WORLDHOTELS, the leading Europe-based global hotel group for independent hotels, has expanded further into India, extending to Chennai with new partner The Pride Hotel.

The Pride Hotel is distinguished by 115 elegant spacious, designer guest rooms for both business and leisure travellers, all with high-speed internet connections and joins WORLDHOTELS effective immediately.

�We are delighted to welcome The Pride Hotel to the WORLDHOTELS First Class Collection� said Roland Jegge, Vice President Asia Pacific of WORLDHOTELS.

�The Indian market is a breakthrough for WORLDHOTELS and we are happy to expand it from New Delhi and Mumbai now into Chennai with The Pride Hotel complimenting our expanding portfolio of over 500 of the world�s most interesting and unique hotels.�

�We are the flagship hotel of the Pride Group, with widely acclaimed hotels also in Pune, Nagpur and Ahmedabad, along with a new five star hotel under construction in Bangalore. We believe that the global reach and international marketing expertise of WORLDHOTELS will be a great asset to us, especially in attracting overseas travellers,� said Mr. Suresh Mallya, General Manager of The Pride Hotel, Chennai.

The Pride Hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Chennai�s business and entertainment district, just 18 kilometers from the airport and 3 kilometers from the city�s central railway station.

The Pride Hotel�s food and beverage options include the all-day Cafe Treat, Fuel Bar, rustic Indian restaurant, Puran Da Dhaba, and the signature fine dining restaurant Casablanca serving Chinese, continental and Indian cuisines and offering nightly live traditional Indian music �Ghazals� during dinner.

Outstanding conference facilities including three function rooms covering up to 2,312 sqm make The Pride Hotel ideal for business and conventions. The Pavilion seats up to 250 guests, The Senate accommodates up to 75 and The Board Room is designed for meetings of 12-15 executives.

Modern facilities include a business centre, swimming pool and health club with gym, steam room and sauna.

The Pride Hotel follows three New Delhi hotels from India�s exclusive luxury hospitality group, Claridges Hotels & Resorts, and the soon to open Imperial Palace Mumbai which are also WORLDHOTELS affiliated.

For further information and reservations on The Pride Hotel, Chennai, please visit worldhotels.com or www.pridehotel.com.

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Note to editors:

About WORLDHOTELS:

� WORLDHOTELS is the longest established Europe based global hotel group for independent hotels and regional hotel brands.

� The company's strong emphasis is on properties with character and distinction. It has almost 500 affiliate properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide.

� Under the banner �Unique Hotels for Unique People�, WORLDHOTELS offers business and leisure travellers a wide choice of individualistic accommodation options in three distinct collections � Deluxe, First Class and Comfort.

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

� To its affiliate hotels, WORLDHOTELS provides a wide range of sales, marketing, distribution and related services.

ASIA PACIFIC Reservation Numbers:

Australia Toll free: 1-800-55 35 49 For groups: 61-2-9006 1088 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 Indonesia Toll free: 001-803-65 73 25 Japan Toll free: 0120-55 75 37 For groups: +81 3 6721 8141 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: 61-2-9006 1088 Philippines Toll free: 1-800-16 51 01 67 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 further information visit worldhotels.com.