Best Western Racks Up Awards From Industry Peers for Innovation, Services, and Outreach in 2011

PHOENIX, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Western International, THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY(SM), has been collecting awards for its trophy case in 2011 from partners and industry associations, highlighted by the American Automobile Association's (AAA) Preferred "Hotel Partner of the Year," the Canadian Automobile Association's (CAA) "Partner of the Year," and a Gold COLLOQUY Loyalty Award recognizing the brand's global Best Western Rewards program and its "Status Match No Catch" initiative.

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The global hotel brand has also been recognized by industry peers with the following awards:

• AAA's "Hotel Partner of the Year,"  along with AAA's "Best of Sales Support" and "Best of Marketing" within the hotel category
• Six Adrian Awards, awarded by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association (HSMAI) for excellence in public relations, advertising and social media
• Ten Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, including Gold Magellan Awards in recognition for the brand's Independent Films series, the brand's 2011 television commercial, the brand advertising campaign and its Mapquest.com takeover to launch product descriptors

"These awards affirm our industry leadership position and confirms that we provide our hoteliers the strategic support they need so they can focus on providing their guests with an exceptional travel experience," said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Best Western International. "The unique structure of our organization allows our member hotels to maintain their individuality while keeping them committed to a high standard of excellence. Ultimately, travelers know that with Best Western they will be able to find a quality hotel to meet their needs and taste."

Best Western was named "Hotel Partner of the Year" by both AAA for the third consecutive year. Additionally, Best Western won overall "Partner of the Year" from CAA.

Best Western was also one of only nine brands to be awarded with a COLLOQUY Loyalty Award, one of the world's premier global loyalty awards, earning recognition within the "Loyalty Innovation in Travel – North America" category. Best Western joins Coca Cola, American Express, FedEx and Sears, as award winners in 2011.

For more information on Best Western, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD'S BIGGEST HOTEL FAMILY(SM), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* BEST WESTERN®, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in more than 90* countries and territories worldwide. Each Best Western-branded hotel is independently owned and operated. Now celebrating 65 years of hospitality, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts hundreds of thousands each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western has embarked on a mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. World Vision is the charity of choice for Best Western in building the world's biggest family, with our hotels and staff sponsoring children in need around the globe. Our partnerships with AAA/CAA, Michael Waltrip Racing™ and Harley-Davidson® help guests make the most of every trip. For the fastest way to a free night globally, join Best Western Rewards®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.

*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

SOURCE Best Western International, Inc.