“Hilton is the leader in global hospitality and this research speaks to our strong brand power across Asia,” said Dave Horton, global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. “In addition to unmatched brand awareness, Hilton has earned the trust and affinity of today’s global travelers and continues to lead through innovation and a genuine commitment to refreshing hospitality.”

The results were based on interviews conducted with more than 3,300 people across 10 markets including Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. Consumers surveyed were asked to name brands in different categories that they trust the most or have the best reputation in terms of product and service standards. The other major product and service categories include financial services, retail, automotive and consumer electronics.

Respondents were asked the following questions:

• When you think of [product / service] category, which is the best brand that comes to your mind? By best, we mean the one that you trust the most or the one that has the best reputation in [product / service] category.
• Apart from the best brand that you entered, which brand do you consider to be the second-best brand in the [product / service] category?

“Being named the top hotel brand in Asia is a strong endorsement of the efforts being made by our teams who consistently deliver exceptional, quality accommodations and services. We will strive to maintain this enviable position as the hotel brand of choice,” said Martin Rinck, area president – Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton currently has 47 hotels in operation in Asia and more than 530 properties worldwide. Hilton Beijing Capital Airport, China’s first luxury airport hotel, opened in July and the brand’s extensive development pipeline includes 33 properties in the Asia Pacific region. Hilton Hongqiao Shanghai (China), Hilton Pattaya (Thailand), Hilton Chennai Guindy (India) scheduled to open during the next two months.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the largest wilderness tract in the eastern U.S. (800 square miles) and America’s most visited national park (nine million people a year), is a target for many of those travelers, and the resort town of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., becomes “Leaf-Peeper Headquarters.”

“Mother Nature puts on her show, and Pigeon Forge provides lodging, restaurants, family attractions, shopping, theater entertainment and its own autumn decorations,” said Leon Downey, the city’s executive director of tourism.

Pigeon Forge is in the valley of the Little Pigeon River, and businesses throughout town build decorative displays with hay bales, mums, gourds, pumpkins and sunflowers for Pigeon Forge Harvestfest (Oct. 1-30) during the height of fall color season. Another major seasonal event is the Rotary Club Craft Festival at Patriot Park (Oct. 2-30), which features dozens of artists and craftsmen from around the region.

The Dollywood theme park celebrates the season with its National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration (Oct. 1-31), and Dollywood’s steam locomotive offers special train rides into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

One of autumn’s most spectacular sights is visible from Pigeon Forge’s central street, the Parkway, when the golden glow of a Tennessee sunset bathes the west-facing slope of Mt. LeConte (elevation 6,593).

Mt. LeConte is a popular hiking destination, while Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee at 6,643 feet, can be reached by car.

Whether on Mt. LeConte, Clingmans Dome or any other Smoky Mountains ridge, there’s a variety of color. Maples turn red and orange; sourwoods turn pink; sumacs turn red; tulip poplars turn yellow; and beech trees turn yellow. Most years, the color continues well into November.

More than a dozen theaters, some seating up to 1,500, offer more than 20 shows for entertainment after nightfall when a day’s leaf-peeping is done. Country and gospel music are plentiful, magicians spring their surprises in two theaters, family-friendly comedy reigns at another and there’s even a murder-mystery theater.

Visitors never go hungry in Pigeon Forge. True Southern country cooking is featured at the Old Mill Restaurant and Mama’s Farmhouse, barbeque is plentiful and the newest restaurant in town – the Partridge and Pear – offers a hint of Christmas holiday feasts every month of the year.

Full visitor information is available online at MyPigeonForge.com and toll-free at 1-800-251-9100. Tennessee’s fall foliage hotline is 800-697-4200.

The three have become finalists in Project: Aloft Star, the online talent search launched by Aloft Hotels and the first-ever musical artist discovery program created by a hotel brand. Aloft^(R) is the much-talked about style-at-a-steal brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT).

Fans still have the chance to choose the ultimate Project: Aloft Star winner from the three finalists. Voting will take place on Facebook until September 15 and Aloft will announce the winning act on September 20. The contest victor will get to kick off the main stage November 13 t “Live In The Vineyard,” a twice-yearly, private three-day music, wine and food festival in California’s Napa Valley, also presented by Aloft.

The winning artist will perform alongside stars like Natasha Bedingfield, KT Tunstall and Zac Brown Band and before
some of the music industry’s top moguls. The winners will also get the chance to hit the road to play Aloft hotels throughout the nited States as part of an Aloft-sponsored tour.

“Aloft guests are tastemakers who thrive on creative energy. They’re also zealous about scoping out what’s next and this is a perfect way for us to deliver that to them,” said Brian McGuinness, Starwood’s Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood.

