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Choice Hotels International, the global hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality, Sleep Inn and Clarion brands and one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world, is on track to grow further its franchised hotels this year with a global pipeline of 1,108 hotels under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development.
Last month the company, which currently franchises more than 5,700 hotels worldwide, was named as the world’s 13th fastest-growing franchise company by US-based ‘Entrepreneur’ magazine.
Choice Hotels Europe recently announced it intends to grow its UK business by working with individual hoteliers and independent hotel groups who want to benefit from a global brand and operation that Choice Hotels International can bring.
Duncan Berry, Chief Operating Officer, Choice Hotels Europe, commented: “Our healthy pipeline of new hotels demonstrate that in these challenging economic times independent hoteliers more than ever want to work with a strong global brand. As one of the largest pure global hotel franchising business we have the expertise, support and scope to help them succeed. ’’
Historically, about 70 percent of the company’s unit growth has come from conversion of existing hotels to its brands, while 30 percent has come from new construction, where the credit crunch has slowed some larger hotel projects.
The Choice Hotels Europe portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum from premium economy to luxury hotels. Choice Hotels Europe franchises nearly 500 hotels across Europe alone, including 44 here in the UK which will soon benefit from an enhanced brand standards programme to be rolled out during 2009.
In the last three months Choice Hotels Europe has opened eight new European hotels in Norway, Italy, Sweden and Latvia. Other hotels, including the design-led Quality Hotel, Maida Vale, London are on track to open later in 2009. Last year Choice Hotels International announced its agreement with Kasterlee Limited which will deliver several Clarion branded hotels in the United Kingdom, Germany and Russia.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
