Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Land and buildings	$	19,284	$	29,023
Advances to marketing and reservation system activities (Note 4)	—		18,069
Other assets	9,191		6,565
Total	$	28,475	$	53,657

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.