Best Western Unveils Global Quality, Development & Web Enhancement Initiatives on 55th Anniversary; Hosts World's Largest Sales Call On January 17.

Business & Lifestyle Editors

NOTE: A PHOTO and AUDIO clip relating to this story will be

available for journalists to download beginning today at

www.newstream.com.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2001

Best Western International, the world's largest hotel chain with nearly 4,100 properties in 83 countries, today kicked off its 55th anniversary celebration with what is believed to be the hotel industry's largest launch ever of quality and brand enhancement initiatives.

"In a world where success is measured by vision, innovation and commitment, Best Western is truly the hotel brand on the move," said Jim Evans, president and CEO, Best Western International. "Over the past few years, Best Western has quietly been reinventing itself. As one of the oldest and most recognized brands in the hotel industry, our North American members and international affiliates felt that our 55th anniversary was the ideal occasion to reintroduce our revitalized brand, and announce our impressive list of major new initiatives."

"While each initiative is important and impressive individually, as a group, they are arguably the largest product quality undertaking of its kind in the hotel industry. Because of our size and multi-national reach, this undertaking--the largest ever by a single hotel brand--will enhance the quality of the hotel industry worldwide."

Best Western today reported on these important brand initiatives around the world at more than 10 press conferences on three continents and tomorrow will take its message along with its thanks for using the brand to some 5,500 travel agencies and key accounts around the world. Best Western owners, affiliates and employees will make these personal visits in Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. (Editor's note: A separate press release, "Best Western to Hold the World's Largest Hotel Customer Appreciation Day," is available at www.bestwestern.com/newsroom. Several news updates will be posted over the next 24 hours.)

New "Best Requests" Global Standards

"Best Western guests look to our properties for uniqueness and variety. Member hotels are not 'cookie cutter' units typical of many hotel chains. Our hotels reflect the charm and appeal of their local markets," Evans noted.

New research revealed that Best Western - as the world's largest hotel chain - had a unique opportunity to improve guest perception and usage. In a groundbreaking Best Western research study, some 1,400 travel agents and customers selected what basic items are most important to hotel guests. Interestingly, survey results were remarkably similar on the three continents where research was conducted.

"Because this is what our guests asked for, we are pleased to introduce our new 'Best Requests' global amenities and services. We're making them policy worldwide. A set of 'Best Requests' amenities and services (16 in North America and 14 internationally) will be fully implemented in North America by October 1, 2001 and January 1, 2002 internationally," said Evans. (For a complete list of Best Requests see the attached chart and diagram of guest room).

"The Best Western brand has unparalleled global distribution. While many of our properties already have many or most of these features, establishing truly global product standards enhance product consistency and increase guests' confidence about what to expect at every one of Best Western's 4,100 global properties," Evans added.

Development Advances - 400 new hotels worldwide in 2001

"Best Western has stepped up its efforts to add quality properties on a global basis," said Evans. "We seek to add a careful blend of new properties and converted existing properties to our brand. We expect to add, or sign agreements with affiliates for, more than 400 new member properties in 2001, a record for the brand. In addition to enhancing our quality assurance process around the world, we are placing more emphasis on new construction to help keep our product fresh."

North America will lead new development activity, with the planned addition of more than 165 properties, compared to 149 U.S. properties added in 2000. Leading target markets will be New York, N.Y.; Chicago, Ill.; Atlanta, Ga.; Dallas, Texas; Washington, DC; Orlando and Miami, Fla.; Phoenix, Ariz. and Las Vegas, Nev. Activity also is expected to be significant in California, South Carolina and Indiana.

Best Western will target areas where the brand is under-represented and can add properties to raise visibility and awareness. Markets include a mix of urban, airport, resort and roadside properties.

International development will account for approximately two-thirds of the expected expansion. The brand will open its first hotel in Hong Kong this year, one of nine new countries or territories expected to fly the Best Western flag by year-end. The Best Western Rosedale on the Park-Hotel and Suites will feature 274 rooms and suites and also will be Hong Kong's first Cyber Boutique hotel. The hotel will offer 45 suites, concierge floors and state-of-the-art technology, including broadband Internet access, DECT (digital enhanced cordless telephones) and WebPhone (Internet touch-screen telephones).

Approximately 140 new Best Western hotels are planned to open in Europe in 2001. France is expected to be the leader with more than 20 properties, followed by Great Britain and Italy. Greece, Turkey, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Norway and Spain are each expected to add between five and 10 new member properties. The brand will enter Croatia and Liechtenstein for the first time in 2001.

Nearly 40 new properties are expected in Mexico, Central and South America. Brazil and Mexico each are expected to add between five and 10 properties. Further South American development will also occur in Bolivia, Paraguay, Belize, Ecuador, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Activity is expected to be robust in the Far East. More than 20 hotels are expected to open as Best Western properties, led by the People's Republic of China and South Korea. Four new countries will join the Best Western membership, including South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and the Maldives.

Australia will continue its growth with the addition of more than 10 hotels, which will bring the total in that country/continent to more than 250 properties. Nearby New Zealand is expected to add at least 10 new properties in 2001.

South Asia continues expansion with India leading the way. Sri Lanka is expected to have its first Best Western in operation by year-end.

Further Harnessing e-commerce

In addition to trip planning/mapping tools and an on-line customer feedback section added earlier this year, Best Western today launches two new enhancements to its popular consumer Web site. These include an updated Gold Crown Club International (GCCI) Web site and a new electronic newsroom. Bestwestern.com is already one of the hotel industry's most successful with approximately 10 percent of all reservations booked on-line.

GCCI, the chain's frequent traveler club, is one of the few truly global hotel frequency programs. Club members worldwide can earn points toward exciting awards at more than 4,100 Best Westerns throughout North America, Europe, Central and South America, New Zealand and Australia. Guests worldwide can now browse complete club details including how to earn and redeem points for numerous awards. Best of all, consumers can now sign up and receive their unique membership number on-line. In addition, GCCI members can obtain their current account balance and have the ability to view club award and benefit descriptions.

Best Western's electronic newsroom debuts today and features the latest news from the global brand, fact sheets, executive bios, news on corporate programs, speeches and an image library.

Best Western at 55

Evans noted that Best Western hoteliers now are more unified in terms of branding and quality initiatives than ever before in the chain's 55-year history. "Best Western is different from any other hotel brand because we are a membership association, rather than a franchise organization," he said. "We have member entrepreneurs leading the company and talented management teams in place around the world to strategize and focus Best Western's efforts. It's a powerful combination, as evidenced by our stable and strengthening brand," Evans said.

Best Western is the world's largest hotel chain with nearly 4,100 hotels in 83 countries and territories. It is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its member hotels. For additional information, please visit our Web site at bestwestern.com.

NOTE: A PHOTO and AUDIO clip relating to this story will be available for journalists to download beginning today at www.newstream.com.