Paul Kirwin, president, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, said: "As one of China's four municipalities, together with Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing, Tianjin is a key market in China and there is a growing demand for upmarket, internationally managed business hotels in the city. The Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin will respond to this need by providing international and domestic business guests with the superior facilities they have come to expect at Radisson hotels across the world."

"The strategic location and innovative modern architecture of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin make the hotel an excellent addition to the Radisson portfolio of quality hotels being developed in the region and operating worldwide," said Mr Kirwin.

The 23-storey hotel will be owned and developed by Tianjin Urban Construction Group (TUCG) and the building's exterior has been designed by leading architectural and interior design firm, RSP Architects.

Mr Li Kai-Jian, director and chairman, TUCG, said: "We are very pleased to be working with Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific on this project. With extensive redevelopment plans currently underway for the city, the Hedong District is set to become the new central business district of Tianjin and the hotel will be situated among numerous commercial complexes. It is an exciting time for Tianjin and we are proud to be contributing to the development of this important industrial region of China with the Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin."

Due to open in July 2007, the 238- room Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin will be designed to cater especially for business people travelling to the city of Tianjin, which boasts more than 6,500 industrial enterprises and supports Tianjin Xingang (New Harbour), northern China's largest port and China's second largest container terminal.

Centrally located on the corner of main access roads Xinkai Road and New City Expressway and 20 minutes from Tianjin International Airport, the hotel will feature three Plaza Club floors and a Plaza Club executive lounge on the upper levels, as well as large conference and banqueting facilities, a ballroom and full service business centre.

To serve guests during their downtime, the hotel will also include an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, two bars, a modern health club and spa, 24-hour room service and retail space.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin brings the number of Carlson hotels currently under development in China to four. There are currently eight hotels in China operating under Carlson hotel brands including Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts brands.

Singapore-based Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific is the regional headquarters for Carlson Hotels Worldwide in the Asia-Pacific region and is supported by reservations, sales and development offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney.  Carlson Hotels Worldwide, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, includes five hotel brands: Regent International Hotels, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the hotel industry; Radisson Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading upscale, full- service hotel brands; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, positioned in the midscale segment of the full-service hotel category and known for its great value and customer-focused service culture; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, one of the fastest growing, midscale hotel brands; and Park Inn, a unique emerging hotel brand offering a relaxed environment in the economy category.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of Carlson Companies, Inc., a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries.  Other names in the Carlson family of brands and services are: T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises®, Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, and Carlson Marketing Group®, the largest relationship marketing services company in the United States.            

Lisa Helleur
Tel: + 61 2 8235 7600
[email protected]