The safety of our guests and team members around the world is a top priority. We have provided the thousands of independently owned and operated franchised hotels in our network and our managed and owned properties worldwide with helpful guidelines and safety information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) detailing how to identify COVID-19 symptoms and mitigate its transmission. We have also partnered with third parties, including Ecolab and other suppliers, to provide our hotels with access to industry-standard cleaning and disinfecting supplies and have made training available to support our franchisees and our managed and owned hotels in achieving the highest standards of cleanliness, disinfection and hygiene.
Our mission is to make hotel travel possible for all, and that becomes especially important during times of uncertainty. Our cancellation policies for direct bookings are among the most flexible in the hotel industry, with thousands of our hotels honoring no-fee cancellations up to 6 p.m. on the day of arrival.
We have enhanced our policies as follows:
Guests traveling with new or existing direct bookings for stays in any of our hotels through June 30, 2020 will have their cancellation or change penalties waived if the request is received at least 24 hours (or less if permitted by the hotel’s policy) prior to arrival.
Guests who are prohibited from traveling to their booked hotel under applicable law will have their cancellation or change penalties waived on direct bookings.
For new or existing direct bookings with arrivals after June 30, 2020, all of our properties are required to accommodate non-cancellable rate reservation changes if the request is received at least 48 hours prior to arrival and the same number of room nights or more are booked for a future stay.
We are pausing the expiration of any Wyndham Rewards points until September 30, 2020 and have extended current Wyndham Rewards Member Levels (status) for all members globally through the end of 2021.
We are committed to, and actively exploring, additional steps that we can take to help all Wyndham Rewards members globally, which will include relaxed Member Level earning requirements, among other options. Due to rapidly evolving circumstances, it’s too soon to share specifics, however, we will do so as soon as possible.
Please note that the cancellation policies above do not apply to any Group booking, such as conferences, meetings, or events. For guests with Group reservations, please review the terms and conditions for the booking and/or contact the group planner for more information.
For bookings made by a travel agent or online booking platform, guests are advised to contact the agent or booking platform directly. Please consult travel advisories and information made available by the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of State. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and adapt our policies accordingly.
Additionally, due to the current situation with coronavirus, our hotels are implementing new processes to protect the safety of our guests and team members. This may result in a reduction in certain services and amenities that are normally available at our hotels. Those traveling to hotels located in areas that are allowing only “essential travelers,” are required to comply with all guidelines and restrictions and may be required to provide identification establishing that they are “essential travelers.” If guests have questions or concerns, we ask them to please contact the hotel directly.
Global hotel company’s culture of integrity, ethical business practices and focus on social responsibility and sustainability are the foundation of its commanding presence in the lodging industry
PARSIPPANY, N.J. (February 25, 2020) – With a commitment to acting with integrity and a mission to making hotel travel possible for all, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) has been recognized as one of the 2020 World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. This distinction marks the second time the Company has been by named to the list by Ethisphere, a leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is one of only two companies recognized in the lodging and hospitality segment for 2020.
“Our ethics and values-driven culture guide how we serve our guests, partners, communities and each other every day,” said Paul Cash, general counsel and chief compliance officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Wyndham’s core values of integrity, accountability, inclusivity, caring and fun are reflected in our compliance, social responsibility and sustainability programs, helping us to make smart and ethical decisions, which contribute to the bottom line.”
The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes those companies which align principle with action, work tirelessly to make trust part of their corporate DNA, and in doing so, shape future industry standards by introducing tomorrow’s best practices today.
“Our ethical business practices foster great experiences and brand loyalty for our guests and for Wyndham Rewards members, as well as our Wyndham Hotels & Resorts team members,” added Samantha Vaughan, group vice president, corporate compliance and chief privacy officer.
Maintaining a strong focus on ethical practices is part of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ robust social responsibility commitment. Some of the Company’s activities and accomplishments include:
Creating a diverse and inclusive place to work and do business through its values-driven culture of ethics and integrity;
Working to protect human rights by providing team members, hotel owners and franchisees training and awareness tools to identify human trafficking in partnership with Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Polaris Project and ECPAT-USA; and
Implementing the Wyndham Green Certification Program, a progressive five-level property certification program focusing on sets of actions addressing energy, water and operational efficiencies as well as other industry best practices.
