Asia property market must hasten its adoption of green issues

Real estate markets in Asia are being urged to embrace 'green' technologies and help in the global fight against climate change. With the region boasting some of the world's fastest growing property markets, green building practices are regarded as a prime area for further growth. Governments should urgently consider introducing new policies, regulations and incentives, according to Asia's first green real estate guide. There is an urgent need for the real estate industry to address the challenges of climate change and sustainability,' says the guide, r.e.Design. We would like to see a quick transformation to the adoption of green building practices in new buildings and in terms of improving existing ones. Governments have a key role to play by introducing new policies and regulations,' it adds. It also makes good financial sense. According to the report a savings of between 40% and 50% is possible in terms of energy costs. It points out that the real estate industry can offer very cost-effective Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission cuts compared to other economic sectors, as a result of which it should play a leading role (Read More)

The 10 Commandments of Web Design

Since the Internet emerged as a major force, altering everything from the way people work to the way they date, it has been a roller-coaster ride that made the world giddy. Microsoft (MSFT), Netscape, et al. fought the browser wars, Web standards were championed, and the Web became community-minded and social, ushering in the reign of Facebook, Flickr (YHOO), and YouTube. From boom to bust and back again, with staggering amounts of money changing hands at every point, the online industry rides on with no end in sight. The Net has also attracted prophets, gurus, theorists, and evangelists of every stripe. Many of their promised game-changing technologies—Jini, DHTML, and countless others—never panned out, while seemingly simple innovations—metadata, XML, and CSS—have led to major breakthroughs. Meanwhile, Web design vogues from the effervescent jumble of HotWired to the stark utility of Google (GOOG) have continued to evolve and become more contradictory—and entrenched (Read More)

Future trends in hotel e-business

Opportunities exist for those in the hotel e-business, even during these tough economic times. Attendees at HEDNA’s Lisbon Conference learned about the future trends for hotel e-business, how to profit from those trends and how HEDNA members can make a difference as the industry evolves. Uncertain times call for different strategies. One of the top strategies for hotel e-business is evolving from selling to engaging the customer, points out Henry Harteveldt, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. Hoteliers need to think more like retailers. “To succeed, hoteliers need to fulfill the experience expected by customers, not just think of them as heads in a bed,” says Harteveldt. Another strategy is engaging the customer through social computing, which Harteveldt calls the fifth generation of electronic distribution. “Travel plays a big role in social computing, making social computing a blend of marketing and distribution,” he says. He points out that in Europe, online travelers are “more likely to consume than create social computing content.” (Read More)

Soneva Kiri creates a Host Village for Thai staff

Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood offers its hosts an unequalled lifestyle – their own resort within the estate. Located on Koh Kood on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, scheduled to open at the end of 2008, will not only be the most desirable resort for high-end visitors, but it will also offer its hosts an unequalled lifestyle – their own resort within the Soneva Kiri estate. The materials used in the construction of Soneva Kiri and its Host Village focus on natural materials from sustainable sources and are designed to tread lightly on the earth by applying techniques that are adapted to sustain the integrity of the environment and the local communities into which they become a partner (Read More)

2,000 hoteliers manage multiple web activities with ease

Our Internet appetite is in overdrive; we need every feed, every favorite site and easy access at the click of a mouse. Quick and easy has definitely become the only viable option in our fast paced environment. In response, VIZERGY, formerly SECURE-RES, a Jacksonville, FL based hotel Internet marketing company, introduced My Web World in early January 2008. My Web World, an integrated Web presence management platform and free service to all VIZERGY clients, quickly became THE viable answer. After recently reaching a milestone, serving more than 2,000 multitasking clients, it continues to see a steady increase in users and visits. My Web World manages clients' Web activities including Internet Reservation System and third-party sales channels, Web site reporting, e-mail hosting and event calendars. The "My Active Services" portion of My Web World allows clients to track and review online marketing campaigns and determine how successful their efforts are. The platform also has a reputation monitoring component that provides real time RSS feedback from popular social media and travel review sites, letting clients know exactly what is being said about their property. This user-friendly, one stop location for all VIZERGY clients' marketing services is also easily customizable. Industry news feeds, favorite links and user access can be modified as desired. Additionally, Web site changes can be requested and sent to queue via the platform. "It's about convenience and functionality. At VIZERGY, we pride ourselves on listening to the needs of the client and delivering. Increasing RevPAR and maximizing visibility is a priority," says Joel Carver, senior VP of sales and marketing (Read More)

Ko Samui, maybe it's inhabited!

