Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is expanding deeper into the gaming and resort business through a new branding deal with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, bringing four Choctaw Casino & Resorts properties into its global hotel portfolio.
The agreement folds Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, Oklahoma — the tribe’s flagship destination that is 90 miles north of Downtown Dallas — along with three other Oklahoma casino resorts in Hochatown, Pocola and Grant into Wyndham’s Trademark Collection, according to a company news release. The Choctaw Nation will retain full ownership and management of all four properties, using Wyndham primarily for its distribution and loyalty program rather than as an operator, the Dallas Morning News reported.
Collectively, the four resorts total nearly 2,000 rooms and will roll out across Wyndham’s booking channels in the coming weeks. According to the outlet they will also be accessible to members of Wyndham Business, the company’s free-to-join travel program aimed at corporate travelers and small businesses.
The agreement is part of Wyndham’s strategy of growing through affiliations rather than ground-up development or acquisitions, according to the release. As the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties, Wyndham has increasingly leaned on its Trademark Collection to attract independent and regionally strong hotels looking for branding, marketing and loyalty reach without giving up control.
Wyndham President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said in a statement that the affiliation checks travelers’ boxes in a number of ways, creating distinct experiences.
The Choctaw Nation framed the deal as a way to broaden its audience, while keeping its identity intact. Chief Gary Batton said the partnership elevates the guest experience by pairing Choctaw hospitality, culture and entertainment with Wyndham’s global recognition and loyalty ecosystem.
The move also highlights the continued evolution of tribal gaming real estate, as casino operators increasingly look beyond gaming floors to destination-style resorts that compete for leisure travelers on a national scale. — Eric Weilbacher
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