The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient® (EQ) framework which offers a quantitative way to assess a company’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics. Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership and reputation (10%).
About the Ethisphere Institute
The Ethisphere® Institute is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that fuel corporate character, marketplace trust and business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies enhance corporate character and measure and improve culture. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies recognition program and provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA). More information about Ethisphere can be found at: https://ethisphere.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 831,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with approximately 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 81 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Company Increases Dividend 10% and Provides Full-Year 2020 Projections
PARSIPPANY, N.J., February 13, 2020 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019. Highlights include:
Diluted earnings per share for the quarter increased 58% to $0.68 and was unchanged for the full-year at $1.62; adjusted diluted EPS grew 40% to $0.81 for the quarter and 21% to $3.28 for the full-year.
Net income increased 49% to $64 million for the quarter, and decreased 3% to $157 million for the full-year; adjusted net income increased 35% to $77 million for the quarter, and 17% to $317 million for the full-year.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 22% to $153 million for the quarter, and 21% to $613 million for the full-year.
System-wide rooms grew 3% year-over-year, including S. rooms growth of 1% and international rooms growth of 6%.
The Company’s development pipeline grew 7% year-over-year to 193,000
S. RevPAR declined 3% compared to the prior-year quarter, and international RevPAR remained unchanged compared to the prior-year quarter in constant currency.
Returned over $100 million to shareholders in the quarter, through share repurchases and dividends, and over $350 million for the full-year 2019.
“We finished 2019 with another solid quarter, capping off a year in which we delivered rooms growth, earnings growth and free cash flow that were in line with our expectations despite headwinds from a soft RevPAR environment. We achieved these results through consistent execution, careful expense management and disciplined capital allocation,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, chief executive officer. “As we enter 2020, we are confident in the strength and resilience of our business and remain focused on executing every day to deliver exceptional value for our hotel owners, hotel guests and shareholders.”
Fourth Quarter 2019 Operating Results
Revenues decreased 7% to $492 million, compared to $527 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. The decline reflects lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues, which are inconsequential to adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursements, revenue grew 2% reflecting growth in royalties and franchise fees, higher license fees, and an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees, partially offset by lower other revenues.
Net income increased 49% to $64 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to $43 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fourth quarter 2019 results include costs primarily related to a restructuring charge focused on enhancing the Company’s organizational efficiency and rationalizing its operations, transaction-related expenses associated with the integration of La Quinta and separation-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off. Fourth quarter 2018 results include costs primarily related to separation-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off.
Adjusted net income increased 35% to $77 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $57 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fourth quarter adjusted net income benefited from the growth in revenues (excluding cost-reimbursement revenues), as well as lower marketing expenses due to timing and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was $153 million, compared to $125 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, an increase of 22%. The increase in adjusted EBITDA primarily reflects the growth in revenues (excluding cost-reimbursement revenues), as well as, lower marketing expenses due to timing and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta.
Full-Year 2019 Operating Results
Revenues increased 10% to $2,053 million, compared to $1,868 million in 2018. Results reflect $267 million of incremental revenues from La Quinta and $115 million of lower cost-reimbursement revenues in the Company’s hotel management business, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Excluding the impact of these items, revenues increased 3% primarily due to higher license fees, an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees and higher other revenues, partially offset by a $20 million reduction to revenues related to the Company’s agreement with CorePoint Lodging.
Net income was $157 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, compared to $162 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in 2018. Full-year 2019 results reflect separation-related, transaction-related, impairment, contract-termination and restructuring expenses. Prior-year results included separation-related and transaction-related expenses associated with the Company’s spin-off and acquisition of La Quinta.
Adjusted net income was $317 million, or $3.28 per diluted share, compared to $270 million, or $2.71 per diluted share, in 2018. Full-year adjusted net income benefited from revenue growth, as well as incremental adjusted net income and increased synergies from the acquisition and integration of La Quinta, partially offset by higher interest expense. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 21% to $613 million, compared to $507 million in 2018. Results are consistent with the Company’s recent projection of adjusted EBITDA of $610 million to $615 million for the full year. Excluding $63 million of incremental EBITDA from La Quinta and $17 million of incremental synergies, adjusted EBITDA increased 6%, primarily reflecting the growth in revenues.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s hotel system consisted of approximately 9,300 properties and over 831,000 rooms, a 3% year-over-year increase. The Company’s development pipeline consisted of 1,500 hotels and approximately 193,000 rooms, a 7% year-over-year room increase or 2% sequentially. Approximately 57% of the Company’s development pipeline is international and 70% is new construction.
