David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts tells Vinita Bhatia that when you have quality, you have a solid foundation. That explains why the brand has stuck to 4,100 hotels since a decade; it is a demonstration of their commitment to quality.
There are two things that David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts does not shy away from. The first is speaking his mind. The second is dealing with challenges with simplicity. His philosophy is, if you can’t beat them, join them.
At a time when most hospitality chains are wondering how to deal with the onslaught of online travel agencies (OTAs), Kong’s was the first US brand to feature Trip Advisor’s user reviews on their company website. With this one sweeping move, he reassured customers that they can go through user-generated feedback on Best Western’s site before choosing to book a room, whilst giving them the flexibility to directly book rooms from the OTA’s page instantly, showing that his brand is happy to be transparent.
These are few ways in which Kong is making the 70-year old brand relevant in a digitally empowered world. And it looks like he is succeeding.
Which are the brands in your portfolio currently?
We have Best Western, our flagship brand, Best Western Plus and Best Western Premier. Three years ago, we launched four other brands. Vib is an urban location boutique hotel brand aimed at tech-savvy, contemporary travellers. We also have Glo for the secondary market. Executive Residency is a extended stay product for business and leisure travellers.
We launched BW Premier Collection recently because some guests want to enjoy a lot of respective brand standards with the freedom of flexibility and have advantageous business terms with online travel agent (OTAs). Today, we have about 20 BW Premier Collection in North America alone and 20 worldwide.
Given this diverse portfolio, why did you choose to launch only the Best Western brand in India?
This story is from the February 2017 edition of Hotelier India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 2017 edition of Hotelier India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Western Couples Are Choosing India For Their Big Day?
Decoding the reason, and how to cater to them...
A Match Made in India
Director General of Tourism Mugdha Sinha's grand vision for wedding tourism...
Tee Off in Style
Hoteliers are giving golfing facilities a boost even as they offer putting greens that make the sport popular.
Bespoke Getaways: What Makes Them Desirable?
Boutique hotels are increasingly becoming the first choice among discerning guests as they provide meaningful breaks.
Blending Tradition with Innovation
The balance of honouring tradition while adding a dash of modern flair is what keeps the culinary scene fresh and exciting...
DON'T THINK, OUTSIDE THE BOX
The oft-quoted maxim, \"Think out of the box!\" does little to encourage creativity or innovation and often is their enemy.
Putting the Wow into Weddings
As hotels become the preferred venue choices for weddings, the industry is certainly shaking things up.
Innovation Is Not an Option but a Necessity
Emphasizing the need for the Indian hospitality sector to innovate and disrupt itself in the current transformative period.
Why Marriott built its GCC in India?
Drew Pinto, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue & Technology Officer of Marriott International, tells Hotelier India all about finding the best talent in India...
FROM POTENTIAL TO POWERHOUSE
In an exclusive and candid interview with Hotelier India, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, India's Minister of Culture and Tourism, speaks about how tourism and hospitality will power India's economy by 2047.
