WorldRes.com, the Internet`s hotel reservation and distribution network, has grown its proprietary network of accommodation providers to over 20,000 bookable properties, with contracts to add another 13,000 properties during 2002.

WorldRes.com connects members` hotels worldwide with travellers via a global network of partner websites and call centres. The addition of over 5,000 independent and branded hotels since August 2000 represents a 33% expansion of the company`s member hotels since last year.

More than a third of the new hotels added to the system were independents, some of the most notable and prestigious accommodations in the world. The Muse Hotel, a Boutique Lodging International hotel located in New York City, was the 20,000th hotel added to the network.

Other unique independents added this year include: Costa Vida in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico; Carousel Beachfront Hotel and Suites in Ocean City, Maryland; The Breakers Resort and Spa in Palm Beach, Florida; and The Halkin Hotel in London, England.

Chain and group hotel additions included: AmeriSuites and Wellsley Inns & Suites, both proprietary brands of Prime Hospitality Corp., a company that currently owns, manages and/or franchises over 230 hotels throughout the United States; and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a company that owns, leases, manages and franchises 138 upscale, full-service hotels and resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.

While WorldRes` hotel supply grew 33% since August 2000, the company`s gross hotel reservations jumped 90% during the period as current member hotels leveraged the WorldRes` Internet channels of distribution to maximize room revenue.

Information about WorldRes.com network properties is now distributed to over 2,000 Web-based channels of distribution such as, American Hotel & Lodging Association, AOL and AOL UK, Best Lodging.com, Yahoo!, Lycos and FreeServe in Europe.

www.worldres.com

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