AAA: Venezuelans flock to invest in Miami real estate

The real estate market in Florida is booming in response to major demand from cash-rich alternative investors from Latin America, according to alternative investment advocacy group, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 29, 2012 -- The real estate market in Florida is booming in response to major demand from cash-rich alternative investors from Latin America, according to alternative investment advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

AAA has responded to a report in propertywire.com, which shows that investors from Venezuela have been buying up property in Miami in droves. The Miami Association of Realtors claim that 15 per cent of all international property sales in Miami last year were to people from Venezuela, who have cash to spend and are eager to get their hands on lucrative and tangible investments.

Despite the ongoing slump in the US economy and, indeed, the Florida housing market, developers have started working again to feed the demand from the rich Latin Americans looking to buy bricks and mortar in the US state.

Jorge Perez from one of the leading developers in the region, Related Group, told Propertywire.com, “Latin America has really helped to breathe new life into our market.”

The trend for Venezuelans investing in the US housing market is thought to stem from the concerns they have about a possible forthcoming crackdown on such investments at home from leftist President Huge Chavez.

The US housing market is the winner in this scenario,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He added, “It’s not difficult to see why the investors are putting their cash into real estate at a time when the equity markets are far less attractive, along with several other forms of traditional investment.”

However, AAA was keen to point out that there are some investment schemes that are even closer to home, such as the forestry plantation investment schemes run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. Brazil, like Venezuela, has seen an improvement in its fortunes in recent years. As a result, the demand for charcoal or the growing steel industry is enormous and lucrative for those invested in non-native sustainable plantations.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596

NanoMarkets Announces the Release of Latest Report on Smart Windows Market

NanoMarkets has announced the release of its latest report on smart windows, "Smart Windows Markets 2012."

Glen Allen, Virginia - February 29, 2012 -- Industry analyst firm NanoMarkets has announced the release of its latest report on smart windows, "Smart Windows Markets 2012." In the report the firm analyzes the opportunities for smart windows including hot new technologies such as thermochromics, photochromics, PDLC and SPD. It also covers the established markets for retrofit window films and low-e glass.

The report also discusses the activities of some of the important firms in the smart windows space including: 3M, Asahi Glass, Beijing All Brilliant, Chiefway, Chromogenics, Citala, Commonwealth,Corning, DuPont, Garware, GE, Gentex, GlasNovations, Guardian Industries, Johnson Laminations, Materion, Mitsubishi, NSG/Pilkington, Pleotint, Polytron, Polytronix, PPG, Ravenbrick, Sage, Saint-Gobain, Schott, Sekisui, SKC Haas, Smart Glass, Soladigm, Solutia (Eastman Chemicals), Toray Plastics, Switch Materials, US e-Chromics and Zeledyne.

The report provides forecasts of all of the smart windows technologies and materials mentioned above for both the architectural and transportation sectors of the smart windows market, with breakouts by both market value and area covered, as well as by glass or film substrates.

Additional details about the report are available at: http://nanomarkets.net/market_reports/report/smart_windows_markets_2012

NanoMarkets has recently released related other related reports in the areas of BIPV glass, flexible glass, transparent conductors and conductive coatings.

From the Report:

NanoMarkets strongly believes that smart window technologies will grow significantly in the coming decade on the basis of their ability to improve energy efficiencies within both the architectural and transportation sectors. Beyond energy conservation, smart windows also offer improved aesthetics, functionality and margins for builders, manufacturers and materials suppliers.

Materials and specialty chemical firms are a key constituency of the smart window supply chain and the smart window market will be largely fueled by innovation in specialty chemicals and materials science. The major growth areas are electrochromic coatings and self-cleaning coatings with thermochromic coatings will provide somewhat moderate growth opportunities for material suppliers. The market for electrochromic glass windows in particular is expected to almost quadruple to over $2.1 billion market by 2017, with the new smart technologies, PDLC and SPD, generating almost $800 million by the same year.

Smart windows will further provide a growth platform for architectural glass manufacturers and window manufacturers. Already “pricey” architectural glass and window products can be sold at incremental price increase, while providing valuable additional features such as energy savings with smart coatings on the windows and glass facades.

For the construction and architectural side of things, NanoMarkets believes that firms who focus on LEED design and construction, and who adopt smart windows technologies, will benefit the most. As smart windows technology grows and pervades the marketplace, it will eventually become a “required technology” for LEED design and construction. Therefore, architectural and construction firms that are early adopters of smart windows technology in their building designs will gain a sustainable competitive advantage for growing their businesses.

About NanoMarkets:

NanoMarkets tracks and analyzes emerging market opportunities in energy, electronics and other markets created by developments in advanced materials. The firm is a recognized leader in industry analysis and forecasts of advanced glass and smart windows sectors and has been covering the markets for such technologies sector for more than six years.

