Wyndham Hotel Group and the Corinthia Group of Companies are signing an agreement in principle to jointly manage hotels under the Wyndham(R) and Ramada(R) brands in the EMEA region: Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The agreement was signed today at the Corinthia Group’s headquarters in Malta by Steven A. Rudnitsky, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer, and Alfred Pisani, Corinthia Group chairman and chief executive.

Under terms of the deal, 15 existing Corinthia-owned hotels across Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean will be rebranded as Ramada Plaza and Wyndham hotels, and certain Corinthia Branded properties will be affiliated with a new tier, the Wyndham Grand Collection.

Wyndham Hotel Group will also enter into a partnership with Corinthia Hotels International to offer hotel management services to those brands in the EMEA region.

Under the partnership, the companies expect to gain mutual efficiencies by consolidating support functions including sales and marketing, which will focus on driving business to Ramada, Wyndham and Corinthia hotels in the region.

“This relationship will expand our portfolio in the EMEA region and establish our management business, which will become an integral component of our expansion strategy,” said Rudnitsky. “Our goal is to deliver more bookings to existing Corinthia properties by integrating them into our sales, marketing and distribution systems.”

Pisani said his company will explore opportunities to develop Ramada, Wyndham and Wyndham Grand Collection hotels throughout the region.

“Our association with Wyndham Hotel Group will expand our profile and provide a much broader base of potential customers through their worldwide distribution system,” Pisani said. “Our knowledge of the markets and experience developing and managing upscale hotels in the region will accelerate Wyndham Hotel Group’s ability to expand its portfolio.”

Pending customary regulatory approval and conditions of closing, the deal is expected to be finalized within the next 60 days. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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