Ramada International and Jarvis Hotels Sign Major Franchise Agreement; Ramada International Returns to Great Britain
S Newswire Tuesday June 12 10:33am
LONDON, June 12 /S Newswire/ -- Ramada International Hotels & Resorts, a
division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR), announced today that it
has reached an agreement with Jarvis Hotels PLC that will result in a
franchise agreement encompassing approximately 55 hotels and 6,100 rooms.
The agreement marks the return of the Ramada International brand to Great
Britain after a two-year absence.
The conversion of Jarvis\' hotels is expected to be completed by September
2001.
All properties will be operated by Jarvis Hotels and will carry one of the
following brand names:
- Ramada Plaza Hotel
- Ramada-Jarvis Hotel
- Ramada Resorts
\""We are delighted to bring Ramada\'s unique brand of hospitality back to
Great Britain. We believe Jarvis hotels fit perfectly with Ramada\'s brand
standards and culture. Both of our companies share a passion for providing
quality and service to our guests at affordable prices,\"" said Reas
Kondraschow, senior vice president and managing director for Ramada
International Hotels & Resorts.
\""The partnership between Jarvis Hotels PLC and Ramada International Hotels
& Resorts marks an important new milestone in our history. It allows us to
fly an international flag and provides a major platform for us to leverage our
undoubted management and marketing skills in the fast changing hotels\'
marketplace. It will also allow us to obtain all the advantages of a link
with a strongly branded global marketing system as well as bringing important
synergies and cost savings across the business. We look forward to the future
with confidence,\"" said John Jarvis, Chairman Jarvis Hotels PLC.
Under terms of the franchise agreement, the former Jarvis Hotels will
benefit from Marriott International\'s MARSHA reservations system and will be
bookable under Ramada\'s NR code and Marriott\'s EM code in the global
distribution systems.
In cooperation with Ramada International, Jarvis plans to develop
additional hotels that meet Ramada\'s quality standards in key gateway cities
and regional hubs in Great Britain.
All of the Ramada-Jarvis hotels will maintain Ramada International\'s five
pillars, which are: a restful sleep, an invigorating shower, a well-trained
staff, an exceptional level of cleanliness and the \""Ramada Mornings Breakfast\""
-- a selection that is hot, delicious and easy.
Ramada International had a presence in Great Britain with four hotels from
1983 until 1999, when the hotels were converted to Renaissance Hotels.
Ramada International Hotels & Resorts, operating outside of North America,
is one of Marriott International\'s 12 lodging brands. Currently, Ramada
International properties are located in 13 countries around the world. Jarvis
Hotels are located in more than 50 cities throughout Great Britain.
Jarvis Hotels PLC owns and operates 66 hotels throughout Great Britain.
It is based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, where its Central Reservations
Centre is also located, and employs a total of approximately 6000 employees.
Jarvis Hotels was founded in 1990 by John Jarvis, former Chairman and Chief
Executive of Hilton International, when he purchased 41 hotels from Allied
Lyons -- at the time, the largest ever management buy-in. In 1996 the group
was listed on the London Stock Exchange at a market capitalization of 300m
pounds sterling. The group also operates additional three brands -- Summit
Conference Centres, Embassy Leisure Breaks and Seb Coe Health Parks.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading worldwide
hospitality company with over 2,300 operating units in the United States and
59 other countries and territories. Marriott Lodging operates and franchises
hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard,
TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International
brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the
Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and Horizons brands; operates Marriott Executive
Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its ExecuStay by
Marriott division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses
include senior living communities and services, wholesale food distribution
and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. The company is headquartered in
Washington, D.C., and has approximately 154,000 employees. In fiscal year
2000, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $19.8 billion. For
more information or reservations, please visit our web site at
http://www.marriott.com .
Note: This press release contains \""forward-looking statements\"" within the
meaning of federal securities laws, including statements concerning the timing
for and completion of the conversion of the 55 hotel that are not historical
facts. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein.
http://tbutton.S Newswire.com/prn/11690X38340718
Source: | Marriott International, Inc.
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Contact: | Cynthia Mable of Marriott International, (Washington),
301-380-7868, fax: 301-380-6855 or cynthia.mable@marriott.com
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