Best Western International today announced it has taken over day-to-day management of the world-famous brand in Australia and New Zealand.

“This will enable us to better compete in a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex marketplace,” Best Western International said.

It will now operate a Property Direct Relationship (PDR) with member properties in Australia and New Zealand, all of which are independently owned and operated.

Experience in other markets demonstrates that moving to a PDR structure results in better communications and enhanced service levels for guests.

“In those territories where Best Western operates PDR offices, hotels have given high marks in their annual surveys in the areas of sales support, marketing support, revenue management, revenue delivery and communication,” Best Western International said.

“Best Western International is committed to ensuring that all member hotels in Australia and New Zealand have the same experience.

“The goal is to have a more cost-efficient and effective organisation which unifies and leverages the existing staff in Australasia with the Best Western global team to drive superior revenue and service for Best Western branded hotels."

Best Western International says it is focused on ensuring a smooth transition so that revenue delivery and support for member properties is enhanced and not compromised.

“Our focus will always be on the success of our hotels.”

There are currently 115 hotels, apartments and resorts operating under the Best Western brand in Australia and New Zealand – all independently owned and managed, and all committed to the common worldwide standards of quality, service and value.

Further information: Martin Kelly, (0414) 774-978, martin@traveltrends.biz

About Best Western® Hotels & Resorts: Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. There are 115* Best Western hotels in Australia and New Zealand. Best Western offers 10 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier CollectionSM by Best Western, and BW Signature CollectionSM by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and online and mobile booking capabilities. Over 35 million travellers are members of the brand's award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. All Best Western and SureStay-branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.