Attracting foreign investments: Tuscany focuses on...

Florence (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Non-residential properties are another sector Tuscany is focusing on to attract foreign investments.

This is a new type of offering that, among others, Invest in Tuscany (http://www.investintuscany.com), the contact point for foreign businesses interested in establishing and developing their business in Tuscany, is promoting using the image and strategic position of Tuscany. Luxury tourist resorts, prestigious company headquarters and industrial buildings are the main properties on offer in the Region.

Created by 'Toscana Promozione' and the Provincial Governments of Tuscany, 'Invest in Tuscany' is the network foreign companies can contact if they want to set up a new business or invest in the region. The network operates in six key sectors: life sciences (biotechnologies, pharmaceuticals), ICT, logistics, leisure boating, renewable energies and, from this year, non-residential properties.

This new sector will make its debut at MIPIM -- 'Marche International des Professionnels de l'Immobilier' which will be held in Cannes from 11 to 14 March.

'Invest in Tuscany' will be in Cannes with its own stand to showcase and promote high-quality non-residential properties which can be used for new tourist, industrial and commercial activities and by new small businesses.

Some of the main opportunities on offer are: stunning complexes and hamlets to redevelop and turn into tourist resorts; existing tourist businesses (luxury hotels, holiday farmhouses, resorts, etc.); redevelopment of estates and construction of new buildings for industrial purposes; multi-function centres (e.g., play areas and sports, commercial, tourist and leisure facilities).

Properties on show at the MIPIM can be viewed on the following website: http://www.investintuscany.com.

Technical staff will be available at the stand to answer initial questions by interested investors.

Invest in Tuscany provides support to foreign investors wishing to locate their business within the region of Tuscany, offering free, specialised and confidential services. Through our headquarters in Florence and our offices in China, Germany, Russia, United States, Argentina and Brazil, we aim to provide comprehensive and professional assistance to foreign companies and investors wishing to locate their businesses in Tuscany.

Contact: Monica Colom Inward Investment Manager Toscana
Promozione - Invest in Tuscany Ph: +39-055-462801 Fax:
+39-055-4628082 info@investintuscany.com http://www.investintuscany.com
SOURCE Invest in Tuscany
CONTACT: Monica Colom, Inward Investment Manager of Toscana
Promozione - Invest in Tuscany, +39-055-462801, Fax: +39-055-4628082, info@investintuscany.com
Web site: http://www.investintuscany.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Castle Resorts & Hotels premieres in Thailand market

Honolulu, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - The Castle Group, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CAGU) today announced that its subsidiary, Hawaii-based management company Castle Resorts & Hotels, has expanded into Thailand with two new luxury resorts, Katamanda in Phuket and Baan Taling Ngam Resort & Spa in Koh Samui. These two additions bring Castle Resorts & Hotels' inventory count up to 26 properties throughout Hawaii, Micronesia, New Zealand and Thailand.

"Entering Thailand is an exciting new development of our company's strategic expansion into Southeast Asia," said Alan Mattson, president and chief operating officer of Castle Resorts & Hotels. "The consummation of these two management agreements in Thailand tops an incredibly successful year of growth for us. We plan to continue this aggressive expansion of our global presence from our Hawaii-based headquarters in 2008."

In the past year, Castle Resorts & Hotels has acquired six management contracts. In 2007, Castle was also awarded contracts for Maile Sky Court, Queen Kapiolani Hotel and Ocean Resort Hotel Waikiki on Oahu; and the Hotel Santa Fe in Guam.

Katamanda

Katamanda is an exclusive villa estate on the southwest coast of Phuket Island. Located on a bluff that overlooks both Kata Noi and Kata Beach areas, this gated resort features 40 villas on 13 acres of land. The two-bedroom villas are clustered amid lush gardens while larger three- to six-bedroom villas have their own private infinity pools. Villas feature Thai-inspired architecture and decor, and have living, kitchen and dining areas. Each bedroom has an in-suite private bathroom, some opening to private verandas with outdoor showers and tubs.

The property features a large swimming pool with waterfall, tennis court, fitness center, meeting room and cafe serving Western and Thai cuisine. These services are offered for guests of Katamanda, along with a menu of optional services available including a private chef, chauffeured transportation, live-in maid and personal shopping services.

Baan Taling Ngam

Baan Taling Ngam Resort and Spa, previously managed by Le Meridien, is a secluded exotic beachfront retreat on the island of Koh Samui set amid thousands of coconut trees. This 70-unit luxury resort overlooks the most stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand and the Ang Thong Marine National Park and terraces down the cliff to a private sandy beach. The destination resort features deluxe hotel rooms and suites as well as two- and three-bedroom private villas. It has three restaurants which serve Western and Thai dishes, al fresco Mediterranean dining and an elite Royal Thai restaurant serving haute Thai cuisine with very special Thai dancing and music. A full-service spa and separate beauty salon offers dozens of treatments and therapies. An infinity pool and a beachside pool are available for guest use and five private plunge pools for cliff villas. Guests also can access the beach and land activity centers that offer windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, tennis or mountain biking. It also features a meeting room, picturesque wedding spots and multiple private dining areas which can all be privately reserved and customized plans arranged.

Castle Resorts & Hotels was founded in 1994 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Castle Group, Inc. Castle manages a broad portfolio of resort accommodations ranging from hotel guest rooms to spacious resort condominium suites and villas in the Hawaiian Islands on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kauai and Hawaii; in Thailand on Phuket and Koh Samui; in Micronesia on Guam and Saipan; and in New Zealand on the North Island.

For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-367-5004 or visit http://www.CastleResorts.com. The Castle Group does not assume any obligation to update the information contained in this press release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of The Castle Group's management and are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties outlined in the Company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE The Castle Group, Inc.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Hi-resolution images and logo are available upon request.

CONTACT: Melissa
Malahoff-Kamei of McNeil Wilson Communications,
+1-808-539-3435, cell,
+1-808-221-6439,
melissa.malahoff@mwc-anthology.com; or
Investors,
Christi Mottola, Managing Partner of CCG Investor
Relations,
+1-949-851-1109,
fax, +1-949-223-0028,
Christi.Mottola@ccgir.com, both for The Castle Group, Inc.

Web site: http://www.CastleResorts.com
(CAGU CAGU.OB)

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS