BANGKOK, 20 August 2012: Thailand is gaining ground ?as a business travel destination in the Asia Pacific region, while it ranks top for attracting the most female business travellers, according to the latest Accor Asia-Pacific Business Traveller Research.
Last week, Accor revealed its research on business travellers in the Asia-Pacific for the first half of 2012. Based on the group?s loyalty reward programme, it gained feedback through an online survey involving 2,586 people in nine countries in Asia Pacific. The study ran from 10 to 16 July.
The top spend on business travel went to Singapore, followed by India and Hong Kong based on average length of stay and daily spend on accommodation.
Across the Asia Pacific region, Hong Kong remained the top business travel destination, followed by Singapore, while Thailand gained recognition as an emerging destination in Southeast Asia. It gained positive feedback from respondents in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
The research also reflected trends in outbound travel, indicating 37% of Thai business travellers ,who responded to the survey, made business trips to Singapore (37%), Hong Kong (26%) and Malaysia (22%) during the first half of 2012.
Travel trends for the second half of the year suggest 40% of Thai business travellers will visit Singapore, 34% Hong Kong and 28% Japan.
Japan made gains during the first half of the year as a business travel destination, up from a ranking of six to three.
Thailand gained a mention for attracting the most female business travellers (40%), while Australia and New Zealand came in second and third place; 33% and 30%. India gained the lowest ranking in this segment with just 6% of those answering the survey.
Average number of trips also increased in most markets except for Singapore . Thailand ranked fourth in generating trips, up from five to nine trips. The top three countries that had the most business trips in the first six-month of this year were China (nine to 17), India (seven to 13) and Indonesia (six to 10).
On the prompts that generate travel the top three for Thai travellers were: Business has increased since last year (45%); role changed or shift in position (43%) and increases in sales and marketing effort required business trips (30%).
On requirements that determine the hotel choice, the top three answers across all cities were: The hotel is near the business venue (53%), free Wi-Fi connection (49%) and competitive rates (46%).
Looking at Thai market, Thai business travellers prefer free Wi-Fi connections the most (60%), followed by location near business venue (50%), loyalty card membership (40%) and competitive rates (39%).
Countries where respondents shared the same priority for free Wi-Fi connections were Singapore (63%), Malaysia (62%) and Hong Kong (57%), while countries like Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia preferred location ahead of free internet services.
In terms of spending, Thailand ranked sixth in the average hotel allowance per night at US$107, down from US$112 in last year?s survey. The top three spenders on accommodation were Australia (US$173, up from US$158), Singapore (US$156, up from US$134) and India (US$133, up from US$128).
However, when average spending was multiplied by average length of stay, Singapore ranked top with a spending of US$468, followed by India (US$399) and Hong Kong (US$387). Thailand ranking remanded unchanged with a spend of US$321.
Contact: Leslie Stein stein@monell.org 267-519-4707 Monell Chemical Senses Center
Exposed children less able to keep airways clear and protect lungs
PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2012) New research from the Monell Center reveals that exposure to secondhand smoke decreases sensitivity to cough-eliciting respiratory irritants in otherwise healthy children and adolescents. The findings may help to explain why children of smokers are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases and also are more likely to experiment with smoking during adolescence.
"Cough protects our lungs from potentially damaging environmental threats, such as chemicals and dust. Living with a parent who smokes weakens this reflex, one of the most vital of the human body," said Julie Mennella, Ph.D., a developmental biologist at Monell who co-directed the study with Monell sensory scientist Paul Wise, Ph.D.
Children are exposed to more secondhand smoke than nonsmoking adults, with 60 percent of U.S. children aged 3-11 years and 18 million youth aged 12-19 years exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis.
Adult smokers are known to have a less sensitive cough reflex relative to non-smokers, meaning that it takes more irritation to elicit a cough in the smokers. The Monell research team conducted the current study to ask if the cough reflex of children and adolescents who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke is affected in a similar fashion.
In the study, which appears in Tobacco and Nicotine Research, 38 healthy children aged 10-17 years old inhaled increasing concentrations of capsaicin from a nebulizer. Capsaicin is the burning ingredient in chili peppers and a potent chemical stimulus for cough. Seventeen of the youth were regularly exposed to smoke in the home, while 21 were never exposed to smoke at home. Parents also were tested.
