Best Western International Expects to be Largest Hotel Chain in Asia by 2010

Best Western International, already the fastest-growing hotel chain in Asia, has its sights on becoming the largest hotel chain on the continent within three years.

Over the next six months, Best Western will sign 17 new hotel contracts in China, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand, among other countries, and is on pace to have more than 200 properties by 2010. The chain's Asia presence has expanded from just six hotels in 2001 to 106 today.

-- Indonesia. Four hotel contracts will be signed in the next six months.
The chain also is operating or developing hotels in Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Israel and Bahrain, with plans to expand in the Middle East.

Best Western selects areas for development based on economic indicators, technological infrastructure and the education and income levels of the population.