PHOENIX - Best Western International, The Worldå‘s Largest Hotel Chainå?, has enhanced its Groups Online Web site to include group rates that are available only to tour operators.

The easy to navigate site features hotel rich information for more than 1,600 Best Western hotels in 30 countries including color photos, amenities, meeting and conference facilities enabling tour operators to minimize their research time and prepare competitive client bids quickly and efficiently. Additional site content includes maps, attractions, weather and other travel-related information.

Groups Online is password protected and has been enhanced with group rates exclusively available to tour operators. Tour operators can view rates, quickly prepare a bid for their client and when the client selects the desired hotel an online request is submitted directly to the Best Western Group Desk.

“We have had phenomenal success with our Groups Online Web site with nearly 1,000 requests from tour operators and group leaders which have been using the site since its recent launch,” said Bob Gilbert, Best Western vice president, Worldwide Marketing and Sales. “Our goal is to deliver customized information that will ultimately make our tour operator clients more productive in their bidding process,” Gilbert added.

Best Western International is the World’s Largest Hotel Chain?. As of the fiscal year ended Nov. 30, 2001, the company had 4,053 hotels in 80 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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