Canada Predicts 2006 Travel Growth
TORONTO, Ontario, December 28, 2005. Despite another year of global twists and turns that have impacted the travel market -- from the Asian tsunami and a very active hurricane season to record-high gas prices -- travel industry leaders forecasted continued resilience at a recent expert roundtable.
Executives from Best Western International, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA); the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) met in Toronto to discuss how the current travel boom is affecting the industry, as well as to offer their predictions on what will be the hottest travel trends in 2006.
Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing for Best Western, said this year's series of unexpected events, such as the devastating storms along the Gulf Coast and high gas prices, did not cripple the industry within Canada or the United States.
Looking forward, 2006 is expected to be yet another profitable year for the lodging company, which will celebrate its 60th Anniversary of providing quality customer care and service at its 2,400 North American properties.
"Best Western had dozens of hotels affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita "which responded to the challenge by opening their doors to emergency workers, local authorities and displaced residents," said Dowling.
"It is this dedication to community, combined with pride in the Best Western brand, which has served our customers well for six decades, and continues to drive us as the leader in the mid-market travel sector."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
