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Howard Johnson International Mandating New Mattresses,
New Shower Heads, Adds New Slogan, "I Go HoJo"
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Howard Johnson International Mandating New Mattresses,
New Shower Heads, Adds New Slogan, "I Go HoJo"
 ORLANDO,
FLA. (April 16, 2007) � A five-pronged strategic plan focused on enhancing
the guest experience was unveiled at the Howard Johnson International conference
here today.
Addressing owners and managers for the first time as their brand leader, Rui Barros, Howard Johnson senior vice president, told attendees that the brand is helping to create a more enjoyable guest stay by improving the sleep and shower experience. New Serta® or Simmons® mattresses are mandated for installation at all properties by Dec. 31, and Arcs and Angels® curved shower curtains and rods and Glacier Bay multifunction shower heads will be required effective June 30. The new brand standards were developed in conjunction with the Howard Johnson strategic plan, which also focuses on system growth, property performance, leveraging the scale of Wyndham Hotel Group and enhancing the brand�s marketing campaign. To generate interest in the chain and grow the system, the brand team will work closely with the franchise sales team to promote Howard Johnson�s successes and meet regularly with developers, lenders and brokers. Property performance, another brand priority, will be addressed through field and operations support in the form of free regional meetings targeting bottom-line results; a property-level management plan that helps franchisees with customer service, housekeeping and maintenance; and an expanded field-based business development team. The Howard Johnson brand will benefit from corporate and travel industry sales generated by Wyndham Hotel Group�s Global Sales organization and increased guest loyalty attributable to its TripRewards® loyalty program. Franchisees may attend specialized, field-based training offered by the Wyndham Hotel Group�s School of Hospitality Operations. �Our strategic plan will guide the brand team�s actions every day and enable us to continue driving operational excellence,� said Barros. The brand�s marketing campaign features the new slogan, I GO HOJO. �I GO HOJO is a powerful and succinct brand slogan that celebrates our brand, resonates with our customers and leverages a catchphrase that has been a significant part of our brand culture,� said Dan Hughes, Howard Johnson senior marketing manager. The brand�s online and print ads will feature the slogan, the brand�s Guaranteed Best Available Rate program, free high-speed Internet access, Rise and Dine continental breakfast and the TripRewards program. This year, the brand introduced a new awards program, Heroes of Hospitality, designed to recognize Howard Johnson property owners and their staffs. �This new program builds upon the legacy of good customer service and solid value started by our brand founder, Howard Dearing Johnson, more than 80 years ago,� said Barros. �The Heroes of Hospitality program celebrates our greatest assets: our innkeepers and their teams.� Key performance and customer service indicators including quality assurance and customer service scores are used to evaluate prospective award winners for quarterly and annual awards. Barros was appointed as the brand leader for the Howard Johnson brand following former brand president Ken Greene�s appointment to group president of the Howard Johnson, Days Inn® and Travelodge® brands. In his new role, Barros reports to Greene and is responsible for setting the brand�s strategic direction, managing brand finances and operations, leading the franchise advisory board and interfacing with franchise sales. Howard Johnson International franchises hotels in the United States, Argentina, Canada, China, Colombia, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Israel, Malta, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. For more information or to make a reservation at any Howard Johnson location, call toll-free in the United States (800) I-GO-HOJO? or visit the Web site at www.howardjohnson.com. Howard Johnson is a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN). |
| Contact:
Christine Da Silva
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| Also See: | Beijing Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Is First Howard Johnson Hotel in China, Five More Scheduled to Open / May 2002 |