Best Western Accelerates Vietnam Expansion
OCTOBER 8, 2009 - Eying Vietnam's fast-growing tourist arrivals, with 5 million visitors expected in 2010, the chain plans to take its Vietnam portfolio from 729 rooms currently to 2,050 rooms within 2012.
'Our aim is to have a hotel in all the key areas across the country to serve sharply growing demand from both business and leisure travelers,' said International Development Manager - Asia, Mr. Rashane Sala-Ngarm.
'Our experience in similar markets in Asia makes us confident that our Best Western brand is exactly what the customer wants when they visit this amazing country. Indeed, we can clearly see that by the way our hotels have outperformed the trend despite the serious global economic problems.'
'We are also particularly attracted to Vietnam because of the vibrancy of both its tourist and business traveler markets which our products cater to equally well.
'When looking at Best Western, the corporate market appreciates our combination of quality accommodation, consistent services and great positioning in the right locations. As for the leisure market, Vietnam has so much to offer that particularly appeals to the kinds of people who value Best Western's high standards of comfort and reliability while still reflecting the special character of each particular place. Among those are a lot of North American and European visitors who love the country's culturally rich cities and World Heritage Sites.'
'At the same time, strong government backing for tourism development makes Vietnam a place you can be confident in when planning ahead and increased flights by low-cost carriers are all the time injecting more energy into the mix,' continued Mr. Sala-Ngarm.
Currently, Best Western has 1 property operating, with another to join its Vietnamese portfolio later this week. The Best Western Pearl River Hotel in Haiphong, which originally opened in 2008, is an ideal choice for both business travelers and vacationers featuring a total of 101 elegantly designed and decorated guestrooms, including suites. The new Best Western Muong Thanh in Hanoi, which will celebrate its Soft Opening on Saturday, October 10, 2009, features 168 spacious and well decorated rooms, conference and banquet rooms seating up to 200 guests, food and beverage outlets and the Savasana Spa & Wellness Center.
Best Western International - Asia also has three hotels in Vietnam at various stages of development:
o Best Western Sapaly Hotel, Lao Cai - 180 rooms (opening Q1 2010)
o Best Western Premier Nha Trang Plaza - 200 rooms (2010)
o Best Western Dalat Plaza Hotel - 80 rooms (2010)
Particular areas of focus include the three gateway cities with international airports, namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang. World Heritage areas have also been identified as strong prospects. These include Halong Bay and Halong City, Hoi An and Hue City. While Vietnam is famous for its long coastline and beautiful beaches, we also focus on the exceptional mountainous landscapes of Sapa (Lao Cai) and Dalat.
'Vietnam tourism is booming as the country has been certified as safe and has nice weather, friendly people, lots to see and great culture and cuisine,' said Mr. Kevin Corlor, Director, Business Development, Best Western Area Development Vietnam. 'What's more, from our perspective, there is still plenty of upside for development; this is not a mature market yet.'
'Indeed, it is the best time to be expanding. With strong government backing, the country is in the process of opening up to the world through its WTO commitments and so on, as never before,' the executive continued.
'What's more, from a purely infrastructural point of view, the time is right as world-class transport and communications systems are being put in place that will make this fascinating and diverse country much more accessible to discerning travelers from all over the world.'
He concluded that: 'All we have to do is make sure Best Western is always there with its customary warm welcome and we are already driving ahead successfully with our plans to achieve exactly that.'
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
