Choice Hotels Launches Hands-Free Hotel Reservations for Ford Vehicles

First hotel company to provide hands-free hotel reservations for Ford vehicles

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Jul 28, 2014, 09:43 ET

ROCKVILLE, Md., July 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced today that it has launched hands-free hotel reservations for Ford vehicles. Drivers of Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC AppLink can download Choice Hotels' Android app, which will enable them to use voice commands to search for available rooms at nearby Choice Hotels, hands-free. The same functionality for iPhone users will be made available in the near future.

More than 1.5 million Ford vehicles in North America are equipped with SYNC AppLink. By 2015, Ford will have more than 7 million SYNC AppLink-enabled vehicles on the road globally.

"In today's rapidly evolving market, it is important to stay ahead of the latest ways guests search and make reservations. We see an explosive growth in the connected car market, which is why we are thrilled to provide our Choice Hotels guests with this new mobile capability," said Robert McDowell, senior vice president, global distribution and marketing, Choice Hotels International. "Now that the Choice Hotels apps support Ford SYNC AppLink, drivers can make quick and easy reservations, while staying safe on the road using the hands-free technology."

To use the application, if your Ford vehicle is equipped with SYNC AppLink, visit Google Play to download the newest version of the Choice Hotels application at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.choicehotels.android.

"Choice Hotels continues to be a driving force behind innovative mobile technology developments within the hotel industry," continued McDowell. "We have launched several initiatives for our guests and franchisees, such as Verified Reviews, RapidBook, and a partnership with TripAdvisor. These developments ensure that we not only remain on track with the rapidly evolving mobile market, but that we continue in the future to be an innovative industry leader in technology."

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. franchises more than 6,300 hotels, representing more than 500,000 rooms, in the United States and more than 35 other countries and territories. As of March 31, 2014, 398 hotels, representing more than 30,000 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in the United States. Additionally, 95 hotels, representing approximately 8,900 rooms, were under construction, awaiting conversion or approved for development in more than 15 other countries and territories. The company's Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Hotels & Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brands, as well as its Ascend Hotel Collection membership program, serve guests worldwide.

Choice Hotels International offers the Choice Privileges® rewards program. With more than 20 million members worldwide, is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.

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

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

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SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc.