Choice Hotels Names Robert McDowell Senior Vice President, Global Distribution

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May 26, 2011, 10:35 ET

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) today announced that it has named Robert McDowell to the newly-created position of senior vice president of global distribution. In this role, he will be responsible for the development and execution of Choice's growing global, multi-channel marketing and distribution strategy. Mr. McDowell will report to Patrick Pacious, executive vice president, global strategy, distribution and technology.

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With over 25 years of travel industry experience, Mr. McDowell joins Choice Hotels from United Airlines, where he served as managing director of distribution and e-Commerce. At Choice, he will oversee all direct distribution channels, revenue management, global sales and marketing channels, e-Commerce, and all channel partner relationships.

"Robert joins Choice with extensive knowledge of today's multi-channel travel landscape and a strong marketing and analysis background," said Pacious. "He will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we continue to drive even more business to our franchisees through our proprietary central reservations channels while adapting to meet the needs of an ever-changing distribution environment."

In his most recent position at United Airlines, Mr. McDowell was responsible for the company's distribution strategy through all direct and non-direct sales channels, including United.com, the company's contact centers and all related sales channels. In his 15 years at United, he held positions of increasing responsibility in sales, revenue management and strategic planning. He also served as chief operating officer for C&H International, a $600 million international travel agency, overseeing the company's daily operations.

Mr. McDowell earned his master's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame and his bachelor's degree from the New York Institute of Technology.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,100 hotels, representing more than 490,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 30 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2011, more than 500 hotels were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States, representing more than 40,000 rooms, and approximately 100 hotels, representing approximately 8,400 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 20 other 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. In addition, via its Ascend Collection membership program, travelers in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean have upscale lodging options at historic, boutique and unique hotels.

Additional corporate information may be found on the Choice Hotels International, Inc. Web site, which may be accessed at www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn and Ascend Collection are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.