by NR INDRAN / INT

The World’s Largest Hotel Chain® Best Western International Inc, USA is planning 66 new hotels in India within the next five years as part of the company’s aggressive business expansion plans and its continued focus on the growing needs of the Indian hospitality industry. These hotels will be spread across the country in Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with a special focus on key manufacturing and trading cities.

Best Western’s expansion plans will see an inflow of Rs 1600 crore investments into the Indian hospitality industry. These expansion plans will reiterate the company’s leadership position as the fastest growing hotel chain in the country.

Mr. David Kong, President and CEO, Best Western International Inc, USA, said “India is the one of the fastest growing geography for the company and we are confident of meeting the hospitality needs across all segments of travelers in India. Best Western International is focused on expansion of its presence in India and is confident that India will play a prominent role in the global growth plan of the company. The company plans to open 10-15 hotels every year in India and will also focus on the growth opportunity beyond the metros where quality hospitality is just emerging especially in the Tier 2- Tier 3 cities”.

He added, “Best Western sees an opportunity across different segments in the country and is equipped to meet the market needs with its three ranges of hotels – BEST WESTERN, BEST WESTERN PLUS and BEST WESTERN PREMIER. The renewed focus is part of Best Western’s commitment to understanding and meeting the growing needs of customers in India.”

To meet the needs of the Indian hospitality industry, Best Western will now focus on new areas of growth besides its continuing thrust on the three star segments with BEST WESTERN. The new focus areas of growth will be the four star hotel categories with BEST WESTERN PLUS and five star hotel categories with BEST WESTERN PREMIER properties. – 60 per cent will be in the four star and five star categories and the remaining 40 per cent will be three star hotels. The company plans to have 20 five star properties (BEST WESTERN PREMIER) within the next five years.

Mr. Devang Amin, Chairman, Best Western International Inc., USA “Best Western is committed to growing in India by increasing its market presence in the country, focusing on new areas of growth – that is BEST WESTERN PLUS and BEST WESTERN PREMIER, investing in local partnerships, communities and people. Best Western is firmly committed to bringing industry best practices to India and providing meaningful partnerships in the country. ” He added, “Hotels need solutions that enable them to grow their earnings and drive more traffic and build loyalty. Best Western addresses these needs and redefines hospitality partnership by providing the broadest portfolio of proven, integrated, and adaptive solutions”

Currently Best Western India has 34 properties in operation and various stages of development. Best Western has completed one of the most significant business growths in India and continues to grow – from six properties with 383 rooms in 2007 to 34 properties in 2011 with 2581 rooms. The company is now looking at additional 66 hotels in India with 5919 rooms within five years

Mr. Sudhir Sinha, President & Chief Operating Officer, Best Western India, said “Discerning high end travellers, used to staying in 5 star hospitality are unable to find suitable accommodation in Tier II cities in India, at the moment.  With Best Western Plus we endeavour to fill this gap in the market. The company has made commitments to its partners in India and helped them set-up world class properties in each category they operate in. The design and construction guidelines developed over the last 65 years by Best Western helps even the first time hotel developers to plan and commission contemporary hotels.”

Mr. B B Patel, Director and Co-Chairman, Best Western India, who has been the Governor of Best Western International, USA for 20 years said “Best Western is one of the top brands for hotel developers internationally and in India. Best Western’s unique value proposition – proven, open, scalable and efficient revenue and profit drivers for Hotels of any size – enables our partners to leverage existing assets and/or expand into new properties, while offering their consumers the ability to maximize their enjoyment and utility of the Best Western Hospitality services. It is with the Vision of bringing these international hospitality standards to India that we started Best Western India in 2007.”

Mr. Sushant Patnaik, Director and Co-Founder, Best Western India, said “Best Western has been consistently ranked amongst the top hotel brands worldwide by various surveys. It has also been an equally popular brand amongst hotel developers worldwide because of the attractive Return-on-Investment per year. With even about half an acre of land and an investment of about Rs. 12 to 15 crores, developers can build an international standard contemporary 60 room property. ”

Best Western follows global best practices and adheres to strict guidelines.  Best Western has its Domestic Regional Sales office in Delhi for Northern region, in Mumbai for Western region and in Bangalore for Southern region; which will help increase market penetration for our member properties amongst the key Corporate and Travel Agents across India. Best western has started India Toll Free Call Centre in Hyderabad to capitalize on the huge outbound travel volumes from India and to make the functioning of the domestic RSOs more efficient

Part of The World’s Largest Hotel Chain® Best Western in India is managed by Cabana Hotel Management Pvt Ltd. The chain has a presence with thirty four properties in operation and under development in India with Amritsar, Baddi, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Katra, Manesar, New Delhi, Zirakpur (Chandigarh), in the North. Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kodaikanal, Visakhapatnam in the South. Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Goa, Navi Mumbai, Neral (Near Mumbai), Shirdi and Surat in Western India, and Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Lucknow in Eastern India.

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