Friday, September 9, 2011

Vietnam First Luxury Tour Operator Unveils Amazing Biking Tour in The Red River Delta

Biking Tour to Discover the Beauty and Charm of the Hanoi Countryside and Red River Delta

Hanoi, Vietnam, September 10, 2011 - During a full day escape from bustling Hanoi, travelers will be guided by an escort and experience the beauty of the Red River Detla. Travelers will visit some famous attractions, getting to know about the local lifestyle, while relaxing and soaking in a great experience.

Travelers will be picked up at the hotel by Mercedes van and driven to Southwest Hanoi at Xuan Phuong Village, where travelers will start biking. Travelers will ride through the rich, fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta on their way to the first destination, Thay Pagoda. Thay Pagoda was built in the 11th Century, during the reign of King Ly Nhan Tong. Travelers will explore its complex of temples, communal houses and pagodas, nestled at the foot of a large limestone cliff formation which is characteristic of the area. It is said that traditional water puppet theatre originated here.

Luxury travelers then continue biking to Tay Phuong Pagoda where the unique collection of Buddhist statues has remained intact since 17th century. After conquering the 239 stone steps, travelers will arrive at the main sanctuary and are free to explore. Following that, there will be lunch at a local restaurant


In the afternoon, a car will take travelers to visit Son Tay Citadel located in Son Tay Village in Ha Tay Province. Located 60km from Hanoi, the citadel was erected in 1822. The body of the wall was built of hard sandstone with one gate on each side. The wall is surrounded by a 3m deep, 20m wide moat and each corner of the citadel was once armed with a cannon. Furthermore, there is the Kinh Thien Palace, which was the resting house of the king. It also served as residences and offices for provincial leaders, warehouses, and troop camps. Due to the passage of time and the effects of war, parts of the ancient wall were destroyed, but measures to prevent and restore this historic relic have recently been implemented.

Travelers will next drive to the Duong Lam ancient village, then start biking to explore the Red River Delta, with its village gates, banian trees, temples, communal houses, pagodas, and ancient homes more than 300-400 years old.

Travelers will see Duong Lam, an ancient Viet village, famous for its hundreds of brick houses. Travelers will also visit Mong Phu communal house, Mia Pagoda, Ngo Quyen Temple. Later, Travelers will stop and visit a local home, where three to five generations of a family may live! While travelers have some tea, travelers can chat with the owner about the village’s history and the traditions of the local people.

Next, travelers will cycle to Va Temple, where they can witness the worship services for our national saint, Tan Vien, who according to legend, protects the Vietnamese people from the annucal innondation.

The support vehicle will meet travelers at Va Temple and drive them to their hotel in Hanoi, bringing to an end a biking experience.

With all private services: door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services, transportation, lunch in the local restaurant, private bikes, and an English or French speaking tour guide escorted all day, the tour priced at 89 USD per person for a private party of 2 people – the offer is valid until 30 Sep, 2012.

“We are constantly breaking new ground to develop innovative and interesting new tours. This new biking trip introduces you to the lush countryside, rice fields and farming life, which has dominated Vietnam's culture. Cycling means you are truly among the friendly and welcoming local people. You’ll be greeted by the curious children who often run out of their homes to yelling 'hello, hello!' or “Tay” when you pass through their village. Our tour guide will do a fantastic job of guiding you around this beautiful countryside, explaining the history & culture of his people. We are sure you will enjoy this biking experience.” Hien Pham, Sales Executive, Luxury Travel Ltd.

The first luxury tour operator (http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) and full travel service agency based in Hanoi with offices throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, Luxury Travel is exceptional in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences. Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company Limited has its own offices, luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors, and sales offices in California, Paris, and Melbourne. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam.

For biking tour booking, visit http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

Contact:
David Nguyen
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
5 Nguyen Truong To Street
Ba Dinh Dist
Hanoi, Vietnam 71000
84439274120

The Number of Top retailers using Abandoned Basket Email has doubled

Data was collected June-July 2011, and compares research with results from RedEye’s previous Behavioural Email Benchmark Studies released in November 2010 and March 2011.

Shenley Wood, Milton Keynes, September 10, 2011 - Latest research from RedEye shows the UK’s top retailers are increasingly adopting behavioural email in their online marketing efforts. Back in November 2010, an earlier study showed only 7% of e-retailers had implemented abandoned basket email - this has now doubled to 14%.

This significant jump demonstrates more and more brands are realising the huge conversion uplift possible from using abandoned basket email. However, despite the relatively simple setup process, a massive 86% are still not using email to capture otherwise lost sales.

This new research is unveiled in RedEye’s third Behavioural Email Benchmark Study. The study looks at the use of behavioural email by over 200 online companies (across e-retail, insurance and gambling). Data was collected June-July 2011, and compares research with results from RedEye’s previous Behavioural Email Benchmark Studies released in November 2010 and March 2011.

