Kauai Ranks As Tops For Avoiding Crowds; Maui Rates As Hawaii's Best Value And Favorite Of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates

Polling on Hawaii Launches Annual Pleasant Holidays Sale Offered by Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates throughout the United States

(Monday, March 27, 2006) - Despite recent heavy rains, Hawaii and its gorgeous Garden Island of Kauai stand ready to welcome mainland visitors. In fact, according to recent polls of 152 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates throughout the United States, conducted from March 7-23, Kauai ranks as the "best kept secret" among Hawaiian Islands they recommend to customers who wish to avoid crowds. Maui was not only identified by a plurality as their personal favorite of all Hawaiian Islands, but it also offers the "most bang for the buck."

In conjunction with agents' passion for these and other Hawaiian escapes, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates today announced the details of its Annual Hawaii Sale that includes $100 in spending money when select Pleasant Holidays packages for 2006 are booked during the month of April. Sale pricing starts as low as $839 per person, based on double occupancy.

"Recent reports regarding heavy rainfall in Kauai have resulted in our agents receiving many concerned calls, but we're pleased to report that each of the resorts we book for this spectacular destination – including through our Annual Hawaii Sale – are open and ready to welcome our customers," stated Roger E. Block, CTC, executive vice president of the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Division. "While there was a breach in the Ka Loko earthen dam in the Kilauea area of the island's north shore, we are pleased to report that the rest of the island was largely unaffected. Kauai, its airport and accommodations are open for business."

Block noted that this news is especially welcome given the polling results of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates. When they were asked, "Which of the Hawaiian Islands is the ‘best kept secret' (they) recommend for avoiding crowds," nearly four out of ten (39%) named Kauai, followed by Lanai (26%), Molokai (21%), Hawaii (The Big Island) 12% and Maui (2%).

When the agents were asked, "Which of the Hawaiian Islands is (their) personal favorite," Maui was the top choice of just over half (53%), followed by Kauai (28%), Hawaii (The Big Island)(13%), Oahu (5%) and Lanai (1%). Maui also came out on top when agents were asked, "Which Hawaiian Island provides the most bang for the buck," with 42%, followed by Oahu (34%), Hawaii (The Big Island)(14%) and Kauai (10%).

"Our Annual Hawaii Sale enables our customers to experience the best value-driven pricing of the year for this extraordinary vacation paradise," noted Block. "When booking a select Pleasant Holidays Hawaiian vacation for travel through December 15, our customers will receive $100 in spending money and a $25 activity voucher good toward many popular sightseeing attractions, tours and activities including activities sold through Pleasant Holidays activity desks or briefing breakfasts. Plus they'll automatically enjoy plenty of additional amenities such as free nights, special kids' offers, food and beverage credits and more. This offer extends the greatest bang for the buck to each Hawaiian Island."

All vacations include: Roundtrip airfare, hotel accommodations, fresh flower lei greeting, roundtrip transfers on Oahu or daily rental car on neighbor islands, all hotel taxes and more (land-only packages are also available). Among the 28 hotel options from which to choose (all prices are per person based on double occupancy):

Hawaii – The Big Island

ResortQuest Waikoloa Colony Villas – Starting at $839 for air and six days for two bedroom villa. Features Aloha Deals coupon booklet, 2-for-1 luau certificate, and kids 12 and younger stay, play and eat for free!
ResortQuest Kona by the Sea – From just $1,059 for air and six days for one bedroom ocean view. Features free night, Aloha Deals coupon booklet, 2-for-1 luau certificate, and kids 12 and younger stay, play and eat for free!
Oahu

Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa – Beginning at only $929 for air and six days for city view room. Features reduced rate!
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa –From only $1,085 for air and six days for mountain view room. Features free night and daily buffet breakfast for two!
Kauai

Hanalei Bay Resort –Starting at only $975 for air and six nights for mountain view room. Features free night, Aloha Deals coupon booklet, and kids 12 and younger stay, play and eat for free!
ResortQuest at Poipu Kai –From just $979 for air and six days for one garden view bedroom. Features reduced rate, Aloha Deals coupon booklet, 2-for-1 luau certificate, and kids 12 and younger stay, play and eat for free!
Maui

The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach – Beginning at just $1,105 for air and six days for studio garden view. Features Aloha Deals coupon booklet, 2-for-1 luau certificate, and kids 12 and younger stay, play and eat for free!
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua– Starting from only $1,285 for air and six days for garden view room. Features a reduced rate!
With Carlson Wagonlit Travel, your Hawaiian experience begins with ours. To take advantage of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates' Annual Hawaii Sale through Pleasant Holidays, as well as for all your travel needs, contact the Carlson Wagonlit Travel location nearest you at 1.800.CARLSON or visit www.CarlsonTravel.com. The Annual Hawaii Sale is available throughout April.

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Terms and Conditions: Amenities will vary by hotel property. Prices shown are for departures from Los Angeles (LAX). Air from other gateways is available; prices will vary by departure city. Rates shown are per person, based on double occupancy (except ResortQuest Waikoloa Colony Villas based on quad occupancy) for select travel dates. Activity voucher is per room per stay. Hawaii Sale offers are valid on new air-inclusive and land-only bookings with a minimum 5-night stay at a participating property and travel must be completed by 12/15/06. Rates & inclusions are subject to change, holiday/seasonal supplements, blackout dates, availability & any restrictions. Rates shown include Alaska/Hawaii ticket tax but do not include transportation tax of $14.60, Passenger Facility Charges up to $18, per segment tax of $3.30, or September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement (up to a maximum of $5 per one way or $10 per round-trip). CST #1007939.10. Spending Money offer will be in the form of travelers checks, is per booking and is provided exclusively by Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

Carlson Travel Group, Inc. is a subsidiary of Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies, Inc. Brands include: Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Cruise Holidays, Results Travel, SeaMaster Cruises, Carlson Leisure Travel Services and Carlson Destination Marketing Services. In 2006, for the tenth consecutive year, a Carlson Travel Franchise Group brand was named the top travel business franchise by Entrepreneur's Franchise 500®; Franchise Times ranked the Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associate Program as the 3rd top franchise overall in 2005 for the fifth year in a row.

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