Choice Hotels International Inc. has announced the signing of two new contracts as part of its Supporting Ownership Access and Representation (SOAR) initiative, designed to empower and support hotel ownership among underrepresented entrepreneurs.
The newly signed contracts include a WoodSpring Suites in Truth or Consequences, NM, and a Rodeway Inn in Effingham, IL. These contracts contribute to a total of 17 SOAR agreements established this year. Over the first 15 years of the SOAR program, Choice averaged one contract per month, but has increased to an average of two per month over the past five years.
“The recent SOAR contracts with veteran and Latino hotel owners in New Mexico and Illinois underscore Choice’s steadfast dedication to enhancing diversity in hotel ownership and inviting fresh, diverse perspectives into the industry,” said John Lancaster, VP of franchise development and strategic programs at Choice Hotels International. “By offering unmatched support and training, we assist them at every stage to ensure their success in hotel ownership.”
Walter Barela and Brain Resendez from Peak Hospitality, a hotel acquisition and asset management company, have signed a contract to develop the WoodSpring Suites in Truth or Consequences. The 82-room hotel is expected to break ground next year, targeting health-conscious and adventure-seeking visitors attracted to the area’s natural hot springs and Spaceport America.
At the same time, Ben Rohlfing, Amanda Rohlfing, and Bob Schultz entered into a conversion contract for the Rodeway Inn Effingham. Ben Rohlfing, a former Navy Electrician’s Mate Nuclear, and Amanda Rohlfing, a former Army MP, have opened the 49-room Rodeway Inn near popular local sites including Lake Sara and the Effingham Performance Center.
This announcement regarding the two new contracts under Choice’s SOAR program was originally published on hotelbusiness.com.
