Comfortable Bed Rated Most Important

Radisson Hotels & Resorts' "Voice of the People" Survey

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. October 14, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, May 20, 2008. A recent survey* of business travelers reveals that, despite differing opinions on the upcoming presidential race, both Boomers and Generation X/Y agree on how to stay happy on the road. Nearly half of Boomers (44 percent) surveyed intend to back John McCain in November's election and a majority (32 percent) of Gen X/Y plan to vote for Hillary Clinton, but there's a clear consensus on what is most important to them to stay productive on business trips. Half of Boomers and nearly that many Gen X/Y (48 percent) think a comfortable bed is the most important hotel feature when traveling for business, and more than one third of both groups indicated the quickest way to get stressed during their business trip was through a slow or nonexistent hotel Internet connection.

"Whether they are seasoned road warriors or new to the demands of today's mobile, multi-tasking business world, we understand that business travelers rely on certain hotel amenities to stay successful," said Paul Kirwin, new president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, parent company of Radisson. "Since these frequent travelers vote with their wallets every time they take a trip, we've made sure we're listening to the voice of the people and providing the comfortable bed and free in-room, high-speed Internet access they expect."

Every Radisson hotel features select guest rooms equipped with the custom-designed Sleep Number(R) bed, which enables guests to adjust the firmness of the mattress to their individual comfort needs to achieve a more deep, restorative night's sleep. All Radisson hotels also offer free high-speed Internet access in the guest room (wired or wireless), with Wi-Fi access in the lobby and restaurant.

Although Boomer and Gen X/Y business travelers most likely made their first business trip during different decades, their preferences and behaviors while on the road are more alike than different. Both groups chose "in-room spa" as their top dream hotel amenity (Boomers 56 percent, Gen X/Y 58 percent) and "hot shower" as the best way to unwind at the hotel (Boomers 38 percent, Gen X/Y 33 percent). When asked what business travel hotel feature they most deserved, both groups chose "all of the above" (Boomers 36 percent, Gen X/Y 33 percent) from a list that included an iPod/MP3 player dock, comfortable bed, free Internet, free breakfast, and in-room printer, particularly for boarding passes.

Boomers and Gen X/Y business travelers agreed that the top two things they don't need from their hotel are expensive mini-bars (Boomers 69 percent, Gen X/Y 62 percent) and aromatherapy (Boomers 12 percent, Gen X/Y 13 percent).

Both groups are also consistent in how they act away from home. When asked what they don't want anyone to know they do on a business trip, both groups noted "watch TV all night" (Boomers 23 percent, Gen X/Y 20 percent) as a top guilty pleasure, although Boomers rated "eat junk food" (27 percent) as their other bad habit while Gen X/Y were more concerned that people know they "don't do enough business" (23 percent). And whether new to business travel or a seasoned veteran, all business travelers passed up business luminaries including Donald Trump, Oprah and Steve Jobs and selected their own mom or dad as the business person they most emulate. Nearly half of Boomers (48 percent) and more than a third of Gen X/Y (36 percent) looked up to dad and mom.

Radisson operates more than 400 locations in 66 countries. Reservations can be made online at www.radisson.com, through a travel agent or by phone at 800-333-3333. Radisson is a division of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, a global leader in the hotel industry encompassing five hotel brands and 990 hotels and resorts in 71 countries.

*Research study conducted online in May 2008 with approximately 400 responses.