Choice Hotels International, Inc. and Akkeron Hotels Group Limited, the well-known regional hotel operator in the United Kingdom, have agreed a strategic relationship that will initially result in nine Akkeron hotels operating under Choice Hotels franchise agreements in the UK, representing an almost 25% increase in the Choice Hotels UK portfolio and an additional 611 rooms.
This agreement forms a critical part of Choice Hotels’ growth strategy to offer financial support to boost development in key international markets, such as Europe, by using the company’s capital as a targeted incentive to hotel developers and operators to enter into franchise agreements located in strategic locations and markets.
Under the agreement, five Akkeron hotels in Bristol, Bury St. Edmunds, Colchester, Peterborough and Kings Lynn will be rebranded under the Quality brand and another four hotels located in Winchester, Darlington, Ringwood and Stevenage will operate under the Clarion Collection brand. The newly branded Choice hotels are anticipated to come online within the Choice Hotels Europe system by the end of February. The remaining Quality and Clarion Collection brand hotels are expected to come online throughout 2013.
“Our relationship with Choice Hotels is about developing a long term strategy of increasing UK marketshare for both companies. It is clear that Choice Hotels is prepared to invest in the UK market in terms of brand and distribution. Alongside the change in brand comes a significant investment into the nine hotels to reposition those businesses along with the conversion to the Clarion Collection and Quality brands,” commented Matthew Welbourn, MD of Akkeron Hotels Group Limited.
Mark Pearce, senior vice president, International Division, Choice Hotels International added:
“This agreement underscores the fact that Europe is a key focus of growth for Choice Hotels, and in order to substantially increase the size of the portfolio we have made significant investments in technology in the European marketplace.This includes introducing choiceADVANTAGE, our cloud-based hotel property management system in the UK and Europe which provides our franchisees with a fully integrated solution to manage guest interaction from the moment a reservation is made through check-out and even after the stay.”
About Choice Hotels
The Choice Hotels European portfolio of franchised hotels offers business and leisure travellers a full spectrum of premium economy to luxury hotels. Choice Hotels Europe franchises nearly 500 hotels across Europe alone. Brands franchised by Choice Hotels Europe include Clarion, which is described as four to five star rated; Quality, which is three star rated and provides a mid-scale full service offering; and Comfort, which is two to three star rated and is Choice Hotel’s largest brand worldwide, known for value, customer service and reliability.
Benefits of operating under a Comfort, Quality or Clarion brand include increased reservations delivered through Choice Hotels International’s central online booking system and third-party travel websites, the choice ADVANTAGE property management system, Choice’s marketing support and powerful seasonal and national advertising campaigns, as well as the company’s large and experienced sales force which is able to negotiate with major travel agents. Choice Hotels International also operates an award-winning global loyalty rewards program with more than 16.5 million Choice Privileges members.