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Best Western on a roll in Asia Pacific
Paul Suvodip, regional director, Best Western Asia & Middle East recently sat down with Travelmole.tv to discuss the company’s current and future expansion plans in the region.
Best Western is becoming increasingly focused on the hotel management model in Asia, rather than the owner managed franchise properties the company is more known for, Suvodip says, which is supported by an Asia based management team in Bangkok.
Suvodip revealed that about 20% of the current portfolio are managed hotels.
"There has been almost 30 hotels signed in last year, and we are opening 20, with entry into new markets. We are opening in Bhutan next year and several in Malaysia."
Indonesia is a key market for Best Western, he says, with plans to expand across the archipelago.
"We currently have 12 hotels open and will soon launch another five within the next six months. We have focused on Jakarta but we are looking at new secondary cities as well."
Best Western has also signed deals for larger landmark properties in Malaysia including a 430-key suite hotel for Kota Kinabalu and a mixed use development in Genting that will feature 500 rooms.
Two further Malaysian properties are being developed in Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya.
"We are signing bigger hotels and the various brands are being distributed fairly evenly through Asia with the core Best Western brand and Best Western Premier."
In the Middle East there is a stronger focus on the Bset Western Plus and Premier brands, Suvodip said, due to the market preference for bigger room size and specifications.
To view the video interview click here
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TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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