NEW YORK— Several executives representing Danao Holdings— a major lodging, hospitality and real estate investor headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam— mounted a promotional swing through this city to “sell” local travel and tourism interests on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s viability as a vacation destination. To that end, Danao Resorts’ CEO Barry Israel contended that Southeast Asian nation is, in fact, “particularly receptive” to vacationing visitors… despite what he admitted are less-than-ideal political and economic conditions impacting the local populace. Specifically, Israel maintained: “Not only has Vietnam shown itself to be very tourist-friendly, as a destination it merits particular attention for its high degree of [political]stability and demonstrated low risk as an investment arena. What’s more,” he added, “it’s worth pointing out the country was arguably the first in that area of the world to get the recent SARS epidemic under control.” Given such avowedly strong selling points, Israel went on to note the allure and ambiance of his own portfolio of properties and several resort areas around Vietnam— especially as they play to golf enthusiasts. To this end, he made particular mention of his own organization’s properties: the five-star Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel; the four-star Novotel Dalat; the Dalat Palace Golf Club; the four-star Novotel Coralia (Phan Thiet) Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort; and the Ocean Dunes Golf Club (also located in Pan Thiet).—Michael Billig
