Big In Borneo at Bacall Associates Travel: Experience Travel Group Launches Brand New Holidays

Unique itineraries enable travellers to explore the lush natural jewel of Southeast Asia

Bespoke travel experts Experience Travel Group are excited to launch their first programme of holidays to the beautiful island of Borneo. Despite being the world’s third largest island, Borneo is still relatively undiscovered by tourists and has much to offer. Shared by Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia, the island boasts dramatic landscapes, breathtaking beaches and is a must-see for all wildlife lovers – a vast number of exotic species such as orangutans and pygmy elephants call it home. Having quietly designed holidays to Borneo for repeat clients for several years, Experience Travel Group has steadily built up an expert Borneo team and created the exciting new experiences that form the basis of the new full programme of Borneo holidays.

Experience Travel Group’s new Borneo holidays are truly bespoke, covering all bases from in-depth adventures around the whole island to highlights tours that combine astounding wildlife with exotic beaches and cultural hotspots. The following three tours demonstrate just some of the unforgettable experiences on offer.

Beach and Wildlife: The Classic

From £2,990 per person, including all accommodation, experiences, entrance fees, guides, transport, flights and a number of meals.

This 15-day itinerary enables travellers to explore the exotic flora and fauna of Borneo, while also allowing plenty of time to relax on its beautiful beaches. Visiting the states of Sabah and Sarawak, this holiday starts in the city of Kuching and finishes at the stunning Gaya Island Resort, taking in Bako and Mulu National Parks, Kota Kinabalu and the Kinabatangan River en route.  Highlights include getting up close to orangutans in Kuching and exploring the majestic Mulu caves. With accommodation in the best hotels included throughout, this trip takes visitors off-the-beaten track and into the wilderness, without compromising on comfort.

Borneo Adventure

From £2,650 per person, including all accommodation, experiences, entrance fees, guides, transport, flights and a number of meals.

A unique 16-day tour of Borneo with some truly magnificent adventures, this itinerary allows travellers to get a true feel for the depth and variety of Borneo’s wildlife, village life, culture and tradition. Highlights include a five-day adventure in Mulu National Park, incorporating the adventurous 11.5km ‘Headhunters Trail’, which follows the route taken by the Kayan headhunting parties as they launched raids on the Limbang people; scaling Mount Kinabalu; and exploring some of the world’s biggest caves. Accommodation ranges from traditional longhouses to basic lodgings during the treks, but there is a chance to relax in high-quality hotels too – especially at Pantai Dalit Beach, where the holiday concludes in very comfortable surroundings.

Borneo Encompassed

From £4,249 per person, including all accommodation, experiences, entrance fees, guides, transport, flights and a number of meals.

This three-week in-depth adventure takes in Borneo’s finest natural wonders and is as inspiring as it is relaxing. From traversing rainforests and cruising down rivers and mangroves to exploring caves and relaxing on sun-drenched islands, this itinerary has it all. Whether it’s hearing the call of gibbons, seeing orangutans swinging in the trees or spotting dolphins, travellers will be taken aback by the incredible wildlife throughout the trip. Highlights include a night safari in Tabin National Park and a trek through the stunning jungle of Danum Valley – and an optional visit to Selingan Island to learn about turtle conservation. Accommodation ranges from basic lodges to the stunning Bunga Raya Resort.

Find out more about Experience Travel Group’s new Borneo holidays here.

Experience Travel Group specialises in bespoke holidays for passionate travellers. Offering adventures in Sri Lanka, Maldives, Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Borneo, Indonesia and India, Experience Travel Group expertly tailor-makes trips that enrich their clients’ travel experiences.

For more information about Experience Travel Group, please visit the website, or find out what the team has been up to recently by checking out their blog or Twitter page.

Pine Cliffs Reveals Aloe Blacc To Headline At Algarve's Premier Summer Event at Bacall Associates

Regarded as THE summer event on the Algarve, Pine Cliffs annual gala promises guests a memorable evening of world-class entertainment and exquisite cuisine, and is perfectly timed to celebrate the hotel’s recent emergence from a multi-million pound transformation of its rooms and facilities, alongside the addition of the new contemporary Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites. Performing songs such as his platinum-selling break-though I Need a Dollar and the international smash hit Wake Me Up, the appearance of Californian-native Blacc reaffirms Pine Cliffs reputation as the Algarve’s premier resort, further cementing the destination’s appeal to sophisticated, discerning travellers.

Pine Cliffs is offering a special two-night Summer Gala Platinum Package from €1490 per room staying at Pine Cliffs Hotel in a Deluxe Resort View room (or from €1690 per suite staying at Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites). Available for stays between 5-7 August or 6-8 August, this package is based on two sharing, includes breakfast and two *Platinum Package tickets to the gala event. Email pinecliffs.reservations@luxurycollection.com or call +351 289 500 102. Visit summergala.pinecliffs.com to find out more and download an exclusive message about the event from Aloe Blacc here.

Pine Cliffs Beach Club Now Open for Alfresco Fun in Canary Wharf, London

For those searching for a taste of the Algarve closer to home this summer can also swing by the Pine Cliffs Beach Club in Canary Wharf’s Montgomery Square. Open each weekday from 11am to 11pm, the chic pop-up bar, run in partnership with award-winning travel specialist Quintessentially Travel, will transport work-weary Londoners to the sun-kissed Portuguese shores.