Now there are more companies than ever using behavioural email. Back in November, on average, 35% of all the companies monitored sent some form of behavioural email. Since March, this number has reached over 50%. The retail sector is catching up in their use of behavioural email. Back in November e-retailers were lagging behind with their use of behavioural email; on average only 29% used any type of behavioural email, but this has now increased to 46%.

Not following up on abandoned baskets, or any inactivity in the buying process, is a massive missed opportunity (worth £billions).

Matthew Kelleher, Commercial Director at RedEye explains: “Behavioural email has reached a turning point, finally in 2011 more companies are utilising it than aren’t. However, there are still a huge amount of missed opportunities for marketers, particularly when it comes to using abandoned basket email. A simple, automated abandoned basket trigger is easy to setup and can produce one of the best returns on investment – but 86% of companies are yet to start using it!”

Key Findings

• Generally the use of behavioural email is steadily increasing across all sectors (e-retail, insurance, gambling).

• Gambling companies seem to be implementing the majority of triggers, with an average 70% using behavioural email across the triggers monitored. Statistically e-retailers are next in line, with an average 46% of e-retailers using behavioural email. The insurance sector is now lagging behind with an average of just 34% implementing behavioural email.

• The number of behavioural email triggers implemented within the e-retail sector has increased across all emails monitored.

• The welcome email is the most commonly used email, implemented by 90% of gambling companies and 64% of e-retailers. However, 25% of e-retailers do not even offer pre-purchase registration, meaning a welcome email cannot be sent.

• Despite a slight increase in use since March 2011, abandoned basket email is still the least used behavioural email. This is unfortunate as, based on conversion, it can be viewed as the most successful email trigger used by retail clients.

• On average, retailers receive the highest CTR (Click-Through Rate) from using behavioural email.

• Based on conversion the single most successful behavioural email trigger implemented by RedEye clients is the abandoned basket email, this is followed by the saved quote follow up email used by insurance companies.

The study researched the online email processes of the likes of Amazon.co.uk, Play.com, Next.co.uk, Thomas Cook and Halfords


Press Contact
Katie Traynier, Marketing Manager: katie.traynier@redeye.com, 01908 340 903

About RedEye
RedEye is the leader in behavioural email. RedEye has been helping online companies improve conversion since 1997, providing an integrated service of email marketing, web analytics and website usability.

In 2001 RedEye launched the first behavioural email campaign for William Hill. Behavioural email integrates web analytics with email marketing to produce highly targeted emails based on online user behaviour. Today RedEye helps hundreds of online companies improve conversion using behavioural email, achieving results such as of 750% ROI and 10% online conversion. In 2010 RedEye launched Behavioural Email onDemand, a self service solution enabling online companies to run basic behavioural email campaigns such as basket abandonment.

By integrating analytics with usability RedEye offers a unique service of Conversion Rate Optimisation. This service provides a structured process to help online companies fully analyse customer behaviour, enabling marketers to make the correct changes or implement the right strategies to improve online conversion.

RedEye previously won the NMA Award for ‘Best Use of Email’ and was shortlisted in the Econsultancy Innovation Awards for ‘Innovation in Email Marketing’.

RedEye currently has 4 European offices (London, Milton Keynes and Crewe in the UK and Dusseldorf, Germany) and has just launched its first US office in New Jersey. RedEye clients include Skype, Ford, French Connection, Haven Holidays, Hotel Chocolat, ASOS, Monarch, Butlins, HSBC and Ted Baker.

Contact:
Katie Traynier
Marketing Manager
RedEye
26 Shenley Pavilions
Chalkdell Drive
Shenley Wood
Milton Keynes MK5 6LB
01908 340 903

Luxury Travel Vietnam Ltd to Promote MICE and Leisure Luxury Short Trips at ITB ASIA 2011

Vietnam is an Emerging Mice Destination in South East Asia. With its incredible culture and unique beauty, Vietnam is the perfect destination for MICE events.

Hanoi, Vietnam, September 10, 2011 - Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) announces it will show its expertise in MICE, Leisure and Corporate Travel at ITB ASIA 2011 (itb-asia.com). ITB Asia, the annually held three day B2B trade show and convention, now in its fourth year in Singapore, takes place at the Suntec Singapore Exhibition & Convention Centre from 19 to 21 Oct 2011. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau.

This is where international exhibitors of all sectors of the travel-value chain, Asia Pacific's leading travel companies and emerging small and medium-sized enterprises meet with top international buyers from the MICE, Leisure and Corporate Travel markets.

Hung Nguyen, Mice Department Manager of Luxury Travel Company said, “Vietnam is for everyone all sizes of MICE in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and newly Centre Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoian). Nature and culture is waiting to sustain ably serve and satisfy most discerning guests.”