Fourth Quarter 2019 Business Segment Information
The following discussion of fourth quarter operating results focuses on revenue and adjusted EBITDA for each of the Company’s segments.
Revenues increased 2% compared to fourth quarter 2018, due to growth in royalties and franchise fees, higher license fees, and an increase in marketing, reservation and loyalty fees, partially offset by lower other revenues. Adjusted EBITDA grew 24% to $151 million, reflecting the growth in revenues, lower marketing expenses and increased synergies from the integration of La Quinta.
Revenues decreased $39 million compared to the prior-year period, due to lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. The decline in cost-reimbursement revenues is primarily due to a change in the way the Company is required to account for certain costs at a portion of its managed hotels. Absent cost-reimbursements, revenues increased $3 million primarily related to management contract termination fees. Adjusted EBITDA increased $3 million compared to the prior-year quarter primarily reflecting the management contract termination fees.
Other Items
Share Repurchases and Dividend Payments – The Company repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock for $75 million in the fourth quarter. The Company paid common stock dividends of $27 million, or $0.29 per share, in the fourth quarter. For the full-year, the Company repurchased approximately 4.5 million shares of stock, or 5% of shares outstanding, for $244 million and paid $112 million, or $1.16 per share in dividends.
Dividend Increase – The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a 10% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to 32 cents from 29 cents per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared in the first quarter of 2020.
Restructuring Charge – The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $8 million during the fourth quarter for actions focused on enhancing organizational efficiency and rationalizing its operations.
Outlook
The Company provided the following outlook for full-year 2020, excluding any potential impact from the Coronavirus:
Revenues of $1.89 billion to $1.93 billion driven by lower cost-reimbursement revenues, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, the Company expects revenues of $1.46 billion to $1.49 billion.
Adjusted net income of $329 million to $339 million.
Adjusted EBITDA of $635 million to $645 million, as illustrated below.
Adjusted diluted EPS of $3.48 to $3.58, based on an adjusted diluted share count of 94.6 million that excludes future share repurchases.
Rooms growth of 2% to 4%, including an expected (0.7%) adverse impact from the loss of rooms that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel-management guarantees.
RevPAR of flat to down (2%) in constant currency, including an expected (0.7%) adverse impact from the loss of rooms that were previously covered by unprofitable hotel-management guarantees.
The Company views its year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA as follows (in millions):
More detailed projections are available in Table 6 of this press release. The Company is providing outlook for net income and EPS only on a non-GAAP basis because it is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the occurrence or amount of potential adjustments that may arise in the future. Details regarding potential impacts from the Coronavirus will be provided on the Company’s conference call.
Conference Call Information
Wyndham Hotels will hold a conference call with investors to discuss the Company’s results and outlook on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET. Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by dialing 877 876-9173 and providing the passcode “Wyndham”. Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020 at 800 839-4012.