In the true spirit of The Luxury Collection, Pine Cliffs Beach Club brings a taste of the Algarve to London providing global explorers with authentic experiences that reflect the local spirit, lifestyle and design. The al-fresco Pine Cliffs Beach Club will offer a wide selection of chilled drinks including fine Portuguese wines, Pine Cliffs Resort’s signature white port cocktails, Moet Ice and Sagres beer. Throughout the summer, customers will also have the chance to win a holiday for two at the luxurious resort, including return flights and accommodation.

Regarded as one of Europe’s leading lifestyle destinations, Pine Cliffs enjoys a spectacular, unrivalled location on the Algarve coastline. Set across 72 hectares, the resort offers a wide range of luxurious accommodation options for couples, groups and families. There are exceptional leisure and sports facilities, with 11 different restaurants and bars, including the poolside seafood restaurant O Pescador; Beach Club on the golden shore of Praia Falésia; Piri Piri Steak House; and Zest, a new outlet offering guests an array of health-conscious drinks, snacks and dishes. In addition, the hotel features six swimming pools, Porto Pirata kids club, an Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, a nine-hole golf course with panoramic views, complemented by a world-class wellness and fitness offering comprising the new Serenity The Art of Well Being destination spa and Pine Cliffs Goes Active gym and health club, as well as numerous shops and boutiques.

Pine Cliffs Beach Club is located in Montgomery Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JJ. Open throughout the summer until September, from 11am to 11pm Monday to Friday.

*The Pine Cliffs Summer Gala Platinum Package is available for a two night stay between 5-7 August or 6-8 August. Price is per room, based on two sharing and includes:

·         Bed and Breakfast accommodation at either Pine Cliffs Hotel from €1490 staying in a Deluxe Resort View room or Pine Cliffs Ocean Suite staying in a Resort View suite from €1690.

·         Two Summer Gala tickets, including welcome cocktail, gift, open bar at Yakuza and a buffet dinner.

·         Room upgrade, subject to availability; 10% off standard rate for any extra nights; 20% discount on golf.

A Diamond package is also offered from €1890 for Pine Cliffs Hotel accommodation or from €2090 for Ocean Suites accommodation respectively. This includes all of the above, though replaces the gala buffet dinner with a sit-down plated waiter service dinner.

All packages are available subject to availability.

Email pinecliffs.reservations@luxurycollection.com or call +351 289 500 102. Visit summergala.pinecliffs.com to find out more.

About Pine Cliffs Resort

Pine Cliffs Resort is owned by United Investment Portugal (UIP), part of the IFA Hotels & Resorts consortium based in Dubai. The Pine Cliffs Hotel, the Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites and the Pine Cliffs Residence properties within the Pine Cliffs Resort are managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, under The Luxury Collection brand.

One of Europe’s leading integrated luxury and family resorts, Pine Cliffs Resort has won numerous accolades since opening in 1992, including the Portugal’s Leading Family Resort award six times in the World Travel Awards and appearing twice on Condé Nast Traveller’s ‘Gold List’.

Pine Cliffs Resort offers extensive investment opportunities via its holiday ownership options and selection of luxury freehold properties, three of which include a guaranteed annual rental return of 5% net within the first 5 years: Pine Cliffs Ocean Suites, Pine Cliffs Suites & Pine Cliffs Residence.

The resort also offers extensive leisure facilities including a nine-hole golf course and the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy; 11 diverse restaurants and bars; the Porto Pirata Children’s Village; Serenity The Art of Well Being destination spa and Pine Cliffs Goes Active gym and health club; and numerous shops and boutiques. For more information on Pine Cliffs Resort, visit www.pinecliffs.com

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® brand is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble, recently surpassing 100 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About Quintessentially Travel Established in 2010, Quintessentially Travel is the award-winning travel division of Quintessentially, the world’s leading members-only Lifestyle Management and Concierge Club.

As a standalone provider of tailor-made travel, their worldwide service is available to all; Quintessentially membership is not a pre-requisite, but a wild case of wanderlust is.

Quintessentially Travel enjoys unparalleled access to the finest experiences imaginable, anywhere in the world. Their unsurpassed travel portfolio enables them to cater to all personal requirements, arranging every single element of the trip; from meet and greets, flights, private charters, transfers, experiences, hotel and villa bookings, to yacht bookings, event access and private guided tours.

Whatever the occasion, be it a family holiday, the ultimate honeymoon, a solo adventure of a lifetime or unique corporate experiences, Quintessentially Travel offer everything in the world of luxury travel, for every moment in life.

Vietnam Airlines Announces Business Performance For First Six Months Of 2016

Hanoi, 22 July 2016 – Vietnam Airlines’ Joint Stock Company (Vietnam Airlines) has announced the company’s business performance from January to June 2016.

In the first six months of 2016, the aviation market grew by 27.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, with a 37 per cent increase in the domestic market. This was despite the difficulties and challenges that Vietnam Airlines was faced with due to economic slowdown, instability and terrorism in Europe and overcrowded infrastructures, especially at Tan Son Nhat international airport.

In responding swiftly to these circumstances Vietnam Airlines has captured the strong growth of the market, adopting effective measures to improve its operations and make good use of favourable conditions. Thanks to these measures, the business has achieved positive results with a high growth rate over the period, exceeding the set targets. Key achievements to note include:

• In the first six months of 2016, Vietnam Airlines operated over 70,300 safe flights (an increase of 10.7 per cent from the same period last year); carried 9.65 million passengers (an increase of 15.5 per cent from the same period last) and saw transport on international routes increase by 6.9 per cent and on domestic routes by 21.1 per cent . The corporation also achieved a freight output of 124,800 tons, exceeding its targets with an increase of 18.1 per cent over the same period last year.

