with a sea view of the Andaman Sea. There are 90 Deluxe Ocean Facing rooms, and the Premium Spa Deluxe – The Club offer larger rooms with a Jacuzzi on the balcony and access to the Club lounge and its facilities. The Deluxe Pool Suite – The Club meanwhile offers a private pool. The resort is also introducing the 1- Bedroom Pool Villa, which can accommodate up to five adults or three adults and two children per villa, while the 2- Bedroom Pool Villa can accommodate up to seven adults or four adults and three children per villa. a Jacuzzi on the balcony or Premium Deluxe Ocean Facing, a 73.50 square metre room equipped with high tech facilities. Centara Grand Beach Resort Besides the rooms for family, there are also rooms for couples. 6 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | OCTOBER 2010 There is a Spa Deluxe Ocean Facing, a 54 square metre room along with Phuket is a newly-bui l t resor t property at Karon Beach on the island of Phuket. The resort consists of 262 guestrooms and villas, with 126 Deluxe rooms, 63 Deluxe Spa rooms, 45 Deluxe Pool Suites, 18 Luxury Pool Suites, six One-Bed Pool Villas and four Two-Bed Pool Villas, and Deluxe Spa rooms have a Jacuzzi on the balcony. Leisure facilities include a tennis court , a fitness centre with 144 sq m of space, and a SPA Cenvaree offering Vichy treatments, steam rooms, relaxation lounges, manicure and pedicure rooms, and 10 single and double treatment rooms. www.travelweeklyweb.com

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