MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 20, 2002)——- Radisson Hotels & Resorts today announced that eight of the brand`s hotels in Latin America were ranked among the best business hotels in the region by the readers of LatinFinance, a leading finance and investment magazine. The hotels honored with the prestigious `Award of Excellence` were evaluated on a variety of offerings, including business services, meeting facilities, catering and dining options and in-room amenities. Currently, there are 21 Radisson hotels operating throughout the region.

“Latin America is of particular interest to Radisson as we continue to focus on delighting our customers with first-class accommodations in key business and leisure destinations,” said Jay Witzel, president and COO of Radisson Hotels & Resorts and executive vice president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. “While it`s always gratifying to receive an award, this one is especially significant given the impressive list of competitors. We are pleased to be honored as offering the best hotels in these areas of Latin America.”

The Radisson properties honored with the award are: Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, Belize // Radisson Plaza Hotel LaPaz, La Paz, Bolivia // Radisson Royal Santiago Hotel, Santiago, Chile // Radisson Royal Bogota Hotel, Bogota, Colombia // Radisson Royal Quito Hotel, Quito, Ecuador // Radisson Plaza Hotel El Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador // Radisson Plaza Gran Ancira Hotel, Monterrey, Mexico // Radisson Royal Panama Hotel, Panama City, Panama

To underscore the importance of Latin America to Radisson`s long-term business objectives, the company is actively developing or enhancing several hotels in the region.
Recently, Radisson approved the construction of a new 72-room hotel in the cruise ship port area of Colon, Panama. The hotel is scheduled to open in December 2003. In addition, planning is underway at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina in Belize to add 65 new guestrooms to that property and enhance all public areas of the hotel. The expansion and enhancements are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2003.

In Mexico, Radisson recently signed two new hotels, a 156-room property in the city of Queretaro (located approximately 2 hours north of Mexico City), and a 248-room hotel in downtown Cancun. Both hotels will begin accepting reservations within 90 days. In addition, Radisson is in final negotiations for several hotels throughout Mexico in the leisure destination cities of Los Cabos, Playa de Carmen and Cancun.

For reservations or information about Radisson`s award-winning hotels of Latin America, or any Radisson location around the world, visit online at www.radisson.com, call toll-free 800-333-333 in North America, or contact a travel professional.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts currently has 435 locations in 60 countries. Radisson is a division of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a global leader in hospitality services encompassing more than 1,650 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 81 countries.
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