Outlining Best Western's recent accomplishments in Asia to a group of
community leaders, hotel developers and press gathered at the Best Western Rosedale Hotel today were Jim Evans, Best Western International president and CEO, Suzi MacDonald, vice president of International Operations and Roy Olsson, managing director of International Development.

Best Western's recent activities over the past 12 months in Asia include:
 

"The Rosedale on the Park is a remarkable hotel and sends a strong message of Best Western's arrival in Hong Kong and our continued commitment to expand throughout Asia in other gateway cities," said Jim Evans, Best Western's president and CEO.  "This hotel is a significant addition to the Hong Kong skyline, but equally importantly, to the Best Western portfolio of more than 4,000 hotels in 80 countries," he added.

"We've made a major commitment in Asia by opening an office with a great development team under Roy Olsson's leadership," said Suzi MacDonald, Best Western vice president of International Operations.  "We're seeing the momentum build as a result with the entire Best Western team keenly focused on delivering brand value to our hotel owners and customers in Asia and around the world," she added.

"This is only the beginning of our development activity here in Hong Kong and throughout Asia where Best Western expects to open more than 20 hotels in South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia," adds Roy Olsson, Best Western managing director of International Development.

In addition to the Best Western Rosedale on the Park in Hong Kong, other hotels under development, or under contract, are in Wuhan (China), Manila (Philippines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Medan (Sumara, Indonesia), Seoul (South Korea) and two hotels in Bangkok (Thailand).

According to Best Western officials, hotels are under negotiation in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Taipei (Taiwan) and in Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, all in the People's Republic of China.

Best Western International is the world's largest hotel chain with more than 4,000 hotels in 80 countries and territories.  It is a membership organization of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its member hotels.