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Andrea Dart
Weber Shandwick
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Hotel partners with literacy organization to develop programs and keep kids smart on the road.

TORONTO, ON – Four out of 10 adult Canadians face literacy challenges. That’s more than nine million people nationwide who could benefit from acquiring increased literacy skills. Today, Holiday Inn Express® hotels lends its corporate support to the literacy cause by announcing its partnership with ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, the national charity committed to raising awareness about family, adult and workplace literacy to the general public and the corporate sector. This partnership will help ABC CANADA continue to develop and execute national literacy awareness programs, provide support to local literacy groups and conduct research to further the development of a fully literate Canadian population.

As the official hotel of ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, Holiday Inn Express hotels are providing accommodation and a financial contribution in support of the organization’s nationwide activities. “We’re most grateful to Holiday Inn Express hotels for their generous donation which provides great support to our many public-awareness initiatives,” says Margaret Eaton, president, ABC CANADA.

In addition, Holiday Inn Express hotels announce the launch of an in-hotel Stay Smart® on the Road Literacy Bookmark. The bookmark, with content developed by both organizations, will be given to families when they arrive at the hotel and will contain helpful tips about how to “Stay Smart®” while on the road. “Holiday Inn Express hotels are committed to supporting the need for literacy programs in Canada,” says Christine Boon, Director, Brand Marketing-Canada for InterContinental Hotels Group. “This partnership with ABC CANADA makes sense to us. Helping people stay smart is what Holiday Inn Express is all about and with our free Express Start® breakfast bar, free high speed Internet access, ‘kids stay free’ promise and cross-country reach, Holiday Inn Express hotels are the right choice for smart travelers this year.”

Studies show that literacy skills are like muscles – they are strengthened and maintained through regular use. The literacy bookmark will give families helpful tips for fun learning throughout their vacation. “Learning happens anywhere and any time – even when travelling,” adds Eaton. “There are many fun things a family can do together that enrich their vacation experience and help build literacy skills along the way.”

About Holiday Inn Express

Holiday Inn Express is the modern hotel for value-oriented travelers. Fresh, clean and uncomplicated, Holiday Inn Express hotels offer competitive rates for both business and leisure travelers. Holiday Inn Express is the fastest growing hotel brand in the industry, opening on average two hotels a week in the Americas. Holiday Inn Express adds to its achievements a growing list of industry and consumer accolades. The brand has been named the top hotel choice for entrepreneurs by Entrepreneur Magazine; the Best Budget Hotel Value in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 12th Annual Business Travel Awards; the best low-priced hotel in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 10th Annual Travel Awards and recently won their 6th EFFIE award since entering in 1999. Presented by the New York American Marketing Association, The EFFIE Awards is one of the most recognized and coveted awards for marketing excellence.

Holiday Inn Express hotels offer outstanding value and customer service in more than 1,700 locations around the world. For more information about Holiday Inn Express or to book reservations, call 1-800-HOLIDAY or visit www.hiexpress.com.

Holiday Inn Express participates in Priority Club® Rewards. With more than 33 million members, Priority Club Rewards is the first, largest and fastest-growing guest loyalty program in the hotel industry. Winner of the 19th Annual Freddie Awards hotel loyalty “Program of the Year” and named “Best Hotel Rewards Program in the World” two years running by Global Traveler magazine, Priority Club Rewards offers more sought-after benefits and the greatest ease of use of any hotel loyalty program.

Enrollment in Priority Club Rewards is free. Guests can enroll by logging on at priorityclub.com, by calling 1-888-211-9874 or by inquiring at the front desk of any of IHG’s 3,700 hotels worldwide.