About the finalists: Adrian Bourgeois is a Sacramento-based singer/songwriter who “performs soft pop in a way that will conjure a warm-hearted mix of Abbey Road, Elliott Smith, and the Left Banke (The Providence Phoenix). Crooner Jake Smith, based
in Atlanta, has sold out gigs at the local House of Blues and earned raves at Atlanta’s JazzFest. And indie/folk artist Jen Lowe Band is “as good as it gets,” according to internet music-radio host Ron Wiles.

Launched in June 2010, Project: Aloft Star solicited artist music videos on Facebook (Facebook.com/AloftHotels, RockOut&Win tab). Aloft plans to make the competition an annual event. Here’s how it works: Aspiring “Aloft Stars” submitted a video of an acoustic performance of original material. The top three finalists were chosen based on a combination of votes from Facebook fans, Aloft guests, and Live In the Vineyard organizers. Facebook rocked with activity from aspiring musicians and eager fans. Project: loft Star generated nearly 5,000 fan votes and hundreds of comments for submissions from around the world.

Project: Aloft Star is just the latest musical riff from Aloft. Aloft properties also serve as intimate concert venues for on-the-verge
artists who rock it up close and personal with hotel guests and locals alike through a series of “Live at Aloft Hotels”  events throughout the year.

Aloft is the 2010 presenting sponsor for Live in the Vineyard, a private, winner-only music event currently in its third year and held every April and November.

The country made history recently when both the PGA TOUR and LPGA announced tournaments would be held in Malaysia. “This is indeed very exciting for the PGA TOUR to be able to venture into Southeast Asia, an opportunity made possible through the commitment shown by the Malaysian government, the organizational capabilities of Carbon Worldwide and PGA Promotions of Malaysia, and access to a world-class golf facility in The Mines Resort & Golf Club. Southeast Asia has great potential for burgeoning growth in golf, and we are extremely pleased to take this significant first step into the marketplace,” said PGA TOUR Vice President of Business Development, Matthew Rapp.

Malaysia has an incredible array of golf courses spread throughout the country, from city landscapes surrounded with gleaming skyscrapers to lush jungles—monkeys and exotic birds included. Many of these beautiful courses were created by world-renowned designers such as Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent-Jones, Max Wexler, and Ted Parslow.

“Malaysia is rapidly emerging as Asia’s leading golf destination, with over 200 golf courses currently available around the country. It has bloomed as the ideal destination for combining a memorable vacation with an exciting game of golf; and the hosting of a PGA TOUR event is testimony to Malaysia’s strong golfing heritage,” said the Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak.

The PGA TOUR will introduce the Asia Pacific Golf Classic, Malaysia 2010 at The Mines Resort & Golf Club from October 28 – 31, 2010, the first multi-year agreement in Southeast Asia. The inaugural event will feature 40 international players with a USD $6 million purse, with another USD $1 million going to the winner.

The LPGA inaugural Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia will be played at the impressive Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from October 22 – 24, 2010. The three-year agreement tournament will feature the top 50 LPGA members from the Official Money List and 10 sponsor exemptions in a 54-hole, no-cut tournament.

“Sime Darby is honored to be associated with this prestigious world-class sporting event which we will have the privilege of hosting at our very own Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club,” said Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of the Sime Darby Group, Malaysia’s leading multinational corporation.

“We’re pleased to bring our service to these world-class Mexican destinations and to offer travelers a better value and a unique flight experience,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush.  ”We think flyers deserve to start their Mexican getaways as soon as they board their flight.  And with low fares, touch-screen entertainment, beautiful cabins and a host of other features aimed at bringing the fun back to flying, we think travelers will agree that Virgin America is the perfect way to start their Mexican vacation a few hours early.”

In June 2010, the airline announced its intent to launch flights to Mexico by seeking authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation to begin flying the routes as of this winter.  DOT granted the airline authority to begin operations on the routes earlier this month.  The airline has announced the start of Mexico service pending the necessary Mexican government approvals.  With the launch of the Mexico routes, Virgin America will serve three international destinations in its growing network.  

“We are pleased to welcome Virgin America to Los Cabos.  The decision to serve San Jose del Cabo is a testament to our destination’s strong tourism economy and commitment to provide each visitor with an unmatched vacation experience,” said Gonzalo Franyutti De La Parra, President of the Los Cabos Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Marriott will provide updates on www.news.marriott.com as information becomes available.  For information regarding hotel reservations, please call (800) 228-9290.  Those in countries outside of the United States seeking information about the potential impact of Hurricane Earl should call the Marriott International toll-free number in their country.

Marriott Communications – (301) 380-7770

“Our customers are spending more time online and are looking for new ways to connect with us. We’re now delivering technology where our customers are – from our own website to our Facebook page to Internet news sites and beyond,” said Bob Kupbens, Delta’s vice president – eCommerce. “We already know Facebook is the most used website by inflight WiFi users on more than 2,000 Delta flights every day, giving us the natural launching point for a new online Ticket Window.”