• The company’s total consolidated revenue is estimated at more than 36 trillion VND and pre-tax profits are estimated at 1,600 billion VND, reaching nearly 7per cent of the target set for 2016. The airline’s parent company recorded an estimated revenue of over 29 trillion VND and nearly 1,140 billion VND in estimated profits, reaching over 7 per cent of the target set for 2016.

• Vietnam Airlines also accomplished two major tasks. Its restructuring and acquisition was completed with the signing and receipt of the share transaction payment made by ANA Holdings, who officially became a strategic shareholder on 1 July 2016. On 12 July, Vietnam Airlines was awarded 4-star airline certification at the SkyTrax World Airline Awards event at the Farnborough International Airshow. The airline is now officially a member of the world’s leading 4-5 star carriers and has been recognised as one of the world’s top three most improved airlines.

Vietnam Airlines has achieved these positive results thanks to its efforts in creating groundbreaking developments, taking advantage of opportunities to grow, increasing profitability, improving service quality and enhancing business efficiency.

Over the next six months, Vietnam Airlines will continue to mobilise its resources to ensure safety and security and improve the efficiency of its fleet. It will also coordinate with the airlines of the corporation, its strategic partner ANA and other SkyTeam members in order to introduce to the market further excellent products that are well-priced and comfortable in transit, meeting the quality required of a 4-star service and the increasing needs of passengers.

Vietnam Airlines offers the UK’s only nonstop flights to Vietnam, operating daily services from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, and excellent onward connections via its comprehensive network of over 40 destinations in Asia, including 23 within Vietnam and Indochina, as well as China, Japan and Taiwan.

Return fares from Heathrow to Ho Chi Minh City currently start from £396 per person, inclusive of taxes. For further information and reservations visit www.vietnamairlines.com or speak to a travel agent.

Benefits of investing by Bacall Development

Aside from higher returns, commercial property is oftentimes more secure - a crucial point to others that can result in a steady income. Leasing commercial real estate usually ranges from three to ten years as opposed to short-term leases of residential properties. Because of the mentioned benefits above, reviews state that the risk is lesser if you invest in commercial property than in residential property or the stock market. This data is based on overall analysis of both properties. According to Bacall Development and its associates, commercial property can catch the attention of different sectors in the economy. Because of the dependence of retail property on consumer spending trends, it has the highest direct relationship to the economy, along with industrial properties. Office buildings are most likely to perform depending on long-term supply and demand. Exposure to various sectors can deliver great benefits to you and to avoid fraud as well.

Acquiring tax benefits is imaginable with a commercial property. Most commercial properties attract handy building allowances as well as depreciation allowances on plant equipment within the building. Protection against inflation is also one of the benefits of investing in commercial property. Reviews reveal that commercial property has been considered as a good protection against inflation over the years. It has a good record of outpacing inflation over a long period of time. Investment control? Yes, it's possible. You have a significant level of control over your investment in case you're an owner of a direct property. You have control on various areas such as change of use for the property, disposal, redevelopment, renovations, the terms of the lease, the type of tenant, and upgrading.

Furthermore, you have the ability to add value in a commercial property investment through improvement of the appearance, renovation, lease restructure, subdivision or enlargement, and upgrade. You can further leverage your commercial investments as you improve the property and it grows in value. By borrowing more against your improved equity, you can quickly be in a position to control a sizeable portfolio of properties.

However, Bacall Development needs you to know that there are still disadvantages in owning commercial properties. What are mentioned above could be the total opposite to others based on their individual experience.

Benefits of investing

Strong returns are not a surprise to some when it comes to commercial property. You can gain both income and capital growth in a commercial property since it provides strong and reliable returns. However, making a quick gain shouldn't be your only objective because this endeavor requires great effort and patience. You should take advantage of a growing investment over time where you can get a return consistently above inflation.

Aside from higher returns, commercial property is oftentimes more secure - a crucial point to others that can result in a steady income. Leasing commercial real estate usually ranges from three to ten years as opposed to short-term leases of residential properties. Because of the mentioned benefits above, reviews state that the risk is lesser if you invest in commercial property than in residential property or the stock market. This data is based on overall analysis of both properties. According to Bacall Development and its associates, commercial property can catch the attention of different sectors in the economy. Because of the dependence of retail property on consumer spending trends, it has the highest direct relationship to the economy, along with industrial properties. Office buildings are most likely to perform depending on long-term supply and demand. Exposure to various sectors can deliver great benefits to you and to avoid fraud as well.

Acquiring tax benefits is imaginable with a commercial property. Most commercial properties attract handy building allowances as well as depreciation allowances on plant equipment within the building. Protection against inflation is also one of the benefits of investing in commercial property. Reviews reveal that commercial property has been considered as a good protection against inflation over the years. It has a good record of outpacing inflation over a long period of time. Investment control? Yes, it's possible. You have a significant level of control over your investment in case you're an owner of a direct property. You have control on various areas such as change of use for the property, disposal, redevelopment, renovations, the terms of the lease, the type of tenant, and upgrading.

Furthermore, you have the ability to add value in a commercial property investment through improvement of the appearance, renovation, lease restructure, subdivision or enlargement, and upgrade. You can further leverage your commercial investments as you improve the property and it grows in value. By borrowing more against your improved equity, you can quickly be in a position to control a sizeable portfolio of properties.

