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The world's largest hotel chain, Best Western, will double the
number of hotels under its management in Asia to at least 200
within the next three years with Thailand among its strategic
countries. Under the ambitious plan, the number of hotels in
Thailand operated by Best Western will increase to 25 by 2008, up
from 11 at the end of last year.
Each will have a management agreement running for five to 10
years. One-third of the hotels will be managed by Best Western
itself and the remaining will be under a franchise format.
From 2007 to early 2008, the Best Western chain will sign
contracts with three hotels in Thailand: Best Western Premier
Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok; Best Western Premier
Andaman Princess Resort & Spa in Koh Kor Khao, Phangnga; and
Best Western Chiang Mai.
Best Western is moving to Thailand despite the weak economy
because the tourism industry is very mature with average growth of
15% per year, said Glenn de Souza, Best Western International
Inc's vice-president for international operations in Asia.
In Bangkok yesterday, David Kong, president and CEO of Best
Western International Ltd, said: ''Thailand, in particular, is a
priority market for Best Western because the country's share of
global travel arrivals continues to increase.''
Best Western has resort-style properties, many with spas, in
Chiang Rai, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya and Phangnga. It also
has a boutique-style hotel in Bangkok.
Best Western has 106 hotels with 20,000 rooms under its
management in Asia. Its revenue in this region increased 18% to
US$1 billion in 2006. The number of hotel rooms it manages is
expected to rise to 50,000 in 2010, and sales are expected to grow
by 15-18% annually from 2008 to 2010.
Aside from Thailand, the company also hopes to expand in China,
India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Vietnam. In 2010, Best
Western will have 20 hotels under its management in Indonesia, 13
in Malaysia and 20 in Japan. Another 100 hotels will be added in
India over the next 10 years.
''The Best Western chain is fully confident of the potential
of Asian's tourism industry, which has grown by leaps and bounds
in the past and it will expand even more in future chiefly because
it is blessed with a sunny tropical climate that draws tourists and
other long-term visitors from colder climes,'' Mr Kong said.
The lower cost of living is also another attraction for tourists
from the developed world, and the region's economy has surged in
the past decade.
Additionally, these countries have steady levels of growth,
improving infrastructure and well-educated people.
Apart from Asia, Mr de Souza said, the company plans to expand
in the Middle East starting next year. Priority markets include
Dubai and Kuwait.
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