PHOTO: Cape Town, South Africa. Best Western has announced plans to roll out 13 new properties across the country over the next year. (Photo by David Cogswell)
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has unveiled plans to significantly expand its portfolio in South Africa in 2016.
The Phoenix-based hotel company has announced an agreement with South Africa's largest international hotel chain, Orion Hotels, that will see Best Western add 13 hotels across the country over the next 12 months.
The first phase of the multi-phase agreement comprise the rebranding of three hotels, with efforts expected to be completed by July 2016.
As part of the first phase, the four-star Velmore Hotel Estate - which comprises the Velmore Hotel and the Velmore Grande - and the three-star Hotel Promenade will be added to the Best Western Plus portfolio, while the three-star Magoebaskloof Hotel will be rebranded as a Best Western property.
The company didn't release many details regarding the remaining phases but said the other 10 hotels will rebrand by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
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All 13 hotels will be managed by Orion Hotels but operate under Best Western's brand standards.
"This relationship positions Best Western for growth across the continent of Africa and also presents an opportunity for Orion Hotels' guests to take advantage of a truly global loyalty program," said Best Western president and CEO David Kong in a statement.
In his own statement, Orion Hotels CEO Franz Gmeiner said that "in addition to rebranding and upgrading our existing properties, securing management agreements and leases will be part of our core focus." Looking ahead, the two companies will aim to expand to other parts of the continent.
As for what the expansion means, Best Western's senior vice president of international operations Suzi Yoder said it will "introduce Best Western to many travelers in a key feeder market to the rest of the continent."
Guests staying at the new hotels will be eligible to earn Best Western Rewards points. The loyalty program is currently a partner of South African Airlines' Voyager Program.
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