Customer complaint management is an area of business that is getting a lot of publicity these days. This is because, in this economy, businesses are making every attempt to hold on to their existing customers, rather than trying to find new ones. There is a cost associated with finding new customers.

All complaints that enter into a business should be recorded and responded to. This prevents any going missing and is the starting point for providing superior customer service.

It is also an integral part of quality management and continuous improvement. When complaints are recorded and improvements made then product defects can be identified and eliminated.

Customer complaint management usually takes the form of a database or software package that can be used for recording all complaints, documenting actions and determining outcomes.

All members of the business who have direct contact with customers should have access to the system as complaint handling can be given to any staff members. No complaints or communications should be lost or unresolved. This information can be a useful source relating to service levels or product reliability. The ultimate goal is increased customer satisfaction and retention. What it all boils down to is that customers just want to be listened to and understood. They demand a voice!

As professional golf continues its expansion into Asia and the Middle East, the newest championship “The Race to Dubai” will feature a $2 million prize. The Euro Tour is sponsoring the event along with Leisurecorp (which is owned by the government of Dubai). The Euro Tour has expanded in 2009 to include tournaments in Hong Kong, China, South Africa, South Korea Thailand, Australia, Malaysi and Indonesia as well as matches in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

“The Race to Dubai” will end at the Dubai World Championship in mid-November. The tournament is the richest in the world. In addition to the top prize, cash awards will be earned by the top finishers, down to 15th place which will receive $250,000. The Dubai World Championship is scheduled to be played at the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Golf is a growing interest in the Middle East. In Dubai, the influx of western tourists has led to the creation of numerous golf resorts. Likewise the large number of business travelers who find themselves in the city seek out courses as places to close deals as well as relax. Just about any 5 star Dubai hotel will be able to direct guests to the nearest course, if there isn’t one attached to the hotel grounds.

Dubai will be the home of the first golf course designed by Tiger Woods. It is estimated Woods may earn as much as $20 million once the course is completed at the Al Ruwaya Golf Club in Dubai.

A lot has changed for the island of Mallorca in the last 60 years. Today tourism and adventure bring an estimated 22 million people to island, a number that has doubled itself year after year since the island became well known during the 1950’s. Back then, the number started out to be about 500,000 travelers, gradually increasing in number as the popularity increased. Many aspects of the island have drawn people from all over the world to this, the largest of the four islands that are off the coast of mainland Spain.

The island started to grow in popularity due to the moderate weather and beautiful beaches and people from countries such as England or Germany found that they could escape the dreariness and the coldness of the weather of their homelands for just a bit of revitalization at one of the many resorts, five star hotels Mallorca luxury hotels Mallorca has to offer. Travel agencies began to offer package deals which allowed the not-so-wealthy to be able to afford and enjoy a type of vacation they had previously not been able to afford. Entire families were now able to travel to this exotic island together. This has brought change to island, due to the booming economy of tourism. Now people from South America and mainland Spain are emigrating to Mallorca in search of jobs. This immigration is responsible for subtle shifts in the socio-cultural make up on the island.

This is a long way from the times of salt mines and olive tree orchards of 123 BC. And a long way away from the turmoil of civil war and conquests and occupations by various countries over the 1000s of years of history of Mallorca. Mining of salt and the cultivation of olives and grapes still remain an important and viable means of economic support for the island. However with the beautiful beaches for relaxing and swimming to the festivals that draw thousands upon thousands of visitors to the island every year to the many discounted tours now available to the common man, tourism is the driving force behind the economy today. This island with it’s breezy warm summers and mild winters has become a haven for peace and tranquility.

This year’s Hong Kong International Jewelry Show will be held from March 4 – 8, 2009 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center. It is one of the top trade shows in the jewelry industry. This year organizers expect 2,300 brands from around the world to participate in the event.

The Jewelry Show will feature fourteen regional exhibition halls as well as eight halls with booths from chambers of commerce. Over sixty exhibitors from the US are expected to be among hundreds of industry participants.

This five-day show includes forums, panels, auctions, and a prize competition. The Hong Kong Design Competition recognizes local jewelry designers and their winning pieces are displayed during the show. There is also an International Jewellery Design Excellence Award which will be presented at the Gala Dinner on March 4th.

This year’s show includes several new features. A “Hall of Fame” recognizes the creativity and quality of international jewelry brands. The new Treasury of Carving Zone will showcase carved jadeite, amber, coral, precious and semi-precious stones and precious metals such as silver and gold.

Exhibitors and attendees can stay in the best Hong Kong hotels or check out the discounted rates negotiated by the conference at other hotels. Restaurants and clubs in Hong Kong are bracing for the increase in business surrounding the event.

Attendees can also participate in the Alrosa Diamond Auction, the Robert Wan Tahiti Perles Auction, and the Paspaley Pearl Auction.