The amount of capsaicin in the nebulizer was increased after each inhalation until the subject coughed twice. The capsaicin concentration that induced the two coughs was labeled as the individual's cough threshold.
Youth regularly exposed to secondhand smoke required twice as much capsaicin to trigger cough as did non-exposed children, meaning that the exposed children were less sensitive to the irritating environmental stimulus. A similar finding was true for the parents, confirming earlier findings.
The findings highlight a previously unrecognized public health risk from exposure to secondhand smoke. An insensitive cough reflex could make exposed children less able to cope with environmental threats, which could in turn play a role in their increased risk for developing respiratory illness.
"This study suggests that even if an exposed child is not coughing, his or her respiratory health may still be affected by secondhand smoke," said Wise.
It is also possible that an insensitive cough reflex could increase the risk of adolescents acquiring a smoking habit by making experimentation with smoking less unpleasant.
Future research will explore the relationships among secondhand smoke exposure, cough reflex and the sensory response to cigarettes to ask if exposure-related decreased sensitivity to irritants makes smoking more pleasurable to teens. The researchers will also seek funding to determine whether impairment of the cough reflex is reversible and how this may relate to the age when secondhand smoke exposure ceases.
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Also contributing to the study was Susana Finkbeiner of Monell. This project was funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.
The Monell Chemical Senses Center is an independent nonprofit basic research institute based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Monell advances scientific understanding of the mechanisms and functions of taste and smell to benefit human health and well-being. Using an interdisciplinary approach, scientists collaborate in program areas of sensation and perception; neuroscience and molecular biology; environmental and occupational health; nutrition and appetite; health and well-being; development, aging and regeneration; and chemical ecology and communication. For more information about Monell, visit www.monell.org.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Contact: Leslie Stein stein@monell.org 267-519-4707 Monell Chemical Senses Center
Exposed children less able to keep airways clear and protect lungs
PHILADELPHIA (August 20, 2012) New research from the Monell Center reveals that exposure to secondhand smoke decreases sensitivity to cough-eliciting respiratory irritants in otherwise healthy children and adolescents. The findings may help to explain why children of smokers are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis and other diseases and also are more likely to experiment with smoking during adolescence.
"Cough protects our lungs from potentially damaging environmental threats, such as chemicals and dust. Living with a parent who smokes weakens this reflex, one of the most vital of the human body," said Julie Mennella, Ph.D., a developmental biologist at Monell who co-directed the study with Monell sensory scientist Paul Wise, Ph.D.
Children are exposed to more secondhand smoke than nonsmoking adults, with 60 percent of U.S. children aged 3-11 years and 18 million youth aged 12-19 years exposed to tobacco smoke on a regular basis.
Adult smokers are known to have a less sensitive cough reflex relative to non-smokers, meaning that it takes more irritation to elicit a cough in the smokers. The Monell research team conducted the current study to ask if the cough reflex of children and adolescents who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke is affected in a similar fashion.
In the study, which appears in Tobacco and Nicotine Research, 38 healthy children aged 10-17 years old inhaled increasing concentrations of capsaicin from a nebulizer. Capsaicin is the burning ingredient in chili peppers and a potent chemical stimulus for cough. Seventeen of the youth were regularly exposed to smoke in the home, while 21 were never exposed to smoke at home. Parents also were tested.
The amount of capsaicin in the nebulizer was increased after each inhalation until the subject coughed twice. The capsaicin concentration that induced the two coughs was labeled as the individual's cough threshold.
Youth regularly exposed to secondhand smoke required twice as much capsaicin to trigger cough as did non-exposed children, meaning that the exposed children were less sensitive to the irritating environmental stimulus. A similar finding was true for the parents, confirming earlier findings.
The findings highlight a previously unrecognized public health risk from exposure to secondhand smoke. An insensitive cough reflex could make exposed children less able to cope with environmental threats, which could in turn play a role in their increased risk for developing respiratory illness.
"This study suggests that even if an exposed child is not coughing, his or her respiratory health may still be affected by secondhand smoke," said Wise.
It is also possible that an insensitive cough reflex could increase the risk of adolescents acquiring a smoking habit by making experimentation with smoking less unpleasant.
Future research will explore the relationships among secondhand smoke exposure, cough reflex and the sensory response to cigarettes to ask if exposure-related decreased sensitivity to irritants makes smoking more pleasurable to teens. The researchers will also seek funding to determine whether impairment of the cough reflex is reversible and how this may relate to the age when secondhand smoke exposure ceases.
###
Also contributing to the study was Susana Finkbeiner of Monell. This project was funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which specifically disclaims responsibility for any analyses, interpretations, or conclusions.
The Monell Chemical Senses Center is an independent nonprofit basic research institute based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Monell advances scientific understanding of the mechanisms and functions of taste and smell to benefit human health and well-being. Using an interdisciplinary approach, scientists collaborate in program areas of sensation and perception; neuroscience and molecular biology; environmental and occupational health; nutrition and appetite; health and well-being; development, aging and regeneration; and chemical ecology and communication. For more information about Monell, visit www.monell.org.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
The ABC s Of real Estate Investing. The top ten tips employed by the most successful real estate investors to ensure the success of their property portfolios
Just because real estate prices seem to have hit a temporary ceiling in many countries around the world, that doesn?t mean that profits from property investments are hard to come by.
Even during a real estate market slowdown, stagnation or depression profits can be made locally and overseas. This article shows you the top ten tips that real estate investors apply to their property portfolio building strategy to ensure success from their investments.
1) Research the curve ? the concept of a property market cycle existing is not myth it?s a fact and is generally accepted to be based on a price-income relationship. Check the recent historical price data for properties in the area of the country you?re considering purchasing in and try to determine the overall feel in the market for prices currently. Are prices rising, are prices falling or have they reached a peak. You need to know where the curve of the property market cycle is at in your preferred investment area.
2) Get ahead of the curve ? as a basic rule of thumb, professional real estate property investors seek to buy ahead of the curve. If a market is rising they will try and target up and coming areas, areas that are close to locations that have peaked, areas close to locations experiencing redevelopment or investment. These areas will most likely become ?the next big thing? and those who by in before the trend will stand to make the most gains. As a market is stagnating or falling many successful investors target areas that enjoyed the best levels of growth, yields and profits very early on in the previous cycle because these areas will most likely be the first areas to become profitable as the cycle begins turning towards positive once more.
3) Know your market ? who are you buying property for? Are you buying to let to young executives, purchasing for renovation to resell to a family market or purchasing jet to let real estate for short term rental to holiday makers? Think about your market before you make a purchase. Know what they look for in a property and ensure that is what you are going to be offering them
4) Think further afield ? there are emerging real estate property markets around the world where countries? economies are going from strength to strength, where a growing tourism sector is pushing up demand or where constitutional legislation has been or is about to be changed to allow for foreign freehold ownership of property for example. Look further afield than your own back yard for your next property investment and diversify that real estate portfolio for maximum success.
5) Purchase price ? set yourself a budget that will realistically allow you to purchase what you?re looking for and profit from that purchase either through capital gains or rental yield.
6) Entry costs ? research fees, charges and all expenses you will incur when you buy your property ? they differ from country to country and sometimes even from state to state. In Turkey for example you should add on an additional 5% of the purchase price for all fees, in Spain you will need to factor in an average of 10% and in Germany fees and charges can be in excess of 20%. Know how much you will have to incur and factor this amount into your budget to avoid any nasty surprises and to ensure your investment can become profitable.
7) Capital growth potential ? what factors point to the potential profitability of your real estate property investment? If you?re looking overseas at an emerging market, which economic or social indicators exist to suggest that property prices will increase? If you?re buying to let out are there any indications to suggest that demand for rental accommodation will remain strong, increase or even decline? Think about what you want to achieve from your investment and then research and find out whether your expectations are realistic. Exit costs ? if you will incur substantial capital gains taxation liability if you sell your property investment for profit, will that render the investment profitless? In Spain a foreign buyer can incur up to 35% capital gains tax, in Turkey on the other hand property sales are capital gains tax free if the underlying real estate has been owned for four or more years.
9) Profit margins ? what levels of capital growth can you realistically gain on your property investment or how much rental income can you generate? Work out these facts and then work backwards towards your initial budget to work out your potential profit margins. At all times you have to keep the bigger picture in mind to ensure that your real estate investment has good potential for profit.
10) Think long term ? unless you?re buying property off plan and intending to flip it for resale and profit before completion you should view real estate investment as a long term investment. Real estate is a slow to liquidate asset, cash tied up in property is not simple to free up. Take a long term approach to your property portfolio and give your assets time to increase in value before cashing them in for profit.
