SPOKANE, WA-- Magnuson Hotels, the world’s largest independent hotel group, announced today the expansion of its worldwide reservation distribution with the registration of its new MS GDS (global distribution system) chain code.

Similar to a NYSE stock ticker, the MS chain code will identify Magnuson Hotels as a globally-recognized hotel chain to over 650,000 worldwide travel agents through Amadeus, Sabre, Worldspan, Apollo, Galileo, driving increased corporate, government, military, AAA and AARP business to nearly 1000 Magnuson Hotel affiliates across the US and Canada.

As total 2008 US hotel occupancy has fallen significantly from 2007, Magnuson Hotels reports a 2008 42% revenue growth over 2007. The addition of new sources of business will further strengthen Magnuson Hotels’ market position with less dependence on economy-sensitive leisure travel. Magnuson’s distribution of nearly 1000 hotels will provide lower cost accommodation choices for cost conscious corporate, government and military travel planners trading down from 4 star to 3 and 2 star.

“Magnuson Hotels’ strategy is to grow market share in every city in 2009 with expanded distribution and a low-cost structure passed along to hotel owners. When owners remove rising franchise and brand fees, significant profitability instantly occurs, no matter what market a hotel operates within,” stated Thomas R. Magnuson, company CEO/Principal.

Founded as a low-cost alternative to hotel chains such as Best Western, Choice, Holiday Inn, and Ramada, Spokane WA based Magnuson Hotels has become the world’s largest independent hotel group in only six years, and is quickly nearing the 1000 hotel mark. Magnuson Hotels is distinguished with a personal approach to service and a fee structure based upon reservations delivered without traditional high brand royalty fees and long-term contracts.

Magnuson Hotels was recently ranked number 914 on Inc. Magazine’s annual ranking of the 5,000 fastest-growing privately owned US companies. With a three year sales growth of 395%, Magnuson Hotels also ranked number 92 in the top 100 US business services companies. Magnuson Hotels joins past honorees including Microsoft, Oracle, Timberland, Morningstar, Jamba Juice, and Domino’s Pizza.

About Magnuson Hotels | In only six years, Magnuson Hotels headquartered in Spokane, WA, has become the world’s largest independent hotel group. Magnuson Hotels’ current combined affiliate base represents aggregate assets in excess of $4.5 billion. Since 2002, Magnuson Hotels has added more affiliate hotels with its low-cost franchise alternative than 8 out of the top 10 branded hotel chains combined including Best Western, Days Inn, Super 8 and Ramada.

In addition to providing low-cost access to the world’s largest reservation system, Magnuson Hotels offers complete brand representation in all major US and Canadian markets and market segments without the costs & requirements of franchise brand affiliation.

Melissa Magnuson
Magnuson Hotels
(509) 747-8713