Mfume

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Two hotel chains that received poor grades from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Tuesday that the survey methods were flawed and did not accurately represent their business practices.

The NAACP on Monday called for a boycott against Omni Hotels, Adam's Mark and Best Western after the chains received "D" grades in the group's survey of business opportunities for minorities.

"Hotels that receive a 'D' will not receive NAACP business dollars," said the organization's president, Kweisi Mfume. "And, we will take every opportunity to inform consumers of our decision and urge them to make similar decisions to boycott those hotels who take their money but refuse to provide them economic opportunities."

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The NAACP survey rated how black participation in the companies matched the 13 percent of African Americans in the general population. It covered five areas: percentage of black employees, franchise owners and vendors; percentage of advertising dollars spent in minority media; and percentage of donations to black charities. The hotels provided the information.

A spokesman for Best Western said the report characterized the hotel unfairly because it is a chain of independently owned hotels rather than a franchise.

"We simply do not have the information they've asked for, so it's a comparison of apples and oranges," said Skip Boyer, director of public relations. "It's an awkward situation for us ... but without question we support the NAACP's program and endeavors."

Michelle Bennett, a spokeswoman for Omni Hotels, told the Associated Press that the chain didn't provide all the information the NAACP asked for because it is privately held, and some of the information is proprietary. Both Omni and Best Western received failing grades last year, and were minimally affected by a boycott, their representatives said.

Cendant Corporation and Promus Hotel Corporation both received B grades, up from C and D grades, respectively, over 1997. Ann Rhoades, executive vice president of team services at Promus, said the chain was "proud of our multi-faceted team members, who represent all walks of life and ethnic heritage." The company said it has added a Diversity Committee and increased its efforts to reach out to African American companies in the past year.

Cendant includes Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Knights Inn, Super 8 Motel, TravelLodge, Villager Lodge and Wingate Inn. The Promus chain includes Doubletree Guest Suites and Resorts, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and Club Hotels by Doubletree.

Among the other chains surveyed: Choice includes Clarion Inns, Resorts & Suites, Comfort Hotels, Inns & Suites, EconoLodge and Mainstay Suites. Holiday includes Crowne Plaza, Inter-Continental, and Stay Bridge Suites.

There has been some progress in the lodging industry, Mfume said, but there is still "yet a long way to go."

"Corporate America must understand that diversity is not a new catch phrase for affirmative action," he said. "It is the color of America."

The former Congressman also noted that while "10 of the 14 graded hotels have African Americans on their board of directors ... the number of Latinos, Asians and Native Americans continues to lag."

Mfume praised Cendant and Marriott, which received B and C grades respectively, for their recruitment programs.