RAMADA INTERNATIONAL AND JARVIS HOTELS SIGN MAJOR FRANCHISE AGREEMENT

Ramada International returns to Great Britain

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.