"We are pleased to have ended the year 2002 with a total of 1,636 locations in 82 countries," said Curtis Nelson, president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide. "During a very challenging year, we made important progress in the growth of our brands," Nelson said.  "In addition to the growth of brand locations, we have also developed our business through the continuing evolution of cross-enterprise customer relationship strategies, offering our existing customers new and exciting options within our family of businesses," Nelson stated.  "Building customer relationships across the entire Carlson organizations holds great potential for the future growth of our businesses. We are continuing to expand the reach and depth of these relationships by understanding customer preferences and providing individual solutions customers seek using all the tools of technology, e-commerce and loyalty programs such as Gold Points Rewards," he added. 

Nelson outlined the following highlights for the year:

CARLSON HOTELS WORLDWIDE

In 2002, Carlson Hotels Worldwide added a total of 101 locations in its five brands and announced a new structure and expansion plans in the world's three economic theaters: Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Asia-Pacific; and the Americas. Carlson Hotels includes Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza hotels, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn hotels. 

A key achievement of the year was a major new agreement between Carlson Hotels Worldwide and Rezidor SAS Hospitality, one of the leading European hotel management companies. Rezidor SAS, which currently operates 114 Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts, will now offer Regent International Hotels, Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn hotels. This master franchise partnership is expected to result in more than 700 locations of Carlson hotel brands in EMEA in the next ten years. "This agreement will produce dramatic growth for our hotel brands and is a landmark expansion event in our company history," Nelson stated.  In Asia-Pacific, Carlson Hotels announced a new leadership team, regional headquarters and an ambitious strategy to grow from 37 current locations to more than 100 locations in the next five years. A new Asia Pacific headquarters was established in Singapore and Paul Kirwin, formerly president of Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, was named President and Managing Director of Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific. 

In the Americas, Carlson Hotels Worldwide completed a comprehensive integration process creating a new platform to support the growth of its five brands.  Globally various Carlson brands opened hotels in such key markets as Paris, France; London, England; Vancouver (Richmond), B.C.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; San Luis Potosi, Mexico; Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Ga.; and Orlando, Fla. 

CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE

In 2002 Carlson Restaurants Worldwide added 36 new T.G.I. Friday's locations worldwide, and 16 new Pick Up Stix restaurants, including the first expansion of Pick Up Stix to Chicago, Ill. T.G.I. Friday's added three new products to it flourishing line of frozen snacks including Chicken Quesadilla Rolls, Southwestern Egg Rolls and Honey BBQ Wings. The products also achieved status as the No. 2 best-selling frozen snack in their category.   T.G.I. Friday's salty snacks such as Cheddar & Bacon Potato Skins, Sour Cream & Onion Potato Skins and Ultimate Jalapeno Fire Bites were sold for the first time in over 700 Wal-Mart supercenters across the U.S. 

T.G.I. Friday's introduced 11 new summer menu items in June, which continued to emphasize value through sizable portions, bold flavors and contemporary presentations. In total, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide ended 2002 with a 798 restaurants in 56 countries. 

CARLSON CRUISES WORLDWIDE

Carlson's cruise operation, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, added more destinations to its itineraries, while continuing to garner some of the industry's top awards. The cruise line also announced inaugural itineraries for its seventh luxury cruise ship, the m/s Seven Seas Voyager, which will be launched this year. 

The Seven Seas Mariner completed its first circumnavigation of South America on a 54-night Grand voyage. The Seven Seas Navigator became the first Radisson Seven Seas ship to offer a World Cruise, sailing to 49 ports in 31 countries on five continents in 105 nights.

The awards garnered by Radisson Seven Seas Cruises in the last year bear testimony to its sterling reputation for quality, value and service. Travel + Leisure magazine named Radisson Seven Seas Cruises second overall in the small cruise-ship category in its seventh annual World's Best Awards. In addition, the line was voted "Best Value" in the Ultra-Deluxe, 6+ Star category by the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society, which noted that the line "easily matched or exceeded all others in the category in the key areas of service, dining, food and amenities, at prices well below its competitors." This prestigious organization also named the Seven Seas Mariner "Ship of the Year" for 2002. For the second consecutive year, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises was named Best Luxury Line by readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine, one of the most highly respected travel publications in the industry. 

Radisson Seven Seas is preparing to launch its newest vessel, the m/s Seven Seas Voyager, which will begin its inaugural European season with a 12-night Monte Carlo to Venice sailing on April 1, 2003. The world's second all-balcony, all suite cruise ship will not only boast the world's largest lead-in suites, but will also offer butler service in 88 suites. 

Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is a global leader in hospitality services, encompassing more than 1,636 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 82 countries.  Specific brands include: Regent International Hotels (www.regenthotels.com); Radisson Hotels & Resorts (www.radisson.com); Park Plaza (www.parkplaza.com); Country Inns & Suites By Carlson (www.countryinns.com); Park Inn (www.parkinn.com); Radisson Seven Seas Cruises (www.rssc.com); T.G.I. Friday's (www.fridays.com) and Pick Up Stix (www.pickupstix.com) restaurants; and Provisions (www.provisions.com), a worldwide procurement division.  Headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minn. 

Carlson Hospitality Worldwide is one of the major operating groups of  Carlson Companies, Inc., a global leader in providing corporate solutions and consumer services in the marketing, travel and hospitality industries.   The company has been recognized by both Fortune and Working Mother magazines as one of the "100 best places to work in America." Carlson Companies' corporate headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Thomas J. Polski
763-212-5616

Lori Sater Anderson
763-212-1024