However, Bacall Development needs you to know that there are still disadvantages in owning commercial properties. What are mentioned above could be the total opposite to others based on their individual experience.

Tips on how to invest in real estate

Are you new to real estate investing? Or are you already experienced in this matter? Whichever it is, Bacall Development wants you to take note of the following tips regarding real estate investing. The firm is a full-service commercial real estate firm that has been responsible for complete ground-up developments of more than 30 real estate developments in different states of United States.

Some people consider that investing in real estate can make them wealthy in an instant, but they're wrong. Indeed, change is constant in real estate market. What is in demand today may not be the same tomorrow. For instance, the rental market was strong during the past decade but it has been frail in the recent years. However, there are simple methods to protect your real estate investments. During the 1970's, the median home price was $33,000, then it became $195,000 in 2005. Based on this figure, it seems that the average home is doubled every seven years.

Bacall Development and associates suggests that one shouldn't be afraid to enter this venture because it is still possible to make money in real estate. This is because real estate is a cycle and cycles have some level of predictability, and with this, it is possible to earn a profit in your real estate business that can also run itself in the midst of constant changes within the real estate market.

In this game, it is important to be experienced in the basics so that you can make wise investment decisions. The basics include the tried and true techniques along with the strategies and systems that have worked in the past and are still working and will work in the future. When the real estate market begins to shift, Bacall Development wants you to have all the necessary tools in order to become flexible in this arena.

Begin planning

Reviews claim that it is crucial to set your plan first before entering this endeavor. In this phase, you must determine your long term real estate goals, which includes retirement and wealth building, along with your short-term needs about making money in real estate. Right after this, set up the proper entities and put the plan in place.

Identify your target market

Determining your target market is the next thing you need to do in order to survive this game and void being scammed. When it comes to the real estate market, you can't be all things. For instance, begin investing in the foreclosure market if foreclosures interest you, or concentrate your real estate marketing efforts to state owners in case you want to be a landlord.

To be lost in the city

We all work for something. Be it a want, a goal or dream, that we follow the same routine, drive the same highways a hundred or even a thousand of times, do the same thing over and over again to earn and simply enjoy our lives.

But there will be times when you will just feel tired, I felt tired. I wanted a break, a short vacation, but little I had known that I was out of time. Summer had grown to a close and I was left with little time to plan, prepare and ready myself. I was supposed to be relaxing, that was then that I found Bacall Associates when I was at my wit’s end.

Working for hours to free up the next days while preparing everything proved to be tiresome. But Bacall fixed everything. In the end, I was only able to bring a few clothes, basic amenities and needs and next thing I know, I was on a plane. They prepared me a schedule that I can chose to follow, contacted hotels and made reservations and basically everything that I needed to do but didn’t have time to.

It was an hour after dawn when I arrived, most attractions are closed for the next few hours, and I had nothing to do. I checked in the given hotel dropped of what little things I had bring and took a walk.

As I stroll, I bought off what I didn’t bring, like clothes, bought myself some comfortable sandals (all in which I brought home as souvenirs) and continued to let myself be lost in the city. Had a lunch in a local restaurant I had passed through when I strolled (I’d recommend the Bak Chor Mee) and ultimately enjoyed.

Days went pass as I visited tourist spots like the gardens, the man made waterfalls and a lot more that in the end I felt satisfied. It was relaxing. It was then that I decided that once a year or two, I will take a vacation, god knows where but thankfully there is Bacall and Associates to help me with that.

City break guide to Singapore

Because Singapore is celebrating its 50 year of independence with parties and openings aplenty (singapore50.sg). Come Q3-Q4, the six-starred Patina Capitol Singapore - with architecture by Pritzker Prize Laureate Richard Meier and interior by Jaya Ibrahim - will debut in two restored heritage buildings in the Civic District.

And in November, the National Gallery will open on the grounds of the city’s most iconic buildings - the former Supreme Court and City Hall; with a combined floor area of 60,000 sqm, it will house the largest collection of South-east Asian art in the world. Foreigners holding travel documents from certain countries require a visa to enter Singapore. See the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.

Discover for yourself what life is like in one of the world’s most affluent cities. While S$500 a pop meals are not hard to find, it’s completely possible to eat like a king without spending more than S$5 to S$10 per head. Witness how the locals make the most of their lives in a city known for its draconian laws and apparently “unhappy” citizens. It will change the way you view the little red dot.

Weather-wise, there is no “best time” to visit Singapore. Known for its year-round warm and humid weather, the city’s temperature hovers between 24C in the mornings and evenings and about 31C in the daytime. From November to January, the temperature dips slightly with the onset of the wet monsoon season during which it’s wise to pack a brolly.

Travel guide to Singapore

Singapore is a bustling hub of culture, food, and all around good vibes.  It’s the most modern city in Asia.  It’s vibrant, it’s energetic, and it always leaves me fascinated. If you think New York City is busy, just wait until you see Singapore.  People are always in a hurry and they walk really fast (they are actually ranked the fastest walkers on earth).  It seemed like everything was happening in fast motion, which always kept me on my toes!

What to do in Singapore? Just walk around the city and you will find unexpected treasures everywhere. I am talking about incredibly modern architecture, shopping malls with river boat tours running thru them, surprisingly cheap street markets, beautiful botanic gardens surrounding the city, hawker centers (huge outdoor food courts) on every block and much more.

