Best Western And Harley-Davidson Partnership Goes Global

PHOENIX, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Western International and Harley-Davidson Motor Company® announced today that the two organizations have extended their partnership with one another for an additional three years. Best Western is also expanding its programs for motorcycle enthusiasts from North America to a global level. The agreement provides benefits for both brands and their respective customers.

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As part of the agreement, Best Western is serving as the Official Lodging Partner of Harley-Davidson's 110^th Anniversary in 2013. In addition, Best Western is now the Preferred Lodging Partner of Harley-Davidson's Rentals and Tours Division, which will include the hotel chain's properties on its multi-night itineraries and provide more revenue opportunities for Best Western hotels.

"Partnering our two iconic brands together has been a real 'win' for our hotels, bringing them business from this important group of travelers," said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western International's senior vice president of marketing and sales. "It's been a natural fit from the beginning, and I'm glad we have even more opportunities to showcase this partnership in 2013 with the 110^th anniversary of Harley-Davidson."

Extending the special benefits for motorcycle enthusiasts to Best Western's global affiliates will provide advantages not only to riders, but to Best Western hotels worldwide, as well. "Our hotels across the world now have the potential to see more business from motorcyclists," said Dowling. "I'm looking forward to taking this already successful partnership from North America to our thousands of properties in more than 100 countries around the globe."

Best Western has more than 1,200 Rider Friendly® hotels throughout North America, which offer a free wipe-down motorcycle towel and access to a washing station upon check-in. The hotel chain also offers motorcycle enthusiasts Best Western Ride Rewards, a special segment of its Best Western Rewards® loyalty program. Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members receive additional benefits, including an automatic upgrade to Platinum status and 15 percent bonus points.

"Harley-Davidson's 110^th Anniversary is the perfect time to extend our partnership with Best Western," said John C. Farris, Jr., Harley-Davidson Director of Global Brand Alliances. "Harley-Davidson and Best Western have heritage and deep roots along America's most scenic highways and byways as well as the many roads traveled around the world. Most importantly, this partnership brings great benefits and on-the-road conveniences to our riders and fans."

The companies initiated the partnership in 2006.

For more information on Best Western's benefits for motorcycle enthusiasts, go to www.bwrider.com. Consumers can plan their next motorcycle trip at www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/rideplanner/, and follow the adventures of Best Western's motorcycle blogger at http://www.youmustbetrippin.com/jason_fogelson/.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC. 

Best Western International, Inc., headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., is a privately held hotel brand made up of more than 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS, BEST WESTERN PREMIER hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Now celebrating 67 years of hospitality, Best Western welcomes hundreds of thousands of guests nightly. Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales, marketing and promotional support, and online and mobile booking capabilities. More than 15 million travelers are members of the brand's award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. The brand's partnerships with AAA/CAA, race car driver Michael Waltrip, and Harley-Davidson® provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. In 2012, Best Western won a record number of awards, including AAA's Hotel Partner of the Year, CAA's Partner of the Year, TravelClick's eMarketer of the Year and Compuware's Best of the Web Gold awards. 

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.   

*Numbers are approximate and may fluctuate. 

 About Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.harley-davidson.com.

SOURCE Best Western International