September 21, 2011 - Country Inns & Suites, part of Carlson Hotels announces the results of a national survey of 1,000 frequent business travelers. The joint survey between Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and The Business Travel News Group was designed to capture the attitudes and behaviors of business travelers on the road, focused on hotel selection and productivity needs. The results conclude that comfort is key to ensuring productivity for business travelers when traveling.

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Productivity On The Road:

• Seventy-eight percent  indicated that a comfortable work environment enhances their productivity on the road. Key factors involved in finding comfort in their hotel selection include:

• Eighty-two percent base their hotel selection around amenities such as free high-speed Internet, free breakfast, and rewards programs.

Hotel Booking:

• More than half turn to the Internet or phone first to book their travel. Of those, 61 percent head directly to a hotel website, travel website (56%), or mobile device (13%), before picking up the phone or working with a travel agent.
• Seventy-six percent r arely or never spend more than USD 200 per night on a hotel.

Amenities:

• Ninety percent say free high-speed Internet access is the most important amenity in their hotel accommodation, followed by a hot breakfast (70%).
• To enhance in-room productivity, guests recommended more electrical outlets/in-desk outlets (67%) and adjustable desk chairs (55%).

Family and Work/Life Balance:

• While productivity remains a priority, 61 percent say family and friends is the biggest sacrifice they make while on the road.
• Work/life balance is a factor in company travel policies-51 percent of companies allow for premium services for extended travel, and 50 percent allow for use of travel alternatives to existing company travel policies.

ABOUT COUNTRY INNS & SUITES BY CARLSON:
Country Inns & Suites provides an array of amenities including a complimentary 'Be Our Guest Breakfast' with hot, rotating menu items and "To-Go" stations, free high-speed Internet, Read It & Return Lending Libraries, and fitness centers.

This fall, Country Inns & Suites will introduce new classic diningware and silverware to its 'Be Our Guest Breakfast.' As the first hotel in its class to do so, this sustainability initiative will further differentiate the hotel from competitors, and enhance the overall hotel experience for guests.

About Carlson
Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses 1,067 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 170,000 people.   http://www.carlson.com