Choice Hotels International, worldwide lodging franchisor of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn brand hotels, will introduce an enhanced billing system for tour operators and wholesalers at this year`s International POW WOW.

The new central direct bill system, named Tour Operators Payment System (TOPS), allows tour operators and wholesalers to make one consolidated electronic payment per month, eliminating prepayments to the hotels, simplifying accounting processes and resulting in prompt payment to Choice franchisees. This enhanced program was designed exclusively to support Choice Hotels` Foreign Individual Traveler (FIT) program, which enables tour operators and wholesalers worldwide to design custom vacation packages for travelers all over the world.

“The new central direct bill system, TOPS, is a win-win situation for all parties - tour operators, wholesalers and Choice franchisees,” said Wayne Wielgus, Choice`s senior vice president of marketing. “This efficient program will reduce accounts payable/receivable issues, increase demand for FIT reservations and provide 24-hour access to accounts via the Internet.”

Choice currently has more than 300 clients participating in the FIT program. The FIT rates are net, non-commissionable, valid for one to four persons in the same room, and tax inclusive. Reservations for the FIT program may be made via Choice`s central reservations system, GDS or Travel Agent City on www.choicehotels.com.

Choice Hotels International is the world`s second largest lodging franchisor, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in 46 countries under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn brand names. For more information on Choice, visit the company`s web site at www.choicehotels.com.

Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn are registered trademarks of Choice Hotels International.

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