A special offer to help you get started. I?m only making this offer to a few selected people, and when the few spaces I have are taken I?ll be withdrawing the offer with out notice so if you would like to take advantage of these FREE up dates for a limited period only then visit the following website: http://realestatesecrets1000.com
Violence of any sort is not acceptable in a relationship or marriage. Sadly, many women stay in marriages where acts related to domestic violence are common and pervasive. While it may be difficult to leave for a variety of reasons, it's important that women who are in abusive relationships take the steps necessary to preserve their mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
News recently broke of an incident involving domestic violence between NFL wide receiver Chad 'Ochocinco' Johnson and his wife Evelyn Lozada. According to the police report, Lozada confronted her husband after discovering a box of condoms in his vehicle. The newlyweds were arguing outside the front of their home when Johnson became violent and head-butted Lozada.
Police arrived and arrested Johnson on charges related to domestic violence. Lozada was treated for a large laceration on her forehead. She subsequently filed for divorce from the NFL player.
In an act of bravery, Lozada released a statement related to the incident and her decision to file for divorce. In it she references her disappointment and sadness and encourages her soon-to-be ex-husband to seek professional help. She also comments that she hopes her ability to come forward and speak out against acts of domestic violence will encourage other women to do the same.
Women who are in abusive and violent relationships may be fearful of trying to leave. A divorce attorney who is experienced in dealing with domestic violence and abusive situations can provide counsel on how to seek and obtain legal protection. Devising a plan to leave and obtaining a protective or restraining order is the first step in starting a new life.
Source: The Huffington Post, "Evelyn Lozada Files For Divorce Form Chap Johnson, Rep Confirms," Lee Hernandez, Aug. 14, 2012
Lakhdar Brahimi, a veteran diplomat troubleshooter, will take over from Kofi Annan as the international envoy on the Syria conflict, the United Nations said.
UN leader Ban Ki-moon appealed to the divided international powers to give "strong, clear and unified" support to the new envoy, who in turn said he was not confident he could end the 17-month-old civil war.
Annan is stepping down at the end of the month. The former UN secretary general complained about the lack of international support shown for his six-month campaign to make President Bashar al-Assad and opposition fighters end their hostilities.
Brahimi, 78, has vast experience handling conflict-stricken states.
He was Algeria's foreign minister from 1991-93 and later became a UN envoy in Afghanistan before and after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and in Iraq after the 2003 invasion.
While representing the Arab League, Brahimi helped end the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s, negotiating with the Syrian government of the time.
UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey said Brahimi would come to New York "soon" for talks.
"The violence and the suffering in Syria must come to an end," Ban said in a statement released by his spokesman.
"The secretary general appreciates Mr Brahimi's willingness to bring his considerable talents and experience to this crucial task for which he will need, and rightly expects, the strong, clear and unified support of the international community, including the Security Council," the spokesman added.
Russia, Assad's main ally, and China have vetoed three UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, accusing Western nations of only seeking forced regime change.
Brahimi has been in prolonged talks with Ban on the role and at times there has been doubt over whether he would take the post.
Seeking to distinguish himself from Annan, Brahimi will be known as the joint special representative instead of joint special envoy.
But he will still act for the United Nations and the Arab League, even though Assad's government has refused to recognize Arab League involvement in the mediation.
Brahimi said again that the UN Security Council must overcome its bitter divisions on Syria, where activists say more than 23,000 people have died.
"We are going to discuss very, very seriously how they can help," Brahimi told the France 24 news channel. "They are asking me to do this job. If they don't support me, there is no job so I am looking forward to discussing with them."
Asked whether he was confident the civil war could be ended, Brahimi said: "No, I'm not. What I am confident of is that I am going to try my utmost, my very, very best."
Diplomats said Brahimi had sought a sign of "strong support" from the Security Council before accepting.
In a letter to Ban on Thursday, the 15 Security Council members said they "reiterated their support to your good offices and to the mission of the joint special envoy for Syria."
But in a new sign of the international divisions over the conflict, Western and Arab nations boycotted a meeting called by Russia in New York. Russia postponed the meeting.
Russia's UN envoy Vitaly Churkin said his government had wanted to discuss a possible appeal to Assad and the opposition to end the fighting.
