Radisson announced that together with its South American strategic partners it will expand, to become one of the most prominent international hotel brands in Central and South America by 2011.

Yvonne La Penotiere, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide-the Americas (parent company of the Radisson brand), said, "Currently, 18 Radisson hotels and resorts operate in Latin America, six are under development, and numerous projects are planned throughout the region. Our interest in South America is based on the continuing economic development and vibrancy of the region, as well as offering guests new destinations for their global travel."

La Penotiere noted the special significance for Radisson to have a strong presence in gateway cities such as Sao Paulo, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Lima, as these locations serve as key arrival markets for both North American and European travelers.

Two Radisson hotels are currently operating in Brazil. These include the 205-room Radisson Sao Paulo, and the 195-room Radisson Hotel in Curitiba. Atlantica also operates the 215-room Park Plaza Suites International Trade Center in Sao Paulo.

By the first half of 2007, Atlantica expects to open two new Radisson hotels in Brazil: a 180-room hotel in Londrina, and a 220-room resort property in the southeast region. Additionally, contracts have been signed for three new-build projects in Brazil. These include a 140-room marina location in Florianopolis (opening in 2008), a 200-room hotel in Campinas (opening in 2009), and the 140-room Radisson Resort in Natal (opening in 2009).

"Brazil is the fifth largest economy in the world and considered the gateway country to South America," said Paul J. Sistare, president and CEO of Atlantica Hotels. "We have identified 20 capital, primary and secondary cities in which future Radisson management and construction contracts are being sought."

Chile is home to four Radisson hotels. These include the 140-room Radisson Hotel Antofagasta; the 78-room Radisson Hotel Iquique; the 125-room Radisson Ciudad Empresarial Hotel Santiago; and the 159-room upscale Radisson Plaza Santiago Hotel.

"We've incorporated the global expertise of Carlson Hotels Worldwide with our knowledge of the Chilean market to create a powerful brand that understands the needs of our clients, investors and employees," said Denise Estefan, president of Radisson Hotels & Resorts Latin America.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts Latin America is in the process of adding a 50-room Radisson resort and spa in Con Con (opening December 2006), as well as three additional projects in the southern region of Chile.

In Central America, Radisson currently has five properties and 760 guestrooms in Panama City, Panama; San Jose, Costa Rica; San Salvador, El Salvador; Guatemala City, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize. Carlson also franchises three Country Inn & Suites By Carlson hotels in Panama City (2) and San Jose, Costa Rica.

Besides the six Radisson hotels located in Brazil and Chile, there are seven other properties located throughout South America, most within or adjacent to World Trade Centers. These hotels are in Montevideo, Uruguay; Colonia, Uruguay; La Paz, Bolivia; Quito, Ecuador; Caracas, Venezuela; Bogota, Colombia; and Cali, Colombia.

"Radisson Hotels & Resorts Latin America has begun working more closely with both developers and financiers to gain a greater share of the new-build market," said Estefan. "Currently, we are negotiating for six new properties in Argentina, including hotel projects in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Neuquen, Pilar and Bariloche, and a resort in Iguazu. We are also pursuing several hotel developments projects in Colon, Panama; Lima, Peru; Asuncion, Paraguay; and Managua, Nicaragua; and new destination resorts in Cartagena, Colombia, Costa Rica, and in Punta Del Este, Uruguay."

Radisson Hotels & Resorts has 406 hotels and 92,154 guestrooms worldwide. The company is a division of Minneapolis, Minn.-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global hotel group encompassing 943 locations in 70 countries. Carlson's other hotel brands include Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(sm), and Park Inn(R). For more information, visit online at carlsonhotels.com

Established in 1998, Atlantica Hotels International is the first multi- brand hotel operator in South America, and the only multinational hotel company to focus on the region, with special emphasis in Brazil. The company maintains exclusive partnerships with some of the largest hotel chains in the world, including Carlson Hotels Worldwide for both the Radisson and Park Suites brands.

Radisson Hotels & Resorts Latin America was established in 1993 in Miami, and is the exclusive master licensor for the Radisson brand in Central and South America.