PHOENIX Best Western s development team brought 80 new hotels into the chain during the first fiscal quarter ended March 31.
In January, company officials announced plans to sign more than 400 hotels by the end of the year. During the first quarter, 35 hotels were added in North America and 45 were signed internationally.
Key acquisitions in North America included Best Western hotels in Houston, Boston, Newark, NJ; and Charlotte, NC. Key international additions included the first ever Best Western in Hong Kong and continued expansion in Europe and Asia. Internationally, Europe is where Best Western has experienced most of its growth. France leads the way with nine new properties during the first quarter, followed by Italy, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom with four new properties each. (5/29/01)