Tag Archives: David Kong

Best Western Hotels & Resorts has acquired renowned global hotel brand, WorldHotels representing a collection of approximately 300 unique and special hotels and resorts in premier destinations around the world. The WorldHotels brand will play a critical role in enhancing Best Western’s portfolio of offerings to include the upper upscale and luxury segments. “There is tremendous synergy between Best Western and WorldHotels. By joining forces in this new partnership, we will create competitive advantages for both companies,” said David Kong, President and CEO, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. WorldHotels will maintain its distinctive personality and individuality while benefiting from Best Western’s robust and scalable e-commerce platform, strong partnerships, award-winning loyalty programme, effective sales and marketing support, global distribution network and powerful revenue engines. “As we join forces, the combined power of our brands sets the stage for a bright future for both Best Western and WorldHotels. Through its established senior leadership team and regional presence in each market, Best Western brings a new level of expertise that will undoubtedly help grow the WorldHotels brand in key markets,” said Geoff Andrew, CEO, WorldHotels. In the last year alone, Best Western was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, expanded its portfolio to 13 dynamic brands reaching new guests in new segments, and won a record number of industry awards and accolades. The acquisition is a testament to Best Western’s commitment to growth, modernisation and continued progression, bolstering the company’s position as a trusted leader in the global hospitality industry.

Phoenix-based Best Western Hotels & Resorts has acquired Sweden Hotels, a collection of 59 hotels across Sweden, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition makes Best Western the largest hotel chain in Sweden, with a total of 135 properties. Sweden Hotels, which has been in business since 1977, now gets access to Best Western’s loyalty program, Best Western Rewards, its distribution channels, and its customer relations, marketing, and purchasing services. Best Western said the deal will help the company grow its newly formed SureStay Hotel Group brand, as well. In a statement, David Kong, CEO of Best Western said, “Best Western is always on a quest to grow our offerings around the globe. The opportunity to broaden our footprint with a quality partner like Sweden Hotels is one that we couldn’t turn down. We look forward to what I’m confident will be a longstanding and prosperous venture.” In another press statement, Jenny Bänsch Larsson, chairman of Sweden Hotels said, “It feels good to be part of BWHR (Best Western Hotels & Resorts). With the merger with BWHR, we will now be able to help hotels better in areas such as distribution, marketing, purchasing and sales.”