Best Western enters Myanmar

YANGON—Best Western International (BWI), the U.S.-based global hotel chain, has opened its first hotel in Myanmar, the Best Western Green Hill Hotel in Yangon, company sources say.

BWI becomes the first U.S. hotel company to establish a presence in Myanmar, following the recent political and economic reforms enacted by the Thein Sein administration that have drawn foreign investors’ interest.

The hotel is situated in the heart of Yangon, just 15 minutes’ drive from the Shwedagon Pagoda. It has 189 air-conditioned rooms featuring 32-inch flat-screen televisions with international satellite channels, bathrooms with bathtubs and showers, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

It also offers three meeting rooms offering more than 200 square metres of functioning space for business people. There is also a restaurant that serves a selection of Chinese, Asian and international cuisine.

“The launch of Best Western International’s first hotel in Myanmar means the company now has a presence in nine ASEAN countries. Best Western International is planning to announce further developments in Myanmar in the near future,” BWI said in a statement.

Next year the company will launch its first hotel in the country’s capital, Nay Pyi Taw, the statement said.

“There is no doubt that Myanmar is one of the world’s hottest hotel markets at present, with a major increase in new hotel supply needed to cater for a huge influx of guests. So it is vital that hotel owners in the country choose the right partners to ensure optimum performance at their properties,” said Glenn de Souza, the firm’s vice president of international operations for Asia and the Middle East.

“Best Western International wants to form long and lasting partnerships in Myanmar; we want to be here for the long-term, to help grow the country’s tourism industry. Our partnership with the Green Hill Hotel is just the start of our plans for Myanmar.”

De Souza also expressed confidence in the Myanmar project, adding that BWI’s proven track record in the Asian hotel market will enable the Green Hill Hotel to not only increase occupancy and average rates, but also broaden its geographical guest mix.

Best Western International is the world’s largest hotel chain with more than 4,000 independently owned and operated member hotels in more than 100 countries worldwide. Since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000 guests worldwide each night.

source: Eleven Myanmar

http://elevenmyanmar.com/business/4579-best-western-enters-myanmar