(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - July 28th, 2015 - Choice Hotels International, Inc. executive, Bill Clegg, a respected hotel industry professional, believes that as the Caribbean tourism industry recovers, its leadership should work more collectively to ensure growth in the region is sustained.

Citing Smith Travel Research data, Bill Clegg, a regional vice president of Franchise Services and Programs for Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH), one of the world's leading hotel companies, asserted hotels of all sizes, and other tourism businesses, are having a banner year.

"To ensure that this upward trend continues, now is the time for hospitality and tourism stakeholders to come together. The data suggests that the recovery has been progressing steadily since 2009, we want to continue to sustain that," said Clegg.

The industry executive rallied support for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA) Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), taking place October 2-4, 2015 in Puerto Rico.

"This event offers many opportunities for education, networking, and sharing of best practices in the heart of paradise - the Caribbean," said Clegg, adding that Choice Hotels will support the event at the level of Gold sponsor. "We are encouraged by the uptick in business and we are keen to participate in such an important event, offering educational opportunities, exposure to thought-provoking keynote speakers, and an opportunity to network with hospitality industry leaders from throughout the region."

Clegg recalled Choice Hotels has long-supported the development and success of hoteliers in the region: "From our first franchised hotels in the region that opened nearly 25 years ago, to the nine open and operating hotels, and four more under development today, we have seen the value of networking and the development of innovative approaches to foster individual hotel success."

Clegg, who chairs CHTA's membership committee, said the association is an effective organization which facilitates various aspects of industry support in the region - from regional marketing to the sharing of best practices, along with events such as Caribbean Marketplace, Taste of the Caribbean, and the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit.

CHIEF offers three days of value-packed events and engaging exchange sessions focused on helping businesses to generate revenue, reduce costs and become more relevant and efficient.

An interactive trade show format, featuring an open floor plan, has been designed so participants and exhibitors can interact through live demonstrations of new products.

For further information, visit www.chtachief.com.

The Choice Hotels International Caribbean portfolio currently includes hotels in the Caribbean destinations of Aruba, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and St. Maarten. For further information, visit www.choicecaribbean.com.

About Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels International, Inc.® (NYSE: CHH) is one of the world's largest lodging companies. With more than 6,300 hotels franchised in more than 35 countries and territories, we represent more than 500,000 rooms around the globe. As of March 31, 2015, 615 hotels were in our development pipeline. Our company's Ascend Hotel Collection®, Cambria® Hotels & Suites, Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Sleep Inn®, Quality®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® brands provide a spectrum of lodging choices to meet guests' needs. With more than 22 million members and counting, check out our Choice Privileges® rewards program to see how you can reap the benefits of being a member of the Choice Hotels® family. Visit us at www.choicehotels.com for more information.

© 2015 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved.

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