Best Western Becomes World's Largest ASTA Member.Business Editors/Travel Writers NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2001 The American Society of Travel Agents ASTA, short for the American Society of Travel Agents, claims over 20,000 members in 140 countries. Its members include travel agents and companies who offer travel products, such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc. (ASTA) announced at ASTA's 71st World Travel Congress (Nov. 4) that Best Western International has become the Society's largest single member, measured by the number of locations. Best Western International corporate headquarters will continue its membership for the 27th year, and its individual member properties will become associate members. "As the largest hotel chain in the world, Best Western's action clearly demonstrates the importance of ASTA to the vitality vi·tal·i·ty n. 1. The capacity to live, grow, or develop. 2. Physical or intellectual vigor; energy. of the travel industry. The Society is honored hon·or n. 1. High respect, as that shown for special merit; esteem: the honor shown to a Nobel laureate. 2. a. Good name; reputation. b. to count Best Western as our largest member, and we eagerly anticipate a long and fruitful fruit·ful adj. 1. a. Producing fruit. b. Conducive to productivity; causing to bear in abundance: fruitful soil. 2. relationship with its associates nationwide," said ASTA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Ri·chard , Joseph Henri Maurice Known as "Rocket." 1921-2000. Canadian hockey player. A right wing for the Montreal Canadiens (1942-1960), he led his team to eight Stanley Cup championships and was the first player to score 50 goals in a M. Copland, CTC CTC - Cornell Theory Center . "Best Western is stepping up to the plate financially and through education and partnership programs to support the travel agent community at a crucial time to recognize their contribution to the travel industry's overall success," said Bob Gilbert, vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Sales. "Travel agents have always been important to Best Western and represent 48% of our reservation business. Agents are an effective, efficient channel to distribute our products and we want to support agents through progressive commission policies and by supporting their association -- the American Society of Travel Agents." Best Western has demonstrated its support of travel agents by sponsoring educational programs at ASTA's 71st World Travel Congress and continuing its commitment to paying agent Paying Agent An agent who accepts payments from the issuer of a security and then distributes the payments to the holders of the security. Also known as a "disbursing agent. commissions. Best Western is currently planning other joint promotions with ASTA for 2002. In addition, Best Western will increase consumer recognition of ASTA by using the Society's logo on promotional brochures, letterhead and in its properties worldwide. The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents and its affiliate organizations is to enhance the professionalism professionalism the upholding by individuals of the principles, laws, ethics and conventions of their profession. and profitability of members worldwide through effective representation in industry and government affairs, education and training and by identifying and meeting the needs of the traveling public. The Society is the world's largest and most influential travel trade association with over 26,000 members in more than 170 countries. Best Western International is the world's largest hotel chain. As of its third fiscal quarter ending Aug. 31, it had 4,065 hotels in 82 countries and territories. It is a membership organization of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members. |
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