Press Release: CHIP Hospitality
September 10, 2002
VANCOUVER, BC -- CHIP Hospitality is bringing the Howard Johnson flag to two well-known Saskatchewan properties
as part of its ongoing strategy to add value to its properties.
The Imperial 400 Motel Regina and the Imperial 400 Motel Saskatoon will become the province's first Howard Johnson
Inns. The changeover will be completed in early September. CHIP Hospitality will invest $1 million in upgrades
at the two properties. Major improvements will bring all rooms up to Howard Johnson standards including home office
rooms with work desks, modem phones and other amenities for business travellers.
"Repositioning these properties will help increase our awareness and image in Saskatchewan," said CHIP
Hospitality President Minaz Abji. "It reflects our strategic approach of finding the perfect brand fit for
individual properties in each market. "
"The Howard Johnson name has been known and respected for more than 75 years as a hotel chain that travellers
can depend on. We believe the timing is perfect to join forces with CHIP Hospitality to raise our flag in Saskatchewan's
largest business and leisure markets," said Glen Blake, Chief Development Officer of AFM Hospitality Corporation.
With 156 rooms, the Howard Johnson Inn Regina is located on Albert Street, just two blocks from the Southland and
Golden Mile Shopping Malls. It is only minutes away from the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the Kramer IMAX Theatre,
University of Regina, Wascana Park and Casino Regina.
The 158-room Howard Johnson Inn Saskatoon is located on Idylwyld Drive with easy access from all highways. It
is close to shopping centres, Saskatchewan Place and Centennial Auditorium.
CHIP Hospitality is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and is focused on the mid-market to upscale,
full-service and extended stay hotels. They currently manage 37 hotels in Canada and Washington State with more
than 8,200 rooms. As a subsidiary of CHIP REIT (Canadian Hotel Income Properties Real Estate Investment Trust),
CHIP Hospitality is the exclusive operator of the REIT's owned hotels. CHIP Hospitality also manages hotels and
resorts for third party owners. CHIP uses management strategies, upgrades, repositioning and franchising to improve
the operating performance of the properties within its portfolio to create value for investors and owners. CHIP
REIT units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol HOT.un and HOT.db.
For reservations at any CHIP hotel, call 1.888.4.CANADA (1.888.422.6232) or visit GreatCanadianHotels.com.
Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc. franchises over 50 hotels across Canada. To make a reservation at any Howard
Johnson Hotel, call toll-free 1-800-GO-HOJO® (1-800-446-4656). Or access the chain's website at www.hojo-canada.com
Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AFM Hospitality Corporation.
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Contact: Bill Eisenhauer, Tartan Public Relations Tel: (250) 592-5655 or bill@tartanpr.com Cell: (250) 744-4748 Charlene Krepiakevich, Corporate Marketing Manager, CHIP Hospitality Tel: (604) 646-8787 or ckrepiakevich@chipreit.com