Beginning March 22 for five days, Best Western hotel owners, general
managers and sales directors along with executives and sales teams from
Best Western International, will fan out across five continents to conduct
the 5th annual World’s Largest Thank You. This year, the goal is to make
in-person visits to more than 12,000 travel agents and key corporate
clients topping last year’s record 11,000 sales calls.
More than 820 North American properties will be visiting travel agents and
key clients to thank them for their business and showcase what Best
Western has to offer. In total, Best Western hotels in more than 20
countries including Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Norway are
participating in the global sales calls during the week of March 22-26.
Central to the effort will be the dissemination of information on the
company’s new NASCAR partnership and the implementation of free high-speed
Internet access in all North American Best Western hotels scheduled for
completion in September, 2004.

“Since launching this program four years ago, this annual event continues
to grow which is a testament of the great pride our hotel owners and
executives around the world take in the Best Western brand,” said Tom
Higgins, president and CEO. “Too often, in the normal course of business,
we forget the simple act of recognizing those who ultimately contribute to
our success. The response has been overwhelming, not only from the travel
agent community and our key clients, but from our hoteliers, as well.”

“This is a unique event and what you would expect from the World’s Largest
Hotel Chain,” said Bob Gilbert, vice president of sales and worldwide
alliances. “The travel agent community accounts for nearly 50 percent of
our total bookings, and we want them to know we appreciate everything they
do for us.”

To thank travel agents throughout North America for their continued
support, Best Western will be giving away several exciting prizes from
March 22 until April 30th. Prizes range from cash awards to a trip for a
family of four to Walt Disney World Orlando including airfare, hotel
accommodations and Disney Park Hopper Passes. Travel agents can visit
http://www.bestwestern.com/travelagentawards for more information.

Best Western International is the world’s largest hotel chain with more
than 4,100 hotels in 83 countries and territories. Best Western is a
membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that
provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members.
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