Choice Hotels International, Inc. will remain on track to open two properties in Jacmel, Haiti, the company has announced.The company, which is scheduled to open a 32-room Comfort Inn Hotel and a 120-room Ascend Collection member hotel, will be expanding its support of relief efforts, and sending supplies to the property slated to open as a Comfort Inn hotel later this year.
Choice Hotels, vice president of emerging markets and new business developments, Brian Parker said: “Although the earthquake caused massive destruction and set back timetables, Choice Hotels together with the hotel owner and developer, SIMACT, will continue to collaborate to see these projects to completion and open two great properties in this coastal Caribbean town.”
Choice Hotels has sent aid in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12. The company has sent relief supplies, including food, water, fuel, soap and laundry detergent, directly to its Comfort Inn conversion property in Jacmel. Among the supplies were more than 1,500lbs of food and drinking water, which was scheduled to arrive 30th January from the Dominican Republic.
Parker said: “The hotel did not experience structural damage and is now providing shelter to guests and local families who lost their homes in the earthquake.”
The two properties, owned by SIMACT, will be the first Choice-brand hotels for Haiti and the first global hotel brand for the island in more than a decade and will be located on Haiti’s southern coast in Jacmel.
Choice Hotels International, president and CEO, Stephen P. Joyce said: “During times like this, we must use our substantial resources to get supplies to areas where help is so greatly needed and to do whatever we can to directly support our hotels.”
