Cendant Corporation's Hotel Group acquired Ramada International Hotels & Resorts from Marriott International Inc. late last year.

See http://www.cendant.com/media/pr/pres...Services/11681

The Ramada properties in the U.S. and Canada were never part of Marriott (except that Marriott licensed the Ramada trademark to Cendant until earlier last year). The Ramada International properties were part of Marriott, but were not marketed as part of the Marriott family of lodging brands and did not participate in Marriott Rewards.

Presumably, Ramada International was never part of Marriott's long-term strategy. But when Marriott bought Stouffer Renaissance, Marriott wound up with Ramada International as part of the deal.