WAIKIKI, HI More Best Westerns are expected to come online in South America by year s end with at least an additional 10% increase seen at the end of 2001, according to Raymond Lechner, Org. Best Western S.A., speaking here in Hawaii at Best Western International s annual convention. His organization, which covers several countries in South America, including Argentina, Chile, Columbia, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela as well as Panama, currently has 36 properties open representing more that 2,600 rooms.
Next year we should surpass over 50 hotels, said Lechner, We expect in the next five years we can have over 200 hotels. He noted the hotels cater largely to a business market, but expects to draw more leisure business in the future. (10/16/00) Stefani C. O Connor