Anyone visiting Goa for the first time will be struck by its natural beauty. The deep blue of the ocean, the golden sands, the lush palm trees, the breath-taking sunsets. Though the beaches here are world famous, Goa has so much more to offer. A unique blending of different cultures, religions, language, and tradition has created a rich tapestry of dance, music, festivals, and foods that can onlybe found in this small state in India.

Not that visitors should skip the beaches! In addition to te beautiful climate and scenery, the beaches on Goa offer a wide array of activities. Fishing, parasailing, snorkelling, water skiiing, and scuba diving are all popular ocean sports. The more developed beaches offer a variety of other attractions, shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues. A few are even home to some of the swanky nightclubs that make Goa a popular party destination.

Goan architecture is influenced by its four centuries as a colony of Portugual. Churches, shops, and homes, especially in the cities, are monuments to this beautiful blending of eastern and western architectural styles. Some of the festivals in Goa, such as the annual Carnival, are remnants of Portuguese religion and culture. In some neighborhoods, Portuguese remains the main language.

Visitors to Go will want to take advantage of the wonderful shopping throughout the region, from markets on the beach to shops in historic buildings to modern malls in the cities, there are plenty of bargains to be found. Accomodations range from “roughing it” by camping out in the wildnerness to the many five star Goa hotels scattered throughout the state.

And no trip to India would be complete without sampling the local foods. Here the local cuisine not only infuses Portuguese flavors and ingredients, but also showcases the fresh seafood available for a coastal region.

Imagine if New Year’s was celebrated by drenching family and friends with water. Imagine it as a three-day celebration instead of a one night event. Throw in some Buddhist traditions and the result is Songkran or the celebration of the Thai New Year. As the capital of Thailand, Bangkok offers the largest Songkran festivities, but the event is celebrated throughout Thailand and even in other countries.

Originally celebrated according to the astrological calendar, the dates of Songkran are now fixed as April 13th-15th. When Thailand changed their official New Year to be January 1 in 1940, Songkran became a separate national holiday recognizing the traditional New Year. Many Thais will take the entire week of Songkran as a holiday from work. Visitors who wish to experience Songkran can schedule a stay in the best Bangkok hotels, though be aware that April is the hottest month of the year in Thailand.

As a time of renewal and cleansing, Songkran traditions include the cleaning of Buddha images in household shrine or even cleaning an entire home from top to bottom. Some Thais make resolutions to do good deeds and refrain from bad behaviors, but much of the holiday is about paying respects to elders, family, and neighbors. Many people make special trips to their wat (a Buddhist monastery), brining food to the monks as well as praying.

As for the water, the tradition began as part of the cleansing of the Buddhas. People would gently pour water mixed with herbs or fragrance over the statues in order to bring prosperity and good luck. Some cities will parade the images from important monasteries through the street, allowing the public to “bath” them with water. Water was also used to pay respects to elders by pouring a small amount of water over a shoulder or

Some of the other countries that celebrate Songkran include Cambodia (where it is known as Chaul Chnam Thmey), Laos (pi mai lao), and Myaanmar (Thingyan). South Asian calendars also recognize the date, since it is based on an astrological event, when the sun begins its journey northward. These include the New Years for Tamil, Punjabi, Malayali, and Oriya.

New York City is one of the world’s most energetic and exciting city. With 24 hour subway trains, diners, and coffee shops, it has earned its reputation as the “City that Never Sleeps.” Every year millions of visitors flock to the city for its art, history, culture, food, and energy. The unique melting pot nature of the city is reflected in the number of foreign-born residents, the vast array of ethnic foods available and the fact that the denizens of the city speak over 150 languages.

Times Square is one of the iconic sites of New York. A bustle of activity, day or night, the area marks the start of the Broadway theater district and is home to major stores and restaurants. On New Year’s Eve it is the place to be when the streets are crowded with partygoers watching the ball drop.

The many landmarks and historic sites of New York make the city the top tourist destination in the country. Here you’ll find the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge. The sheer number of world-class musems and galleries can keep an art lover busy for a lifetime. And New York is a mecca for performing arts ranging from theater to ballet to opera to symphonies.

While Hollywood is known for its film and television industry, New York runs a very close second. All the broadcast networks have their headquarters in New York as do a number of cable networks. A number of popular programs broadcast live from studios across the city (in LA, the shows are pre-recorded to air later), including the three major morning news programs. Some of the country’s greatest film directors call New York city home and you’ll find them shooting on the New York streets throughout the year.

No trip to New York would be complete without some shopping. In addition the usual souveneir stands, New York is home to some of the most famous stores in the world, including F.A.O Schwartz and Tiffany’s. Once you’ve exhausted yourself on Fifth Avenue, stash your goodies in your New York hotel suites and set out to enjoy the city’s nightlife. The restaurants, lounges, and dance clubs here are incredible and you’ll likely find celebrities from all fields frequenting the best ones.