Presentation of Financial Information
Financial information discussed in this press release includes non-GAAP measures, which include or exclude certain items. These non-GAAP measures differ from reported GAAP results and are intended to illustrate what management believes are relevant period-over-period comparisons and are helpful to investors as an additional tool for further understanding and assessing the Company’s ongoing operating performance. The Company uses these measures internally to assess its operating performance, both absolutely and in comparison to other companies, and to make day to day operating decisions, including in the evaluation of selected compensation decisions. Exclusion of items in the Company’s non-GAAP presentation should not be considered an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the comparable non-GAAP measures for the reported periods appear in the financial tables section of this press release.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,300 hotels across approximately 90 countries on six continents. Through its network of over 831,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with approximately 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers approximately 81 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. The Company may use its website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Disclosures of this nature will be included on the Company’s website in the Investors section, which can currently be accessed at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. Accordingly, investors should monitor this section of the Company’s website in addition to following the Company’s press releases, filings submitted with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any public conference calls or webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements related to Wyndham Hotels’ current views and expectations with respect to its future performance and operations, including revenues, earnings, cash flow and other financial and operating measures, share repurchases and dividends. Forward-looking statements include those that convey management’s expectations as to the future based on plans, estimates and projections at the time Wyndham Hotels makes the statements and may be identified by words such as “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “future,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “target,” “estimate,” “projection” and similar words or expressions, including the negative version of such words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Wyndham Hotels to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, general economic conditions, the performance of financial and credit markets, the economic environment for the hospitality industry, operating risks associated with the hotel franchising and management businesses, the impact of war, terrorist activity or political strife, concerns with or threats of pandemics, contagious diseases or health epidemics, risks related to the acquisition of La Quinta and our relationship with CorePoint Lodging, risks related to our ability to obtain financing and the terms of such financing and the timing and amount of future share repurchases and dividends, as well as the risks described in Wyndham Hotels’ most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, Wyndham Hotels undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Will Host Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report fourth quarter and full-year 2019 results on Thursday, February 13, 2020. Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, and Michele Allen, chief financial officer, will host a call with investors at 8:30 a.m. ET that morning to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9173 and providing the passcode “Wyndham.” Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on February 13, 2020 at 800 839-4012.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with over 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 822,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 79 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
The safety of our guests, owners, team members and partners around the world is a top priority. We are currently recommending that our hotels in China follow the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and their local health departments – and to report any suspected cases to the proper authorities as soon as possible. We are sending supplies to our hotels in China for distribution to workers, guests, and members of the community. Additionally, guests traveling to or from China with direct bookings for stays in any of our hotels from January 22nd through February 29th will have their cancellation or change penalties waived. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
Commits to reach 10 million Wyndham Rewards points donated to Polaris by end of 2020
Today at its global Town Hall, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ leadership team affirmed its ongoing commitment to support human trafficking awareness and prevention efforts and announced a donation of 1 million Wyndham Rewards points to Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate human trafficking. Wyndham also announced a commitment to achieve – by year end – 10 million points donated by the company and Wyndham Rewards members to Polaris since 2008. (Deborah Fischman Photography for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts)
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – January 22, 2020 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH), the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across 80 countries, today reinforced its commitment to help combat human trafficking.
At its first global Town Hall event of the year, Wyndham today affirmed its ongoing commitment to support human trafficking awareness and prevention efforts and announced its donation of 1 million Wyndham Rewards points to Polaris, a leader in the global fight to eradicate human trafficking.
Wyndham also announced its commitment to achieve – by year end – 10 million points donated by Wyndham and Wyndham Rewards members to Polaris since 2008. For Wyndham Rewards members interested in donating points to Polaris, visit the Wyndham Rewards website or click here.
“We condemn human trafficking in any form,” said Wyndham Hotels & Resorts President and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Ballotti. “In recognition of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we want to reinforce our partnerships with Polaris and other important anti-trafficking organizations, while continuing to educate the hospitality community on how to help identify and report trafficking activities.” Wyndham mandates human trafficking training for all company employees globally.
Polaris acts as a catalyst to systemically disrupt human trafficking by helping survivors restore their freedom, preventing more victims, and leveraging data and technology to pursue traffickers wherever they operate. Polaris uses Wyndham Rewards points in part for short-term stays for victims so they have a safe place to sleep while waiting for a spot in a shelter to open.
“Having a safe place to stay, even just overnight, is a vital first step in helping sex and labor trafficking survivors break free from their situations,” said Emily Tracy, chief development officer for Polaris, who received the points donation at today’s event. “Wyndham’s donation – one of many over the course of our 10-year partnership – will help survivors to move forward with their lives. We look forward to working together in the future to continue to address all of the ways that hospitality companies can and must play a role in the prevention and detection of sex and labor trafficking.”
In addition to Polaris, Wyndham supports the work of other organizations to promote awareness on how to identify and report suspected instances of human trafficking, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, End Child Prostitution and Trafficking, and International Tourism Partnership. Wyndham works with these organizations and others to educate employees across its business on the important issue of human trafficking.
