Best Western has announced plans to launch its first hotel in Myanmar.
The US hotel company has sealed an agreement to take over the management of the Green Hill Hotel in Yangon, in a move that would make it the first American operator to enter the country since it opened up to international investment. The six-month-old property will now be operated under the midscale Best Western brand, and the company’s Vice President of International Operations for Asia and the Middle East, Glenn de Souza, said he believes international management will provide a boost for Myanmar’s hotel sector.
“There is no doubt that Myanmar is one of the world’s hottest hotel markets at present, with a major increase in new hotel supply needed to cater for a huge influx of guests. So it is vital that hotel owners in the country choose the right partners to ensure optimum performance at their properties,” de Souza said.
“We are confident that Best Western International’s proven track record in the Asian hotel market, along with our highly skilled management and staff, will enable the Green Hill Hotel to not only increase occupancy and average rates, but also broaden its geographical guest mix.”
The Green Hill Hotel is located in the Tamwe Township area of Yangon and features 189 contemporary rooms with 32-inch flat-screen televisions, international satellite channels and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel also features a restaurant and meeting room.
The entry of Best Western into Myanmar continues the rapid recent development of the country’s hotel sector. Hilton recently announced that it would launch a 300-room hotel in Yangon, which is expected to open in 2014. Accor has also committed to Novotel and MGallery developments in Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. And de Souza revealed that Best Western said it is also planning to announce further developments in Myanmar in the near future.
“Best Western International wants to form long and lasting partnerships in Myanmar; we want to be here for the long-term, to help grow the country’s tourism industry. Our partnership with the Green Hill Hotel is just the start of our plans for Myanmar,” he said.