Phoenix, Arizona (October 25, 2024) – BWH Hotels, the leading hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, hosted its annual convention this week in Charlotte, North Carolina. With “Accelerate” as this year’s theme, nearly 3,000 attendees, including BWH Hotels’ hoteliers, operators, and partners from around the globe, came together to celebrate one another’s accomplishments and set the groundwork for a successful year ahead and beyond.
“We chose ‘Accelerate’ as our theme because it perfectly encapsulates the energy and momentum of BWH Hotels. Our company is a powerful, global network of hotels for every type of traveler. This year, we reached $8.5 billion in international hotel revenue and signed nearly 300 new properties, including our first-ever beautiful glamping resort, the Zion Wildflower Resort at Zion National Park,” said Larry Cuculic, President and CEO of BWH Hotels. “Our hotel teams are the heart of our business, and we are grateful our global community could come together this week to help shape the future and success of BWH Hotels.”
Key Highlights from Accelerate Include:
- Growing Internationally: With $8.5B in international hotel revenue, BWH Hotels is one of only two global hotel companies covering everything from economy to luxury. In 2024, BWH Hotels signed nearly 300 properties, reinforcing its position as the second-largest soft branding company in the world.
- Expanding Luxury: WorldHotels™ expanded its footprint in 2024 by adding several new properties, including, for the first time, three WorldHotels Residences. One of these is the beautiful Noble Crystal Tay Ho with 955 condos in the heart of Hanoi. Set for completion in December 2026, this property marks the launch of WorldHotels-branded residences in Vietnam.
- Entering the Glamping Industry: BWH Hotels announced its entry into the $12.4B glamping industry by adding Zion Wildflower Resort at Zion National Park to its diverse portfolio. This beautiful glamping resort is at the entrance of the breathtaking Zion National Park and is the first of many new glamping resorts to be added to the BWH Hotels portfolio.
- Owning the Boutique Space: With nearly 130 properties open and in the pipeline, Aiden® continues its trajectory as one of the leading boutique brands in the industry. In 2024, the brand opened new iconic properties across the globe, including its first-ever New York City hotel with Aiden Long Island City and new properties in Poland, Mexico, and Guyana.
- Excelling in the Extended Stay Segment: @HOME by Best Western℠ currently has properties under construction in Miami, Atlanta, and Orlando. This industry leader provides a home-like atmosphere with flexible, extended-stay options and a range of amenities designed for comfort and convenience. The company currently has 20 states and territories in its pipeline.
- Re-Envisioning Marketing and Loyalty: The company announced plans to further define its ‘Next Best’ guest and continue to enhance and grow its 60 million member-strong Best Western Rewards® loyalty program. This includes a forward-looking approach to more seamlessly integrating WorldHotels Rewards and Best Western Rewards into one global powerhouse program benefiting all travelers across the spectrum of the BWH Hotels portfolio.
- Enabling Success: The company announced a new DEX 3.0 Finance Program initiative funded by BWH Hotels which offers three custom financing packages to help hotels fund their FF&E directly through BWH Hotels Supply. This unique program was designed to support hoteliers’ success and improve their properties.
- Celebrating $1 Billion in Sales Revenue: BWH Hotels experienced significant increases in both leisure and business room nights throughout 2024, helping the brand reach a milestone of $1 billion in sales revenue for the first time.
With over 4,300 hotels in 100 countries and territories worldwide, BWH Hotels offers development opportunities for developers and guests in every market, as each brand offers its own personality and style. For more information, visit the development website.
Photos from the Accelerate Conference can be found here.