Best Western to build 66 new hotels in India
US hotel chain Best Western on Friday announced plans to build 66 new hotels in India, part of a nearly $300 million investment in the country's hospitality industry. Ten to 15 hotels are scheduled to be built every year for the next five years in a 16-billion-rupee scheme aimed at creating nearly 6,000 new rooms in the emerging sector. About 20 new Best Western Premier five-star hotels will be built with the company focusing on fast-developing cities outside the main metropolitan areas of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Other locations targeted include religious destinations such as the Sikh holy city of Amritsar and Shirdi, birthplace of the 19th century Hindu sage Sai Baba, which see millions of pilgrims every year. The president and chief executive of Best Western International said India was one of the fastest-growing countries for the chain. "Best Western International is focused on expansion of its presence in India and is confident that India will play a prominent role in the global growth plan of the company," he added in an emailed statement. About 60 percent will be four- and five-star properties with the remainder three stars. Hotel chain bosses say demand for better quality accommodation has increased rapidly due to India's economic growth, which has given people more disposable income and better travel opportunities.
