Styled after the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa, the iconic Tibet Hotel Chengdu has become the first hotel in South West China to join WORLDHOTELS as a First Class Collection affiliate.

The 276-room hotel in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, is located just a short stroll away the famous Wenshu Monastry, the largest temple in Chengdu and just 30 minutes driving distance from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

Guest rooms are fully equipped with complimentary internet connection and the upper floors command panoramic views over the city.

Tibet Hotel Chengdu features five choices of restaurants and bars of which a highlight is the Tibet Banquet Hall, a traditional Tibetan culinary experience offering an extensive range of traditional dishes from the Tibet region.

The Pearl Star Restaurant serves a taste of Sichuan cuisine with local recipes, fresh ingredients and exotic spices in the main dining hall or any of the private rooms in the restaurant.

Conference facilities accommodate up to 300 for receptions or theatre style with banqueting for up 180.

Recreation and wellness facilities include beauty salon, bowling alley, a fitness room incorporating a rock-climbing wall, massage and sauna. Excursion options include the nearby Giant Panda sanctuary and the famous Giant Buddah at Leshan.

Ms. Shizhen Tang, General Manager of Tibet Hotel Chengdu said: �WORLDHOTELS� global marketing and distribution network is an invaluable shop window to the world for Tibet Hotel Chengdu as business booms in Chengdu - a hub of economic business, transportation and communication in southwestern China.�

�Chengdu has been recognized as one of China�s top ten cities to invest in out of a total of 280 other urban centres,� he said.

Mr. Roland Jegge, Vice President for WORLDHOTELS Asia Pacific, said: �Chengdu is an up-and-coming destination for both economic development and tourism, and a gateway to the mountainous southwest and Tibet. Tibet Hotel Chengdu is already popular with both business and leisure travelers and we look forward to further increasing its global business.�

Ends

Note to editors:

WORLDHOTELS is an exclusive collection of the world's most unique independent hotels. Under the banner "Unique Hotels for Unique People", it now has 450 affiliate properties in 250 destinations and 65 countries worldwide.

Celebrating 40 years of excellence, the company's mission is to offer business and leisure travellers easy access to a wide range of 4 and 5 star hotels with character and distinction. Each hotel in the WORLDHOTELS portfolio has passed a rigorous selection process and meets the group�s stringent quality standards. Over 1000 quality criteria are anonymously tested on an annual basis.

WORLDHOTELS' guests benefit from an extensive selection of partnerships, including frequent flyer programmes from 17 of the world's leading international airlines, including Air France/KLM, United Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa.

Through an unparalleled range of services covering global marketing, sales, training, and e-commerce as well as state-of-the-art distribution and technology, WORLDHOTELS gives independent hotels the collective strength of a global hotel brand whilst still allowing them to retain their individual character and unique identity.

For reservations or information, visit worldhotels.com. Photographic material is available in the �news & press� section of worldhotels.com or from carol.kong@ghcasia.com .

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

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