Sri Lanka Development Highlights Asian Growth For Best Western International
embarking on a major expansion strategy in one of Asia's most exciting emerging markets - Sri Lanka.This year, the company, which operates more than 4,000 hotels worldwide, will plant its flag in Sri Lanka for the first time in its 68-year history. Best Western International and local company "Elyon Hotels" have signed a development partnership to develop the iconic Best Western brand across the country, offering hospitality management expertise to existing and proposed hotels island-wide.
The inaugural property to be launched this summer will be the 60-room BEST WESTERN Elyon Colombo
hotel, bringing the company's world famous attributes of comfort, convenience and service excellence to the Sri Lankan capital for the very first time.This property will be a charming city hotel with amenities including an all-day dining restaurant,
specialty restaurant, a bar, room service, fitness center and meeting. And like all Best Western hotels across the world, it will offer complimentary Wi-Fi to all guests.This opening will mark the start of a major nationwide expansion for Best Western in Sri Lanka. Under
the new agreement, Elyon Hotels will identify opportunities for new midscale and upscale hotels across the country. These are likely to include locations in the capital Colombo, or other key leisure and business destinations such as Kandy, Mirrisa and Tangalle.The initial target for the next three years is to have four more hotels with a portfolio of approximately
400 rooms, which is then expected to rise to 700 rooms within five years.Best Western's Vice President of International Operations for Asia & the Middle East, Glenn de Souza,
said he was excited by the opportunities in Sri Lanka. "The recent economic boom following the end of three decades of war has seen Sri Lanka develop rapidly," Mr. de Souza said."Driven by strong interest from India, China, the Middle East and Europe, international visitor arrivals
to Sri Lanka have been growing exponentially in recent years, reaching one million for the first time in 2012. This is expected to reach 1.5 million visitors in 2014, and as an international hotelier, Best Western has a duty to provide to this soaring number of travelers with quality accommodation options."I am delighted that we have formed a partnership with such a well-respected company as Elyon
Hotels, and I am confident of building a nationwide portfolio of Best Western hotels in Sri Lanka," Mr. de Souza added.Commenting on this landmark agreement, Presantha Jayamaha, Managing Director of Elyon Hotels
said, "Tourism infrastructure development in Sri Lanka is seeing fast-paced growth and we are excited to be a part of these emerging growth opportunities. We, at Elyon Hotels, strongly believe that partnering an exceptional hospitality brand such as Best Western will enable us to provide exceptional tailored service standards to the discerning travelers to this paradise island."This partnership with Best Western will also open up a whole new traveler market into Sri Lanka, due
to the vast brand recognition and loyalty card membership (more than 20 million members worldwide) enjoyed by this global brand. I am personally very excited about the potential of Best Western to enhance the tourism industry in Sri Lanka," Mr. Jayamaha added.In addition to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh is also a key growth market for Best Western. The size of the
domestic population and booming manufacturing sector are primary drivers of growth in this market.Best Western already operates the 51-room BEST WESTERN La Vinci Hotel in
Dhaka. And the company is now planning a major, multi-brand expansion across Bangladesh, with new midscale, upscale and luxury hotels opening in Dhaka and the coastal resort town of Cox's Bazar.First to open will be two BEST WESTERN PLUS upscale hotels - a 232-room property in Cox's Bazar and
a 56-room hotel at Dhaka Airport. And potentially in 2015, the company will launch a 448-room BEST WESTERN and 720-room BEST WESTERN PREMIER luxury hotel in Cox's Bazar."Bangladesh is one of the world's new tiger economies, with strong GDP growth," Mr. de Souza said.
"With rising incomes, strong growth in domestic travel, and a shortage of internationally-branded hotels, we believe Bangladesh represents a major opportunity for a global company like Best Western."Currently, Best Western has a portfolio of more than 200 hotels across Asia. And the company expects
to increase its regional collection to 300 properties in the next few years. Best Western first launched in Asia & the Middle East in 2001 and now covers 27* countries in the region.For more information on global development opportunities with Best Western International, please
visit bestwesterndevelopers.com.To learn more about a specific hotel or discover other Best Western hotels across the world, visit http://www.bestwestern.com.
About BWH Hotel Group®
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
Laura Cherry
Senior Manager Public Relations
602.957.5668
BWH Hotels