The company specializes in planning and organizing incentive trips and have been one of the leading MICE destination companies in Vietnam for over 7 years.

Luxury Travel Company’s (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com ) main business activities – luxury inbound/outbound operator, luxury adventures, custom tours, romance, wellness and spa, MICE, family travel and private travel arrangements for VIP stars, celebrities, Royal and Government clientele, private jet and yacht cruises.

Luxury Travel is the first travel company in Vietnam specializing in luxury, leisure, and incentive holidays. We have first hand knowledge on MICE, and excellent relations with suppliers in the MICE industry for whatever event or incentive holiday you want. Name it we make it happen,” added Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam.

Luxury Travel has everything you need to organize a successful MICE trip not only in Vietnam but also in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand.

“We promote Vietnam as a preferred new destination for both domestic and international MICE travels,” explained Ha. “MICE planners can visit our website www.luxurytravelvietnam.com to organize their next successful meeting incentive conference and exhibition. Meet our representatives at E05 Hall 601 at ITB ASIA 2011.”

Luxury Travel (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com ) also announces promoting leisure high-end short trips at the ITB Asia 2011.

“Today’s luxury travelers want to be entertained and stimulated, rather than simply pampered. They seek action and simplicity. They want also off the beaten track experiences; crave efficient and seamless travel, value for money and a return on personal values in a post credit crunch environment. They also interest in short trips, family travel, a bit of adventure, local culture and authentic experiences. Our leisure travel programs to show at ITB ASIA are designed to catch this trend” added Pham Ha.

The first luxury tour operator (www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) and full travel service agency based in Hanoi with offices throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand, Luxury Travel is exceptional in designing tailor-made tours and providing unique travel experiences. Opened in 2004, the Luxury Travel Company Limited has its own offices, luxury vehicles, luxury travel advisors, and sales offices in California, Paris, and Melbourne. The company’s depth of experience and large infrastructure enable it to create unique itineraries with the operational confidence to fulfill client expectations. Luxury Travel Ltd won numerous travel awards for excellent performance including the most recent award: Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam.

Contact:
David Nguyen
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
5 Nguyen Truong To Street
Ba Dinh Dist
Hanoi, Vietnam 71000
84439274120

Top Marcellus Shale Resource Releases Updated Analysis of Industry Related Legislation

Marcellus Minutes Notes Bills Introduced to Date Have Reached 100

Harrisburg, PA, September 09, 2011 - With the fall session set to resume, 100 Marcellus Shale related bills have been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. This avalanche of bills in 2011 far outstrips the General Assembly’s pace during the two year session that ended in December of 2010. “In the entire 2009 – 2010 legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced 83 bills. Two of those proposals eventually became law,” stated Tim Bittle, the creator and author of the Marcellus Minutes newsletter and website. Marcellus Minutes, a division of Bigley and Blikle, LLC, is a nonpartisan, subscription-based news and information service that has provided vital information to the state government, the Marcellus Shale industry and the general public for more than three years.

“As the industry convenes a sold out conference in Philadelphia, legislators continue to drop in bills to regulate it. Also, the first voting session held since Governor Tom Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission has released its 96 recommendations will convene later this month,” noted Bittle. “As the industry further develops in Pennsylvania, legislative interest in regulating Marcellus Shale activities has dramatically increased and we expect that to continue.”

The range of legislation regulating the Marcellus Shale industry includes fiscal and tax matters, water quality, property owner rights, and industry safety. The Commonwealth’s Oil and Gas Act contains the basic legislative framework for the industry’s regulation. Bills amending the Oil and Gas Act form the greatest number of new legislative proposals in this legislative session and the past two sessions.

Bittle further noted that when the industry was in its nascent stage in Pennsylvania, only two bills amending the Oil and Gas Act were introduced during the 2007 – 2008 legislative session. This tally increased to 21 bills during the 2009 – 2010 legislative session. In the current session, 20 bills amending the Oil and Gas Act have been introduced with more expected to come.

“As with other hot issues, the Marcellus Shale industry is drawing legislative fire from all quarters. But like most issue areas, only a fraction of the introduced legislation will become law,” Bittle stated.

To assist lawmakers, the industry and interested parties, Bittle has posted on the Marcellus Minutes website (www.marcellusminutes.com) a helpful document identifying the plethora of Marcellus Shale related bills that await legislative action.

Highlights and Points of Interest Regarding the 96 Marcellus Shale Related Bills:

62 are House Bills

38 are Senate Bills

55 were introduced by Republicans

45 were introduced by Democrats

13 bills would impose a severance tax or local impact fee

4 bills would impose a drilling moratorium of one type or another

Marcellus Minutes is an information-packed resource that provides subscribers with the latest state government news, including reports on General Assembly and Administration actions as well as a legislative committee hearing testimony and bill tracking. Marcellus Minutes also provides news and information from around the Commonwealth about this natural gas formation. Subscribers receive full access to the Marcellus Minutes website and a weekly newsletter via email.

