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( BW)(CARLSON-HOTELS-WORLDWIDE) Carlson Hotels Worldwide Announces New Generation Global Frequent Guest Programme Travellers Can Now Earn and Redeem goldpoints plus(SM) Points Worldwide at 965 Carlson-Branded Properties: Regent, Radisson, Park Plaza, Country Inns and Park Inn, in 71 Countries Business Editors/Travel & Hospitality Writers LONDON & BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2007--Carlson Hotels Worldwide today announced the global launch of goldpoints plus (goldpointsplus.com), a new generation frequent guest programme which brings enriching value and powerful new benefits to customers of Carlson's five hotel brands located in 965 locations and 71 countries worldwide. These brands - Regent; Radisson; Park Plaza; Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn - have a major presence in the European travel market with 268 locations in 41 countries. The new generation goldpoints plus programme provides customers with more choices to earn and redeem points on a global basis along with options to engage in social responsibility and environmental initiatives through the points that they earn. Special Bonus Points Offer Additionally, to mark the new generation of the programme, a "Five for Five" global promotion offers members the chance to earn 5,000 bonus points with every fifth night at any of the Carlson family of hotels through January 31, 2008. For more details on the promotion, visit goldpointsplus.com/five4five. "In developing a truly global programme that offers significant and meaningful value for our customers worldwide, we have redesigned our programme to ensure it puts our frequent guests centre stage," said Fredrik Korallus, executive vice president of Revenue Generation, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Over the last year, we have taken a closer look at industry standards and listened carefully to our customers to develop an enriched programme with a generous point-earning scale, measurable elite benefits and hotel rewards aimed at appealing to today's global traveller," Korallus explained. Improved benefits for elite members include best available room, 25 to 50 percent point bonuses, last room availability, early check-in and late check-out and elite-only points offers. "It's been nearly 10 years since the last major hotel programme revamp. In an age of member disappointment because of devaluation of their points, it's refreshing to know there is a hotel company out there doing what's best for its customers globally," said Randy Petersen, editor of InsideFlyer and FlyerTalk and a noted frequent travel loyalty expert known worldwide. "Carlson Hotels has raised the bar for earning more points for their members, 100 percent for most hotel stays, and yet for the large majority of their rewards, they have not raised the requirements for redemption." It is not just about more points and increased value in rewards, it's about loyalty. The new programme offers last room availability for Gold Elite members on award stays and it is clearly the program to beat for 2008, Petersen noted. Now travellers can redeem hotel reward points at popular destinations in the Americas such as New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, Boston and hundreds of other locations including Latin and South America. And for those looking for an exotic Caribbean or Asia Pacific getaway, travellers can escape to Aruba and the Turks and Caicos or Beijing, Shanghai, Sydney, Fiji and Tahiti. Locations in Europe, Middle East and Africa include London, Paris, Rome, Dubai and other major destinations. For the first time, Radisson Edwardian is a full partner and the goldpoints plus programme has consistent global earning and redemption opportunities. Editors: Please note additional press information on goldpoints plus can be found at carlsonmedia.tekgroup.com/goldpointsplus/ including all new benefits and enhancements made to the program. To learn more about the goldpoints plus program or to become a member, visit goldpointsplus.com. About Carlson Hotels Worldwide The strategic European partners of Carlson Hotels Worldwide include: The Rezidor Hotel Group, which is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. For more information on Rezidor, visit www.Rezidor.com . Also included in the network is Radisson Edwardian, one of the UK's largest privately owned hotel groups. Included in the group are 11 hotels in London. For more information, please visit: www.radissonedwardian.com . Park Plaza Hotel Europe operates 27 hotels under the Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts and art'otel brands with regional offices are located in London, Amsterdam and Berlin. For more information, please visit: www.parkplazahotels.net . CONTACT: For Carlson Hotels Worldwide Europe, the Middle East and Africa: Christiane Reiter, + 32 2 702 9222 christiane.reiter@rezidor.com or United States: Lauren Garvey / MMG Mardiks, 646-442-6772 lgarvey@mmgmardiks.com KEYWORD: BELGIUM UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRAVEL PRODUCT SOURCE: Carlson Hotels Worldwide Copyright Business Wire 2007