Why is everything so clean in Singapore? Well, Singapore has some of the strictest laws in the world.  There are street signs all around the city reminding everyone not to litter, smoke, chew gum, run, spit, etc.  If you don’t follow the rules, then you must pay a steep fine.  But nearly everyone obeys the rules, which is why Singapore is also of the safest cities in the world. Everything from the metros, malls, restaurants and residential buildings are so clean that you can eat off the floor!

Despite being a densely populated city, the metro system is VERY easy to figure out and there are taxis all around that are pretty cheap to use. After being in Singapore for just a few hours, I was already confident enough to navigate myself around town.  All the signs are in English (and most people can speak/understand English), so it’s almost impossible to get lost.

General thoughts on Singapore

If you think New York City is busy, just wait until you see Singapore.  People are always in a hurry and they walk really fast (they are actually ranked the fastest walkers on earth).  It seemed like everything was happening in fast motion, which always kept me on my toes! You might be surprised to hear that Singapore is a tiny tropical island, made up of 6 million people (75% Chinese).  It’s located just 80 miles north of the equator — so the temperature is always hot and humid.  It’s tropical location provides 17 nature reserves and more than 1.4 million trees!

Why is everything so clean in Singapore? Well, Singapore has some of the strictest laws in the world.  There are street signs all around the city reminding everyone not to litter, smoke, chew gum, run, spit, etc.  If you don’t follow the rules, then you must pay a steep fine.  But nearly everyone obeys the rules, which is why Singapore is also of the safest cities in the world. Everything from the metros, malls, restaurants and residential buildings are so clean that you can eat off the floor!

Despite being a densely populated city, the metro system is VERY easy to figure out and there are taxis all around that are pretty cheap to use. After being in Singapore for just a few hours, I was already confident enough to navigate myself around town.  All the signs are in English (and most people can speak/understand English), so it’s almost impossible to get lost.

In fact, the city just took #1 as the Most expensive city in the world by the Los Angeles Times.  Aside from street food, which is reasonably priced, you wouldn’t believe how a beer or alcoholic beverage costs… And if you want to rent a flat, then good luck finding a cheap price!

Things to do in Singapore

Most tourists tend to gravitate first towards the famed retail stretch of Orchard Road. Fine, get your fix of bold-faced names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel and every other couture label under the sun. When you've gotten that out of your system, dump your purchases back at the hotel and head out into the 'burbs where the real charm of Singapore lies. We're here to guide you to the top 10 places where tourists don't normally go; in short, the places where Singaporeans in the know live and play.

So, you've arrived. It's early and nothing really opens for business until around 11 a.m., so how are you going to kill time? Slip on the trainers and head out to the Botanic Gardens (open 5 a.m. to midnight). At this time of the day, downtown Singapore's last remaining green lung is a cool, bucolic retreat filled with joggers, dogs and tai-chi practitioners. Wander through the swaths of virgin rainforest (the main boardwalk through it is entered from Upper Palm Valley Road) and then take in the National Orchid Garden's many-colored collection of 1,000 orchid species and 2,000 hybrids. When you're done, drop into the food court near Tanglin Gate for a traditional local breakfast of soft-boiled eggs, coffee and toast slathered with coconut jam.

It may seem a little strange to head to a hotel to look at artwork, but the Ritz-Carlton is no ordinary hotel. The massive three-ton Frank Stella installation at the entrance and the pair of Dale Chihuly crystal glass sculptures that anchor both wings of the building kick off one of Southeast Asia's finest (and under the radar) collections of modern and contemporary art. The majority of the pieces were specially commissioned for the public spaces and guest suites. The treasures on view include Andy Warhol and David Hockney's exuberant colors, Rainer Gross's geometric compositions, Henry Moore's restrained monochromatics and the lush botanicals of Robert Zakanitch. It's all free to view, and you even get an iPod-guided tour.

Let the other tourist hordes charge over to the newly minted Peranakan Museum or the gloomy Asian Civilisations Museum. If you do only one cultural thing during your 24-hour Singapore layover, it must be a tour of the unheralded Chinatown Heritage Centre, where entire sets of bedrooms, kitchens and street scenes from the late-19th century and early-20th century have been faithfully recreated. It's an authentic slice of Singapore's history that's made all the more fascinating by the gleaming skyscrapers just a few blocks away. And if you must, pick up a kitschy souvenir from the gift shop on your way out.

Using social media techniques for public relations

Today, several business owners engage in social media to improve their brand image; in the past, these platforms were only used for personal reasons.

Bacall Associates – a boutique sale, advertising, and PR support agency - will share a few techniques where you can use social media to boost your company's public relations.

Create good content

Make sure to publish a social media friendly content that the customers will surely buy, share and value. Incorporating case studies in your content could add value to your post because they're one of the strongest quantifiers you can use on the internet. They also provide a concise and clear data along with a perspective on the results. They should be presented in the right method to get an emotional reaction from your potential customers, which may cause direct involvement and possible sharing. Case studies are often shared by leading media outlets provided by businesses of different sizes and influence. You can also include videos or pictures to add life to your content. Publishing great content can improve your brand image and PR.

Make your brand caught bloggers' attention

Seeking bloggers' coverage can also help you boost your brand. The connection between public relations and social media known as the blogosphere serves as one of the most important factors for bloggers. Bacall Associates also affirmed that most bloggers are actively using social media platforms nowadays, and many of them are being carefully monitored by journalists.

Use social media to connect with the press

Since they can get a boatload of information on the web, the press has made the internet their home throughout the years. Major publications are now using Reddit to source fascinating stories while major news outlets are covering Twitter through the use of hashtags and trends.

