BERLIN? Ramada International has announced plans to develop a new brand called Ramada Encore. The brand will be positioned within the mid-priced, limited-service tier. The first Ramada Encore property will open in Melbourne, Australia, in the summer of 2001. This and all other Ramada Encore properties will be newly constructed. Two sites have been identified in Korea for Ramada Encore properties following the opening of the Melbourne location, according to a spokesperson for the brand. An additional three hotels are currently in the planning stages but further details were not available. ?Our concept for Encore is based on lifestyle. The ambience will be colorful, exciting, informal and cutting edge,? said Reas Kondraschow, senior vp/managing director of Ramada International. The Encore properties will range from 80 to 150 rooms with one meeting area that will vary in size depending upon the size of the property. It is anticipated that Ramada Encore will be competitive with brands such as Accor?s Ibis Express, and Cendant Corp.?s Travelodge hotels. Activities at Ramada Encore properties will revolve around The Hub, an area which features the reception desk, a bar, breakfast buffet, manager?s station and communal table. Ramada International is currently looking for franchisees for Encore. The five-year goal is to have ?several hundred? properties open. Development will take place in Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America, Spain and the UK.
