Join volunteer wildlife conservation organization, Biosphere Expeditions, on a brand new underwater diving volunteer vacation in beautiful Malaysia. This SCUBA diving volunteer vacation takes a group of international divers to Tioman, the Malaysian island that was called “one of the world’s most beautiful islands” by Time Magazine.

Working in a very small group of five participants, one scientist and one expedition leader, volunteers assist the local researcher to study and protect the local marine park’s beautiful, but fragile coral reefs, as well as its marine megafauna such as sharks, dolphins and turtles.

The first five days of the expedition are spent learning the Reef Check research techniques while volunteers are based on a beach chalet resort on Tioman Island. After this, volunteers move to a 45-foot sloop rig sailing yacht research vessel, which will take them to the most remote areas of the marine park.

The expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver; with this qualification volunteers are eligible to apply for PADI or NAUI Reef Check Speciality Course certification after the expedition. Volunteers must be fully qualified divers to take part in this expedition (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent) and they can obtain this qualification on site prior to the expedition (allow four to five extra days). April 1-13th, April 15-17, 2012. $2140 pp. www.biosphere-expeditions.org

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA– A wide variety of independent films are to be screened in Malaysia at the upcoming Kuala Lumpur International Short Film Festival.

Taking place at the Panggung Bandaraya DBKL theatre hall, the event will showcase short movies made by directors from around the world, with film fans, journalists and studio executives all set to attend.

Categories will include student projects, animated shorts and films with an environmental message, which will be eligible for a special Green Award.

Attendees can expect to see films from Asia, Europe, the US and South America, while seminars and workshops will also be held to offer insight into film and screenwriting theory.

Artists who attend will be given a perfect chance to get their work noticed, while plenty of networking and social opportunities will also be offered.

The Panggung Bandaraya DBKL is located not far from the Masjid Jamek RapidKL train station and is an historic monument in its own right, having been in operation since 1906.

Despite its status as a heritage building, it nevertheless boasts modern amenities and furnishings, as well as an up-to-date sound system.

Cineastes can browse a comprehensive assortment of Kuala Lumpur hotels at AsiaRooms.com, including the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel.

Find out more about the festival at http://klisfestival.com

This one-of-a-kind journey for discerned guests begins at the world-renowned island of Pangkor Laut where guests will enjoy a one night stay at The Estates at Pangkor Laut, individually crafted enclaves that were designed to capture the spirit of traditional Southeast Asian estates. Offering absolute and total privacy, each Estate is serviced by a personal butler and a chef who prepares each meal to cater for individual taste and dietary requirements. Guests can choose to travel to Pangkor Laut by helicopter or a chartered yacht from the mainland in addition to the package. Spend the day with nature amidst the two-million-year-old rainforest or simply relax by the emerald waters on the pristine private beach the next day before being whisked away in the evening on the YTL Lady II to Langkawi, the second destination on the programme.

The powerful and agile YTL Lady II is an 85 foot Princess Motor Yacht that is ideally suited for long-range cruises. With its draft-reducing propeller tunnels and deep V hull, it allows smooth handling and superior seakeeping. Guests on board the YTL Lady II can enjoy the comfortable and stylish interior, or bask in the sun on the spacious flybridge and secluded foredeck. The luxurious Princess yacht accommodates up to six people with two double ensuite rooms and two twin ensuite rooms, making it ideally suited for couples and small groups. A professional crew and a personal chef are appointed to cater to the whim of every guest throughout the journey.

The mystical island of Langkawi affords guests the opportunity to explore the exotic mangroves, a bat cave, local fishing villages, limestone rock formations along with many more activities before enjoying a delicious seafood lunch. They can choose to take a leisurely cycling tour around villages or discover legends and attractions on an island tour before departing for Ko Rok Nok in the evening.

Following an indulgent dining experience on the yacht, guests can retire to their luxurious cabin with only the peaceful sound of the sea to listen to. The following morning holds nothing but promise with the beautiful white-sand beach and colourful coral gardens of Ko Rok Nok, an uninhabited island off the west coast of Thailand. After spending a day swimming, snorkelling, or relaxing on the beach, the chef serves a delightful picnic lunch on the beach, prepared just for them. In the evening, guests can watch the sun set while enjoying a romantic barbecue dinner on the beach with a delectable offering of fresh seafood and mouthwatering meats.

