Trust International Shows A 10.39% Increase In Bookings -- The Luxury Market Rebounding Quicker Than Expected

The luxury hotel segment has suffered the worst financial setbacks in the lodging industry, which has been impacted by a soured economy and fears of terrorism. Industry statistics indicate that the luxury hotel market in the U.S. has suffered double-digit losses in room revenues and has failed to recoup even as the overall industry is showing signs of economic improvement.

"2001 was a difficult year for the hospitality industry and with that in mind, it is very encouraging to see a rebound in GDS bookings for our upscale/luxury market," commented Connie Rheams, president of TRUST International, Americas. "I foresee strong growth throughout 2002 as GDS continues to be a vital distribution channel for hotels worldwide."

Supporting Connie's expectations for continued growth is the positive results from HEDNA's (Hotel Electronic Distribution Network Association) annual survey, Global Distribution System Hotel Reservations, which reports that despite the challenges of 2001, GDS delivered 46,753,000 net reservations for hotels - an increase compared with 1999 levels (43, 781,000) but still a 4.2 percent decline from 2000 levels (48, 787,000).

About TRUST International

TRUST International, (www.trustinternational.com), is a member of the Bertelsmann Group, the international media corporation. TRUST develops and implements a state-of-the-art central reservation system, providing tailor-made, real-time reservations and global distribution solutions for the hospitality industry. TRUST services provide real-time solutions that seamlessly connect hotels and bookers worldwide, including private label telephone lines, connectivity to all Global Distribution Systems (GDS) and various Web sites and Internet platforms, and three Global Communication Call Centers serving 36 countries in currently 16 languages. TRUST maintains three offices worldwide including the Headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, the Americas office in Orlando, Florida, and an Asia Pacific communication center in Singapore. Among TRUST's clients are some 1,300 hotels at 685 destinations in 95 countries, i.e. Astron Hotels & Resorts, Dorint Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Grupo Posadas, Hard Rock Hotels, Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, The Leading Hotels of the World, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts, Raffles International Hotels & Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, SRS-WORLDHOTELS, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.