Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:



	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Land and buildings	$	28,987	$	10,206
Advances to marketing and reservation system activities (Note 4)	15,284		—
Other assets	6,392		6,701
Total	$	50,663	$	16,907

Land and buildings

Land and buildings represents the Company's purchase of real estate as part of its program to incent franchise development in strategic markets for certain brands. The Company has acquired this real estate with the intent to develop the properties for the eventual construction of hotels operated under the Company's brands or contribute the land into joint ventures for the same purpose.