Bangkok--23 Sep--Best Western International With an ambition to increase its portfolio of hotels throughout Asia from 133 currently to 200 within 2010, Best Western International (BWI) — The World’s Largest Hotel Chain? - has appointed Mr. Kevin Corlor, CEO of V.B. International to lead the drive in Vietnam as Best Western Area Developer. BWI has identified Vietnam as one of the strategic markets in Southeast Asia and Mr. Corlor’s immediate brief is to develop a strategy for rapid expansion of the franchise and management services in the country’s highest-potential locations while also burnishing the image of the brand as it is perceived locally. Working closely with the BWI development team at their Asia Head office in Bangkok, the new Area Development Office has a target to develop at least five hotels in Vietnam within 2010. “Vietnam is showing all the signs of becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western’s Vice President International Operations — Asia. “The infrastructure is increasingly in place and the attractions in terms of culture, scenery and distinctive hospitality are all there ready for a sharp increase in visitor arrivals over the coming years.” “So far, we have one Best Western hotel operating here — the recently opened Best Western Pearl River Hotel Haiphong— but it is early days for us and with the appointment of Mr. Corlor to implement our expansion plans, we are confident of achieving our targets going forward,” the executive added. Kevin Corlor, nickname Vu, is a Hong Kong-Vietnamese national and a graduate of the Hanoi Economic University and the Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne. He worked for eight years with the Hai Phong Foreign Affairs Department followed by 12 years of international hospitality and hotel experience, mainly on the operations side, in Hong Kong, Malaysia, the UK and, since 1995, Vietnam. ”Vietnam has a wealth of natural resources,” said Mr. Corlor. “One of its greatest assets is its long coastline with its excellent harbours and easy access to myriad marine resources. The beaches are outstanding and the list of areas of scenic beauty that are well suited to tourism development is long and increasing all the time.” “Moreover, the country is rapidly growing and integrating into the world economy,” Mr. Corlor concluded. “Investors have identified it as a key market in Southeast Asia and this, coupled with the potential of its bright young workforce and ambition to achieve ‘developed’ status by 2020, with a stable society and healthy environment, make it particularly ripe for hospitality development. Our Best Western projects can be seen in various cities in Vietnam such as Hoi An, Hochiminh and Hanoi. Best Western obviously wants to be there and with the establishment of the Area Development Office, we are now fully committed to being part of that.” Media contact:Dolly Belo Kanapa Pitakpong & Nootnaree Bootpim Regional Communications Manager Public Relations Coordinator Best Western International Best Western International Tel: +662 656 1260 Tel: +662 656 1260 Fax: +662 6561252 Fax: +662 6561252 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]