It is now quick to connect with the media using social media platforms. If you have a great story to cover and use appropriate social media tagging and hashtags, it is possible to get a solid media coverage.

Bacall Associates now in Singapore is involved in this practice for several years now and they've been using social media to heighten their influence to their customers. The impact of social media on public relations indeed brought remarkable change to this practice, which helped many businesses around the world to enhance their brand image.

Marketing plan using social media

Bacall Associates views social media as an excellent helping tool to several business owners. It can help you with your public relations as well as fostering your integrated marketing communication (IMC) plan. Bacall is known for their cost effective integrated public relations, marketing and sales campaigns in the United Kingdom, Asia like Singapore and Hong Kong.

It's critical to have an IMC plan first before you start communicating with the world about your company according to Bacall Associates. It may contain different approaches on how to communicate your business with your target audience. It can also be a powerful guideline to marketing teams during implementation to reduce any concerns and to prevent any internal disagreements between stakeholders.

Social media is considered essential to any IMC plan these days whilst your IMC can use several different communication mediums such as content marketing, public relations, advertising and social media. Bacall Associates found the impact of social media on the following areas, which proved that it could improve your IMC plan.

Public relations (PR)

Social media has lessened the pressure on PR pros over the past few years because it offers great benefit and easy accessibility to them. They can get a comment out within minutes of the news breaking with social media, its speed and relevance are really remarkable. Your social media audience should be connected to your sources.

Advertising

Social media made a huge change in the world of advertising today because it can specifically target your audience, easily measure your social media advertising ROI, and immediately make changes to your advertisements, that's why business owners put big advertising budgets on social media nowadays.

Tips to Plan a Holiday Trip

Are you planning to have a holiday trip with your family? As one of the experts in travel, Bacall Associates views that it will be a great idea because it could create special and sempiternal memories with your family members. Don't stress yourself too much, just focus on the fun and relaxing aspect of it because the Bacall team is here to guide you in planning your getaway.

Get a travel journal

Having your own travel journal can help you prioritize things and be in control of any predicament because this can be a tool for you to cope with different situations since you're knowledgeable about the plans you've made and they're kept in a single place, so the moment you begin planning your holiday trip, get a notebook and write down all your ideas. But if you prefer an electronic journal, you can go with it, just remember that things might go wrong with electronics so it's better to have a printed version of your travel plans.

On the other hand, most prefer a handwritten journal because it provides an emotional experience. You know that whatever you write there is important to you, and you can see your thoughts in your own writing, making memories to every single page. Handwritten journals give stronger impression than electronic journals.

Choose your top travel destinations

If you have a few places in mind, write down those places in your journal and see to it that you'll only make a short list of it, so that it will be easier for you to decide on which place you're going to for your holiday trip. The list may include your top three preferred destinations.

Research each place on the list

Research everything you can about each place on your list to help you compare them a lot more carefully. You can use search engines like Google or Bing with your research, or you can ask your close friends and relatives for more information about each place. You must know the transportation available in each place, and how long will it take you to reach your destination using different types of vehicles. Also include in your research about crossing borders so that you'll know if you need visas or if your passport is in order.

How to integrate social media into sales promotions tips

Social media can provide a huge amount of information about qualified leads. A well-designed campaign using a combination of promo codes can produce a lot of detailed data, that's why most social media platforms provide analytics to analyze these data for future campaigns. It's really important to properly manage the data when you have collected these leads. A modern CRM (customer relationship management) software allow your team to capture leads as well as to follow up with offers and subsequent campaigns.

Today, it's no doubt that a lot of customers choose social media to search for trusted opinions of different individuals about a certain product or service since it's easier for them to research and buy online. A well-organized social media campaign must be an important part of your business' sales promotions because most people prefer a recommendation from a friendly face than a dry impersonal search result.

A well-organized social media campaign can also be a strong and effective sales tool as it allows your business to get closer to the customer, enhance your understanding towards their interests and develop lasting relationships with them.

Acquiring social media success often involves a long process, especially in small businesses, you should flourish your profiles first and develop a genuine relationship with your business' followers in order to provide value before easing into any type of sales promotions. The following are some simple tips provided by Bacall Associates in utilizing social media into your sales promotions.

Tips for making travel more affordable

Some companies understand this need of every individual, that's why they're giving their employees free trips to help them rest for a while to help them work more efficiently once they return. However, not all companies are like this because they want their employees to work more for them but pay them less. That aside, Bacall Associates guarantee that traveling can be really inexpensive, and fun and rejuvenating at the same time.

Do you love to travel so much but you don't have enough time and money to do it? Worry no more because Bacall Associates will share some money-saving tips that can help you travel to the place you want. You can trust the organization’s judgment because it is a renowned boutique PR, marketing and sales support agency that specializes in travel at the top end of the market. After reading this article, you will never excuse yourself from traveling anymore.

Stay in youth hostels

If you’re a young traveler, it’s often a good idea to stay in youth hostels to save money. Don’t let yourself drown into the wrong ideas or myths about youth hostels because this kind of place allow young souls to see the world without spending too much money since they're inexpensive to stay in. You'll also get a chance to meet new people who are doing the same as you. But since you're staying in a youth hostel, you should practice extra caution because of safety reasons.

Book in advance

If you can handle your trip well in advance, then it's a good thing because this will give you the best pricing especially if you're going to travel during holidays. Bacall Associates always recommends booking in advance to make sure that you can get the best discounts where you can save up to 80%.