Hotel guests also can spot the signs of trafficking. Guests who suspect trafficking or abuse can alert hotel management or security, or dial 911 or their local emergency number. They also can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” (233733) in the U.S., or visit GlobalModernSlavery.org for global information.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with over 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 822,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveller, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 79 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
PARSIPPANY, N.J. – December 3, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced that David B. Wyshner has decided to step down as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, and move into a senior advisory role reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Ballotti until March 1, 2020.
“As the CFO of Wyndham Worldwide and later Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, David was absolutely instrumental in the divestiture of our European Vacation Rentals Business, the acquisition of La Quinta Holdings, our spin-off from our parent company, establishing a new Finance leadership team and setting us up for the future. We are sincerely grateful for all that David has done to transition our new company for success,” said Mr. Ballotti.
“I thank my colleagues at Wyndham. It has been a pleasure to work with one of the best leadership teams in the industry,” said Mr. Wyshner. “I have enjoyed our teamwork, our culture and our many successes and see this as the right time for me personally to make this transition from the job I was brought in to do back in 2017.”
The Company also today announced the promotion of its Treasurer and Executive Vice President, Michele Allen, to succeed Mr. Wyshner as CFO, effective immediately. Ms. Allen, who began her career at Deloitte & Touche, is a 20-year veteran of Wyndham Hotels, Wyndham Worldwide and Cendant Corporation – having been the global Senior Vice President of Finance and Controller for the former Wyndham Hotel Group, and Senior Vice President of Finance for Wyndham Worldwide. Since the spin-off, she has played a critical role in developing the leadership talent of our Finance organization, while helping to drive our first six quarters of consistent execution as a new public company.
Mr. Ballotti commented, “Michele is an exceptional leader whom I’ve had the pleasure to work alongside for over a decade. Her readiness to assume this role was part of our Board’s ongoing succession planning process. She personally knows our leadership teams around the world and understands this business inside-out. I am confident she will hit the ground running with the full support of our team here in New Jersey and around the world.”
The Company further announced the appointment of its Deputy Treasurer, Barry Goldschmidt, to Treasurer.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with over 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 822,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveller, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 79 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Microtel by Wyndham Guiyang opens in heart of Guiyang’s financial district; two additional Microtel hotels slated to open in China later this year as Wyndham capitalizes on increase in inbound and domestic tourism
SHANGHAI, CHINA, October 10, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries, today announced the arrival of its award-winning Microtel® by Wyndham brand in China with the opening of the 192-room Microtel by Wyndham Guiyang.
Located in the heart of Guiyang, in Southwest China’s Guizhou province, the opening marks a key milestone for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as it continues to aggressively expand its presence across China, introducing new brands and hotels to key primary and secondary markets. Wyndham is the largest international hotel franchisor in China, with a portfolio of more than 1,500 hotels across 11 brands in the region, including recent additions under Wingate® by Wyndham and TRYP® by Wyndham, which entered the region in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
“Since 2015, Wyndham has successfully introduced four new brands to the China market,” said Leo Liu, president and managing director of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in Greater China. “With inbound and domestic tourism in China rising year over year, this creates tremendous opportunity for brands like Microtel, which is purpose-built for the needs of today’s modern travelers, particularly millennials, with stylish rooms and efficient, tech-centric amenities.”
Brilliantly Efficient and Built for the Modern Traveler
Microtel is a trailblazer in efficiency, all-new construction and award-winning service, focused on delivering long-term value and quality for today’s hotel guests and owners. In China, Microtel depicts a neo-futurism design concept, which is characterized by contemporary architecture, novel shape, clean-cut lines and a minimalist interior.
Specific for the market and lifestyle traveler in China, and to align with Wyndham’s strategy in the country, Microtel by Wyndham Guiyang takes the brand’s modern efficiencies and minimalist look to the next level by incorporating a new, streamlined design, including a neutral color palette of black, white, grey and beige. Because of this, and to expand in a faster pace in line with demand in the region, Microtel in China will be a select-service lifestyle brand, where functionality doesn’t compromise style.
