More Than 40 New Best Western International Hotels in Development in Asia and the Middle East

PHOENIX, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Western International currently has more than 40 new hotels in Asia and the Middle East in various stages of development and by the end of 2011 the chain expects to have more than 235 Best Western properties open in these regions, the company announced today.

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The global hotel chain currently has more than 160 properties, representing 8,400 rooms, in various stages of operation, rebranding, and development in mainland China, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mongolia, Southeast Asia, Japan and the Middle East.

"Local hotel developers across Asia, the Middle East and other emerging regions are attracted to our unique membership model, the global strength of our brand and the marketing support we provide to each of our more than 4,000 hotels worldwide," said Best Western's President and CEO David Kong.

Best Western also launched Bhuvana My Spa in Asia in early 2010, the first spa concept for the chain, at several new Best Western Premier hotels in Thailand and Indonesia. The Bhuvana My Spa concept will expand to the chain's hotels in Malaysia, India, Oman and Bahrain in 2011. Bhuvana My Spa properties offer authentic and relaxing treatments by professional therapists in a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.

Asia and Middle East development highlights for Best Western in 2010 include:

• 12 new hotels in China
• 10 new hotels in India
• 6 new hotels in Japan
• 1 new hotel in South Korea
• 10  new hotels in  Southeast Asia

In India, where the country's Tourism Secretary recently cited a need for an additional 150,000 hotel rooms over the next three years due to escalating tourism, the hotel chain recently opened the Best Western Premier Vedic Village Spa Resort within the popular tourist destination of Kolkata. This 150-acre property is one of the few resorts to offer both Ayurveda and Naturopathy treatments.

Additional Best Western properties in India are expected to open in Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

In addition, Best Western is expanding its presence with new hotels in other emerging markets, including Africa, South America, New Zealand, Ukraine and Russia.

In West Africa, the chain opened its first Premier property, the Best Western Premier Accra Airport Hotel, in Ghana, which is home to one of the largest chocolate producers in the world. It is a full-service, 4-star hotel with 113 rooms, a jazz club and a five-story atrium decorated with African art. . Best Western has also recently opened two new hotels in Nigeria: the Best Western Island Hotel in Lagos and the Best Western Premier Port Harcourt Hotel in Port Harcourt.

South America 2010 development highlights for Best Western include:

• The chain's goal is to have 14 hotels in Argentina and Uruguay by the end of 2010, making it the largest hotel chain in the region
• The first Best Western Premier hotel in Chile, the Best Western Premier Marina Las Condes, features a top-floor pool and atrium
• Also opening this year will be a five-star Best Western Premier hotel in Peru with a full-service plastic surgery clinic and recovery spa adjacent to the hotel

Best Western is also expanding in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, with 10 new hotels expected to be open by the end of 2011.

The three-star Best Western Sevastopol Hotel recently opened in Sevastopol, Ukraine, the first Best Western hotel in the country. Plans are underway to open five more properties in Ukraine by the end of 2011 and Best Western also plans to open the chain's first three new Premier properties in Russia, including hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg.  

Additionally, five new properties are in the pipeline for New Zealand, including hotels in the popular tourist and historical destinations of Casa Bella and Taipa Bay Resort on North Zealand's North Island.

With more than 4,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western offers travelers more than 308,237 quality guest rooms located in approximately 80 countries and territories.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Best Western International, Inc. is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated BEST WESTERN, BEST WESTERN PLUS® and BEST WESTERN PREMIER® hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently 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 largest 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