Bacall Associates small Maldives island

Having shaken up the hospitality scene in the Maldives with the launch of Amilla Fushi, which into its second year is pulling in an elite cult following amongst the cognoscenti, the Small Maldives Island Co. are continuing to make waves with their second venture.

Taking an unexpected cue from the halcyon days of the classic glamorous getaway, Finolhu recalls the heady allure of vintage beach vacations with its classic design, retro touches and laid-back ambiance.  Set within the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Baa Atoll (served by the new Baa Atoll airport or accessible via a 30-minutes seaplane ride from Malé) Finolhu has all the hallmarks of paradise. Translucent waters, 1.8km long white-sand bank and perma-clear skies aside, what really sets it apart from its Maldivian competitors is its effortlessly stylish surrounds and beach clubby-ness.

The ultimate island experience for chic couples, fun-loving families and groups of friends alike,  Finolhu’s 125 villas come on the ocean, the lagoon or by the beach, with or without pool, and are outfitted with Instagram-worthy interiors and vintage-style Marshall speakers, while bathrooms and spa facilities are stocked with all-natural, organic products from  Neal’s Yard Remedies.

Finolhu’s old-school tuck shop, Milk Bar is tantalisingly located on the corner where The Cove Club, Thunderball on Palm Beach and the tennis courts meet. Treats range from guilt-free wraps, smashed avocado and acai bowls, smoothies, juices, and Bodyism Shakes to carefree ice creams and chocolates, amazing coffees, cool beers and wine by the glass.  Milk Bar is also a godsend for holiday ‘essentials’, stocking a seemingly telepathic variety of bathroom amenities, nick nacks and reading material.

Beach holiday tips

Clearly, there are really plenty of beaches to choose from, and each one of those offers exceptional services. Ask your relatives or your close friends for some ideas, or just browse the net and trust the results shown by Google. Do not choose a beach that’s exclusive for couples or singles if you’re intending to have a holiday with your entire family. To get a fresh experience, you can also choose a “virgin” beach or a less crowded and quiet beach. Your loved ones will really take pleasure in the serenity of such places, and you’ll be able to do activities by yourself without bothering other people. Secret beaches are amazing! And Singapore has a few kind of these beaches and they’re really beautiful.

You and your loved ones should have a place to stay in if you’re planning to enjoy the beach for several days. You can choose between resorts within walking distance of the beach or resorts located by the beachfront.  Choose the one that is the most convenient for you and your family, and offers amazing beach accommodations.

Your loved ones will surely love doing different kinds of activities throughout your beach holiday, which means you need to choose a beach that provides an incredible collection of activities. Bacall Associates suggests that you should arrange everything and plan ahead of time. Paying in advance could also be an alternative so that you will not trouble yourself bringing a substantial amount of money to the beach. Before booking, do not forget to inquire if those activities are accessible during your stay.

You need to note that selecting the ideal time can also be significant. You should be aware that public holidays and peak season mean crowded beaches. Fully booked airports and road traffic are some of the hassles you should be worried about. With one of these scenarios in hand, you need to have the ability to make everything right for the holiday. Do not forget that selecting the most convenient time for your family is very significant.

Bacall Associates recommend you to pack light and right. Girls usually plan to pack their stuff in advance than boys, but nevertheless, it would be better if packing in advance will be planned by everyone. With this, you’ll not forget to bring important things with you. To properly arrange your things, you should create a list of the things you’re going to bring such as a sunblock, hat, charger, reading materials, etc.

PR experts committed in luxury travel

Since 1994, Bacall Associates has been respected by a lot of individuals because of their professionalism and their competence. It is particularly a boutique public relations, marketing and sales support agency specializing in travel at the top end of the market. Bacall Associates is passionate in launching and maintaining profiles for airlines, destinations, hotel groups, luxury developments, resorts and health retreats, and travel companies around the world.

Each of their incisive specialists has in-depth knowledge in the travel industry and has the ability of drawing on a wide range of media and industry contacts. Bacall Associates also brings a lifestyle advantage to their work by taking the message well beyond the travel pages to the luxury consumer. With more than 20 years of extensive experience, Bacall Associates has garnered numerous clients worldwide, which includes aviation and infrastructure as well as some of the world's best hotels, from independent properties to the iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Bacall Associates also established small niche operators in the marketplace and conceived PR strategies for major tourist boards and travel companies. It's only natural for every company to work hard, right? But Bacall Associates always exceed the norms. Most of the reviews of their clients reveal that their services are unrivaled. They're dedicated to achieving the specific public relations goals of their clients and driving the business at the same time. Bacall Associates proved to the world that they have a great team. They're passionate and ingenious individuals who can face any challenges. With their unrivaled commitment, they always exceed their clients' expectations.

Perhaps one of the question that pops into your mind is, "What is their secret behind their success?" The answer seems so simple; they're humble and honest, and have a positive attitude and a wealth of knowledge. Those traits are also the reason behind their solid relationships not only with their clients, but also with journalists. Bacall Associates also delivers a lifestyle edge to their work to add enthusiasm to their campaigns and guarantee the reach of the right audiences for their clients.

Effective PR campaign tips

The phrase "With great effort comes great reward" never gets old to Bacall Associates. This phrase serves as their inspiration to provide great services to their clients. They make sure that they're giving their best in everything they do. The same can be applied to you because you just need to exert great effort to achieve effective PR campaign.

Along with other business owners, you want to increase your visibility and reach your target market, right? Then content and execution will be your saving grace. Remember that those are important to make sure that your PR campaign will not fail.

