Microtel Inn & Suites Breaks Ground in Philippines On Third International Hotel (6/00)

Microtel Inn & Suites (Pilipinas), Inc., the Philippine Master franchise holder of the Atlanta, Ga.-based Microtel Inn & Suites hotel chain, has broken ground on the brand's third international hotel in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro in the Philippines. Owned by Filipiniana Resorts Development Corporation of the RGV Group of Companies, the new Microtel is located on the national highway in Santo Nino, Calapan City. A November 2000 opening is planned. There are currently other international Microtels open in San Pedro Sula, Honduras and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

According to Jose Mari del Rosario, president and CEO of Microtel Inn & Suites (Pilipinas), "There is great potential for Microtel in the Philippines. Microtel will fill an important budget niche for new, high-quality hotels." The Microtel Inn & Suites in Calapan is being managed by Paramount Property Management Company of the PHINMA Group.

"We look forward to working with Del Rosario and his team to help them grow Microtel in the Philippines and provide an innovative concept for economy hotels," commented Charlie Pereira II, director of international operations and development for Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems (Nasdaq: USFS), franchisor of the Microtel brand. Microtel is the fastest growing chain of newly-constructed, budget/economy hotels in the U.S.

The new Microtel Inn & Suites in Calapan will have 50 double and suite accommodations, all with queen beds, remote cable TV, CNN and ESPN. Amenities will include an outdoor pool and meeting facilities. The hotel is adjacent to a coffee shop, business office and fitness center, and nearby the Port of Calapan, Aganahaw Beach Resort and Bulusan Wild Park.

As of March 31, 2000, there were 246 Microtels opens or under construction worldwide.