All U.S. Choice Properties to Receive Updated Photography
SILVER SPRING, MD, August 24, 2007. Choice Hotels is proud to announce the launch of a new brand standard initiative that will fund professional photography for all U.S. Choice brand properties. Show Hotel, Inc., a Choice qualified vendor, has been chosen to execute this initiative based on photograph quality, consistency and experience.
"Our customers have told us that up-to-date, descriptive, relevant and attractive photographs are a significant factor when selecting a hotel," says Paula Valentine, senior director, eCommerce, Choice Hotels. "A brand standard has been developed to ensure photography quality and consistency, and to help hotels best showcase their property. We believe professional photography will help our hotels become even more competitive online."
More and more customers are shopping for hotels and booking rooms online. According to a 2006 choicehotels.com consumer survey, property photos are one of the most important factors when making an online reservation for more than 75 percent of respondents. Choice is giving customers what they want-travelers want to see pictures of hotels online rather than simply reading descriptions of them.
"Show Hotel is excited to be able to provide out experienced photography for Choice Hotels," said Eric Kung, chief executive office, Show Hotel, Inc. "We have been the industry leader for the past seven years, providing comprehensive multimedia content to the lodging industry, and will bring forth the highest quality of photography for all Choice Hotels franchisees."
As part of the new initiative, all properties will receive a minimum of seven and a maximum of 15 photographs from Choice Qualified Vendor Show Hotel, Inc. The photographs will be used for choicehotels.com e-brochure photo galleries and will also be sent to global distribution systems and third-party websites. Hotels are being photographed regionally through May 2008.
About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,400 hotels, representing more than 445,000 rooms, in the United States and 39 countries and territories. As of June 30, 2007, 858 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 67,740 rooms, and an additional 85 hotels, representing 8,007 rooms, are under development in more than 20 countries and territories. The company's Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands serve guests worldwide.
Additional corporate information may be found on Choice Hotels' Internet site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.
Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Cambria Suites, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.
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