Carlson opens 1,000th hotel worldwide in St. Martin

ST MARTIN, CARIBBEAN– Carlson Hotels Worldwide® today opened the 1,000th hotel in its worldwide portfolio, the Radisson St Martin Resort, Marina & Spa, (top right photo) dedicating the achievement of this growth landmark to a global initiative of environmental sustainability and responsible business.

At opening ceremonies, top company officials joined with representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign (billiontreecampaign.com) and The Carbon Neutral Company (carbonneutral.com) to officially dedicate this $80 million resort.

The company is planting 1,000 trees worldwide and making a financial donation to the UNEP program plus partnering with The CarbonNeutral Company to offset carbon equivalent to 10,000 room nights.

A highlight of the opening was the planting of the first tree in the 1,000 tree initiative, an indigenous Flamboyant tree that was located near the resort’s signature ocean-front pool.

“We are extremely proud to open the Radisson St Martin Resort - the 1,000th property in the Carlson Hotels Worldwide portfolio---celebrating this growth milestone with a global initiative embracing responsible business and environmental sustainability,” said Jay Witzel, (top left photo) president and CEO of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. “The five brands of Carlson Hotels Worldwide now are serving guests in 74 countries,” he added.

These brands include: Regent Hotels & Resorts (regenthotels.com); Radisson Hotels & Resorts (radisson.com), Park Plaza® Hotels & Resorts (parkplaza.com), Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM (countryinns.com) and Park Inn® (parkinn.com).

The new 252-room Radisson St Martin Resort, nestled in the picturesque cove of Anse Marcel facing 1,600 feet of white-sand beachfront, is a flagship resort in the growing global portfolio of Radisson Hotels & Resorts.

The luxury ocean-front resort has undergone a total transformation and features 63 suites and 189 guestrooms; a signature beachfront restaurant with al fresco dining; casual, market-style eatery and lobby tapas bar. The resort also includes a stunning zero-entry infinity pool; full-service spa and fitness center; 7,500 square feet of meeting space and 150-slip marina.

The hotel is managed by Radisson Hotels & Resorts under Caribbean veteran Hotel Manager Jeff Lesker. For more information on this resort, visit www.radisson.com/stmartin.

“We are delighted that Carlson Hotels is celebrating the opening of its 1,000th global property by pledging 1,000 trees to the Billion Tree Campaign,” said Achim Steiner, (middle right photo) executive director United Nation’s Environment Porgramme. “In the face of alarming environmental data, the Billion Tree Campaign offers hope and a simple solution for climate change mitigation, while enhancing biodiversity.”

“Taking action on climate change involves making the issue accessible to everyone – as a company and also as an individual,” said Sue Welland, (bottom left photo) Founder and Executive Director, Marketing of The CarbonNeutral Company.

“We are pleased to team with Carlson Hotels in support of an initiative that emphasizes sustainability, personal responsibility and which provides customers with a simple yet effective solution.”