The acquisition of hotels is the culmination of a five-year business plan for Leading Hotels to evolve from a hotel representation organization to a full service provider of products and services to the luxury hotel market sector. With the formation of the Leading Trust, the company signals that it will take a proactive role in protecting its member hotels by providing them access to capital for improvements or major renovations. Operational management for the Leading Trust's owned hotels will be awarded through an RFP process led by Leading Hotel Fund Advisors.

"The Leading Trust provides a solution for hotel owners to sell or upgrade their properties, while preserving the market position of their hotels," says Paul McManus, president and CEO of the Leading Hotels of the World. "Owners may not be amenable to bringing on an unknown equity partner or selling to a faceless brand."

"The Leading Trust fills a gap in the hotel investment niche. In the past, privately-owned luxury properties faced hurdles raising funds in the capital markets," adds George Ruff, senior principal of Trinity Hotel Investors LLC."