Market uncertainty caused by Brexit has helped Best Western Great Britain post a record year for number of hotel applications and activations.
The membership organisation for independent hotels has seen a 110 per cent increase in hotels joining year on year including the first additions to its newest brand Sure Hotels by Best Western which has economy, mid-scale and soft brand options.
Les Asplen, managing director of Best Western Great Britain, said: “The last 12 months have been brilliantly busy for us.
“We realised 18 months ago that the market uncertainty was increasing interest in Best Western so we restructured our teams to handle the enquiries and that interest has converted into active members and a significant pipeline of new properties for launch in 2018.
“In times of uncertainty, independent hotels of all ratings want a structure that allows them to keep their independence but benefit from the security of working with a global brand.
“Best Western has always offered that but because we have changed for the better in the last three years – launching new brands, increasing quality and services and responding to our guests needs – right now, we are probably in our strongest ever brand position and that is being reflected in our recruitment numbers.”
The first hotel to join the new Sure Hotels brand is the city centre based Lincoln Hotel in which sits in the new soft brand, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western.
Asplen added: “Since widening our appeal to ten brands Best Western now has an option for every hotel and every guest.
“We already have 30 hotels in the pipeline for activation across our existing brands in 2018 and are quietly confident with current interest generated by Sure Hotels by Best Western that we will be reporting back-to-back record years as we continue to strengthen in the next 12 months.”