HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 17, 2011) - Royal Host Inc. (TSX:RYL) (TSX:RYL.DB.B) (TSX:RYL.DB.C) (TSX:RYL.DB.D) – ("Royal Host" or the "Company") announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted Royal Host's request to establish an automatic securities repurchase plan (the "Plan") for: (i) its 6% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures with a maturity date of October 31, 2015 ("6% Debentures") (Trading Symbol: RYL.DB.B), (ii) 6.25% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures with a maturity date of September 30, 2013 ("6.25% Debentures") (Trading Symbol: RYL.DB.C) and (iii) 5.9% convertible unsecured subordinated debentures with a maturity date of June 30, 2014 ("5.9% Debentures") (Trading Symbol: RYL.DB.D) (the 6% Debentures, 6.25% Debentures and 5.9% Debentures are collectively referred to as the "Debentures").

The Plan was established to provide standard instructions regarding how Royal Host's Debentures are to be repurchased under each issuer bid. Accordingly, Royal Host may repurchase its Debentures in accordance with the Plan on any trading day during the issuer bids including during self-imposed trading blackout periods. The Plan will commence immediately and terminate together with each issuer bid on September 11, 2012. Royal Host may otherwise vary, suspend or terminate the Plan only if it does not have material non-public information, the decision to vary, suspend or terminate the Plan is not taken during a self-imposed trading blackout period and is otherwise varied, suspended, or terminated in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Plan is subject to the suspension of purchases of 6% Debentures and 5.9% Debentures until the expiry of the Company's Substantial Issuer Bid for the 6% and 5.9% Debentures as announced on October 13, 2011. The Plan constitutes an "automatic plan" for purposes of applicable Canadian securities legislation and has been reviewed and approved by the TSX. Should the Plan be materially varied, suspended, or terminated, Royal Host will disseminate a press release advising of such variation, suspension or termination as the case may be.

About Royal Host

Royal Host is a diversified hospitality company that delivers shareholder value through hotel ownership, investment and franchising. The Company's hotels, which contain 3,417 rooms, are located in four Provinces and Territories across Canada. Twenty-five of the Company's hotels operate under internationally recognized brands such as Travelodge®, Super 8®, Holiday Inn®, Hilton®, Ramada®, Best Western®, Country Inns & Suites® and Thriftlodge®. Two of the Company's hotels are unbranded. In addition to its real estate holdings, the Company owns and operates the Travelodge Canada franchise business which is currently comprised of over 90 hotels across 9 Provinces and Territories.

Royal Host's common shares and convertible debentures are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbols "RYL", "RYL.DB.B", "RYL.DB.C" and "RYL.DB.D" respectively.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements relating, but not limited to, Royal Host's operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects, and strategies. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", or similar words suggesting future outcomes. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive, and lodging industry conditions. Royal Host disclaims any responsibility to update any such forward-looking statements except as required by Law.

This press release contains registered trademarks that are the exclusive property of their respective owners. None of the owners of these trademarks has any responsibility or liability for any information contained in this press release.

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