Carlson Opens First Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Brazil

MINNEAPOLIS and SAO PAULO, May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced the further strategic international expansion of the Park Inn by Radisson brand into Latin America with the opening of the Park Inn by Radisson Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"The opening of the first Park Inn by Radisson in Brazil represents the continued momentum of our Ambition 2015 growth strategy and is aligned with plans to grow Park Inn by Radisson as a winning midscale brand in Latin America," said Jean-Marc Busato, area vice president, Carlson Hotels, Latin America. "The endorsement of the Park Inn brand 'by Radisson' has received great feedback and support from our partners and owners."

Located in or just outside major cities and airport gateways, the brand has grown to more than 118 hotels in operation globally with 60 hotels currently in development.  

"We look forward to offering a bright, bold and fresh, uncomplicated, friendly and fun environment that provides both business and leisure travelers with the affordable hotel experience they desire," said Mariana Fiore, general manager of the Park Inn by Radisson Ibirapuera.

The 233-room hotel features an indoor pool, a fitness center, business center and free Wi-Fi access. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in Tabu, the hotel's restaurant. Meeting space is available for up to 220 people.  The hotel features studio suites and standard guest rooms and is conveniently located three miles from Congonhas Airport.

The hotel is operated by Atlantica Hotels International based in Sao Paulo. Atlantica Hotels is South America's largest independent hospitality management company and has a strategic alliance with Carlson Hotels.

For reservations and more information, visit www.parkinn.com.

About Carlson

Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,070 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ about 170,000 people.  http://www.carlson.com

About Atlantica Hotels International

Founded in 1998 by Paul J. Sistare, currently president and CEO, Sao Paulo-based Atlantica Hotels International is South America's largest independent hospitality management company. The company has a strategic alliance with Carlson (Radisson®, Park Inn by Radisson and Park Suites). It also has its own brand, Go Inn, and the Atlantica Collection hallmark for independent hotels. The chain has 76 units in operation, with almost 13,000 guest rooms and apartments in major Brazilian cities and more than 6,000 hotels around the world in its booking portfolio. Atlantica Hotels supports Childhood Brasil, the Brazilian arm of the World Childhood Foundation (WCF), to combat exploitation of children and promote sustainable tourism.

SOURCE Carlson