With this new brand, Best Western now offers soft brand options to hotel owners in most chain-scale segments, including theÊupper-economy and midscale segments with SureStay Collection by Best Western, the upper-midscale segment with BW Signature Collection by Best Western, and the upscale and upper-upscaleÊsegments with BW Premier Collection.
ÒAn increasing number of hotels in North America and overseas are going independent because they want flexibility and freedom from brand requirements, but they are also looking for an alternate source of business, a loyalty program, and a robust reservation system,Ó
said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts.
ÒNo one is offering a soft brand in the upper-midscale segment right now, so by diversifying our offerings in the space, it is clearly an opportunity for us to capture market share and achieve scale,Ó Kong continued. ÒAt the same time, we are happy to provide a home, and serve as a resource, to high quality independent hoteliers who have great potential to succeed. We believe this is a win-win.Ó
The first two hotels to join BW Signature Collection by Best Western are Killington Mountain Lodge in Killington, Vermont, and Brooklyn Way Hotel in Brooklyn, New York. Hotels joining this new brand will be on boarded in a rapid ramp-up, with near immediate access to Best Western’s revenue management systems, tradeshow and sales support, marketing programs, BWR loyalty program, global reservation system, and more.
ÒSince launching our BW Premier Collection in 2015, and last year, SureStay Collection, we’ve seen incredible results, with continued opportunity to grow,Ó said Ron Pohl, senior vice president and chief operations officer of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. ÒWe anticipate a successful launch of BW Signature Collection by Best Western and look forward to welcoming many more independent hoteliers to our family in the near future.Ó
While targeting rapid growth for its most recent soft brand, Best Western said that the company will be selective and focus on quality over quantity. To qualify, properties must maintain a TripAdvisor score of at least 4.0 and meet other standards, as well. Best Western anticipates 100 hotels to be in the BW Signature Collection by Best Western pipeline by 2020.
