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News for the Hospitality Executive |
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Marriott and Westerkirk Capital Evaluating the Feasibility
of Acquiring and
Completing the Sea Spa Nova Scotia Property at Aspotogan
.
Property Would Become a Marriott-managed,
Full-service Hotel
.
| Halifax, NS � January 3, 2008 � Marriott Hotels &
Resorts of Canada and Westerkirk Capital today announced an agreement with
Aspotogan Sea Spa Limited to evaluate the feasibility of acquiring and
completing the Sea Spa Nova Scotia property at Aspotogan. If this
study is successful, the property is slated to become a Marriott-managed,
full-service hotel, complete with spa, conference and banquet services.
�We are excited about this opportunity because it represents new investment in the high end of the tourism sector in Nova Scotia. It�s a largely untapped segment for this market. Should this prove successful, this new property will provide an economic benefit to the local economy through new jobs, group meetings and events, and higher margin travellers,� said Scott Allison vice president, sales and marketing for Marriott Hotels & Resorts of Canada. The Sea Spa was originally designed as a medical spa, but was never completed. Since the original property was built, the surrounding area has been developed with residential lots. . 
Marriott Hotels and Westerkirk have partnered together before. In March of 2005, they opened the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront to capacity bookings. This property was Marriott�s 50th in Canada and the first full-service Marriott hotel in eastern Canada. The company continues to support the success of the Harbourfront property with capital renovations. Westerkirk is committed to continuing its sizable financial and economic commitment in Nova Scotia. Westerkirk is also working on a third project in Halifax with one of Marriott�s largest development partners in Canada and the United States, Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company. The two companies have submitted a bid with Marriott Hotels & Resorts of Canada for a Marriott Courtyard at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. This bid is in response to an RFP from the Halifax International Airport Authority. Concord Hospitality entered Canada aggressively in August of 2002, with five Marriott-branded hotels in the Greater Toronto Area and has subsequently opened an additional five Marriott-branded hotels in Canada. This deal marks its first venture in eastern Canada. Marriott Hotels & Resorts of Canada was also named one of Canada�s 50 Best Employers in 2007. For more information about Marriott properties, please visit www.marriott.com. About Marriott International MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with more than 2,800 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers and golf courses. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and had approximately 143,000 employees at 2005 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry�s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2005, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $11.6 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com. About Westerkirk Capital Westerkirk Capital is a private investment firm owned by a single Canadian investor. Westerkirk�s investment objective is to build and own great businesses over the long-term. Westerkirk aims to be both a patient investor and a strong business partner. Its direct investments include substantial holdings in the hospitality, aviation and real estate sectors. About Concord Hospitality Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, established in 1985, develops and operates select and full-service hotels. Concord�s employs over 2,600 associates and its current portfolio consists of 49 hotels with 6,131 guestrooms and suites throughout the United States and Canada. Concord�s hotel brands include: Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn and MainStay Suites by Choice Hotels. Concord also operates a four-star independent hotel, the Clinton Inn in Tenafly, New Jersey. For more information, please visit the company�s website at www.concordhotels.com. |
| Contact:
Westerkirk Capital
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| Also See: | The 352 room Casino Nova Scotia Hotel Branded The Halifax Marriott Harbourfront / March 2006 |