Best Western Switzerland: Strong sales growth and expansion plans
The Best Western hotel group increased its sales in Switzerland by 30 percent in the 2016 financial year. In the coming years, the hotel portfolio in this country is to be doubled to 34 properties.
Best Western Hotels Central Europe GmbH closed the 2016 financial year with stable revenue growth in all countries served from the headquarters in Eschborn and Bern. In Switzerland, sales last year grew by almost 30 percent year-on-year to CHF 13.65 million. The focus is now on the further expansion of the hotel portfolio in Switzerland, the group says.
In total, more than 230 hotels in the ten countries Germany, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Hungary belong to the Best Western brand since the beginning of 2017. They are managed under the joint corporate umbrella of Best Western Hotels Central Europe GmbH with headquarters in Eschborn and regional offices in Bern and Vienna. In Switzerland, the brand currently includes 17 hotels with 1,156 rooms in Zurich (2), Bern, Zermatt (2), Chavannes-de-Bogis, Biel, Lausanne, Ittigen, Geneva, Schaffhausen, Lugano, Lucerne/Horw, Bulle, Winterthur, Rorschacherberg and Neuchâtel.
Portfolio to double
Now the portfolio is to grow. "In this respect, we are on a very good path in Switzerland. In many locations, both in cities and vacation areas, we are holding intensive talks with hotels that want to join the brand," says Marcus Smola, Managing Director of Best Western Hotels Central Europe GmbH.
The aim, he said, is to double the hotel portfolio in Switzerland in the coming years and achieve further revenue growth for the hotels belonging to the group. "We see great opportunities to expand in Switzerland in particular. In view of the increasing market concentration also in this country, it is important to provide individual Swiss hoteliers with professional tools and services in order to be able to compete successfully in the future," Smola added.
Through Best Western's parent company, DEHAG Hotel Service AG, all Swiss hoteliers simultaneously own the brand. "In addition to the economic advantages, this is an important criterion for brand affiliation, especially for Swiss private hoteliers who have often run their establishment as a family business for generations," explains Smola.
