The international group for independent hotels, WORLDHOTELS, today announced the promotion of Robert Hornman, currently Vice President EMEA & Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Distribution, to Managing Director. He will take over all responsibilities from Michael Ball, who after eight years as CEO will move to the Supervisory Board of WORLDHOTELS and continue his role as Managing Director of I.H.S., the parent company of WORLDHOTELS. Also promoted to the Management Board was Sven Larsen, the company's CFO.

Hornman has been with WORLDHOTELS since September 2008 as Vice President EMEA & Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Distribution. Previously, he served in a number of senior positions at Accor, including Vice President Sales and Marketing Asia, as well as Vice President Global Sales and Business Development in the companys head office in Paris.

Michael Ball commented: Since joining us, Robert has quickly established a strong team for the EMEA region and worked successfully to keep WORLDHOTELS focused on maintaining existing revenue streams and securing additional ones in what has proved to be a challenging year. We are very pleased with the new company structure and I believe that we have the necessary expertise to continue our path of growth.

I am looking forward to implementing our growth strategy further and expanding our unique portfolio of upmarket independent hotels, especially in the business travel and MICE sector, says Robert Hornman. This year, we saw growing demand from independent hotels requesting affiliation and we have already added 39 new affiliate hotels in 2009 to date. New additions include the six hotels of the renowned UK brand City Inn. WORLDHOTELS is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the many opportunities the market has to offer and to support affiliate hotels and clients in growing their business, especially in challenging times like these.

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About WORLDHOTELS:

WORLDHOTELS is an exclusive collection of the world's most unique independent hotels. Under the banner "Unique Hotels for Unique People", it now has almost 500 affiliate properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide.

For nearly 40 years, the company's mission has been to offer business and leisure travellers easy access to a wide range of accommodation options with a strong emphasis on hotels of character and distinction.

WORLDHOTELS' guests benefit from an extensive portfolio of partnerships, including frequent flyer programmes from 18 of the world's leading international airlines, including Air France/KLM, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa.

Through state-of-the-art distribution and technology and global marketing campaigns, WORLDHOTELS gives independent hotels the collective strength of a strong, global hotel brand whilst still allowing them to retain their strong individual character and unique identity.

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers: Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups: 61-2-90 06 10 88 China (North) Toll free: 10-800-650-8221 For groups: 10-800-6 50 00 87 China (South) Toll free: 10-800-2 65 82 21 For groups: 10-800-2 65 00 87 Hong Kong Toll free: 800-96 85 63 For groups: 800-90 85 95 India Toll free: 000-800-6 50 11 60 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 67 21 81 41 Malaysia Toll free: 1-800-80 11 84 For groups: 1-800-80 15 86 New Zealand Toll free: 0-800-44 75 55 For groups: 61-2-90 06 10 88 Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35 Singapore Toll free: 1-800-2 27 66 26 For groups: 65- 62 27 55 35 South Korea Toll free: 080-747-10 00 For groups: 82-2-756 90 00 Taiwan Toll free: 00801-65 10 95 For Groups: 00801 651 423 Thailand Toll free: 001-800-65 66 04 For groups: 65 62 27 55 35

For further information visit worldhotels.com.

Issued on behalf of WORLDHOTELS by Grebstad Hicks Communications.

For further information, please contact:

Grebstad Hicks Communications Ms. Carol Kong Tel: 852 2810 0532 E-mail: carol.kong@ghcasia.com

WORLDHOTELS Mr. Roland Jegge Tel: 65 6227 5535 E-mail: rjegge@worldhotels.com