Delta’s Ticket Window allows any of Facebook’s 500 million users to complete a full travel booking using a dedicated “tab” at facebook.com/delta without navigating to delta.com.  Delta plans to expand its Ticket Window to other sites, including online banner ads to allow full booking capabilities within the airline’s advertisements.

The redesign of Delta’s home page is the first step toward a larger redesign which will continue to improve the online experience on delta.com and its affiliated technology, including airport kiosks, to offer more functionality to customers.  The immediate home page changes include easier access to flight booking, status updates, online check-in and SkyMiles account information.

Earlier this month Delta enhanced its smartphone site and will continue to deliver other popular consumer applications. In the coming weeks, Delta plans to launch a new iPhone application to offer customers the ability to check in for flights, check flight status, review flight schedules, set a parking reminder, review SkyMiles account balance and use eBoarding passes (in select cities) directly from their mobile devices. Future releases of the app will enable customers to book flights, select their seats and track their Medallion status and other features that will streamline customer real-time travel experiences.  

“Unlocking the full power of social media and mobile apps is the next step for Delta, while providing innovative travel tools and greater convenience in our customer’s mobile world,” Kupbens said.

Delta has continued to expand its interaction with customers on social sites, including facebook.com/delta, twitter.com/delta, blog.delta.com and is now providing real-time travel assistance at twitter.com/deltaassist.

Images of Delta’s new home page and Ticket Window are available online.

“When we broke ground on this project in 2002 we knew we were taking a calculated risk since Orlando was one of the most heavily saturated timeshare markets in the country,” said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership.  “The fact that we continued to expand this site in spite of the current marketplace is a testament to the popularity of both the resort and our points product.  We originally intended to build 744 units, but we had to keep on building because we kept on selling.” 

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It will be the first mixed use residential resort with its own golf course attached, both for Turkey and for Club La Costa, a leading provider of diverse holiday products in Europe.

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With the addition of these two new resorts in Greece and Thailand, Westin Hotels now boast a total of 40 resorts in the world’s most sought-after vacation destinations. In addition, the brand is on track to add a total of 14 new properties to its global portfolio by the end of 2010, 85% of which are opening outside of North America. Latin America and Asia Pacific represent two of the most robust markets for the future expansion of the Westin brand.

“The growing depth and breadth of our global Westin portfolio underscores the strong appeal of our distinctive wellness positioning in diverse international markets,” said Nancy London, Vice President and global leader for Westin Hotels. “The Westin brand is at a pivotal point in its life cycle, with an unprecedented opportunity for international growth and is well on its way to establishing itself as an international market leader. In addition to these two amazing resorts joining the portfolio this year we have opened new properties in China, Japan and India, introducing the brand’s healthy-living initiatives to travelers in new cities with more on the horizon.”

The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino

Breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea create an atmosphere of tranquility and renewal at The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino. The second Westin to open in Greece, this peaceful retreat offers 445 guest rooms and suites, including 123 with infinity pools. Inspired by old Messinian mansions, the resort’s low-rise villa clusters use natural stone and local design elements to create a motif in perfect harmony with the virgin sandy beach and pristine hillside landscape. Amenities include four restaurants serving a range of international cuisine, several pools and lounges. The Anazoe Spa at Navarino Dunes offers a serene sanctuary, with an exceptional menu of specialty treatments based on ancient health and beauty practices, utilizing the area’s exclusive natural ingredients and unique products and state-of-the-art conference facilities. The resort also boasts Greece’s first signature, 18-hole championship golf course with magnificent sea and river views designed by U.S. Masters Champion and Ryder Cup Captain Bernhard Langer and managed by Troon Golf. Guests can stroll to an adjacent shopping village, home to a variety of exclusive boutiques, restaurants and bars.

The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa

The second Westin to open in Thailand, The Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa occupies a prime location on Siray Island off the east coast of Phuket. Inspiring wellness and renewal, the idyllic resort boasts 261 rooms, suites and villas with panoramic ocean views, as well as a pristine beach, Heavenly Spa by Westin, the brand’s signature WestinWORKOUT gym experience, Westin Kids Club and comprehensive meeting facilities overlooking Siray Bay.

The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City

The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City will be the brand’s fifth hotel to open in Mexico and the seventh Westin in Latin America. Located in the heart of downtown Mexico City, this sophisticated, urban retreat is a short stroll from Expo Bancomer Convention Center, numerous corporate offices and the shops and restaurants at Centro Commercial Santa Fe. The hotel offers 265 guest rooms, a Heavenly Spa by Westin, a range of culinary experiences and a WestinWORKOUT gym.