Hotel Online News for the Hospitality Executive SILVER SPRING, Md., March 14, 2013 — Today Stephen P. Joyce, President and CEO of Choice Hotels International, Inc., (NYSE: CHH), gave an insightful keynote speech at this year’s MIPIM conference in Cannes, France, the world’s leading property market conference that brings together all the key players in the real estate business — investors, developers, end-users, architects, hotel groups, public authorities and property associations. In the keynote speech, Joyce highlighted how these days, maintaining competitive success in the hotel business has become increasingly complex. Hotel teams have to continually scan the environment, recognizing changes in the economy, markets and society, and then accurately forecast how those changes will impact the industry and its guests. Addressing the global audience, Joyce spoke on the importance of technology in today’s society and hospitality industry. “I’ve been in the hotel industry for 30 years…..and lately, I’ve come to understand I’m not just in the hotel business, I’m in the technology business. And that’s pretty exciting,” said Joyce. He also went on to say, “Success in the hotel business requires knowing your customers. It demands a ubiquitous Internet and mobile presence, easy electronic booking, robust loyalty programs and a focus on meeting the increasingly universal demand for value.” While the economic impact has affected all markets and industries, Joyce noted the travel industry has been extremely effective in contributing billions to countries’ gross domestic product. Development in real estate and hotels has slowly started to gain momentum again, with hotel franchising attracting new players and individuals who want to own something for themselves. Joyce stated that the key market Choice is focused on is Europe, noting that Europe is a market that is ready to be branded, is full of opportunities to support independent hotels, and is where Choice Hotels is aggressively focusing its international expansion. “For Choice Hotels, we see a big opportunity in Europe, with the fragmented European hotel landscape consolidating,” Joyce said, “European hotels have historically been unbranded. That trend is changing. Competing in e-commerce, social media, loyalty rewards, and broader distribution to drive traffic to your hotel is expensive and labor intensive. Affiliating with a brand company allows operators to focus on the day-to-day challenges of running a hotel while capitalizing on the many benefits afforded by a recognizable brand and robust distribution platform.” About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises approximately 6,200 hotels, representing more than 499,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of December 31, 2012, 394 hotels, representing more than 31,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 88 hotels, representing approximately 7,800 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other countries and territories. The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well at its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide. Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. website, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Choice Privileges, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Hotel Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.
Contact: Robin Pence +1-301-592-5186[email protected] www.choicehotels.com
Also See: Choice Hotels and Concord Hospitality Begin $40 Million Construction of the 182-room Cambria Suites Hotel in Washington, D.C. / March 2013 Cambria Suites to Expand into More Major Markets; Begins 2013 with Development Agreements for Properties in Arizona, Texas, Maryland and DC and a Q2 Opening in Miami / January 2013 Cambria Suites Enters New York with Construction Beginning on Three New Hotels in Times Square, Chelsea and White Plains; Choice Hotels International, Concord Hospitality, We Care Trading Co. and Meyer Jabara Hotels Celebrate Ground Breaking for Properties Slated to Open 2013-2014 / December 2012 Cambria Suites Brand to Expand to New Markets; Enters Development Agreements for Hotels in West Orange, New Jersey; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Williamsport, Pennsylvania / October 2012 Choice Hotels International Names C.A. Anderson as Vice President of Development for Cambria Suites / August 2012 Choice Hotels International Opens 88 New Hotels in Q2 2012 / August 2012 Choice Hotels International Names Louise Slark as Vice President, Compensation and Benefits / June 2012 Choice Hotels International Recognizes its Top Franchise Hotels & Owners at 2012 Convention; Woman of the Year Awarded to Kitty Friere, Top Hotels Awarded Hotel of the Year, Premier Alliance and Developer of the Year Recognitions / May 2012 Choice Hotels International Opens 46 New Hotels in Q1 2012; A 14% Increase over Q1 2011 / May 2012 Choice Hotels Promotes Stephanie Lykins to Vice President, Talent Development / April 2012 Choice Hotels International Appoints Alexandra Jaritz and Michael Murphy as Company Officers / March 2012 Robin Pence Appointed as Vice President of Public Relations for Choice Hotels International / March 2012 Choice Hotels International Appoints Barbara T. Alexander to its Board of Directors / February 2012 Choice Hotels Names Simone Wu as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary / February 2012 Choice Hotels Promotes Sarah Searls to Vice President of Business and Analytic Services / February 2012 Choices Hotels Appoints John Tague to its Board of Directors / January 2012 Choice Hotels International and Foulger-Pratt Companies Break Ground for New Choice Hotels Corporate Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland / August 2011 Choice Hotels International Opens 28 New Hotels in July 2011 / August 2011 Choice Hotels Executes Lease for New Corporate Headquarters in Rockville, Maryland / July 2011 Choice Hotels International Opens 27 New Hotels in June 2011 / July 2011 Choice Hotels International Opens 33 Hotels in November in 14 States and Seven Countries Adding More than 2,500 rooms / December 2010 Choice Hotels International Opens 24 New Hotels in October Adding More than 1,600 rooms / November 2010