Best Western joins road to Mandalay

 The Mandalay launch will continue Best Western’s recent expansion in Myanmar, which commenced last year with the opening of the Best Western Green Hill Hotel in Yangon. The opening made the chain the first US-based hotel group to reenter Myanmar since the country opened up to the international community.
 “Myanmar has made remarkable progress in recent years and Best Western is delighted to be able to continue our development in the country,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s vice president of international operations for Asia and the Middle East.
 “Since launching last year, Best Western Green Hill Hotel has experienced strong demand from both international business and leisure travelers. We see huge potential in Myanmar and plan to develop a network of hotels across the country. The signing of our first hotel in Mandalay is a key step towards achieving this,” de Souza added.
 In addition to the midscale properties in Yangon and Mandalay, Best Western has announced plans to launch a luxury Best Western Premier hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.
 De Souza said he sees potential for all three of Best Western’s products – midscale Best Western, upscale Best Western Plus and luxury Best Western Premier – in Myanmar.
 “At present Myanmar is experiencing a strong level of new hotel development, but much of this is concentrated in the higher ends of the market. With Best Western’s 70 years of experience in the international midscale sector, and a choice of products that can be tailored to different markets, we have the opportunity to create new demand and drive business across the country,” he said.
 The chain now has almost 200 hotels and resorts – operating and under development in its portfolio across Asia and the Middle East, including 86 in Southeast Asia.