WorldRes.com, a leading online hotel reservation network, have announced the activation of Best Western International hotel properties on the WorldRes system.
Best Western is the world`s largest hotel chain with nearly 4,100 hotels worldwide. Best Western hotels are now offered through WorldRes` extensive network of Internet distribution and destination marketing organization partners worldwide, including Delta Airlines, Yahoo!, the Chicago Convention and Visitor`s Bureau and Freeserve.com.
 
Best Western International accommodates more than 250,000 guests each day in 82 countries and territories around the world. Best Western properties are now able to receive online reservations through WorldRes.com`s proprietary network of distribution partners through a seamless link between the WorldRes platform and Best Western`s central reservation system (CRS). The seamless CRS link enables Best Western properties worldwide to offer up-to-the-minute rates and inventory without managing a separate interface for Internet reservations. WorldRes offers a low-cost, feature-rich system that enables hotel chains to get the most out of every reservation.
 
“Best Western is clearly a leader in delivering exceptional lodging value, and we are very excited to offer the Best Western properties to our consumers,” said John Banczak, vice president of Distribution for WorldRes. Don Smith, vice president of Key Accounts for WorldRes, added, “The relationship with Best Western, the world`s largest lodging brand, clearly illustrates that chains recognize the revenue growth potential in our low-cost, supplier-friendly distribution and marketing programs.”
 
“Approximately 30 percent of our total online bookings come from various third-party sites similar to those associated with WorldRes.com,” said Mary Beth Knight, vice president of E-commerce at Best Western International. “As more consumers turn to the Internet to make hotel reservations, it is important that Best Western hotels be available through numerous distribution channels which makes this partnership ideal for both parties,” Knight added.

 
About WorldRes.com

WorldRes.com, Inc. (www.worldres.com
) is a leading online hotel reservation network with over 21,000 hotels and over 2,000 web distribution partners. The company expects to generate more than $250 million in hotel reservations revenue in 2001, representing over two million room nights sold for its clients. WorldRes.com owns and operates two consumer web sites: PlacesToStay.com (www.placestostay.com) and BedandBreakfast.com (www.bedandbreakfast.com). Founded in 1995, WorldRes.com is headquartered in San Mateo, and operates offices in France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

 
About Best Western International

Best Western International (www.bestwestern.com
) is the world`s largest hotel chain. As of the company`s third fiscal quarter ending August 31, the brand had 4,065 hotels in 82 countries and territories. It is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its member hotels.
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