After a refreshing slumber amongst some of the world’s most exquisite islands, guests are greeted by the spectacular view of Ko Kai island where steep cliffs form one end of the island, while the other end offers beautiful beaches along a peninsula. They can enjoy a morning of snorkelling where they can marvel at the array of marine life and coral below. After lunch, guests will be taken to the six islands of Ko Phi Phi, made famous by the British-American film featuring Leonardo DiCaprio; ‘The Beach’ where they can witness the natural paradise of the long white sandy beaches, limestone cliffs and verdant jungle.

One final magical night awaits with a tantalising dinner accompanied by the splendour of the wondrous scenery surrounding them. The following morning, guests will be transported to the Ao Po Grand Marina where they can choose to conclude this magnificent cruise with a stay in the exquisite accommodation of The Surin, the intimate Villa Tassana, or another resort of preference.
Guests can book this luxuriously exclusive one-way cruise for USD45,000. If they wish to extend the experience, they can also arrange a return journey on YTL Hotels’ Princess yacht back to Pangkor Laut.

About YTL Hotels
YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. The Company owns and manages a prestigious award winning collection of individually unique resorts, hotels and spas including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world’s best resort in 2003. With their expansion, YTL Hotels now has hotels in Saint-Tropez, Niseko Village, Shanghai and Borneo in 2012, in addition to the portfolio in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the UK. YTL Hotels brings a natural essence of culture, character and tradition to each destination embracing different luxurious experiences.

Visit www.ytlhotels.com  for more information.

Biosphere Expeditions Announces New Offerings For Volunteer Travelers in 2012

Biosphere Expeditions, a volunteer wildlife conservation organization, is announcing brand new offerings for volunteer vacationers in 2012, including two new volunteer wildlife expeditions and the debut of new volunteer “Sampler Days” in select US national and state parks:

Find Out What It’s Like To Volunteer During New ‘Sampler Days’

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to take part in a volunteer vacation or a volunteer wildlife conservation program? Biosphere Expeditions is announcing brand new Sampler Days that will take place in select US state and national parks in 2012.

These one-day events will offer people the chance to be “scientist for the day” as they find out what it’s really like to be a part of a team of volunteers, assisting scientists with wildlife research and conservation.

The Sampler Days will take part in Minnewaska State Park in New York, Lory State Park in Colorado, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in California, and participants will see what it’s like to be part of a small team, working alongside park rangers, expedition leaders, and fellow volunteers while learning about wildlife research and conservation skills.

Journey To Dubai’s Desert Landscape To Help Protect Wildlife Species Of The Emirates

On this new volunteer wildlife expedition, travelers from around the world are invited to the iconic sandy desert landscape of the Arabian Peninsula to work on a conservation project that will help to ensure the survival of some wildlife species that are on the IUCN Red list. Working alongside scientists from the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, volunteers will be part of a small international team that will work to help monitor wildlife like the Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat, and other desert species as part of a conservation initiative.

From a comfortable oasis field camp, participants will venture out in expedition Land Rovers and on foot to study oryx behavior and social structures, camera- and live-trap Gordon’s wildcat, and monitor Macqueen’s bustard by radio and GPS telemetry.

Dates: January 15-23rd, 2012. Expedition contribution: $1490 pp.

Be An Underwater Volunteer On A Volunteer Diving Expedition In Exotic Malaysia

This SCUBA diving volunteer vacation takes a group of international divers to Tioman, the Malaysian island that was called “one of the world’s most beautiful islands” by Time Magazine. Working in a very small group of five participants, a scientist, and an expedition leader, volunteers assist the local researcher to study and protect the local marine park’s beautiful but fragile coral reefs, as well as its marine megafauna such as sharks, dolphins and turtles.

The first five days of the expedition are spent learning the Reef Check research techniques while volunteers are based on a beach chalet resort on Tioman Island.

After this, volunteers move to a 45-foot sloop rig sailing yacht research vessel, which will take them to the most remote areas of the marine park.

The expedition includes training as a Reef Check EcoDiver; with this qualification volunteers are eligible to apply for PADI or NAUI Reef Check Speciality Course certification after the expedition. Volunteers must be fully qualified divers to take part in this expedition (minimum PADI Open Water or equivalent) and they can obtain this qualification on site prior to the expedition (allow four to five extra days). March 18-30th, April 1-13th, 2012. $2140 pp.

