Global Welsomes Omni, Appoints Ceo and Prepares for Expansion
NEW YORK, NY, March 10, 2006. As the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) this month celebrates its second anniversary, the alliance partners Kempinski, Pan Pacific and Rydges are delighted to welcome Omni Hotels as GHA's new North American member.
Omni Hotels offers sensible luxury at 40 hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America that reflect the distinct flavor of each city. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each location features four-diamond service, including award winning signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique fitness options. Omni Hotels' unique approach to personalized service creates an experience recognized by consumer organizations, such as J.D. Power and Associates and Consumer Reports, as well as top travel magazines such as Cond'e Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. Omni Hotels recently ranked "Highest in Guest Satisfaction Among Upscale Hotel Chains" in the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study(SM).
Mike Deitemeyer, president of Omni Hotels, said of his company's joining GHA: "this is a great opportunity for our brand to expand its customer network and recognition outside of North America by working with our GHA partners in markets that would otherwise be difficult for Omni Hotels to penetrate. GHA represents the perfect opportunity for a mid-sized luxury brand like Omni to compete more effectively with the mega- chains on the world stage for a share of the international customers who are coming in growing numbers to Omni Hotels destinations."
GHA is currently incorporating a company, which will be based in Switzerland, from where it plans to expand its membership considerably over the coming months. To spearhead expansion, GHA has appointed Chris Hartley, formerly senior vice president sales & marketing of Kempinski, as its CEO. Hartley sees GHA as becoming the perfect solution for small to mid-size regional brands that are looking to compete more effectively for international business coming from outside of their home markets. "By sharing technology through our chosen partner Micros, GHA members are able to share marketing data, broaden their sales reach and at the same time reduce their distribution costs. GHA is thus enabling its members to improve their hotels' financial performance while retaining their well-established individual brand identities. In an increasingly global market, where mega-brands rule the roost, we see GHA as offering the ideal alternative to smaller brands seeking the commercial benefits of belonging to a large organization, but which, at the same time, do not wish to give up their brand's independence and local flavor."
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 
