Best Western International, the world's largest hotel chain, plans to increase the number of its properties in India from the existing 34 to 100 by 2017.

With the hospitality industry witnessing a 20 per cent growth, Best Western will open 10-15 hotels each year in India and focus on Tier-2 and 3 cities and towns, its officials said here on Tuesday. Mr David Kong, President and CEO, BW International, told reporters that the global chain would increase the number of its rooms from 2,568 in 2011 to 8,500 in 2017.

Mr Devang Amin, Chairman of BW International for the year 2012, said the 65-year-old US-based hotel chain, currently has 4,200 hotels across 100 countries. “The BW's organisation is like Amul's wherein the members elect the Board of Directors and the Chairman. Sixty per cent of BW members are of Indian origin, and majority of them Gujaratis.”

Member-hotels of BW International on an average invest Rs 20-50 lakh per key (i.e. room), in three ranges of BW brands for the construction of a hotel.

“With even about half-an-acre of land and an investment of about Rs 12-15 crore, developers can build an international standard contemporary 60-room property,” said Mr Sushant Patnaik, Director and Co-Founder, Best Western India.

The global chain opened its 26th property in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, joining hands with a local player, Takshshila Realties, on a franchisee basis with a management tie-up with Best International. Mr Amin said BW is set to open another hotel in the Ellis Bridge area of Ahmedabad soon.

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