Carlson Hotels Premieres Radisson Blu in Asia Pacific

MINNEAPOLIS and SINGAPORE, May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson Hotels, one of the world's leading hotel companies, today announced its first Radisson Blu hotel in Asia Pacific. Located in the Philippines, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is estimated to open in September 2010.

"With more than 40 percent of Radisson's contracted pipeline coming from Asia Pacific, this opening is a pivotal milestone in our continued Ambition 2015 global growth strategy," said Hubert Joly, Carlson president, CEO and director.

Carlson Hotels plans to grow the global Radisson brand portfolio from 422 hotels at the end of 2009 to at least 600 hotels by 2015.

"The Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu signifies our entry for Radisson Blu in this region and is part of Radisson's portfolio of 69 hotels in Asia Pacific," said Jean-Marc Busato, managing director, Carlson Hotels, Asia Pacific.

Radisson's growth plans follow a tiered strategy with a combination of its upscale Radisson and upper-upscale Radisson Blu brands. Both share the same vibrant and contemporary brand essence, style and many of the service concepts. Radisson Blu features flagship properties in prime locations and in major cities, airport gateways and leisure destinations around the world.

Located in Cebu's premier information technology hub, the 400-room Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, owned by SM Investments Corporation, will be positioned as the city's leading international upper upscale hotel designed to appeal to both the business and leisure traveller.

About Carlson

Carlson is a privately held, global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,060 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn®, Park Plaza® and Regent®; more than 1,000 restaurants, including T.G.I. Friday's® and Pick Up Stix®; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 150,000 people. http://www.carlson.com

SOURCE Carlson Hotels