Best Western Premier

Best Western International – Asia has announced the opening of Best Western Doha Seef Hotel, its first hotel in Doha, Qatar, in June 2009.

“We are expanding throughout Asia and the Middle East to capitalize on the great opportunities available. Best Western Doha Seef Hotel represents an exciting landmark in Qatar,” declared Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s Vice President Operations – Asia. “Qatar is potentially one of the fastest-growing economies in the world this year with growth of 10%, so obviously this is an excellent time for us to enter the market,” the executive added.

The Emirate of Qatar forms a peninsula surrounded by several islands located halfway down the west coast of the Arabian Gulf and is centrally placed among the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). With a population of 1.5 million, the emirate has a moderate desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Almost 50% of the population resides in the city of Doha, which is the business and Administrative Capital.

Set amidst the city's major landmarks and central business district, the hotel is a 5-minute drive from Doha International Airport and close to the city’s spectacular corniche that snakes 7 km along the Arabian Gulf waterfront. Doha’s atmospheric traditional souqs (markets) are 2-3 minutes away while banks, shopping centers and major business offices are also nearby. The hotel is also within easy reach of the main cultural showcases, namely the Qatar Museum, the Museum of Islamic Art, and Fanar Qatar Islamic Cultural Centre.

Best Western Doha Seef is characterized by a blend of traditional Arabian hospitality and modern luxury. Rooms and suites offer spacious working and sitting areas and feature both shower and bath tub. Deluxe and Executive suites boast dramatic views of the Arabian Gulf. The restaurant, located on the Mezzanine floor, offers authentic local and international cuisine.

“Best Western Doha Seef Hotel differentiates itself from other hotels in Qatar with its heartfelt hospitality and uncompromising product and service quality based on excellent staff training. It possesses a distinctively Middle-Eastern sense of style and luxury, including Best Western’s trade mark value for money,” said Glenn de Souza, noting that the hotel has been nominated for a MENA (Middle East and North Africa) Travel Award 2009 in the category of Best Price Value Hotel.

“In short, it is a fine example of our core strategy of making quality our first priority and growing from that,” the executive added.

“Best Western Doha Seef Hotel targets all aspects of the hospitality industry but mainly specializes in corporate meetings and the event segment. Around 60% of its business comes from the Middle East with 40% from around the world. The potential sectors which are helping to reshape Qatar are MICE, industries such as oil and gas, sports federations and trading and shipping companies,” explained Mr. Ehtisham Waris, General Manager of Best Western Doha Seef Hotel, Qatar.

“Qatar represents a unique blend of tradition and innovation which will surely prove to be key factors in capturing an even bigger share of the international market,” added Mr. Ehtisham Waris. “It has the potential to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the Middle East.”

“Besides Qatar, Best Western expects Saudi Arabia to provide huge growth opportunities for regional expansion,” continued Glenn de Souza. “We are looking at several rebranding opportunities as well as new hotel constructions for prospective management contracts.”

Best Western recently took over the Dhow Palace hotel in Bur Dubai and manages two hotels in Bahrain and Doha. The company currently has five hotels under development in the region, including two in Kuwait, two in Muscat and one in Dubai.

Some 140 hotels operate under the Best Western brand across Asia and the Middle East offering 23,000 rooms. By 2010, the number of hotels is projected to grow to 200 offering 50,000 rooms.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN PREMIER | In 2003, Best Western introduced the first Best Western Premier® Hotels. Providing international travellers with a higher level of service and amenities, Premier properties must offer an additional 27 or more services/amenities above and beyond Best Western worldwide minimum standards. The properties are also subject to unique design requirements and a special quality review. More than 80 Best Western Premier hotels are currently located throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For more information about Best Western Premier, please visit .

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL | Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member 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. Best Western's diverse property portfolio, its greatest strength, stems from a business model designed to give owners maximum flexibility to address market-specific needs. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveller, Best Western recently embarked on a five-year mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com *Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

Kanapa Pitakpong
+662 654 1400
BWH Hotels