To make your PR campaigns effective, you need to consider the following in order to help you achieve success.

A crystal clear goal

It's apparent that it should be on the top of the list because without a goal, you can't score. You and your audience may become confused if you don't have a clear purpose for your campaign. Your answer to the question, "What do you want to achieve for your brand?” should be definite and clear. Keep in mind that this will be very important to you because this will serve as your steering wheel in driving the road to success.

Right audience

You should reach the right audience for your brand. Considering your potential media outlet's audience and tone is important. Make sure that your content matches them and is appropriate. To target different types of media, you should create different pieces of content such as press releases, content marketing articles, and creative media kits. But remember, spamming irrelevant content is not good for your brand's image, so avoid doing it to everyone on your contact list. Publishing your content may not be enough, so it's better to put more effort on your side and do your best to communicate the right message to the consumers.

Tips for traveling in Southeast Asia

Don't be afraid to bargain

People at Southeast Asia are used to do this approach and it’s already a part of their daily lives. But most westerners are shocked to find out that this is considered a standard practice in the subregion. For them, it looks like an unfair deal to the vendors, but actually, it's not. Most of the time, the first price sellers said is worth more than the item's regular price, and you might end up overpaying. Some foreigners just accept the first price and never tries to disagree with that. You should try to adapt this manner since you don't want to pay more, right? It is not a confrontation, so don't be afraid, just talk with the vendor with a smile. Push yourself a little and you might find it fun after learning to do it.

Booking in advance is not necessary

It is probably tiring and stressful to go to different places at the same time and then going back to the hotel you're staying. If you end up in a certain area and fell in love with that place, and you wanted to stay a few nights in there, then it will be more fun to find a place to stay in that specific place. Your schedule can become flexible if you're not booking rooms in advance because you're the one to decide when and where to stay. But sometimes, booking ahead is a good idea if you're visiting a place during a major event, or if you knew you're going to be tired from a long flight, bus or train ride and doesn't have time to wander around.

21 years of commitment to their clients

Do you want to add more vivacity to your PR campaigns? Do you need more flavor to your marketing? Do you need an upgrade to your campaigns? Bacall Associates in Singapore is the place to be for all your needs! It is a boutique public relations, marketing and sales support agency specializing in travel at the top end of the market. Bacall Associates is one if the most respected PR companies around the globe. Reviews reveal that its clients are proud to be a part of such thriving company. According to them, Bacall’s competence and professionalism are beyond compare.

The team of Bacall Associates also provides ingenious and fresh story ideas with their impressive ability and superlative drive. They have an in-depth knowledge regarding marketing and sales, public relations, and travel. They’re straightforward and dependable individuals who are dauntless and can face demanding challenges. The company is always enthusiastic in launching and maintaining profiles for airlines, destinations, hotel groups, luxury development, resorts and health retreats, and travel companies worldwide. Bacall Associates’ clients strongly believe that its nonpareil positive attitude is what makes them a successful company because it allows them to accomplish any difficult tasks with an optimistic mind.

The company also offers great assistance to their clients as well as the expertise in the field of all things luxury. They have the capability of drawing on a broad range of media and industry contacts. The team of Bacall Associates is also known for their punctuality because they never failed to answer every inquiry of their clients in a timely manner. No wonder why the company has garnered a lot of clients that’s consist of aviation and infrastructure, along with some of the best hotels in the world such as the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

Bacall Associates has a great network to all pertinent media, travel trade and social authorities that’s why they always follow a proactive approach to the market. The company has the perfect method and knows the most effective ways of acquiring the best media response. It also established small niche operators in the marketplace and formed PR strategies for major tourist boards and travel companies. Bacall succeeded in securing a major consumer award for one of the Hilton’s resort properties. It has an attentive and creative team that’s dedicated in reaching the company’s objectives, and achieving particular public relations goals of the clients and driving the business at the same time. They also deliver a lifestyle edge to their work to add interest to their campaigns and guarantee the reach of the right audiences for their clients.

Innovative marketing events and Pr

Wonder why a lot of clients had the pleasure and privilege of working with Bacall Associates? It’s because the company has been one of the most professional public relations companies around the world for several years and their shining reputation in the industry is one of a kind. Each of Bacall Associates’ staff has a vast knowledge regarding travel as well as public relations, marketing and sales. You’ll witness exceptional professionalism in their work with their august ability and energy in providing ingenious and fresh story ideas. The staff’s positive attitude also leads them nine times out of ten to come up with a solution for any given situations.

Most of the testimonies from their clients include awe to the company’s unsurpassed knowledge and expertise in the field of all things luxury as well as their huge assistance for them. With this, Bacall Associates proved to have outshone all others. Clients also have the greatest respect for Bacall Associates’ professionalism and competence. They’re also proud of the company’s devotion to their work as their queries are always promptly answered.

Bacall Associates always follow a proactive approach to the market via an excellent network to all relevant media, travel trade and society authorities. They have flawless style and know the most effective ways of getting the best media response. Most clients cherished their relationship with Bacall Associates and promised to remain being a partner of the company in the coming years. Bacall Associates is proud to have a creative and diligent team that’s committed in achieving their objectives.  It is the only company to have succeeded in securing a major consumer award for one of the Hilton’s resort properties.

The company operates to a very high standard and represents their clients in the most professional and positive manner. Clients are also impressed with the level of contact that Bacall Associates have within media circles and with all their efforts that have benefited the clients greatly in promoting the image and profile of their firm.