Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific announced the development of the Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin, to be located in the Hedong District of Tianjin, one of China's largest industrial cities located approximately 90 minutes south-east of Beijing.

Paul Kirwin, president, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific, said, As one of China's four municipalities, together with Beijing, Shanghai, and Chongqing, Tianjin is a key market in China and there is a growing demand for upmarket, internationally managed business hotels in the city. The Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin will respond to this need by providing international and domestic business guests with the superior facilities they have come to expect at Radisson hotels across the world.

Due to open in July 2007, the 238- room Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin will be designed to cater especially for business people travelling to the city of Tianjin, which boasts more than 6,500 industrial enterprises and supports Tianjin Xingang (New Harbour), northern China's largest port and China's second largest container terminal.

The 23-storey hotel will be owned and developed by Tianjin Urban Construction Group (TUCG) and the building's exterior has been designed by leading architectural and interior design firm, RSP Architects.

Mr Li Kai-Jian, director and chairman, TUCG, said, We are very pleased to be working with Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific on this project. With extensive redevelopment plans currently underway for the city, the Hedong District is set to become the new central business district of Tianjin and the hotel will be situated among numerous commercial complexes. It is an exciting time for Tianjin and we are proud to be contributing to the development of this important industrial region of China with the Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin.

The Radisson Plaza Hotel Tianjin brings the number of Carlson hotels currently under development in China to four. There are currently eight hotels in China operating under Carlson hotel brands including Regent International Hotels, Radisson Hotels and Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels and Resorts brands.