FOUR SEASONS HOTELS & RESORTS CONFERRED BUSINESS HEADQUARTERS AWARD

Singapore-based operations to manage 14 Asia Pacific properties

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is the latest hospitality company to be conferred the Business Headquarters (BHQ) award in Singapore.

The international hotel and resort company was presented the BHQ award by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) for setting up its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. The STB and EDB jointly handled the management of Four Seasons, BHQ award, as the STB is the lead agency for the tourism sector, while the EDB is the administrator of the BHQ award.

The BHQ programme is part of the STB's strategy to enhance Singapore's reputation as a tourism capital. The Board has been actively encouraging hotel management companies to base their regional headquarters in Singapore, and the BHQ award supports this effort by recognising the contributions of multinational companies that use Singapore as a base for their regional expansion.

Mr Yeo Khee Leng, the STB,s Chief Executive said, "Four Seasons brings to our hospitality industry 40 years of experience in service excellence and outstanding management systems. We're delighted with their commitment to the industry here, and their desire to participate in programmes to upgrade the standards of hospitality training."

With this award, Four Seasons joins a distinguished list of hotel management companies that have set up regional headquarters in Singapore such as Amanresorts, Club Med, Pan Pacific, Hilton International, Raffles International, Hong Kong Resorts and Movenpick.

Mr Liew Heng San, Managing Director of EDB said, "Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts' decision to site its Asia Pacific Headquarter in Singapore adds vibrancy to the hospitality headquarters representation scene in Singapore. Now every segment of the hospitality industry, from tourist class to business and luxury, has headquarters representation in Singapore."

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is one of the world,s leading operators of luxury hotels and currently manages 48 properties in 20 countries, primarily under the Four Seasons and Regent brand names. 14 of these will be managed from the Asia Pacific office.

"Singapore provides the perfect backdrop for our Asian operations," Mr Jim FitzGibbon, President of Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific said. "To locate our regional office in Singapore was a logical decision and was based on the infrastructure, political stability, 22nd century airport, telecommunications and importantly, qualified employees. It will be the base from which we will manage our continued regional expansion plans into India, China and throughout Southeast Asia."