Silver Spring, Md. (April 22, 2008) – As featured in the magazine’s most recent issue, Lodging Hospitality has honored Choice Hotels International (NYSE: CHH) with a Chain Leadership Award in the area of development, specifically for the efforts of the company’s emerging markets group. Selected from among the many submissions, the emerging markets group was spotlighted for its strong and successful development efforts, citing the team’s addition of 40 new franchisees last year comprised of minority and non-lodging entrepreneurs. “We’re honored to have received this award and it’s great to be recognized for the strong results this team has produced,” said Brian Parker, vice president, emerging markets and new business development, Choice Hotels. “Minority and non-traditional hotel entrepreneurs are a very important target audience for the future development of Choice brand hotels and we anticipate our already-strong momentum will continue to grow.” Increasing the number of new franchisees in 2007 from the previous year by 15 percent, the emerging markets group successfully executed contracts for all ten Choice brand hotels in 17 states nationwide. Among some of the strategies the articles cites as aiding the team in their successes include advertisements showcasing similarities between the hotel industry and other hospitality-related business such as restaurants and the department’s Web site, www.choicehotelsfranchise.com/emerging_markets. The emerging markets teams’ mission is expand the company’s franchisee base by recruiting a wide range of entrepreneurs into the Choice system. In addition to minority entrepreneurs who may want to invest in the hotel business, the team works to attract already successful business owners whose industries have provided them with a background in franchising or real estate, such as restaurant, gas station, convenience store and car dealership owners.  About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International franchises more than 5,500 hotels, representing more than 450,000 rooms, in the United States and 37 countries and territories.  As of December 31, 2007, 1,004 hotels are under development in the United States, representing 79,342 rooms, and an additional 89 hotels, representing 8,640 rooms, are under development in more than 15 countries and territories.  The company’s Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands serve guests worldwide..