Best Western International to invest Rs 1,600 cr in 66 new hotels in 5 years

MUMBAI: The US-based global hotel chain Best Western International today said it is planning 66 new hotels, majority of which in the four and five-star categories, in the country within the next five years, entailing an investment of Rs 1,600 crore.

"India is one of the fastest growing geography and we are confident of meeting the hospitality needs across all segments of travellers here. We plan to open 10-15 hotels every year here and will also focus on the growth opportunity beyond the metros where quality hospitality is just emerging," Best Western International president and chief executive David Kong said in a release.

"We are committed to grow by increasing our market presence in the country, focusing on new areas of growth, investing in local partnerships, communities and people," Best Western International Inc chairman Devang Amin said.

These properties will entail an investment inflow of Rs 1,600 crore and will take its room capacity to 5,919 rooms within five years from the present 2,581 spanning 34 properties.

These hotels will be spread across the country in the metros, other cities and small towns with a focus on key manufacturing and trading cities.

These expansion plans will reiterate the company's leadership position as the fastest growing hotel chain in the country, it said.

"Best Western sees an opportunity across different segments and is equipped to meet the market needs with its three ranges of hotels - Best Western, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier. The renewed focus is part of its commitment to understanding and meeting the growing needs of customers here," Kong added.

The new focus areas of growth will be the four star hotel categories with Best Western Plus and five-star hotels with Best Western Premier.

About 60 per cent will be in the four and five star and the remaining 40 per cent will be three-star hotels.