Best Western International continues growth in Asia and the Middle East

KUALA LUMPUR: Best Western International, the world's largest Hotel Chain® - is enjoying continued and solid growth in Europe and Asia, where it continues to add new hotels and resorts in an expanding portfolio that boasts over 4,000 properties in more than 80 countries and territories worldwide.

According to a statement on Tuesday, June 29, Best Western's growth in Asia and the Middle East is currently in full swing. Their goal is to have 300 hotels offering 60,000 rooms by 2015, which has positioned Best Western as the region's fastest growing international hotel chain.

Currently, the chain has 159 hotels that are in operation, going through rebranding and under construction across Asia and the Middle East.

China, India, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are among the chain's key targeted destinations in Asia.

Recently published rankings by MKG Hospitality -- the global leading market research and consulting company for hotel and tourism -- and PKF hotel experts in Munich state that Best Western International has the most number of hotels and hotel rooms under a single brand in Europe and Germany.

The MKG rankings placed Best Western as the largest hotel brand with 1,289 hotels, offering 87,017 rooms across Europe, while the PKF hotel experts ranked Best Western at the top in Germany based on number of hotels, with a total of 179 properties in operation.

Best Western sees the Middle East region as a strong potential for strategic development and brand growth. Among the locations targeted by the hotel chain include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

As Best Western International forges ahead with its aggressive expansion, much attention is given to maintaining the consistent quality standards the chain is globally recognized for, the statement said.

Best Western has been voted Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand by TTG Travel Awards with an outstanding Best Marketing & Development Effort Award in 2009, for three consecutive years (2007-2009).

Hotel Modernization Magazine also named Best Western as China's most influential international hotel group of 2009.

"We work closely with our owners to make sure each hotel meets Best Western's global standards and to maintain our reputation as a leader in value-for-money, quality accommodation," explained Best Western International's vice president of International Operations for Asia and the Middle East, Glenn de Souza.

"We provide comprehensive support and services which help our members from a hotel's construction right through to operation. Our extensive sales and marketing network, together with our comprehensive learning and development tools, are the keys to success as this provides efficient means to maintain high service standards and keep our guests and members satisfied," de Souza said.