Best Western plans 15 new franchisee properties in India

NEW DELHI: Best Western Hotels, world’s leading hotel chain providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000
independently-owned and operated member hotels in 80 countries, plans to establish 15 new franchisee properties in India by the end of 2009. Keeping the Commonwealth games in mind, the hotel chain has decided to focus on North India in its expansion plans.

Managed by Cabana Hotel Management Pvt Ltd, the hotel chain already has 11 hotels under its banner in India. According to the hotel, the transparent and unique franchising model of Best Western Hotel will aid it in becoming the largest international hotel chain in the country.

Sudhir Sinha, president & COO, Best Western India, said the management would be establishing both the brands -- ‘Best Western’ and ‘Best Western Premier’ -- in India.

The franchisee model will offer Best Western India partners an opportunity to work with an international brand through which they will be able to access the Best Western chain’s global 4,200 hotel reservation network across the world. Rated as the world’s strongest brand in 2008 by MKG Hospitality, the leading market research and consulting company for the hotel & tourism industry, “the Best Western franchisee model offers one of the world’s most open and beneficial synergistic benefits to its members,” Sinha said.

The chain is making aggressive plans to expand its network in North India keeping an eye on the Commonwealth Games, which will see a large number of bookings coming its way through its international LYNX reservations network, managed at the US, Italy, and the Philippines. The Indian franchisee will also get support from 22 global sales offices aggressively marketing properties to corporate and travel agencies.

“We plan to provide the Best Western experience of hospitality and comfort to all our international patrons coming to India during the Commonwealth games,” Sinha said.