Carlson Hotels Worldwide

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (August 1, 2001) - Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, a division of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Carlson Hospitality Worldwide and parent company Carlson Companies, Inc., today announced the opening of its first hotel in Australia in Adelaide, South Australia. The 60-room property is located at 12 Currie Street and occupies the former headquarters of Bennett & Fisher Ltd, one of Australia's oldest pastoral companies dating back to 1866. The hotel also houses a Dôme Café, the first Dôme franchise in Adelaide. The property was developed by Country Inns & Suites master franchisee, Country Lodging Australia Pty. Ltd., who is currently developing additional Country Inns & Suites locations throughout Australia in Perth and Joondalup.

Country Inns & Suites joins its Carlson sister companies, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Regent International Hotels, T.G.I. Friday's restaurants, Carlson Marketing Group, and Carlson Wagonlit Travel, in Australia, providing synergistic strength between the brands. Radisson Hotels & Resorts has nine hotels throughout Australia, including one in Adelaide, and The Regent Sydney is a prominent hotel located on Sydney Harbour. In addition, Carlson Marketing Group, the relationship marketing division of Carlson Companies, has two regional offices in Australia located in Melbourne and Sydney, while Carlson Wagonlit Travel and T.G.I. Friday's have several locations throughout the region. One of Carlson Hospitality's industry-leading hotel reservations satellite offices is also located in Sydney.

"The Australian market is a natural place for us to successfully develop our brand because of the country's economic maturity and cultural heritage," said Paul Kirwin, president, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson. "We are very excited to be located in such a visible and important country and continent."

"To have a major hospitality, travel and marketing conglomerate like Carlson behind us is important to our growth in Australia," said Michael Hughes, chief executive of Country Lodging Australia Pty. Ltd. "Carlson's global strength is a very strategic link for us because it provides the presence and recognition that will be important for the brand as we grow throughout the country."

According to Hughes, the lodging industry is in its infancy in Australia and will take over where serviced apartment and independent motel developments leave off. He believes prototypical mid-market hotel products will represent a significant proportion of additional accommodation supply in years to come. "Our hotel project is unique in that it represents the first in a new genre of hotel product for Australia, one that places travel market quality room normally found in large branded hotels in a smaller property made up of 60-100 rooms," explained Hughes.

The Country Lodging business model is contemporary with an emphasis on quality and technology in the development of properties, in operations and in-room night distribution. "Country Inns & Suites' quality is consistently managed on a global basis," said Hughes.

In addition to Australia, Country Inns & Suites has locations in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Panama and Indonesia. The brand will soon open several properties in India.

For reservations and information on Country Inns & Suites within Australia, call toll-free at 1800-268-687.

Country Inns & Suites locations feature traditional architecture and sophisticated residential interior design with hardwood flooring and decorative ceiling borders. Each hotel welcomes guests with traditional furnishings that blend rich woods and elegant floral-patterned fabrics.

The rooms offer many amenities often found at higher-priced hotels such as complimentary breakfast, in-room coffee maker, in-room iron and ironing board, and weekday morning newspaper. Country Inns & Suites is known for its consistently high quality accommodations and personal, warm hospitality.

For reservations and information within North America, call toll-free at 1-800-456-4000 or through the Internet at www.countryinns.com. There are over 270 locations worldwide.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson is part of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, whose operations also include Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Regent International Hotels; Park Plaza and Park Inn hotels in North America; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises; Carlson Lifestyle Living; Carlson Vacation Ownership; Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, which includes T.G.I. Friday's and other restaurant brands; and Provisions, a worldwide procurement company.

Carlson Companies, Inc. is a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the relationship marketing, travel and hospitality industries. In addition to Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: Carlson Marketing Group, the world leader in relationship marketing; Carlson Wagonlit Travel; and Gold Points Rewards. Ranked among the largest privately held corporations in the United States, Carlson Companies is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Carlson Companies brands and services employ more than 190,000 people in more than 140 countries.

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Betsy Day
Public Relations Director
763 212-1433