The Hindu Business Line : Best Western plans to add 10 more hotels in India

The Chief Executive Officer, Best Western, India and South Asia, Mr Anand S. Gupta, told Business Line that the hotel chain plans to have a presence in every good destination in India.

While Best Western has a presence in several states, including Kerala, Mr Gupta felt that there were at least four to five destinations in the southern States alone where the chain was missing. "Delhi and Kolkata will be obvious destinations to have hotels. Besides, we will also look at Ludhiana and Jullundur, among other cities," Mr Gupta said.

The chain, which is said to be the world largest hotel chain with more than 4,100 hotels in 83 countries and territories, plans to open a hotel in Dharamshala (in H.P.) next month, officials said. While the chain recently signed up a property in Jaipur, Mr Gupta felt that Ahmedabad was another city that was missing from the list where Best Western should have a presence. In India, the chain has hotels in Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Kovalam and Madurai, among other cities

Besides, with the number of hotel room nights being sold in India increasing manifold to touch 13,000 room nights last year, the chain has set itself a target of selling 80,000 room nights this year. The chain has also appointed 15 preferred sales agents (PSAs) to further penetrate the market. The chain is working on a plan to ensure that each of its hotels in India has items like a hair dryer, an iron board and other such facilities to make the stay more pleasant.

In addition, with several hotels in the region, Best Western also hopes to benefit from intra-regional travel that is likely to take place. "Besides, there are also real opportunities in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We have also not penetrated Nepal as yet," Mr Gupta said.