2008-04-03 - Red Roof Partners with GHML to Develop International Market

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., April 3, 2008 - Florida-based Global Hospitality Marketing Link announces a new collaboration with Red Roof, helping the hotel brand expand their sales efforts to target the growing international inbound markets to the USA. Through their overseas network of sales offices, Global Hospitality Marketing Link will focus primarily on development of the leisure individual traveler from Europe and Latin America through close partnerships with tour operators and the travel trade.

"Red Roof is positioned in many gateway destinations and thus provides an ideal choice for many leisure guests from Europe who are traveling to multiple destinations around the USA," said Eric Hamblen, Managing Director of Global Hospitality Marketing Link. "These travelers are averaging 12-14 nights and are often looking for well-positioned facilities that are sensibly priced. With the burgeoning demand from all segments of the international market and the expansion of capacity, the time to launch the Red Roof product in Europe is ideal."

Red Roof is considered a leader in economy lodging because of its dedication to guest satisfaction. In 2004, Red Roof began a nationwide renovation plan as part of its ongoing goal to redefine economy lodging. The redesign features smart design principles and smart amenities that are simple and economic, but also provide guests with what they need without sacrificing quality. Highlights of the renovation include a freshly-ground gourmet coffee service, enhanced bedding with pillow-top mattresses and broader in-room television entertainment. The rooms also feature sleek, blond furnishings, granite countertops, bold accent wall color, pewter-finished light fixtures and bathrooms with innovative rounded shower curtains for added elbow room.

"The international tour operators that control the majority of the inbound business to the U.S. offer a broad range of product, from two to five stars, for their customers to choose from - so there truly is a market for every level.," said Marina MacDonald, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Red Roof. "We are certainly interested in introducing the Red Roof brand to an international consumer base, so we are pleased for this opportunity to work with Global Hospitality Marketing Link to achieve that goal."

Red Roof continues to receive high marks in the J.D. Power and Associates' North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study. In 2006, the brand earned the highest score out of the 15 largest hotel brands in "Comfort of Bed" in the Economy/Budget segment and in 2007 ranked second in overall guest satisfaction in the Economy/Budget segment.

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About Red Roof
Red Roof is a leader in the economy hotel market with both franchised and corporate-owned properties, serving millions of guests each year. The company and its hotels are known for a warm and welcoming spirit, along with higher-end amenities at an economy price. With coast-to-coast locations, Red Roof has nearly 350 properties. Currently completing a $250 million renovation, every Red Roof will feature Smart-by-Design®, value-added amenities that are simple and economical, yet meet the needs of Red Roof's most frequent guests. Red Roof recently unveiled its All-Inclusive King Room, offering guests an enhanced communication package with other top-flight room amenities. The Columbus, Ohio-based company has more than 4,500 employees. For more information or reservations, call 800.RED.ROOF (800.733.7663) or visit redroof.com.

About Global Hospitality Marketing Link
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Global Hospitality Marketing Link was founded in 2005 with the specific purpose of providing cost efficient sales and marketing resources for USA based tourism industry products to effectively target key international markets. With in-market sales offices based in UK/Ireland and Scandinavia, supplemented by affiliate offices in Miami (Latin America sales office), France and Russia, the group enables tourism products a focused sales effort tailored to their individual needs through their experience and network of key travel distribution partners handling outbound business to USA. The group is now recognized as a leading international representation company for USA based tourism products.