New One Week Volunteer Expedition In Peru

This project takes volunteers to a remote biodiversity hotspot of the upper Amazon rainforest in the wilds of Peru. As part of a small team, participants will experience living and working in the jungle together with local biologists on an important wildlife survey concentrating on cats, primates and other flagship species of the Amazon to aid community conservation efforts and the development of sustainable management strategies. Based at a comfortable jungle lodge in a remote part of the forest, volunteers spend their days working on foot in the largest trail grid in the entire Amazon, and in canoes on natural waterways through the jungle, recording species, setting camera traps, creating databases, etc. All of this as an integral part of a wildlife volunteer conservation project that will preserve an intact landscape of forest for further multidisciplinary research projects. August 19-25, August 26-September 1, 2012. $1690 pp.

For more information about Biosphere Expeditions, visit www.biosphere-expeditions.org

Health and Fitness Travel (www.healthandfitnesstravel.com ) who provides tailor-made active and wellness holidays worldwide recommend their top five fitness breaks.

Steve Halsall, a celebrity personal trainer and spokesperson for Health and Fitness Travel says; “There is nothing like eating like you know you should, training to your edge and recovering in idyllic surroundings. Good habits are easier to implement when you have the time and energy to truly understand just how easy it is to change and what your true potential is. Taking the plunge and going on an active holiday where you’ll be the focus of attention will enable you to hit the ground running in the New Year. Active holidays are always inspiring, memorable and a real opportunity to change your life for ever.”

Exercising outdoors in natural surroundings is a great way to leave you feeling recharged, motivated and healthier, these fitness holidays are loaded with plenty of outdoor activities like tennis, hiking and mountain biking. These holidays will meet your individual health and fitness goals, whether it’s weight loss, increased muscle tone or cardio fitness. Nurture your body and soul, fight the flab and live a healthier lifestyle, here are our top five fitness holidays to help you kick-start that New Year health regime.

Absolute Sanctuary Fitness
Thailand

This bespoke holiday caters for those seeking to improve their fitness levels or who want to kick-start a fitness regime. Enjoy personalised fitness sessions both indoor and outdoor including a wide variety of exercises such as cardio vascular workouts, weight training sessions, beach bootcamp, Pilates reformer sessions, Muay Thai kick boxing lessons and daily yoga classes to include Ashtanga and Hot Flow. Be nourished with healthy meals and power-blast super shakes to keep your energy levels up, along with healing spa treatments to knead away your aching muscles leaving your body restored.

Absolute Sanctuary Fitness costs from £1,929pp which includes 7 nights’ accommodation all-inclusive, the fitness Programme, return flights from the UK and transfers.

The Chateau Fitness
Malaysia

Located in the Berjaya Hills amidst a lush tropical rain forest, The Chateau is the world’s first organic wellness and destination retreat. Enhance your strength, endurance and improve your health and well-being with this tailored fitness programme. Enjoy lots of activities at your disposal including: jungle trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, tennis, golf, yoga and exercise classes, and unwind with spa treatments and holistic classes such as meditation.

The Chateau Fitness costs from £3,190pp which includes 7 nights’ accommodation all-inclusive, the fitness Programme, return flights from the UK and transfers.

Shanti Maurice Physique
Mauritius

Enjoy a tailored fitness programme to let you tone muscles, cleanse out toxins, calm your mind and restore an overstressed body, leaving you rejuvenated and revitalised. A health and fitness consultation welcomes you, followed by tennis, yoga, meditation and lots of fabulous spa treatments at this beautiful chic retreat. There is also a daily schedule of activities to include, yoga, Pilates, cooking classes, morning powerwalks, water sports, snorkelling, tennis, golf and numerous exercise classes.

Shanti Maurice Physique costs from £2,980pp which includes 7 nights’ accommodation all-inclusive, return flights from the UK and transfers.

The BodyHoliday
St. Lucia

An amazing health and fitness retreat in St Lucia, this resort offers an extensive timetable of fitness and holistic classes including beach boxing, Zumba, yoga, body spin and Pilates. Enjoy a daily spa treatment along with enough activities including tennis, water sports, archery, fencing, biking and morning walks to keep you busy from dusk till dawn.

