Best Western on the march in Laos
BANGKOK – Best Western International has signaled its intention to launch an aggressive programme of expansion into Laos with the appointment of an area development partnership, headed by Oudet Souvannavong.
Oudet is vice president of the Laos Chamber of Commerce, president of Laos Hotel and Restaurant Association, owner/general manager of Tai Pan hotel in Vientiane, and owner of Café Indochine restaurant Vientiane.
“We are very excited to stand on the threshold of opening up Laos as a new territory for Best Western,†said Glenn de Souza, Best Western vice president international operations Asia.
“Laos is a beautiful country with myriad scenic attractions that are, as yet, largely untapped,†said de Souza.
“Already, it ranks among the top five most visited countries in the Asean region and it undoubtedly has considerable potential to go much further. All this underlines the need for the international standard accommodation.â€
“Growing a portfolio of strategically located hotels all around Laos through Mr. Oudet will key into Best Western International’s goal of becoming the largest hotel chain in Asia, which is already our fastest-growing region,†de Souza added.
“So far, we have 133 properties in various stages of operations, rebranding, refurbishment and construction around Asia.
“This year, Best Western established its first foothold in the Middle East market and is growing rapidly in Southeast Asia and Indochina. Our overall target is to add another 80 hotels in the region in three years.â€
De Souza said Best Western is confident of opening five Best Western hotels in key locations in Laos within the same timeframe.
Ian Jarrett
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