Visit http://www.nanomarkets.net for a full listing of NanoMarkets’ reports and other services.

Media Contact:
Robert Nolan
NanoMarkets, LC
PO BOX 3840
Glen Allen, VA 23058
804-270-1718

Luxury Travel Group Ltd to Promote Exotic Laos Encounter Tour

This trip has been designed for travellers who wish to experience the exotic Laos tour. Their trip will start in the capital city of Vientiane and end in Luang Prabang.

Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb 29, 2012 -- This trip has been designed for travellers who wish to experience the exotic Laos tour. Their trip will start in the capital city of Vientiane and end in Luang Prabang. In between, travelers will explore rugged and mountainous Luang Nam Tha and its surrounding areas.

Laos remains relatively exotic, unexplored and is possibly the most overlooked destination in Asia, despite its rich culture, history and diverse ecosystem.

In Luang Nam Tha, you will be able to meet many hill tribe people, venture off the beaten path and discover the many hidden wonders of this beautiful Southeast Asian country.

Once the heart and soul of the ancient kingdom of Laos, Luang Prabang is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is filled with ornate temples and French colonial architecture on the bank of the Mekong River, giving it a truly magical feel.

The price starts from US$ 2071 per person in a twin share in deluxe hotels and includes all transportation in Laos, meals, entrance fees and the services of an English-speaking guide.

Luxury Travel Ltd specialises in tailor-made tours for clients who are looking for something special, for travellers who wish to experience the exotic Laos tour. Your trip will start in the capital city of Vientiane and end in Luang Prabang. In between, you will explore rugged and mountainous Luang Nam Tha and its surrounding areas,” said David Nguyen, Sales and Marketing Manager of Luxury Travel Ltd. “You will experience the finest local food, ride elephants, trek through the forest and hill tribal villages, yet you will go back to a world of comfort each evening. We are sure that this will be a once in a life time experience in Laos!”

Luxury Travel has been taking care of visitors to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand since 2004 and has won numerous travel awards, including the most recent, the "Best Luxury Tour Operator in Vietnam."


Media Contact:
David Nguyen
Sales and Marketing Manager
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120

Luxury Travel Vietnam to Offer a New FAM Trip to Vietnam at ITB Berlin 2012

Vietnam's Biggest Luxury Tour Operator Invites Professionals to Visit Vietnam at ITB Berlin 2012.

Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb 29, 2012 -- Hanoi -based Luxury Travel Ltd is a long established Asian specialist in luxury privately guided and fully bespoke holidays in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Luxury Travel Ltd attends ITB Berlin from 7-11 March 2012 which n is the world’s leading travel trade show.

For many travel experts, Vietnam has all of these to offer to German tourists. Vietnam in particular increasingly is being recognized as a destination for high-end global tourists, especially those coming from Western European countries with direct flights, such as France, the UK, and Germany. Vietnam now has world class hotels and resorts, beaches and cuisine, in addition to its natural beauty, rich history and traditional culture.

The country receives 100,000 German tourists yearly, and the number of tourists increases year after year. The new slogan of Vietnam tourism -- “Timeless charm,” was created with an aim to attract long haul travelers from Germany and elsewhere, who wish to experience its defining characteristics: Thrills, nature, heritage, festival, pristine, enjoyment, scenery and essence.

To help our travel agents and tour operators to sell our Vietnam luxury tours at ITB Berlin 2012, I invite travel professionals to do a 9 day familiarization trip to Vietnam. Participants receive a certificate of Luxury Travel Specialist after the trip," said Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel Company. "On this 9 day tour offering a blend of classic sightseeing and excursions, the well-planned fam tour itinerary will showcase the company’s unrivaled expertise in tailor-making tours. With first-class accommodation, domestic travel and food included within the overall price at 999 euro per person from 2 participants, this fam trip program demonstrates excellent value for the money and promises unprecedented insights into local customs. The perfect way to learn more about Vietnam and some of the most dynamic new products available for 2012 - 2013, this tour blends innovative touring with hotel inspections to give agents insight the destinations and become true luxury travel advisors."

To get a confidential tariff book for Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar luxury tours, or to book an appointment in advance with Pham Ha, travel professionals email to de(at)luxurytravelvietnam.com, or Richard Parks at uk(@)luxurytravelvietnam.com, Richard is a rep officer of Luxury Travel UK (http://www.luxurytravelvietnam.com) in London, the UK. Luxury Travel Ltd shares the booth with Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, VNAT, located at Hall 26A/122 at ITB Berlin 2012.


Media Contact:
David Nguyen
Sales and Marketing Manager
Luxury Travel Group Ltd
05 Nguyen Truong To Str.,
Ba Dinh Dist, Hanoi 84444
Vietnam
84439274120