EX-99 6 0006.txt FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS EXHIBIT 99 Forward-Looking Statements The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made in this report or presented elsewhere by management. Dependence on Others: Our present growth strategy for development of additional lodging and senior living facilities entails entering into and maintaining various arrangements with present and future property owners, including Host Marriott Corporation, Crestline Capital Corporation and New World Development Company Limited. There can be no assurance that any of our current strategic arrangements will continue, or that we will be able to enter into future collaborations. Contract Terms for New Units: The terms of the operating contracts, distribution agreements, franchise agreements and leases for each of our lodging facilities and senior living communities are influenced by contract terms offered by our competitors at the time such agreements are entered into. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that contracts entered into or renewed in the future will be on terms that are as favorable to us as those under existing agreements. Competition: The profitability of hotels, vacation timeshare resorts, senior living communities, corporate apartments, and distribution centers we operate is subject to general economic conditions, competition, the desirability of particular locations, the relationship between supply of and demand for hotel rooms, vacation timeshare resorts, senior living facilities, corporate apartments, distribution services, and other factors. We generally operate in markets that contain numerous competitors and our continued success will depend, in large part, upon our ability to compete in such areas as access, location, quality of accommodations, amenities, specialized services, cost containment and, to a lesser extent, the quality and scope of food and beverage services and facilities. Supply and Demand: The lodging industry may be adversely affected by (1) supply additions, (2) international, national and regional economic conditions, (3) changes in travel patterns, (4) taxes and government regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, interest rates, construction procedures and costs, and (5) the availability of capital to allow us and potential hotel and senior living community owners to fund investments. Our timeshare and senior living service businesses are also subject to the same or similar uncertainties and, accordingly, we cannot assure you that the present level of demand for hotel rooms, timeshare intervals and senior living communities will continue, or that there will not be an increase in the supply of competitive units, which could reduce the prices at which we are able to sell or rent units. Internet Reservation Channels: Some of our hotel rooms are booked through internet travel intermediaries such as Travelocity and Priceline. As this percentage increases, these intermediaries may be able to obtain higher commissions, reduced room rates or other significant contract concessions from us. Moreover, some of these internet travel intermediaries are attempting to commoditize hotel rooms, by increasing the importance of price and general indicators of quality (such as "three-star downtown hotel") at the expense of brand identification. These agencies hope that consumers will eventually develop brand loyalties to their reservations system rather than to our lodging brands. If this happens our business and profitability may be significantly harmed.