Parking attendant is No. 1 at Travelodge

Members of the Travelodge Canada Franchise Advisory Committee L to R: Dean Nemetz, Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon; Ken Johnson, Travelodge Simcoe; and board chair, Doug Freiheit, Travelodge Calgary University North, Travelodge Calgary South, and Thriftlodge Calgary North.

CALGARY—He’s the first point of contact for guests visiting the Travelodge Niagara Falls at the Falls location and he always provides outstanding service to guests. He is considered an integral part of the Travelodge team and a valuable asset to the Niagara Falls location. That’s why Tom Johnson, parking attendant at the Niagara Falls hotel, earned the chain’s 2008 Travelodge Employee of the Year award.

Johnson and other award winners were honoured at the Travelodge Canada National Brand Conference, held in Montreal, from Nov. 2 to 4, 2008.

“Nice Rooms. Great People. This is our brand promise and the cornerstone of our success,” said Roger White, executive vice president, Travelodge Canada.  “All of our property winners this year have shown exceptional commitment to the Travelodge brand and to our guests.”

Award winners follow.

Housekeeping Award of Excellence: (0-50 rooms) — Thriftlodge at the Falls & Travelodge St. Sauveur; (51-99 rooms) — Travelodge Weyburn and Thriftlodge Winnipeg; (100+ rooms) — Travelodge Barrie on Bayfield, Travelodge Hotel Niagara Falls by the Falls, and Travelodge Ottawa Hotel and Conference Centre.

Best Business Improvement: (0-50 rooms) — Travelodge Duncan; (51-99 rooms) — Travelodge Weyburn; (100+ rooms) — Travelodge Strathmore.

Renovation of the Year: Travelodge Hotel Pembroke.

Best Quality Assurance Score: (0-50 rooms) — Travelodge St. Sauveur; (51-99 rooms) — Travelodge Nanaimo; (100+ rooms) — Travelodge Hotel Regina.

Best Overall Property Sales Participation Award — Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon.

Overall Individual Sales Contribution Award: Danny Lioi, Travelodge Hotel Montreal Centre.

Marketing Award of Excellence: (0-50 rooms) — Travelodge/Thriftlodge Niagara Falls at the Falls; (51-99 rooms) — Travelodge Weyburn; (100+ rooms) — Travelodge Chatham, and Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon.

Green Key Award of Excellence: City Centre Travelodge Sault Ste Marie, Travelodge Calgary South, Travelodge Barrie, Travelodge Barrie on Bayfield, and Travelodge Quesnel.
Charity Select Award of Excellence: Travelodge Hotel Regina, and Travelodge Winnipeg East

Property of the Year: (0-50 rooms)—Travelodge St. Sauveur; (51-99 rooms)—Travelodge Weyburn; (100+ rooms)—Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon & Travelodge Hotel Niagara Falls by the Falls.

The master franchise rights for Travelodge and Thriftlodge in Canada are owned by Royal Host. Through its subsidiary, Travelodge Canada, Royal Host currently franchises over 100 locations, 15 of which are owned by the Trust.