But the United States, Britain, France and Arab nations Qatar and Turkey told Russia they would not attend, diplomats said.
Only China and the United Nations accepted the invitation, while Iraq was the only Arab nation to express an interest.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed Brahimi as the new international envoy, while the White House asked for the UN to provide answers about his mandate.
"My message to Special Envoy Brahimi is simple: The United States stands ready to support you and secure a lasting peace that upholds the legitimate aspirations for a representative government of the people of Syria," Clinton said.
Britain said it "fully supports" Brahimi's appointment, welcoming the "vast experience" he brought to the role of seeking a political solution to the violence.
Alistair Burt, a junior British foreign minister, said he looked forward to a chance to discuss with Brahimi "the ways in which the UK can support him and diplomatic efforts to end the violence in Syria."
I have been very busy lately. It is summer and I have been avoiding the rut I got into last year of blogging all day. Instead, family time has been a priority. I was hoping that the more relaxed schedule, the ability to sleep in past 5am, and the absence of work stress would help me feel less tired.
You see, I have been fighting fatigue for some time now. My doctor gave me the all clear, reminding me that I have been more than stressed for the past three years as my son battled leukemia. I feel now, however, that I should have recovered more from that than my body actually has. I will never ?relax? and forget about it all, but I don?t have the immediate stress of the illness anymore. So what is going on?
I have found that I wake up feeling like I have not been to sleep at all. For months I have been sleeping like a baby and feeling exhausted upon waking. Recently, I have not been able to get to sleep at night, despite being bone tired, so I think my new-found passion for coffee is screwing me up some!
I know I have been given a clean bill of health but I am a little suspicious of my adrenal glands. Having such high stress levels for so long will have filled my body with the stress hormone cortisol. That wreaks havoc with your adrenals. So I have been looking for natural ways to try to regulate this. I know I need a good eating plan:
?Avoid gluten ? a protein that many women with adrenal imbalance may be sensitive to. ?Eat adequate protein at every meal ? important for energy and stamina. ?Eat within an hour of waking ? helps restore healthy blood sugar levels. ?Eat healthy fats. ?Eliminate all ?white? food ? refined sugar, flour, and grains, at least temporarily. (This is easy as I already do this for the most part)
running
In addition to eating well, I also need to follow a gentle and regular exercise routine. Here is where it gets a little tricky. You see I am about to sign up to run a half-marathon ? more on that in another post, so I am going to have to train. This means balancing my exercise program to meet the needs of both my adrenal fatigue and my goal of running a crazy amount of miles when I can?t even make it to the end of our street without keeling over!
I also have to take into consideration my herniated disc at the base of my neck. This is an old injury which threatens to pop from time to time, always at the most inconvenient moment, and is a constant nagging companion whenever I decide to be awake!!! I have learned that exercise is the best thing for it; strengthening the muscles around my neck keeps the disc in place. I just have to be careful!
So this is where I am at. School is going to start soon so I need to get my butt back on that crazy schedule. My kids are going to the local school (instead of schlepping down to the school I teach at miles away), so we have a new way of doing things to figure out. I am working on kicking my adrenals into shape along with my ?within normal weight? body with the ?not going to run anywhere fast? physique. Big boobs and butt are sexy to some, but my expanding middle (also a sign of adrenal fatigue) is not! It is also one of the unhealthiest places to gain weight. This healthy working mom wants to reevaluate and get her game on again!
on August 18, 2012 4:20 am in Australia Business News / no comments
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Business Travel Management Predicts Consumer Gains From Recent ... Virtual-Strategy Magazine In their weekly news recap this week, Business Travel Management was upbeat on several news updates in the world of business travel pertaining to Australia. It shared details and reactions to the Qantas and Emirates Airlines Codeshare Deal, Asiana ...
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Exit costs ? if you will incur substantial capital gains taxation liability if you sell your property investment for profit, will that render the investment profitless? In Spain a foreign buyer can incur up to 35% capital gains tax, in Turkey on the other hand property sales are capital gains tax free if the underlying real estate has been owned for four or more years.
I have been very busy lately. It is summer and I have been avoiding the rut I got into last year of blogging all day. Instead, family time has been a priority. I was hoping that the more relaxed schedule, the ability to sleep in past 5am, and the absence of work stress would help me feel less tired. 