Text by Harold Stephens

I looked at the chart and then at the island through my binoculars. It appeared lush and green, with rocky cliffs that dropped sheer into the sea. It also appeared be desolated. Not a house or a building, not a road, not a soul to be seen anywhere. "It might not be inhabited," I said to my crew who lined the railing to get a glimpse of the land coming up on our port beam. It was our first sight of land after leaving the lighthouse ship at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. We were on our maiden voyage to Singapore. It was an exciting moment, witnessing our first landfall aboard Schooner Third Sea. I had just completed the construction of my schooner on a small klong down river from Bangkok, and we were heading out to sail the waters of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. After leaving the Chao Phraya, we had encountered bad weather for several days and now welcomed the sight of land (Read More)

Thailand Property Seminar

A number of high profile investors and developers will be offering their expertise at a seminar on Thailand property, which will take place at the Centara Grand Beach Resort on Koh Samui on June 6th from 14:00. “Whether you are interested in urban condominiums or tropical island villas, this seminar will give you the information you need to make the best property investments,” says the organiser. Among the featured speakers are: John Birt, CEO of Samui Villas and Homes; Nigel Cornick, CEO of Raimon Land; and Gary Beisty, Partner at Mayer Brown JSM. After the event is over Raimon Land will host a party at Tradewinds to celebrate the penultimate day of the Samui International Yacht Regatta. For more information on the seminar (Read More)

Emerging Thai market attracting investors

The success of the Thai economy has aroused the interest of international property investors, according to overseas specialist David Stanley Redfern (DSR). The country’s economy got off to a scintillating start to 2008, with first quarter growth at six per cent on the same period last year, and up 5.7 per cent on the last quarter of 2007. Furthermore, after two years of political turmoil - culminating in a coup last year - it seems the new government is finally settling in, and has made economic growth its top priority, argues DSR. The main course of the new administration’s efforts is centred on generating internal and regional investment, with global investment currently slowing following the continued liquidity crisis. "Continued growth in Asia is excellent news for property investment in Thailand, especially in the emerging markets of Thailand's islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, where growth is primarily fuelled by spiralling regional tourism," said Liam Bailey, head of international research at DSR. "Property prices in Koh Samui, an island with more five and six star resorts than any other in Asia, grew by 50 per year, in 2006 and 2007." While purchasing property in the country is difficult – with strict ownership criteria in place – it is possible for overseas citizens to acquire investments through the use of local businesses. The Institute of International Finance (IIF) also casts a positive light on the future of the Thai economy. The IIF has said rising inflation caused by the rising cost of basic materials was the biggest challenge facing Asian economies. However, the organisation also confirmed the problem would subside shortly and that worry over the problem had been greatly exaggerated. Furthermore, the IIF also finds Thailand has the best chance of weathering the global storm, saying: "The leading emerging markets in Asia are well-positioned to weather uncertain and less favourable global conditions." (Read More)

