Ascott Websites Go Mobile And Offer Online Chat

CapitaLand's wholly-owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (http://www.the-ascott.com/) (Ascott), has launched mobile versions of its three brand websites – www.the-ascott.com, www.citadines.com and www.somerset.com – as well as an online chat facility on its brand websites to enhance guests' search and reservation experience. Guests can now easily access information, enquire and reserve Ascott's properties worldwide anytime, anywhere. Besides the mobile and online platforms, Ascott has been reaching out to guests through social media for which the company recently won 'Best Hotel and Lodging Social Media Campaign' at the 2012 Internet Advertising Competition organized by the US-based Web Marketing Association.

Mr Tony Soh, Ascott's Chief Corporate Officer, said: "The sophisticated and tech-savvy travellers of today want fast and convenient access to information while on the go. In addition to leveraging social media, Ascott's mobile-friendly websites and online chat facility will enable us to better reach out to our guests wherever they are, whenever they choose and whatever platform they prefer to use. These two new initiatives are part of our ongoing efforts to deliver the best Ascott experience to our guests at each and every touch-point, including interactions prior to their stay with us."

Travellers who visit Ascott's brand websites with their smartphones such as iPhone, Blackberry or Android can easily navigate the websites as they have been optimized for smaller screens with touchscreen-friendly icons. Guests can also view current promotions, check apartment availability, and make or modify a reservation at the touch of their fingertips. In addition, Ascott's online members can log in to their profiles on the mobile websites for quick reservations. The mobile websites also have user-friendly features that show guests the nearest Ascott serviced residence based on their location, and interactive maps that display the attractions and amenities around the serviced residence.

To provide guests with real-time support, Ascott's new online chat facility on its brand websites enables guests to easily communicate with an Ascott representative who will address their queries through instant messaging. This online chat facility is available in five languages – English, Mandarin Chinese, French, German and Spanish.

In the social media realm, guests can connect with Ascott through Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Facebook. Ascott's 'Around our Residences' Facebook application, which won the 'Best Hotel and Lodging Social Media Campaign' award for its 'Ultimate Resident Contest', invites guests to share tips on what to see and do around Ascott's serviced residences and help fellow travellers navigate the cities. Through the contest, contributors of the top five tips with the most votes from Ascott's Facebook fans each received a three-night stay at any of the company's serviced residences. Ascott currently has over 38,000 fans across its Ascott (http://www.the-ascott.com/index.html), Citadines (http://www.citadines.com/) and Somerset (http://www.somerset.com/) Facebook pages.

To access Ascott's social platforms, please visit www.the-ascott.com/connect/.

About The Ascott Limited

The Ascott Limited (http://www.the-ascott.com/) is the world's largest international serviced residence owner-operator with about 22,000 operating serviced residence units in key cities of Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region, as well as about 8,000 units which are under development, making a total of more than 29,000 units.

The company operates three brands – Ascott, Citadines and Somerset. Its portfolio spans over 70 cities across more than 20 countries, 15 of which are new cities in Ascott's portfolio where its serviced residences are being developed.

Ascott, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, is headquartered in Singapore. It pioneered Asia Pacific's first international-class serviced residence in 1984. In 2006, it established the world's first Pan-Asian serviced residence real estate investment trust, Ascott Residence Trust. Today, the company boasts a 28-year industry track record and award-winning serviced residence brands that enjoy recognition worldwide.

Recent awards include DestinAsian Readers' Choice Awards 2012 'Best Serviced Apartment', TTG China Travel Awards 2012 'Best Serviced Residence Operator in China', TTG Travel Awards 2011 'Best Serviced Residence Operator', Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2011 'Best Serviced Residence Brand' and 'Best Serviced Residence in Asia-Pacific', and Business Traveller UK Awards 2011 'Best Serviced Apartment Company'.

About CapitaLand Group

CapitaLand is one of Asia's largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, the multi-local company's core businesses in real estate, hospitality and real estate financial services are focused in growth cities in Asia Pacific and Europe.

The company's real estate and hospitality portfolio, which includes homes, offices, shopping malls, serviced residences and mixed developments, spans more than 110 cities in over 20 countries. CapitaLand also leverages on its significant asset base, real estate domain knowledge, financial skills and extensive market network to develop real estate financial products and services in Singapore and the region.

The listed entities of the CapitaLand Group include Australand, CapitaMalls Asia, CapitaMall Trust, CapitaCommercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaRetail China Trust, CapitaMalls Malaysia Trust and Quill Capita Trust.