Travel a key factor for Canadian job seekers

Choice Hotels Canada survey shows Canadian business travellers value hotel perks and the break from family

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - For Canadians currently travelling for business, time on the road is invaluable; with almost one in four (23 per cent) saying they would not pursue a new job opportunity if it didn't include travel. Not surprising, considering 75 per cent of business travellers admitting they "enjoy travelling for work" and 55 per cent say they "secretly enjoy the break from family". These are just a few of the many findings exploring Canadian travel habits in a recent national survey by Choice Hotels Canada.

"Whether it's for work or leisure, Canadians value travel," says Tim Oldfield, managing director at Choice Hotels Canada. "What's interesting to see are the differences in habits among those on the road - both between women and men, and those on vacation compared to business travellers."

With just under one half (46 per cent) of survey respondents having stayed in a hotel in the past six months, it's safe to say travel affects a lot of Canadians. Some of the key findings among business and leisure travellers alike, included:

Women versus men

Although male business travellers are more likely than female business travellers to travel for business than pleasure (23 per cent vs. 10 per cent), women in general take greater advantage of the freedoms of hotel stays:

• Helping themselves to the toiletries (57% vs. 44%)
• Eating in bed (32% vs. 27%)
• Lounging in bathrobes (25% vs. 17%)

Business versus leisure

Although four in five Canadians who have stayed in a hotel engage in at least one guilty pleasure, in general, business travellers are less tidy than leisure travellers and are more likely to take part in the following behaviour:

• Leaving towels on the floor (34 per cent vs. 27 per cent)
• Eating in bed (34 per cent vs. 26 per cent)
• Leaving clothes strewn about (26 per cent vs. 19 per cent)
• Keeping the lights and TV turned on (23 per cent vs. 15 per cent)

So whether you're travelling on company time and dime, or just for fun, think about how you behave when you hit the road. We want to hear your thoughts, so join in the conversation at www.Facebook.com/ChoiceHotelsCanada. Plus while you're browsing online, don't forget to sign up for Choice Privileges, the hotel loyalty program which allows travellers to earn points for free hotel stays and more.

Editors note: The survey was completed online by 1,503 Canadians between June 30^th and July 3^rd, 2014 using Leger's online panel, LegerWeb.

About Choice Hotels Canada

Choice Hotels Canada is the nation's largest hotel franchisor with 325 properties currently open or under development.  The company's Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, MainStay Suites and Suburban Extended Stay Hotel brands are designed to accommodate the value-oriented traveller. In addition, there is the Ascend Hotel Collection membership program which consists of unique, boutique and historic properties. Combined they serve more than five million Canadian guests each year. All hotels are independently owned and operated.

Choice brands can be found in every major and most secondary markets across Canada.  Through its Choice Privileges rewards program, members can easily earn points for free hotel stays or gift cards at popular retailers.  With more than 20 million members worldwide, Choice Privileges is one of the fastest growing hotel loyalty programs in the travel industry.

Choice Hotels Canada is affiliated with Choice Hotels International, Inc. which franchises more than 6,300 hotels in more than 35 countries and territories worldwide.  For reservations call 800.4CHOICE (800.424.6423)/800.BO.RÊVES (800.267.3827) or visit www.choicehotels.ca.

Choice Hotels, Choice Hotels Canada, Choice Privileges, Comfort, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Ascend Hotel Collection, 800.4CHOICE and 800.BO.RÊVES are proprietary trademarks and service marks of Choice Hotels International.

©2014 Choice Hotels Canada Inc. All rights reserved.

Image with caption: "Three out of four Canadian business travellers admit to enjoying work travel (CNW Group/Choice Hotels Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140909_C8712_PHOTO_EN_42677.jpg

SOURCE: Choice Hotels Canada Inc.

energi PR: Lauren Wasley
Tel: [phone] ext. 19
E-mail: [email protected]

Choice Corporate: Diana Kuhnberg
Tel: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]