Top Ten Simple Steps to Reducing Global Warming Emissions

If you’re planning a family trip to Glacier National Park in Montana, make sure to schedule it within the next 22 years. Scientists estimate that by 2030 there may not be a single glacier left – that is how quickly the ice is melting. In this way and many, many others, global warming affects us all. And while the United States is only four percent of the world’s population, we are responsible for 22 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. We especially, then, have a responsibility to reduce our emissions and concentrate on stopping climate change. Global warming is the result of too much of a good thing. Greenhouse gases such as CO2 are natural and necessary to an extent, but too much causes the atmosphere to thicken. This thickening causes more heat to be trapped within the atmospheric blanket and temperatures to rise, resulting in climate change. The problem impacts us all, and it is happening right now. Every person emits their share of CO2 and other greenhouse gases through daily activities. This share of CO2 can be greatly reduced if certain simple steps are consciously taken. Every small reduction in CO2 emissions makes a big difference because WE ADD UP. Here are 10 simple steps that anyone can take to reduce their emissions: Recycle. Recycling is something simple that anyone can do everyday – from recycling the morning’s newspaper to the plastic bottle from lunchtime. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Plus, trees actively remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Amazingly enough, recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours. Buy Local. Before arriving at your plate, the average meal travels more than 1,200 miles – all the while using precious energy and CO2. Make an effort to buy as many products as possible that are locally produced – from food and clothes to furniture. It will ensure that the energy consumed by transportation is as low as possible (Read More)

Cities Switch off the Lights for Earth Hour

From the Sydney Opera House to Rome's Colosseum to the Sears Tower's famous antennas in Chicago, floodlit icons of civilization went dark Saturday for Earth Hour, a worldwide campaign to highlight the threat of climate change. The environmental group WWF urged governments, businesses and households to turn back to candle power for at least 60 minutes starting at 8 p.m. wherever they were. The campaign began last year in Australia, and traveled this year from the South Pacific to Europe to North America in cadence with the setting of the sun. "What's amazing is that it's transcending political boundaries and happening in places like China, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea," said Andy Ridley, executive director of Earth Hour. "It really seems to have resonated with anybody and everybody." Earth Hour officials hoped 100 million people would turn off their nonessential lights and electronic goods for the hour. Electricity plants produce greenhouse gases that fuel climate change (Read More)

Tourism "boosting Thai property"

Thailand’s biggest international real estate provider, CB Richard Ellis, has reported soaring interest in holiday home investment, which it attributes to booming tourism and an increase in flight links. In Phuket, the firm reports a 32 per cent increase in transactions from the third to last quarter of 2007, with a 59 per cent increase in their value, based on the latest statistics from the Land Department. While villas prices doubled from 2000 to 2006, CBRE said: “Phuket remains globally competitive. Prices and interest remain solid.” Market enthusiasm is attributed to growing tourism, with tourist arrivals to Phuket exceeding 5 million last year, complimented by a robust 22.5 per cent increase in visitors to Thailand. These included many from new tourism sources, such as Russia, the UAE, Switzerland and eastern European countries. “As a result, there is a broader global customer base for high-end villas. Previously, most customers were expatriates from Hong Kong and Singapore. Now we are seeing a rise in demand from NRIs, Russians and Eastern Europeans,” said CBRE. Airlines have responded to demand, most notably with new connections from regional budget carriers. From Singapore, budget airline Tiger Airways is supporting Silk Air connections. Air Asia has introduced new flights from Kuala Lumpur, and introduces daily flights between Macau and Phuket in May 2008. Dragon Air is meanwhile upgrading its Phuket-Hong Kong route in peak seasons with larger aircraft and 90 international chartered flights in the last high season from October 2007 to March 2008, which represented a 150 per cent increase from last year. With new flight links, investors are also looking for opportunities beyond Phuket to areas such as Phang Nga, Krabi and outlying islands in the Andaman Sea, said the realtor (Read More)

Thai property to show in Munich

Visitors to the upcoming Expo Real 2008 in the German city of Munich will be given the opportunity to view a range of Thai properties for the first time after organisers revealed that real estate in the Kingdom will feature heavily among the show´s overseas properties. The event, which is now in its 11th year, is set to take place from 6 to 8 October 2008 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. The expo´s exhibition manager, Björn Kempe, told Property Report Thailand, “We chose to move into Southeast Asia after last year´s focus on India, and a previous emphasis on Korea.” He continued, ““With the US decline, the EU decline, especially in southern europe, Asia is very much a growth area. Thailand is on the pitch – especially with regard to commercial real estate.” The event acts an international platform for networking on projects, investment and finance. It covers the entire spectrum of the property sector and brings together players from all the key markets from Europe, the Middle East and the US. An extensive conference programme, featuring around 400 speakers, provides an in-depth overview of current trends and innovations in property investment and finance. The previous event, held last year, attracted 1,823 exhibitors from 43 countries and 23,800 visitors from 77 countries. In addition, some 15,000 representatives from the exhibiting companies were also present at the fair, bringing the total number of participants to more than 39,000 (Read More)

