ATLANTA, GA - August 29, 2002 - Six Continents Hotels Inc., the world’s leading global hotel group, announces the launch of a new online site for the convenient booking of affordable last minute getaways.

Now Six Continents Hotels’ customers can search hundreds of cost-saving hotel and flight packages online at www.lastminutegetaway.com. Packages can be booked from 14 days to three hours in advance and include accommodations at participating hotels worldwide, which include Inter-Continental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites hotels.

According to PhoCusWright Research May 2002 report, vacation packaging is a growing business with estimates for the North American market totaling US $17 billion to grow to $22 billion by 2004. Today’s savvy and time-pressed consumers want to travel to exciting destinations, but don’t always have the time to book each element of their travel arrangements separately. Vacation packages can help consumers save time in planning and help them customize the experience they seek.

Now, with Six Continents Hotels’ Last Minute Getaway site, arranging a quick and affordable getaway has never been easier. Consumers can choose where and when they want to go with a click of the mouse.

All packages featured on the site combine a Six Continents Hotels property with air and/or car rental, as well as fun and unexpected extras as available. Packages listed on the site are guaranteed to be available and offer a great value for getaways to a wide variety of destinations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe and South and Central America.

Six Continents Hotels has allied with Site59, the industry leader in last minute getaways and dynamic packaging technology, to provide both technology and travel package content.

“These last minute getaway packages are unique to the industry and reflect Six Continents Hotels commitment to providing our guests with another way to maximize their travel budgets and time,” says Eric Pearson, vice president of e-commerce, Six Continents Hotels. “Our relationship with Site59 gives us the ability to attract the large and growing segment of leisure consumers who plan and purchase at the last minute. Our new last minute offerings make getting away simple, affordable and convenient.”

“We are pleased to associate with Six Continents Hotels to provide valuable travel deals to their online customers,” said Damon Tassone, general manager of Site59. “This new distribution alliance is an exciting new avenue that expands upon our existing supplier relationship.”

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