Clarion Hotel Opens in Curacao
CURACAO, March 23, 2006. Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) today announced the opening of the four-star Clarion hotel located on the Caribbean island of Curacao. The opening of the Clarion International Curacao hotel represents Choice's seventh hotel franchise in the Caribbean region.
In the tradition of the internationally recognized Clarion brand, the new hotel is an upscale, full-service facility that will target both the corporate and leisure traveler. The Clarion International Curacao hotel has 200 spacious rooms and guest suites, including the Clarion Class Business Room.
"The addition of this hotel to the Choice system marks the continuation of a corporate initiative to expand the presence of Choice branded hotels in the region," said Ron Burgett, national vice president of franchise sales and development. "Our focused sales and development efforts have really paid off.
"I think hoteliers are realizing the benefits of partnering with one of the world's largest hotel franchise companies," Burgett added. "All seven properties in the Caribbean region benefit from Choice's high-producing central reservations system, a regional marketing co-op that serves all Choice Caribbean properties, operations training and quality assurance management."
'Choice Hotels Clarion brand brings tremendous marketing power, convention expertise and high international standards to Curacao,' said Shane Platt, regional vice president of franchise sales and development. 'We are confident that the Clarion International Curacao hotel will provide a significant boost to the group, convention and business travel segments in Curacao, which will help enhance tourism and economic development in the region.'
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, the hotel's unique d'ecor will appeal to all guests. The Clarion International Curacao hotel's imported marble, hardwood floors, artisan-created special Italian stucco finish and detailing throughout effectively blends world-class elegance and design, with modern business conveniences. Leisure travelers will enjoy the new swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, and all the amenities of the newly renovated World Trade Center (WTC).
The WTC is Curacao's first American-style entertainment and business complex. The new WTC complex is an air-conditioned, upscale shopping mall with movie theaters, restaurants and regularly scheduled live musical events. It will include a four-story state-of-the-art office building featuring a UPS Business Center, banking facility, postal services and an Internet caf'e.
Dr. Vitorrio De Stefano, a Venezuelan developer with major projects in South America, marks his entry into the Curacao market with the opening of the Clarion. The property will be managed by Universal Hotels & Resorts, which is run by Ralph Valero and Eduardo Scull, 30-year industry veterans with major hotel complexes in the Caribbean and South America.
"Increasing the number of Hispanic hotel owners in our system is a key corporate initiative therefore we are extremely excited about having Dr. De Stefano as a partner," said Raul Fuentes, manager, emerging markets & customer segmentation.
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 