2007 Second Warmest Year on Record

With the record for 2007 now complete, it is clear that temperatures around the world are continuing their upward climb. The global average in 2007 was 14.73 degrees Celsius (58.5 degrees Fahrenheit)—the second warmest year on record, only 0.03 degrees Celsius behind the 2005 maximum. January 2007 was the hottest January ever measured, a full 0.23 degrees Celsius warmer than the previous record. August was also a record for that month and September was the second warmest September recorded. Looking at the northern hemisphere alone, 2007 temperatures averaged 15.04 degrees Celsius (59.1 degrees Fahrenheit)—easily the hottest year in the northern half of the globe since the record began in 1880, and more than a degree warmer than the 1951–80 average. Paleo-temperature records from ancient tree rings suggest that the northern hemisphere is now warmer than at any time in at least the last 1,200 years. The year 2007 fits into a pattern of steadily increasing global average temperature, with the eight warmest years on record all occurring in the last decade. According to the dataset maintained by NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, global average temperature rose from 14.02 degrees Celsius in the 1970s to 14.26 degrees in the 1980s and then to 14.40 degrees in the 1990s. In the first eight years of the twenty-first century, the world averaged 14.64 degrees Celsius. (See data.) Since 1990, mean global temperature has risen by 0.33 degrees, a rate of increase faster than climate models had predicted (Read More)

Being Eco-friendly on a Budget

As the global market trend turns towards saving the environment, every day manufacturers are researching and producing products that help sustain the earth’s natural resources. Hybrid cars are replacing gas guzzling SUVs. Supermarkets are featuring affordable grocery totes to replace plastic and paper bags. Major corporations, such as GE, are proudly stating their commitment to the environment by producing systems that use less energy and are ecologically sound. While these alternatives are excellent for the environment, many businesses find that the strain on their corporate wallets is too much to bear. So the question remains: is it possible for a company to go green on a budget? The answer is yes. In fact, there are several affordable eco-friendly options for businesses who want to help do their part to conserve our natural resources. Here are some ways that affordable promotional products can help reduce the strain on the environment without straining your budget (Read More)

Home Improvement Done Right

According to studies conducted for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, residential construction and demolition projects accounted for 58 million tons of waste in 1996, and as much as 90 percent of this waste is recyclable. To help address this problem, the American Society of Interior Designers’ Foundation and the U.S. Green Building Council recently released a set of guidelines for best practices in sustainable home improvement projects (see the related links). With a little reading and advance planning, you can reduce the environmental impact of your next project—whether big or small—by adopting these strategies: Reduce. Begin by thinking about the most efficient use of the available space and daylight, what materials or systems you can reuse, and how you can minimize the scope (and cost) of your project. You might even consider taking advantage of renewable resources such as solar energy (for electricity or water heating), wind power, geothermal energy (via a heat pump), or a combined heat-and-power system. If you’ll be working with a contractor, choose one who is willing to recycle and work with recycled/reused or “green” products. The EPA recommends that a contractor’s bid be accompanied by a plan for reducing, reusing, or recycling construction waste as well as a description of the contractor’s experience with similar projects and references from those projects. The best possible option is a contractor or architect who has LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification—but be sure to ask for proof. (Read More)