The BodyHoliday costs from £1,859pp which includes 7 nights’ accommodation all-inclusive, return flights from the UK and transfers.

Canyon Ranch
Arizona

Choose from 225 health and fitness programmes with a team of more than 60 wellness professionals to help you. A leading spa offering daily treatments to rejuvenate and 40+ complimentary fitness classes each day, along with guided hikes, walks, adventure courses and biking excursions. Located in the magnificent Sonoran Desert, Canyon Ranch offers endless opportunities for pleasure, relaxation, discovery and renewal.

Canyon Ranch costs from £3,700pp which includes 7 nights’ accommodation all-inclusive, return flights from the UK and transfers.

For more information visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com  or call 0845 5441936

Ecoteer Responsible Travel offer their guests a new experience to their holidays and actively encourage them to ‘get involved’ in community conservation efforts run by the Ecoteer House ‘Village People’.

Their voluntourism programme for 2012 allows you to learn about turtle and coral conservation through their awareness activities – patrolling the beach to look for nesting green sea turtles, learn to decipher their tracks, collect coral bleaching data and help with coral replanting.

And what better way to learn about conservation than to share the knowledge with the local villagers. Spend a few nights in the village, immerse yourself in the local culture, teach the local school kids about the marine life at their doorsteps, join in their village composting and recycling community efforts and then wind up the busy day with a traditional Malay dinner cooked for you especially by the villagers. All this… and still have time to put your feet up, watch the waves, laze on the beach and read a book!

Prices
RM220 all inclusive per person per night
RM250 per person, if single
Includes
Air con twin room- sharing, three meals per day and donation to Ecoteer House community
efforts).
1 week = RM664 per person
Includes
Return boat transfer, mixed dorm inside Ecoteer House, three meals per day, weekly snorkel
tour, weekly Malay dinner and donation to the Ecoteer House Community efforts).

The Datai Langkawi’s 54 well-appointed deluxe rooms, 40 villas, and 14 suites, all offer scenic views of nature and jungle, and a range of dining options for indoor or alfresco meals. Two swimming pools an award-winning spa nestled under the rainforest canopy, and the nearby 18-hole championship Datai Bay Golf Course provide for leisure pursuits. www.thedatai.com.my

BACK TO NATURE PACKAGE AT THE DATAI LANGKAWI
What’s Included:
-Two night stay in a Superior Villa including daily breakfast for two
-Return Airport Transfers
-Spa Treatment for two in an open-air spa villa
-Mangrove Tour with the resident naturalist

Price: from RM2,887.50 per package for two adults (approximately AUS$906.00 at today’s exchange).

For reservations at
The Datai Langkawi
contact reservationsdatailangkawi@thedatai.com.my  or
phone (+60 4) 959 2500

For media information contacts:
Betsy Pie | Betsy Pie International Communications
Public Relations – Archipelago Hotels and Resorts
E: betsy@betsypiecomm.com
Mobile: +61 411 886 386

The Datai Langkawi is managed by Archipelago Hotels & Resorts

About Archipelago Hotels and Resorts
Archipelago Hotels and Resorts create memories and deliver the fine art of hospitality for guests who appreciate experiences that are out of the ordinary and special. Embracing the true spirit of Asian culture and traditions, Archipelago Hotels & Resorts consistently combine passion and integrity, subtlety and luxury, creating a guest experience that fosters fond and everlasting memories. The company’s luxury portfolio includes The Datai Langkawi (a member of LHW), The Club at Saujana Resort (a member of LHW) and The Carcosa Seri Negara. www.shr.my

One of Asia’s style capitals is getting a hotel to match. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announced plans to open its first Aloft hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral will soon infuse sizzling ‘style-at-a-steal’ with a splash of urban chic into the bustling transportation hub of KL Sentral in early 2013. The signing of the Hotel Management Agreement was recently inked between the hotel owner, Iringan Flora Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Ireka Corporation Berhad’s associate company, Aseana Properties Ltd, ‘Aseana’) and the Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd.

“Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral will bring a dynamic mix of urban style and social interplay to the KL Sentral area. The Aloft brand’s bold design and social atmosphere is a big draw for the next generation of travellers, who expect their lodging to reflect their constantly evolving lifestyle,” said Chuck Abbott, Regional Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, South East Asia.

Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral is ideally located in KL Sentral area with connection to the city’s transportation network including the Light Rail Transit (LRT), Monorail as well as the Express Rail Link (ERL) to the KLIA. The hotel will feature 482 rooms within a 31-storey tower, several function rooms and a Ballroom which can accommodate up to 700 persons. Guests will be welcomed at the Aloft front desk and warmly hosted in the Re:mix lobby lounge. Hotel guests can also expect a unique, urbanely experience from its wide range of amenities namely the “w xyz” theme bar, the Re:fuel bar, “nook” all-day-dining restaurant, Re:charge fitness centre, Chill Out Sky Bar, infinity sky and wading pools as well as the Touch & Go kiosk providing Internet-based services.

The hotel tower is located next to the upcoming NU Sentral Mall, which is part of Lot G that forms a mixed commercial project comprising two other Grade A Office Towers in KL Sentral. Both the hotel and office towers are developed by Excellent Bonanza Sdn Bhd [a 60:40 joint venture between Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (‘MRCB’) and Ireka’s associate company, Aseana]. The development manager for the hotel is Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd (‘IDM’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ireka Corporation Berhad.

“Indeed, we are very excited to bring in the brand new ‘Aloft’ brand to Malaysia. Aloft is a lifestyle brand which epitomises a unique, personalised experience that urbanites long for as they travel, be it on business or for leisure. We are confident that Aloft Sentral will serve the niche market, given its strategic location, strong branding and unique product offering.”Commenting on the partnership, Lai Voon Hon, President / CEO of Ireka Development Management Sdn Bhd said.

The Datai Langkawi’s 54 well-appointed deluxe rooms, 40 villas, and 14 suites, all offer scenic views of nature and jungle, and a range of dining options for indoor or alfresco meals. Two swimming pools an award-winning spa nestled under the rainforest canopy, and the nearby 18-hole championship Datai Bay Golf Course provide for leisure pursuits. www.thedatai.com.my

BACK TO NATURE PACKAGE AT THE DATAI LANGKAWI
What’s Included:
-Two night stay in a Superior Villa including daily breakfast for two
-Return Airport Transfers
-Spa Treatment for two in an open-air spa villa
-Mangrove Tour with the resident naturalist

Price: from RM2,887.50 per package for two adults (approximately AUS$906.00 at today’s exchange).

For reservations at
The Datai Langkawi
contact reservationsdatailangkawi@thedatai.com.my  or
phone (+60 4) 959 2500

For media information contacts:
Betsy Pie | Betsy Pie International Communications
Public Relations – Archipelago Hotels and Resorts
E: betsy@betsypiecomm.com
Mobile: +61 411 886 386

The Datai Langkawi is managed by Archipelago Hotels & Resorts

About Archipelago Hotels and Resorts
Archipelago Hotels and Resorts create memories and deliver the fine art of hospitality for guests who appreciate experiences that are out of the ordinary and special. Embracing the true spirit of Asian culture and traditions, Archipelago Hotels & Resorts consistently combine passion and integrity, subtlety and luxury, creating a guest experience that fosters fond and everlasting memories. The company’s luxury portfolio includes The Datai Langkawi (a member of LHW), The Club at Saujana Resort (a member of LHW) and The Carcosa Seri Negara. www.shr.my

PAHANG, MALAYSIA– Malaysia’s Resorts World Genting is playing host to the Varia Music Chinese New Year Showcase, which will feature the talents of some leading local acts.

The charity concert event will be held on January 8th 2012 to welcome in the year of the dragon, with eight acclaimed artists set to entertain the crowds with famous Chinese hits and new year songs.

Among them will be singers such as Ai Wen, Tian Xiang, Fang Ai Ling and Li Hui Jun, all of whom have launched successful music and sometimes acting careers following on from appearances in singing competitions.

Organisers have promised an afternoon with something to offer the whole family, while funds from the concert will be donated to local not-for-profit health organisation Sau Seng Lum, to aid the operation of its stroke rehabilitation centre in Petaling Jaya.

Tickets are available now to WorldCard members, who can use their membership to redeem vouchers for entry to the show.

The one-off performance will commence on the Sunday afternoon at 15:00 local time.

Music lovers have a huge selection of Malaysia hotels available to them at AsiaRooms.com, such as the Maxims Genting.

Find out more about the event and venue at http://www.rwgenting.com