Choice Hotels International has signed a three-year agreement with Expedia Inc. that puts its properties back on the websites Expedia operates around the world.
Expedia Inc. pulled Choice's properties from all of its sites, including Hotels.com, last month after the online giant and the hotel company failed to reach agreement on terms of a new contract.
While both sides issued statements accusing the other of being unreasonable, each declined interviews and requests for more detailed information about their negotiating postures.
Choice had accused Expedia of demanding "full control of our franchisees' room inventory and pricing, including last-room availability." Such an agreement, the company had said, would have prevented Choice franchisees from holding onto some of their inventory to sell on their own at higher rates during peak periods.
In a joint press release issued Wednesday, Choice CEO Stephen Joyce said the companies "worked together to establish a new agreement that is mutually beneficial and enables hotels in the Choice system to effectively manage their businesses."
Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, "We're pleased to be working with Choice in an agreement that respects the guiding principles which we operate under. We welcome Choice back into our marketplace, and look forward to delivering value to their franchisees."