More protection for buyers of condos

Samui a world property hotspot

More hotel arrivals

Tanayong, a large residential and commercial property development company, has announced plans to open 12 hotels in Thailand over the next 5 years. Managing Director, Khun Kavin Kanjanapas, said the company intended to acquire and build a deluxe brand of hotels and resorts including one on Samui. Tanayong has appointed InVision Hospitality, a hotel consultant firm, to create the brand U Hotels and Resorts. Each will have a maximum 100 rooms and in some cases will include a residential element. TCC Land has set aside an investment budget of nearly Bt10 billion for new hotels this year. Samui will see the opening of two Imm Brand Hotels. The Erawan Group has released a plan to double revenues with its biggest expansion drive for 25 years. The three-year Bt9 billion development plan focuses on the hotel business. It will build 12 new hotels including an Accor Ibis budget hotel on Samui and rooms will be added to Renaissance Samui as part of the plan. After 36 years of operating locally Amari Hotels and Resorts is expanding internationally. However, despite the move abroad, the company is also in the process of developing a new hotel on Samui worth Bt1.6 billion which is scheduled to open in 2010 (Read More)

Asia’s boutique island to grow

Research by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has shown that Samui is experiencing significant growth. Last year, the island welcomed 1.5 million visitors, up from 600,000 in 2000. These tourist arrivals are expected to rise further with the introduction of the Thai Airways’ flights. In fact, the number of airport arrivals this year is expected to surpass the 2 million mark. Khun Prakaipeth Meechoosarn, Manager of CB Richard Ellis Samui, stated, “The improved connectivity will be a key factor in supporting growth in the area’s property market.” CBRE remains confident of the long-term prospects of the Thai resort market. Last year, the company opened on Samui as part of its plan to expand its network in Thailand. Its research said land prices in Samui continued to rise last year even though the number of individual transactions dropped, due to uncertainty surrounding proposed changes to the Foreign Business Act. The value of property transactions in 2007 was estimated at an average of Bt413 million a month, down from an average of Bt450 million in 2006. But, since last December’s general election, viewings and sales have increased. CBRE is now witnessing more developments within a price range of $2 - 3 million and believes that Samui is poised to soar on the back of a growing supply of strong, reputable brands. Samui may always be smaller in size than Phuket but it’s forging ahead in the real-estate field (Read More)

A Perfect Samui Landing For “Royal Orchid” Service

Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. led by Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, President, organized a gala dinner to launch their new route to Koh Samui at Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui. The guests of honour included Vinai Buapradit, Governor of Suratthani, Supatra Chirathivat, an owner of the hotel and Senior Vice President – Development of Centara Hotels & Resorts, Dr.Prasert Prasartthong-Osoth, Chaisawas Kittipornpaiboon, The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Transport, Adisorn Kumnerdsiri, Sheriff of Koh Samui. The theme ‘French Polynesian’ was set in the main lawn of Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui. The theme colour was purple which is the colour of Thai Airways International’s (TG) logo. The guests were asked to wear white and cream. The party started with a cocktails reception, followed by a buffet dinner. When all the guests arrived, the Brazilian Dancers of Samui Zico’s Restaurant performed and Flg. Off. Apinan Sumanaseni, the President of TG came up on the stage welcoming all the distinguished guests and presses. Thereafter, Vinai Buapradit, the Governor of Suratthani province, was invited to give an opening speech. The champagne was opened and then everybody toasted to mark the launch of this new route. Famous singer Jennifer Kim came on Stage with the Famous Ko-Mr.Sax Man to surprise all the guests. Great fun was had by all and the party concluded with a lucky draw to win round-trip tickets Samui-Bangkok-Hong Kong, a round-trip ticket Samui-Bangkok-Chiang Mai and a round-trip ticket Bangkok-Samui with accommodation. Now TG is ready to receive bookings to Samui!! (Read More)

Despite the fears of a global market slowdown

Despite the fears of a global market slowdown caused by what many analysts are already calling a recession in the U.S., the overseas property investment sector continues to flourish. While David Stanley Redfern Ltd research into overseas property markets is ongoing, their 2008 research is finally at a point where they are willing to present their top investment destinations and the reasons why. Liam Bailey, head of international research for the international property specialist said: "This will be the first part in a serious that will first cover the top five destinations for short-term investment, and then the top five destinations for long-term investments. Doing them in groups of two allows us to give a more detailed explanation of why we favour each one as a good destination for property investment." (Read More)

A Perfect Samui Landing For “Royal Orchid” Service

New Thailand tourism website; Songkran festival in April

Samui expected to pass Phuket as most expensive resort destination