Microtel by Wyndham Guiyang
The newly-built, 192-room Microtel by Wyndham Guiyang is situated in building 4 of the International Finance Center in the Guanshanhu District. The 21-floor hotel is in in the heart of Guiyang’s core financial district, and only a 10-minute walk from the Ecological Conference Center and five-minute walk from the nearby metro station. Offering sweeping city views, it is the first intelligent hotel in Guiyang thanks to in-room voice automation, which allows guests to control lighting, temperature and the television, and check weather conditions and traffic patterns by speaking to a small, table top device. Further, a self-check-in and check-out kiosk is available for an accelerated arrival and exit experience. The kiosk supports fast electronic payment through scanning a QR code, so guests can spend more time enjoying other amenities and exploring sites around Guiyang.
In addition to one all-day dining restaurant, the hotel will feature two meeting facilities that cater to 50 and 100 guests, respectively. Additionally, complimentary laundry and free access to the gym are available for every staying guest.
Wyndham already has plans to continue expanding Microtel’s footprint across Greater China, as two more Microtel hotels have been signed and are scheduled to open later this year. This includes a new Microtel in Hangzhou, which will incorporate in-room technology from Xiaomi Youpin, a top electronics company in China. Microtel will leverage its collaboration with Xiaomi Youpin in an effort to further explore hotel automation and artificial intelligence functions.
All Microtel by Wyndham hotels participate in Wyndham Rewards®, the award-winning loyalty program of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, offering members access to more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally.
About Microtel by Wyndham
Microtel by Wyndham is an award-winning chain of more than 340 economy hotels located throughout North America, Mexico, the Philippines and China. Consistently over-delivering on both guest and owner expectations, Microtel is North America’s only all new-construction hotel in the economy segment. Ranked best-in-class by organizations like The Harris Poll®,” Microtel’s rich award-recognized heritage is backed by 16 J.D. Power top honors – the most of any hotel brand in the economy segment. Microtel prides itself on being an innovator, offering an elevated experience with an array of complimentary amenities including free Wi-Fi and continental breakfast. Other amenities available at most hotels include meeting and fitness centers, swimming pools and the opportunity to earn and redeem points through Wyndham Rewards®, the brand’s guest loyalty program. Travelers can join the program for free at www.wyndhamrewards.com.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers News Source: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
Will Host Conference Call and Webcast at 8:30 a.m. ET
PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 7, 2019 — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) announced today that it will report third quarter 2019 results on Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Geoff Ballotti, president and chief executive officer, and David Wyshner, chief financial officer, will host a call with investors at 8:30 a.m. ET that morning to discuss the Company’s results and business outlook.
Listeners can access the webcast live through the Company’s website at www.investor.wyndhamhotels.com. The conference call may also be accessed by calling 877 876-9174 and providing the passcode “Wyndham.” Listeners are urged to call at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time. An archive of this webcast will be available on the website for approximately 90 days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2019. A telephone replay will be available for approximately ten days beginning at noon ET on October 29, 2019 at 800 283-4799.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.
World’s largest hotel franchising company highlights efforts to elevate brands, serve owners, drive global growth and innovate for guests as part of its mission to make hotel travel possible for all
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 25, 2019 – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) – the world’s largest hotel franchising company with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries – outlined plans to advance its position as the world’s leading provider of select-service hotel brands before thousands of its franchisees at its first global conference as an independent hotel company.
With a focus on enhancing returns for its nearly 6,000 franchisees, the Company unveiled several initiatives designed to elevate its brands, deliver incremental resources to its owners, grow its presence and meet the needs of today’s travelers.
“As the world’s largest hotel franchisor, our commitment to making hotel travel possible for all starts with our franchisees,” said Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “Together, we are elevating our family of iconic brands through innovation in quality and design, operational efficiency, strategic growth and guest experience to shape not only the future of Wyndham but the legacy of our owners around the world.”
Elevating Economy
Wyndham continues to democratize travel by elevating the economy segment with distinct, meaningful experiences for guests – at an affordable price point – for some of its most iconic brands. On the heels of recent brand-wide redesign efforts for Super 8® by Wyndham and Howard Johnson® by Wyndham, the company unveiled a new look for Days Inn® by Wyndham.
