When Comfort Inn Whyalla joined the Choice Hotels group in September it became the ninth property to join the Choice Hotels group since 2019, marking a doubling of branded properties in South Australia over the past three years.
Choice Hotels Asia Pacific CEO Trent Fraser says the group now has 19 hotels operating in the state, ranging across the popular Ascend, Quality, Comfort and Econo Lodge brands.
“The influx of new franchisee signings over the last three years proves the value of the franchise model for mid-range properties. Many of the new hotels, including Comfort Inn Whyalla, are part of ownership groups that already have a number of properties with us and understand the great benefits we bring to their existing hotels,” he said.
“It’s a tough market out there right now and even with record rates and occupancies, hoteliers are desperate for the support and services that Choice Hotels offers our franchisees,” said Mr Fraser.
“You don’t have to go it alone and having on-tap access to booking support, revenue managers, a centralised procurement marketplace, a widespread corporate program, group marketing, and our 510,000 strong loyalty members, makes a huge difference to the profitability of our hotels.”
The Whyalla hotel completes Choice Hotels coverage of the Spencer Gulf Iron Triangle, with Comfort Inn Whyalla joining the Comfort Inn & Suites Augusta Westside in Port Augusta and the Comfort Inn Flinders on Main in Port Pirie to provide accommodation options across the entire gulf region.
“South Australia has done a great job of stimulating domestic travel over the past 12 months, with some of the strongest regional recovery figures in the group. Having Comfort Inn Whyalla join the group just adds to our stellar portfolio in the state,” Mr Fraser said.
The hotel is the fifth franchisee agreement with M&G Hotel Group, joining Comfort Inn Regal Park, Comfort Inn Suites Manhattan, Quality Inn O’Connell, and the Comfort Inn Glenelg.
The 40-room hotel is centrally located and within walking distance of local restaurants, the beach and jetty, and the famous Cuttle Fish diving tours. Amenities include an outdoor pool, sauna, and onsite restaurant.
M&G Hotel Group CEO Greg Winston said it was an easy decision to bring the Whyalla hotel into the Choice Hotels family.
“For us, Choice Hotels is aligned with our core values, and that is to deliver consistent, honest, reliable, and personable experiences for all of our house guests across all properties,” he said.
“Over the last seven years we have progressed from one Choice Hotel to five. The Choice Hotels brands have delivered corporate segment status and assisted myself and my team to grow professionally, with access to the full toolbox of resources offered to franchisees.”
Choice Hotels also welcomed Melbourne’s Canterbury International back to the group this October. The former Clarion-branded property returned to the franchise network after a four-year break operating as an independent hotel. Choice Hotels Asia-Pacific CEO Trent Fraser said the Quality Hotel Canterbury International is a landmark property in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and he was pleased to welcome it back to the Choice Hotels group.
