WORLDHOTELS has launched a Japanese version of the website worldhotels.com so as to make the many features and information contained on this site accessible to Japanese speaking travellers. This is the first Asian-language version of the website for the leading Europe-based global hotel group for independent hotels and regional hotel brands. "This marks the importance of Japan as a key feeder market for our portfolio of almost 500 affiliate properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide," said Roland Jegge, Vice President, Asia Pacific for WORLDHOTELS.

The Japanese version is the fifth language site since the launch of worldhotels.com in December 2007. The existing language versions include English, German, French and Spanish. WORLDHOTELS is currently also developing a Chinese version of the website to meet growing customer demand from Chinese speaking countries.

Worldhotels.com has been completely redesigned and now features a hassle-free booking process, videos, hotel reviews, weather forecasts and maps, all of which help travellers and travel agents to quickly find the best-fit accommodation from WORLDHOTELS� large portfolio worldwide.

WORLDHOTELS also offers a dedicated portal, WORLDHOTELS.beconnected for travel agents and those who register will receive trade discounts, information about commission payments for their bookings and a regular newsletter.

The new websites dedicated online meeting product for meeting planners, WORLDHOTELS.events, has been enhanced making it more time efficient and informative. The most innovative search option of the new website is the �Get Inspired� tool, which allows meeting planners to identify a hotel based on their customers� preferred temperature, cuisine & style, culture & nightlife, recreation & wellness as well as activities & adventures they are looking for. This search option is not possible in GDS systems and is therefore an ideal additional service to consult according to individual preferences.

To give customers balanced information, hotel reviews from the leading travel website TripAdvisor are also included on worldhotels.com.

�Worldhotels.com has been developed not only to be extremely easy to navigate but also to offer our customers all the information they may require when choosing a travel destination and hotel from locations across the globe,� added Mr. Jegge.

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Note to editors:

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 20 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