Contact:
Tim Bittle
Marcellus Minutes
4075 Linglestown Road
PMB 356
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 360-0394

According to Ovum, AuraPortal is well above other BPM Providers in the International Market

AuraPortal’s scores in the perceptual dimension of the BPM Decision Matrix 2011 report are so consistently high that the AuraPortal matrix position nearly reaches the maximum scores possible established by Ovum.

Woburn (Boston), MA, September 06, 2011 - AuraPortal (www.auraportal.com), a global provider of Business Process Management (BPM) software, today announced that their BPM Suite has been highlighted in the comparative table of BPM providers in the recent Business Process Management Decision Matrix 2011 report of the prestigious firm of analysts, Ovum (Datamonitor), specializing in business management and new technologies.

Ovum, global firm and leader in consultancy that forms part of the Datamonitor Group, offers an independent and objective analysis that helps organizations make better business and technological decisions. They base their research on more than 400,000 interviews a year with business and technological executives, which provide Ovum with an unprecedented base of knowledge not only of business requirements, but also of the technology that organizations should support.

The report illustrates the large difference between AuraPortal and other BPMs on the market, with AuraPortal’s scores higher than average on every dimension, and reaching in some cases the highest possible plateau. “Across both the technology and user sentiment dimensions, AuraPortal's performance has been stellar”.

And the report concludes: “AuraPortal is one of the few BPM providers with a potential market comprising thousands of enterprises, and the time is certainly right for a vendor which can count ‘value for money’ as one of its differentiators”.

About Ovum:
Ovum, global firm and leader in consultancy that forms part of the Datamonitor Group, offers an independent and objective analysis that allows making better business and technological decisions.

They base their research on more than 400,000 interviews a year with business and technological executives, which provide Ovum with an unprecedented knowledge not only of business requirements, but also of the technology that organizations should support.

Auraportal Contacts:

Scott Rich
Skype: scott.marketingintl
Phone: +1 781-569-5940 or +1 978-808-6340


The Netherlands: info-nl@auraportal.nl

About AURA (AuraPortal) (http://www.auraportal.com):
AURA is a global BPMS (Business Process Management Suite) provider delivering a solution that creates, without the need of IT programming, Business Process Workflow Execution Models. AuraPortal is 100% Web-based, and is complementary to existing ERP and CRM systems.

AuraPortal has a presence in 50 countries with more than 350 customers including, among others: Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Frito-Lay, Toyota, Yamaha, Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), ArcelorMittal, Eletrobras, Royal KPN, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sodexo, etc., as well as many Government Agencies and Departments in several countries.

AuraPortal Headquarters are located in North America (Boston) and Europe (Holland) whereas the software development facilities are located in Spain and India.

Contact:
Nina Moon
AuraPortal
The Greater Boston
400 Trade Center - Suite 5900
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801-7472
781 569 5940

Windy Town Releases A New CD - Mozart & Beethoven For PETS - An album for you and your pets to enjoy together

When you need relaxation, downtime, an escape from your troubles, this recording rises to the occasion. Sit back with your cat or dog on the couch and relax, enjoy some down time. Let time pass a little more slowly and listen to these great pieces of music that have passed the test of time, and are worth hearing.

Bartlett, IL, September 09, 2011 - Michael Droste, a composer and musician from Illinois, released an album called "Mozart & Beethoven For PETS." "Much has been written about the positive effects of their music on the mind and the resulting measurable increases in brain activity. Combine that result, with the calming effect of a pet that lowers blood pressure and eases tension; you receive an unbeatable combination!" said Droste. He stated, “I also wanted to get the idea out there that: Beauty Can Change The World." This truly beautiful music can change your mood and the mood of others. True art, truly beautiful music, can change the world.

Mozart has the classic purity of light and the blue ocean; Beethoven the romantic grandeur which belongs to the storms of air and sea, and while the soul of Mozart seems to dwell on the ethereal peaks of Olympus, that of Beethoven climbs shuddering the storm-beaten sides of a Sinai. Blessed be they both! Each represents a moment of the ideal life, each does us good. Our love is due to both. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel ~

"Call your pet over to the couch, lie back, close your eyes or take out your favorite book, and relax as you listen the greatest composers of all time." said Droste.

The album Mozart & Beethoven For PETS by Michael Droste is available through the Itunes, Amazon and other online music retailers. You can also see their music at WindyTown.com http://www.WindyTown.Com

About Windy Town:
Windy Town is a privately owned music company founded in 1992. Located in Bartlett IL., a suburb of Chicago, they release five to ten unique musical recordings a year.

Contact:
Michael Droste
Director of public relations
Windy Town
PO Box 1025
Streamwood, IL
60107-1025
630-344-9292