Comfort Inn 2005 Annual Report Download - page 8

Download and view the complete annual report

Please find page 8 of the 2005 Comfort Inn annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.

Page out of 59

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • 11
  • 12
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • 18
  • 19
  • 20
  • 21
  • 22
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • 30
  • 31
  • 32
  • 33
  • 34
  • 35
  • 36
  • 37
  • 38
  • 39
  • 40
  • 41
  • 42
  • 43
  • 44
  • 45
  • 46
  • 47
  • 48
  • 49
  • 50
  • 51
  • 52
  • 53
  • 54
  • 55
  • 56
  • 57
  • 58
  • 59

6 CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL 2005 ANNUAL REPORT
JANUARY
■ Choice launches the Cambria Suites brand, a select-service all-suites hotel. The product is designed to
maximize return on investment for developers, as well as to build brand loyalty in a highly competitive
consumer marketplace.
FEBRUARY
■ In response to the deadly tsunami that killed more than 200,000 people when it crashed into the coasts of
nearly a dozen countries on Dec. 26, 2004, Choice franchisees and associates around the world raise more than
$110,000 for relief efforts, which includes a $50,000 match from the Choice Hotels International Foundation.
■ Choice begins displaying real-time rate information for its properties in the global distribution systems
(GDS), giving travel agents more accurate rate and room availability information.
MARCH
■ Choice Hotels Scandinavia announces the conversion of more than 30 hotels to the Clarion Collection.
Sixteen Clarion Collection hotels throughout Sweden join the system, along with 13 in Norway and two
in Denmark.
■ Choice Hotels Canada revamps its Web site, www.choicehotels.ca, with a new look featuring enhanced
navigation and search functions, making it easier for travelers to move around the site.
APRIL
■ Choice redesigns its sports marketing Web site, choicesportstravel.com, to offer teams, athletes and fans enhanced,
real-time sports headlines on college sports, youth sports, golf, baseball, soccer and basketball. The company
also launches two online sweepstakes with two of its sports partners: Little League Baseball and the Ladies
Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
■ As a further enhancement to the company Web site, Choice adds Japanese language booking capability.
MAY
■ Choice signs a global preferred third-party partner agreement with Expedia and Hotels.com, giving its 5,000
hotels greater exposure to potential travelers worldwide.
■ The company joins forces with the National Park Foundation (NPF) to support programs, promotions and
initiatives that foster visits to and volunteerism at America’s national parks. Choice contributes $100,000
from the Choice Hotels International Foundation to support volunteer initiatives within the national parks.
JUNE
■ Reservations booked via choicehotels.com top $1 million in revenues per day for a total of 110 days to date
in 2005, with the daily average for the year totaling $1.3 million. Revenues exceed $1.5 million per day for
a total of 43 days thus far in 2005.
■ As part of its ongoing diversity marketing efforts aimed at attracting a broader array of customers, Choice
begins sponsoring select Radio One events across the country targeting African American and urban listeners.
■ Continuing to build long-term guest loyalty, Choice focuses on its key relationships with Bank of America
and Southwest Airlines for the year’s summer promotions.
A CHOICE YEAR IN REVIEW