Choice Hotels Australasia has partnered with seven regional hotel properties in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. 

In response to the increased demand for hotel rooms across the country, Choice is looking to increase its presence in the mid market accommodation sector by more than 10 percent in 2013.

Tourism Research Australia’s (TRA) quarterly National Visitor Survey for the period ending December 2012 recently uncovered Australian residents are choosing to travel within their own country more frequently.  

It found overnight trips taken in Australia by Australian residents had increased four percent to 74.5 million trips, and Choice is looking to tap into this trend.

Trent Fraser, CEO, Choice said the group is “delighted” by the recent acquisitions.

“It’s a move that reflects Choice’s desire to significantly grow and expand its regional mid market sector offerings in order to benefit from the increased consumer demand for high quality, affordable accommodation currently being experienced by the industry.”

He said the group is looking to take on a number of other properties this year.

“Choice Hotels will continue to identify, secure and supply high quality new properties across Australia in order to meet our ambitious targets for the year.”

Four of the seven properties are located in New South Wales, and they include the Comfort Inn Bushman’s Parkes, The Quality Suites Boulevard on Beaumont in Newcastle, the Econo Lodge Grafton and Comfort Inn Centrepoint in Lismore.

In Victoria, the group has acquired Quality Inn & Suites Bayside in Geelong and the newly refurbished Econo Lodge Statesman Ararat.

Western Australia’s Quality Inn Margaret River has also been added to the group’s portfolio.