Expedia and Best Western announce distribution tie-up

Expedia and Best Western announce distribution tie-up

Best Western branded hotels are to be distributed via Expedia sites for the first time as part of a global partnership.

Best Western branded hotels are to be distributed via Expedia sites for the first time as part of a global partnership.

Franchise giant Best Western covers more than 4,000 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide, while Expedia has more than 15 travel sites in 70 countries.

The agreement includes participation in the Expedia Traveler Preference program, which provides Expedia users with an option to pay at the time of the booking, or pay the hotel at the time of stay.

Technology enhancements between the two companies will also ensure that rates and availability of rooms will be reflected in real-time on Expedia sites.

Melissa Maher, senior vice president of Expedia’s global partner group, said “Best Western is one of the most recognisable and popular hotel brands in the world. We are thrilled at the opportunity to drive demand to their owners, and offer Expedia shoppers a swath of new Best Western hotel options to book.”

Best Western’s marketing and sales senior vice president, Dorothy Dowling, said: “Expedia is an incredibly valuable distribution and marketing channel, and we see this new strategic partnership as a great investment to ensure hoteliers can easily and efficiently sell their hotel rooms on their sites.

“Expedia excels at driving demand from around the world, and their marketing power is something that our hotels will benefit from leveraging.”