Dawn of a New Days Inn: With its 50th anniversary approaching in 2020, Days Inn – one of the largest brands in the economy segment – unveiled a new interior design package for its 1,400 hotels in the U.S. The new design, aptly named Dawn, takes inspiration from the sun with bright and airy rooms and sun-centric art celebrating the brand’s roots with a modern flair. The brand expects to implement the design standard across its U.S. portfolio in several phases.
Revolutionizing Design and Construction
The Company is prioritizing new-construction growth with the launch of both new and refreshed prototypes designed to lower development costs and capture greater efficiencies, taking a page from the best practices of La Quinta® by Wyndham and the success of the recent Moda prototype launch from Microtel by Wyndham®.
Growing Garden: The Company announced plans to reposition its Wyndham Garden® brand for growth with a new interior and exterior prototype called Arbor, which offers a streamlined, modern aesthetic inspired by nature that is designed to reduce cost-per-key to build.
Dual-Branding La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites® by Wyndham: Wyndham is introducing a new prototype combining its extended-stay Hawthorn Suites brand with La Quinta, designed to streamline development and operational costs while appealing to multiple types of travelers. The dual-brand prototype leverages the newly refreshed room of La Quinta’s Del Sol prototype, which continues to draw developers, with seven new-construction agreements signed in the second quarter.
Reimagining AmericInn® by Wyndham: The Company also debuted a refreshed interior design for AmericInn inspired by the modern lodge look, updating the brand’s contemporary exterior prototype while celebrating its heritage. Together, the interior and exterior designs represent the brand’s fourth-generation prototype.
Driving Global Growth
As international tourism continues to grow, Wyndham is positioning its well-known brands to capitalize on the rising demand for trusted lodging options for all travelers, particularly everyday travelers and the growing global middle class.
New Brands in New Markets: Five Wyndham brands have opened in new markets this year, including Days Inn in New Zealand; Microtel in China; Ramada® by Wyndham in Armenia; Wyndham® in Malaysia; and Wyndham Garden in Argentina, Australia and the Philippines. The Company also signed agreements to introduce Dolce Hotels and Resorts® by Wyndham in Denmark and Vietnam this year, and La Quinta in the Dominican Republic in 2021.
Making its Mark: Since launching just over two years ago as the first soft brand geared toward midscale and upper-midscale hotels, Trademark Collection® by Wyndham continues its rapid growth around the world, adding six new hotels in Canada and its first hotel in Latin America, in Belize, to its more than 100 hotels in North America and Europe.
Growth in Asia: Wyndham is the largest international franchisor in Greater China and recently announced plans to open approximately 500 hotels in China over the next three years, bringing its total to more than 2,000 hotels there by the end of 2022. The Company is also growing rapidly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, its fastest-growing region, and plans to open three new hotels in Thailand later this year. Additionally, Wyndham added three Ramada hotels in South Korea this year, surpassing 40 hotels in the country.
Digital Technology Evolution
Following its strategic initiative to endorse all of its brands with the “by Wyndham” moniker – one of the largest name changes in the industry’s history – and the evolution of Wyndham Rewards, which brought about innovative, first-to-market partnerships such as DoorDash, Wyndham is leveraging new technology to expand its digital efforts to drive brand recognition and contribution and enhance the guest experience across its portfolio.
Wyndham Wi-Fi: Addressing the ongoing challenge of providing great guest Wi-Fi, Wyndham franchisees now have access to a new bundle of wireless and network services featuring high-quality hardware and equipment at lower costs called Wyndham Wi-Fi. Hoteliers will have access to best-in-class wireless and network equipment, a professional home page, superior Wi-Fi services with consistent signals capable of handling guests’ multi-screen needs, and one-stop shopping for support.
Mobile First: To meet guests where they are – literally, in the palm of their hands – the Company will launch a new mobile app in the spring of 2020 offering streamlined bookings, account management, gamification, and exciting on-property features enabling guests to make the most of their stays. This intuitive, anticipatory app also will provide Wyndham Rewards members with personalized moments woven throughout their journey.
About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 9,200 hotels across more than 80 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 817,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel Inn & Suites®, La Quinta®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Baymont®, The Trademark Collection®, and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services, with more than 400 properties under management. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers over 77 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com. If you are interested in development opportunities, please visit development.wyndhamhotels.com.
