Carlson Hotels Worldwide

ANSE MARCEL, St Martin, Carlson Hotels Worldwide(R) today opened the 1,000th hotel in its worldwide portfolio, the Radisson St Martin Resort, Marina & Spa (), dedicating the achievement of this growth landmark to a global initiative of environmental sustainability and responsible business.

At opening ceremonies here today, top company officials joined with representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign (billiontreecampaign.com) and The Carbon Neutral Company (carbonneutral.com) to officially dedicate this $80 million resort. The company is planting 1,000 trees worldwide and making a financial donation to the UNEP program plus partnering with The CarbonNeutral Company to offset carbon equivalent to 10,000 room nights.

A highlight of the opening was the planting of the first tree in the 1,000 tree initiative, an indigenous Flamboyant tree that was located near the resort's signature ocean-front pool.

"We are extremely proud to open the Radisson St Martin Resort – the 1,000th property in the Carlson Hotels Worldwide portfolio – celebrating this growth milestone with a global initiative embracing responsible business and environmental sustainability," said Jay Witzel, president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "The five brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide now are serving guests in 74 countries," he added. These brands include: Regent Hotels & Resorts (regenthotels.com); Radisson Hotels & Resorts (radisson.com), Park Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts (parkplaza.com), Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM) (countryinns.com) and Park Inn(R) (parkinn.com).

The new 252-room Radisson St Martin Resort, nestled in the picturesque cove of Anse Marcel facing 1,600 feet of white-sand beachfront, is a flagship resort in the growing global portfolio of Radisson Hotels & Resorts. The luxury ocean-front resort has undergone a total transformation and features 63 suites and 189 guestrooms; a signature beachfront restaurant with al fresco dining; casual, market-style eatery and lobby tapas bar. The resort also includes a stunning zero-entry infinity pool; full-service spa and fitness center; 7,500 square feet of meeting space and 150-slip marina. The hotel is managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts under Caribbean veteran Hotel Manager Jeff Lesker. For more information on this resort, visit .

The United Nations Environment Programme's Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign brings communities, business, industry, civil organizations and governments together to donate tree-planting pledges online with the objective of planting at least one billion trees worldwide each year.

"We are delighted that Carlson Hotels is celebrating the opening of its 1,000th global property by pledging 1,000 trees to the Billion Tree Campaign," said Achim Steiner, executive director United Nation's Environment Porgramme. "In the face of alarming environmental data, the Billion Tree Campaign offers hope and a simple solution for climate change mitigation, while enhancing biodiversity."

Carlson Hotels is also partnering with The CarbonNeutral Company to purchase carbon offsets equaling 10,000 room-nights in honor of the opening of its 1,000th hotel. The CarbonNeutral Company (carbonneutral.com) offers a variety of auditable carbon offset programs and services that reduce travel's impact on the environment. Carlson Hotels also enables goldpoints plussm members the opportunity to donate their points to support carbon offset.

"Taking action on climate change involves making the issue accessible to everyone – as a company and also as an individual," said Sue Welland, Founder and Executive Director, Marketing of The CarbonNeutral Company. "We are pleased to team with Carlson Hotels in support of an initiative that emphasizes sustainability, personal responsibility and which provides customers with a simple yet effective solution."

Founded in 1938 by Curtis L. Carlson as Gold Bond Stamp Company of Minneapolis, Carlson acquired the first Radisson hotel in downtown Minneapolis in 1962. Between 1981 and 2000, the company expanded its hotel and resort properties to include the brands of Regent Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and Park Inn. The company also embarked on a global growth strategy that has resulted in a worldwide presence in 74 countries. Today the Carlson Hotel brands continue to grow around the world through regional offices and partner operations:

  • Carlson Hotels Worldwide, the Americas (headquarters in Minneapolis)
  • Radisson Hotels Latin America (Miami)
  • Atlantica International Hotel (Brazil)

Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

  • The Rezidor Hotel Group – Carlson owns 41.7% of Rezidor shares (Brussels)
  • Radisson Edwardian Hotels (London)
  • Park Plaza Hotels Europe (London)

Asia/Pacific

  • Carlson Hotels Worldwide-Asia Pacific (based in Singapore)

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson (carlson.com), a global leader in providing marketing, travel and hospitality services. Other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: Carlson Marketing, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, T.G.I. Friday's and Pick Up Stix restaurants. The company has been recognized by both Fortune and Working Mother magazines as one of the "100 best places to work in America," Carlson corporate headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minn. For more information on Carlson Hotels, visit

About UNEP: Formed in 1972, the UNEP (/) is the United Nations' designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. UNEP coordinates the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Governing Council reports to the UN General Assembly; its 58 members are elected by the General Assembly for four-year terms that reflect equitable regional representation.

UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign was inspired by Kenya native Professor Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004), and founder of Kenya's Green Belt Movement, which has planted more than 30 million trees in 12 African countries since 1977.

About The CarbonNeutral Company: The CarbonNeutral Company is the world's leading carbon offset and management business, working with over 300 major businesses and more than 60,000+ consumer clients. Over the past 10 years, they have purchased carbon credits from almost 200 projects spread across six continents.

Joan M. Cronson
Director of Public Relations
763-212-1418
Radisson Hotel Group