RAMADA INTERNATIONAL DRAMATICALLY EXPANDS PORTFOLIO IN ONE YEAR

Ramada looks to continue expansion in Latin America, Asia & Eastern Europe

Ramada International, a division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), more than quadrupled its portfolio of hotels over the last 12 months from 26 to over 130 properties. The enormous growth is primarily attributed to agreements with Treff Hotels of Germany and Jarvis Hotels of Great Britain. In addition, Ramada International added properties in China, India, Bali, Argentina and Northern Ireland.

“Despite the tragic events of September and the downturn in the travel market, we remain optimistic about international and regional travel. We plan to continue to expand throughout the world, and we believe that there are significant opportunities for the growth of the Ramada brand,” said Reas Kondraschow, senior vice president and managing director, Ramada International Hotels & Resorts

“It was important for us to make in-roads in Germany, United Kingdom and China over the last year. Now that we have done this, we will focus on other areas of the world as well as expanding to other cities in countries where we already have properties,” added Mr. Kondraschow.

Ramada International continues to develop its select-service Encore hotels, with the first one expected to open in York, England, and its high-end Plaza hotels, which are now located in China, the United Kingdom and Germany.

“Asia remains a priority for us. We opened our eighth hotel in China last month and reflagged a second Ramada resort in Bali earlier this fall,” said Mr. Kondraschow.

He said they are putting an emphasis on Eastern Europe, particularly Poland as a result of a franchise and development agreement with Odra Tourist Hotels Sp.z.o.o., a branch of Dexpol S.A. of Wroclaw, Poland. The opening of the Ramada Resort Pinamar in Argentina on December 1 marked Ramada International’s first property in South America.

Additionally, Mr. Kondraschow said he expects to sign several major development agreements and open hotels in the Middle East, Australia and Italy over the next 12 to 18 months.

Last year, Ramada signed a co-branding and development agreement with Treff Hotels of Germany, which resulted in the conversion of approximately 50 hotels. These hotels appear under the names Ramada-Treff hotels and Ramada Plaza hotels. The conversion is on-going with additional properties still to be rebranded.

In June, Ramada International and Jarvis hotels announced that Ramada would be returning to the United Kingdom as part of an agreement between the two companies to rebrand 56 properties either as Ramada-Jarvis hotels, Ramada Hotel & Resort or Ramada Plaza hotels.

Ramada International increased its presence in China over the last year with the addition of four new Ramada Plaza hotels. The hotels are located in Wuhan, Shanghai, Nanjing and Suzhou. In addition, two Ramada hotels were added to the portfolio in Dalian and Urumqi earlier this fall.

All of the hotels 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.

There are currently more 130 Ramada International hotels in 19 countries and territories.