Choice Hotels Set to Continue with Two Haiti Projects

Choice Hotels International, Inc. will continue with its plans to open two properties in Jacmel, Haiti, expanding its support of relief efforts, and sending supplies to the property slated to open as a Comfort Inn hotel later this year.

“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,” said Brian Parker, vice president of emerging markets and new business development for Choice Hotels.

In addition to the relief efforts Choice Hotels announced earlier this month in response to the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12 that the company is sending relief supplies, including food, water, fuel, soap and laundry detergent, directly to its Comfort Inn conversion property in Jacmel. Among the supplies are more than 1,500 pounds of food and drinking water, scheduled to arrive Saturday, Jan. 30, by boat from the Dominican Republic.

“The hotel did not experience structural damage and is now providing shelter to guests and local families who lost their homes in the earthquake,” Parker said. Earlier this month, Choice Hotels announced plans to open a 32-room Comfort Inn hotel and a 120-room Ascend Collection member hotel.

The properties will be the first Choice-brand hotels for Haiti and the first global hotel brand for the island in more than a decade. The hotels, owned by New York-based SIMACT, will be located on Haiti’s southern coast in Jacmel, known as the island’s cultural hub thanks to its vibrant arts, music and film festivals.

The global hospitality company is encouraging its associates, franchisees and guests to support victims of the Haitian earthquake with financial contributions to the American Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations.