RADISSON SAS PRESSES AHEAD WITH US$ 80 MILLION INTERNATIONAL RENOVATION PROGRAMME

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, which operates eight MENA properties, is rising above the challenges of the worldwide travel and tourism downturn by forging ahead with a US$ 80 million extensive refurbishment programme, encompassing hotels throughout Europe and the Middle East, including Bahrain.

"The group views the need to reinvest in its existing portfolio to ensure brand standards are continuously maintained as equally important as investing in new developments," said Kurt Ritter, President and CEO, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts.

"Our established reputation for unparalleled service standards has underscored our competitive edge in recent weeks. However, we are well aware that in a commercially challenging environment we cannot afford to rest on our laurels."

Among the properties at the end of the renovation reassurance is The Diplomat, Radisson SAS Hotel, Bahrain. The property is upgrading 13 of its floors, including all guest-rooms. New food and beverage outlets will be created and the renovation work, scheduled for completion by end of next year, includes a full lobby upgrade.

A total of 14 Radisson SAS properties, including prestigious London, Brussels and Vienna hotels, are undergoing refurbishment in a programme which is scheduled to last until 2005.

Meanwhile, plans for the opening of more MENA hotels continue unabated, following the recent launch of Radisson SAS Golden Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt.

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, operates six more Middle and Near East properties in Amman, Aqaba, Baku, Istanbul, Kuwait and Muscat. Three more are due on line in Egypt soon.

Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, includes 111 hotels in operation and 33 under development in 38 countries and is the sole franchisor in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa for Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts and its parent company Carlson Hospitality Worldwide includes 716 hotel and resort locations representing 129,234 guest rooms in 63 countries plus five luxury cruise ships sailing worldwide.