Carlson Hotels Worldwide Marks Fifth Anniversary

Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific Marks Fifth Anniversary With Strong Growth Results And Aggressive Expansion Plans

Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific, created in October 2002 with the goal of expanding the company's global brands in the region, marks its fifth anniversary having achieved 50 per cent growth in properties plus a strong development pipeline destined to solidify the company's leadership in the Asia Pacific travel industry.

With key projects open or under development in fast growing markets around the region, including China, India and Thailand, Carlson Hotels Worldwide Asia Pacific is on track to achieve its goal of over 100 properties in 2009. The company operates the five brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide: Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

"When Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific was created five years ago, we set forth a strategy to expand our portfolio of brands throughout the region," said Paul Kirwin, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide Asia Pacific and president of Carlson Asia Pacific. "As we mark our fifth anniversary, I am pleased to report that we have currently grown to 53 locations in 11 countries with an additional 40 hotels in the development pipeline."

"We continue to see tremendous opportunities for new growth in the region and have developed an organizational infrastructure and momentum which will drive us to new levels of success," he added.

Globally, Carlson Hotels Worldwide includes 958 locations operating in five brands in 71 countries. "We believe the brands in our portfolio - from the luxury Regent to the economy Park Inn - are very well-aligned to the key market segments where we see this growth occurring."

The company will open five new hotels in the region by the end of the year, from its Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, and Country Inn & Suites By Carlson brands. Four of the new properties will be in India, which is a key growth market for Carlson Hotels Worldwide, including the new Radisson Resort & Spa Alibaug, in Maharashta; the Radisson Hotel Manohar Hyderabad; the Park Plaza Delhi NH8; and the Country Inn & Suites Goa. The Park Plaza brand is also being introduced to Thailand, with the debut of the Park Plaza Sukhumvit in Bangkok, which will open in November 2007.

Paul noted that there are a number of factors driving the company's growth in Asia. "We are seeing a tremendous surge in arrivals and domestic travel in China and tourist demand in this market is likely to be double the global growth rate, particularly with upcoming global events such as the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai's World Expo in 2010,"he said.

Similarly, India's hospitality industry is also undergoing significant expansion, with demand for quality accommodation outstripping supply. Much of this burgeoning demand is domestic, with more than 390 million Indians travelling during 2005, including business travel, visiting family and friends, and pilgrimages. Inbound traffic predominantly originates from the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, South East Asia and the United States.

"Carlson is currently the largest international hotel group in India, where we already manage 32 hotels and resorts," Paul said. "Over the past four years, we have more than doubled our presence in China with nine hotels operating across the Regent, Radisson and Park Plaza brands, and we are particularly proud of the two new Regent hotels in Beijing and Shanghai, which are redefining the art of luxury hospitality in China."

As the hotel group intensifies its global strategy, it is also strengthening its senior management team in the Asia Pacific, with the appointment of Martin Rinck as the incoming president and managing director of Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific. Martin, who had led business development at the Rezidor Hotel Group for the past four years during a record-breaking period of growth and expansion, will assume this position from Paul next month, while Paul will continue as president of the overall Carlson organisation in Asia Pacific.

Carlson's expansion in Asia is a key part of its global growth strategy which also includes strong expansion in Europe, the Middle East and Africa plus the Americas. Globally, Carlson Hotels Worldwide added 40 new hotels to its portfolio during the first six months of this year.

Regent Hotels & Resorts

The Regent brand is synonymous with luxury and service in hotels and resorts around the world. One of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the hotel industry, Regent Hotels & Resorts established its reputation on a commitment to exceptional guest service, attention to detail and uncompromising quality. The expansion of the Regent brand in the region began with the launch of Carlson Hotels' first Regent hotel in China, The Regent Shanghai, which opened in October 2005, followed by The Regent Beijing, which opened in December 2006. The Regent Maldives will open late 2008 while The Regent Bangkok is scheduled to begin operations in early 2009 and will be a state-of-the-art development comprising two separate high rise towers, including The Regent Residences.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts

Radisson is one of the leading upscale, full service hotel brands in the world. Conveniently located in capital cities, urban centres and popular leisure destinations, Radisson hotels are committed to delivering superior service and product excellence with genuine hospitality for the business and leisure traveler. Carlson Hotels is set to add to its strong portfolio of Radisson hotels across the region, with 19 new hotels to be launched over the next two years in India, China, Fiji, Pakistan and Thailand. In July, Carlson opened its first resort in Fiji - the Radisson Resort Fiji Denarau Island - which was the second Carlson-managed resort in the South Pacific.

Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts

This is an upper midscale, full service hotel brand, which is conveniently located in key city, regional and airport commercial areas and resort destinations. The uniqueness of each hotel and the friendly, casual service style are the hallmarks of Park Plaza. In line with Carlson Hotels' strong expansion in the Asia Pacific, five new Park Plaza hotels will be added in the key markets of Delhi, India; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Lahore, Pakistan; Chengdu, China and Bangkok, Thailand.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn

Complimenting the strong growth of Carlson Hotels' three full-service brands, Carlson has also seen expansion activity for its two select-service hotel brands. The Country Inns & Suites By Carlson is a midscale hotel brand offering excellent value and attractive accommodations, while the Park Inn is an emerging, midscale hotel brand serving a wide range of guests in city, suburban and leisure destinations. Three new hotels from these two brands will be added to the existing portfolio of fifteen properties in India by 2008. These include Country Inns & Suites by Carlson Goa, Park Inn Ludhiana and Park Inn Gurgaon.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide

Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Asia-Pacific region and is supported by reservations, sales and development offices in Tokyo, Shanghai, New Delhi and Sydney. Carlson Hotels Worldwide, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, includes five hotel brands: Regent Hotels & Resorts, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the hotel industry; Radisson Hotels & Resorts(r), one of the world's leading upscale, full-service hotel brands; Park Plaza(r) Hotels & Resorts, positioned in the mid-scale segment of the full-service hotel category and known for its great value and customer-focused service culture; Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, one of the fastest growing, mid-scale hotel brands; and Park Inn(r), a unique emerging hotel brand offering a relaxed environment in the economy category.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson, a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries Other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: T.G.I. Friday's(r) restaurants, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises(r), Carlson Wagonlit Travel(r), and Carlson Marketing Group(r), the largest relationship marketing services company in the United States

ENDS

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