WORLDHOTELS, the global marketing and distribution network for independent hotels and hospitality brands, has opened a new sales office in Melbourne, supporting an expanding portfolio of affiliate hotels in Australia and New Zealand.

Helming the Melbourne sales office is Samantha Halpin, who joins as WORLDHOTELS Global Sales Manager, Australia & New Zealand. She reports to Ganessan Suppiah, WORLDHOTELS Director of Sales, based in Sydney.

A graduate of RMIT in Australia, she brings vast experience in the sales field, from previously experience with British Airways, Marriott Hotels and Hilton Hotels in various roles.

She is assisting in the development of WORLDHOTELS key market sectors such as generating groups and meetings (MICE) business, new corporate RFPs and managing boutique agencies so as to target bookings for affiliate leisure properties and resorts.

Roland Jegge, WORLDHOTELS Vice President for the Asia-Pacific, said �Our expansion in Melbourne is a significant step in building on our already strong presence in this very important market, where our portfolio has now extended to 12 prominent hotels and resorts.�

In Australia & New Zealand, WORLDHOTELS affiliates include eight Stamford Hotels & Resorts properties and two casino hotels operated by Australia�s premier gaming and entertainment group Tabcorp � Star City Hotel and Apartments in Sydney and Jupiters Townsville.

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: 61-2-9006 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 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: 61-2-9006 1088 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

MEDIA CONTACTS: Carol Kong carol.kong@ghcasia.com +852 2810 0532