SYDNEY, Jan. 27 --MediaNet International-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Best Western hotels across Australia join in global aid efforts Best Western International announced its ongoing commitment to support emergency relief to victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. As part of its “Best Western for a Better World” initiative, the company is hoping to raise US $1 million, with an immediate donation of US$100,000 distributed to Habitat for Humanity International and UNICEF. Over the next two months, Best Western will encourage the company’s more than 4,100 member properties to make a per room donation in February & March. The program will enable Best Western guests to make cash donations online at www.bestwestern.com. In Australia, all Best Western hotels, motels, apartments and resorts are encouraged to participate and Best Western Australia staff are also making donations. Best Western Gold Crown Club International (Best Western’s loyalty reward program for leisure and corporate guests) cardholders can redeem their points as donations to the Red Cross and Best Western Australia is also helping to promote the FlyBuys World Vision Asia Tsunami Appeal. Twenty percent of the funds raised will be given in support of Best Western employees and their families in Southern Asia who have been affected by the disaster while the remaining 80 percent will go to help the region. Initial assessments indicate that two hotels in Thailand, the Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa in Phuket and the Best Western Palm Galleria in Phang Nga have been impacted and are currently closed for repairs. All other Best Western properties in South Asia and India, which are located further inland or along the opposite side of the coast, have not been affected. Currently many of these hotels are contributing to the relief efforts, such as providing accommodations to those displaced by the disaster. "On behalf of Best Western International, I'd like to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of those affected by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Southern Asia," said David Kong, Best Western CEO. "Best Western has a growing presence in Indonesia, Thailand and India, and we see it as our responsibility to help the local communities in times of need." Best Western Australia offers 270 hotels, motels, resorts & apartments throughout Australia and is an affiliate of Best Western International - the World's Largest Hotel Chain with over 4100 properties in over 80 countries. Media Contact: Tanya Wilkins Communications Manager Ph: +61 2 8913 3346 Fax: +61 2 9955 9555 [email protected] www.bestwestern.com.au. --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--